Issue 812

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The Scene - Local Entertainment News

• Local Gig Guide

She's Giving Me Nightmares...

The portents for Machine Gun Fellatio's new 5-track EP For the Ladies, are perhaps darker than expected. It might be the fact that Machine Gun Fellatio singer/songwriter Pinky Beecroft is trying to fend off a stalker who's been giving him grief in cyberspace, but MGF's latest song is appropriately titled 'The Girl of my dreams is giving me nightmares'.

Pinky's been forced to abandon his email account but thankfully the MGF show will go on. And MGF deliver one of the wildest stage shows you're likely to see this Easter. They also deliver a kind of blues with a wry smile (and plenty of rock). You can catch them at the Great Northern in Byron this Saturday and Sunday nights. Tickets from the pub or at the door - but you might want to get them beforehand, cause it's bound to be a popular gig.

All Fall Down for the Jebs

While Jebediah drummer Brett Mitchell is sick of being asked about the bagpipes on their single 'Fall Down', he admits there's a story behind the choice of unusual instrument.

'We were demoing the song early last year with just a guitar line when Chris played this little, spacey riff. He's got this thing about making his guitar sound like other instruments, especially instruments that you don't hear that often and it sounded like bagpipes. We thought it would be a queer, quirky inclusion for the song,' Mitchell said.

Jebediah, whose third, self-titled album, recently received massive radio play as the triple J feature album, have a collaborative approach to writing songs.

'We're really a de facto family. We don't have to like each other all the time - any shirtiness just adds to the momentum. It'd be impossible if we didn't like each other at a basic level - the band is a great group of people always there for each other,' he said.

The Jebs are back from a tour of the States last year and looking forward to getting on the road around Australia.

'Our profile's been a bit low in Australia for a while so we're looking forward to getting out there and playing some gigs - different gigs - big festival shows, smaller intimate shows. We pretty much put everything into every show. Sometimes the intimate shows can be the most fun - in a tiny little room the audience really gets to experience the whole sound,' Mitchell said.

Jebediah play at The Great Northern Hotel next Tuesday, April 2. Tickets from the pub.

COGs Grind in Ballina

Cog play with Animism and Forte at the Ballina RSL tomorrow night.

If you're not going off to the Blues and Roots Music Festival and heavy music is more your thing, check out Sydney band COG at the Ballina RSL tomorrow night, March 29, from 8pm.

COG's debut EP, Just Visiting Part 1, has debuted at number two on the Australian Independent Record Charts and after doing more than 80 gigs in eight months last year, they were nominated for Best Emerging Live Band in NSW at the 2001 Australian Live Music Awards.

Their single Bondi from the EP is getting high rotation airplay on Triple J at the moment and a recent review in Sydney's Revolver Magazine said 'a killer groove.... They may not be superstars yet, but they've definitely got the potential to reach those heights soon.'

COG perform in-your-face hardcore rock, and they will be joined on stage by local heavy rock bands Animism from Lismore and Forte from Byron Bay. Entry is $5 at the door.

Roots Spread Far and Wide

Ozomatli promise to be one of the highlights of the Blues festival this weekend.

For proof of the musical diversity at the East Coast Blues & Roots Festival, then look no further than the multicultural party of Ozomatli, the LA seven piece who recently released their second CD, the appropriately titled Embrace the Chaos.

It's an album that embraces Latino rhythms, from salsa to a hip hop samba, that's grounded by the sounds of streetlife as tenor saxophonist and vocalist Ulysses Bella explains.

'I spent most of the time cruising around LA with an audio recorder in my car. I love soundscapes, the flavour of real life bustle brings out the real dirt of life!' he said.

This is Ozomatli's second appearance at the Blues Fest. They've spent most of the last three years on the road.

'On the first record, we were just stuck in LA,' Bella says. 'These songs represent all of our travels since then.'

The song '1234' is a nod to New Orleans brass band music, while 'Timido', a crowd favourite in live sets, came out of the band's trip to Cuba.

Perhaps the biggest difference in Ozomatli's musical style from their last visit is their approach to the Afro-Latin style switches they're famed for. The band used to run from cumbia to dub to hip hop and back again all within the space of a single song, but now the change-ups mostly happen between songs. The Latin songs stay that way, as do the hip hop tracks, allowing them to focus more on the flow and composition of the song itself and less on what genre jump is coming around the corner. The familiar hooks and cross-cultural unions still abound: a kora fuels the Caribbean pachanga cheers of 'Los Ozos,' while 'Sueños' puts an urban thump in a shuffling samba. The salsa swing of 'Dos Cosas Ciertas' is interrupted by a jungle rhyme barrage, and tabla sprays show up wherever they're needed.

It's wild and wonderful and infectious. You can catch Ozomatli at the Bluesfest on the main stage Saturday and Sunday. For the full festival program, see page 23.

• Thursday, Single-Day, 3-Day and Season tickets are available from the Festival box office at the Blues Fest site or log on to the security assured Bluesfest website (www.bluesfest.com.au) to purchase tickets with your credit card. Tickets also available through Ticketek & usual outlets.

The winners of the Thursday night locals tickets are Elio de Re of Goonellabah and Craig Robertson of Alstonville.

LTC Alive in 2002

Some of the new Lismore Theatre Company committee members (l-r) secretary Laurie Axtens, artistic director Brian McCarty and president Gray Wilson with assistant coordinator of the Goobah Goobah Theatre Company, Roy Gordon.

The Lismore Theatre Company (LTC) is gearing up for its 2002 season, with the newly elected committee getting productions underway after just a fortnight in office.

The first production of the season will be a collaboration with Goobah Goobah Theatre Company on a play called Up The Road, by young Aboriginal playwright John Harding.

The story revolves around a young Aboriginal bureaucrat who returns home to his community on a country mission to attend his uncle's funeral, after nine years away.

Aboriginal actors and actresses or all ages are wanted for the production, which will be performed in Lismore toward the end of May. Auditions are being held in Lismore from Thursday-Saturday, April 4-6. To get involved phone 6621 5633.

According to the LTC's new president, Gray Wilson, this collaboration is part of the LTC's commitment to keeping in touch with the local community.

'I look forward to guiding the LTC forward with more live shows and improved opportunities for local actors to get involved with the company and gain experience,' he said. 'We want to re-connect with the local community, hence the collaboration with Goobah Goobah Theatre Company, which we hope is the first of many community collaborations.'

Other shows the LTC plans to produce this year include a musical entitled Love Off The Shelf and a production of Shakespeare's infamous play Macbeth with former North Coast Writers' Centre director Peter Barclay.

The LTC will also present the all-female play, House of Bernarda Alba, by Spanish playwright Frederico Garcia Lorca and a radio play fundraiser called Yellow Aubergine.

The LTC always needs more volunteers for backstage positions. For more information phone Brian on 6621 5633.

Blue Moon

Nimbin's School of the Arts is enjoying the hangover before the party after paying the public liability insurance on the hall. But they're going to celebrate with the Blue Moon Ball next Saturday, April 6, in what's become a pay-the-insurance cabaret.

The night features the Durga Babies, Ritho Latino, comedians Jean-Paul Bell and S Sorrensen and dancing. The night is catered and licensed. Bookings are esstential from Perceptio in Nimbin, phone 6689 1766. Tickets are $20/15 conc.

Wax and Wane

The next Wax Lyrical acoustic showcase is next Wednesday, April 3 at the Tatts Hotel , Lismore.

The gig features an array of diverse local talent, with something to suit everyone's taste.

Lead singer of all-female band Proem will do an acoustic set and there will be a performance by piano player and singer/songwriter Sally Mansfield.

Others included in the line-up are Virginia Norrie's new three-piece band Flyte, local duo The Defendants, and Stephen Bondor. Gollan regulars Mel and MJ will perform some original compositions, as will guitar and vocal duo Spirit Charger and female duo Teena and Elle.

The gig starts at 8pm and tickets are available at the door.

Totally Addicted to Bass

Bass player and former Trinity Catholic College student, Joel Burton, got his first taste of stardom recently when he performed at Encore, a student's music showcase at the Sydney Opera House.

Joel was one of 20 students chosen from around NSW to perform at the concert, his place secured after he obtained full marks in his 2001 HSC music examination and sent in an impressive video of his performance.

Joel was accompanied at Encore by his music teacher Nick Peterson and fellow students Gene Peterson, Doug Daley and Sarah MacDonald, who played backing music during Joel's performance piece - a funky contemporary rock piece with elements of Greek music and jazz.

'It was the most unbelievable experience, and the atmosphere was amazing,' Joel said. 'We walked out on stage and the crowd just went crazy - there were about two or three thousand people there and they were getting right into it.

'I can't describe it, it was just really exciting and a lot of fun. It's definitely inspired me to perform and play more music and I'm looking forward to starting my music course at Southern Cross University. Hopefully one day I'll be a successful recording artist, but more than anything I just want to play music and keep having fun with it.'

Joel and Doug, who played piano during Joel's Encore performance, are both studying music at Southern Cross University while the other members of the group, Sarah and Gene, and both doing their HSC at Trinity Catholic College.

Coming within Coo-ee

For the first time, Sydney's Coo-ee Aboriginal Art Gallery will be selling collectable art works in Byron Bay. This two week sale is a rare opportunity to purchase original works on canvas and paper, limited edition prints, sculpture and bark paintings. Amongst the many artists represented will be National Aboriginal Art Award Winners such as Dorothy Napangardi, George Millpurrurru, Paddy Fordham Wainburranga, artists from Papunya Tula, as well as such renowned artists and elders as Eubena Nampitjin, Jimmy Nerrimah, and Abie Jangala.

The sale runs April 5-19 at 3 Centennial Circuit in the Byron Bay Arts and Industry Estate. For details contact Adrian Newstead on 0412 126 645 or visit www.cooeeart.com.au

Clowning around at the Lizard

Jean Paul Bell will feature at the Laughing Lizard Comedy Lounge at Maggie Moores next Tuesday night.

This month's Laughing Lizard Comedy Lounge, to be held next Tuesday, April 2 at Maggie Moores, will feature the comedy stylings of a very special guest, Jean Paul Bell.

Jean Paul Bell is an acclaimed mime artist and comedian as well as a clown doctor with the Humour Foundation in Australia. Jean has recently returned from 'clown doctoring' in Kabul, Afghanistan, where he visited numerous hospitals and schools, putting a little laughter into the lives of the patients and students who have lived under the oppressive rule of the Taliban for years. In Afghanistan Jean Paul was the subject of a ABC Radio National documentary and The Laughing Lizard is proud to present this special show featuring Jean Paul for Lismore audiences.

Jean Paul will be supported by veteran entertainer Peter Willey, who mixes comedy with his guitar playing to create some hilarious original songs. Most are comic reworkings of famous pop, folk and country tunes and he is well-known for compositions such as Thongs of Faith and Kitchen Tea Tupperware Massacre.

Hosted by MC S Sorrensen, the night will also feature Colin Pasche and other support comics plus a $50 joke competition. Fabulous food is also available, and meal and show ticket is just $20 (to book phone 6622 1888).

Show only tickets are $12/$6 for uni students (bring ID), and the show kicks off at 8.30pm.

• Freebie: The Echo has one double pass to giveaway to The Laughing Lizard. Phone The Echo on 66622 2888 on Tuesday, April 2 between 10 & 10.10am and tell us the famous clown's name starting with B.

Snap, crackle and jazz

A new trio, Snapdragon, will make its debut at the regular jazz night at Maggie Moores next Wednesday, April 3 at Maggie Moores.

The three-piece ensemble features trumpet player Scott Tinkler (pictured), Thierry Fosmale on bass and effects and Des McKenna on drums and percussion.

Being an improvisational trio, we can't tell you what they'll be playing because they don't even know themselves. We can tell you however that they are three of Australia's finest improvisational musicians and the gig will be totally spontaneous and very unique.

The gig starts at 8.30pm and entry is $5 at the door.

Throw Another Song on the Barbie

Acclaimed composer Elena Kats-Chernin has written the music for Mr Barbeque

Composer Elena Kats-Chernin grew up on a diet of potatoes in the former Soviet state of Uzbekistan. It wasn't until her family emigrated to Australia when she was 17 that she had her first experience of the barbecue.

'I remember Russia for standing in queues constantly for everything including bread and milk,' she said.

And while confessing she's 'not much a meat eater', it didn't take long for Kats-Chernin and her family to fit into the Australian way of life. Within the first few months, they'd been to a few barbecues. She soon recognised she had her own special outlook on the occasion.

'I was always more interested in the dips rather than the meats. I don't know why I was fascinated by it so much,' she said. But barbecues were not her place 'It's a man's job - it's always the man who's cooking the meat'.

Now Elena Kats-Chernin, who wrote the music for the Deep Sea Dreaming segment of the Sydney Olympics opening ceremony, is coming to terms with life at the barbie by writing the music for NORPA's upcoming show Mr Barbeque, starring opera singer Lyndon Terracini.

Writing the music for the theatre cabaret piece has been a challenge, giving life to the words of librettist Janis Balodis.

'His words have a certain rhythm and the songs are driven by the rhythm of the words. Some have a bit of irony in them and I've tried to play on that, approaching it a bit more light-heartedly, with more humour and a light hand,' she said.

Having written what she calls 'serious' music for the like of the Sydney Symphony Orchestra, Australian Art Orchestra and the acclaimed Bang on a Can All-Stars, this time she tried to imagine the sizzle and clatter of the backyard ritual.

'Let's say this is more jazzy, swingy and entertaining, but with a deep sense of meaning hopefully. The first instrument is Lyndon's voice, so I write imagining his performance. We wanted a band for the music rather than an orchestra,' she said.

While Kats-Chernin will play piano, she'll be joined by double bass and percussion, bassoon, clarinet, saxophone and violin.

'The wind instruments can be lyrical and humorous and even tragic. And for one song we wanted romantic, doleful violin music.'

She'll be joined by musicians from the Queensland Orchestra who know Kats-Chernin's work, having premiered her piano concerto Displaced Dances in Brisbane in 2000.

Ironically, she's so in demand as a composer that she gets little time to enjoy a barbecue.

'I'm no good at it, but we do go around to my sisters for a barbecue. It's great fun and always fantastic, but you've got to have the whole day free. So when would I have time to write the music?'

Mr Barbeque will be performed at Lismore City Hall, April 10-12 at 8pm.

You can discuss the making of Mr Barbeque and have your questions answered on the NORPA feedback link located on NORPA website at www.norpa.org.au

Tickets for the show and other productions in the NORPA 2002 Season are now on sale.

For bookings call the Northern Rivers Ticket Centre on 6621 5600 and ask about our special group booking discounts.

If you would like a season brochure or more information on shows, call NORPA on 6622 0300.

Local Gig Guide