Everyone has got an aching bone Something imperfect inside The picture may be pretty But there’s always something to hide
Flat feet, terrible teeth The flaws remain concealed There’s lipstick on the cover In the morning the truth revealed
Bad breath and wrinkled eyes The Botox is wearing off The aching bone is constantly nagging Unable to look pretty and cough
As I was waiting somewhere, my left foot aching from fallen arches, a pretty girl walked by, drawing my eyes. Perfect on the outside, what is her fallen arch? Her hidden aching bone?
Today I’m feeling:
(1.40 am) still awake with a headache.
(3pm) When I finally got to sleep it was deep and with no real morning planned for, I slept until 11am and headed off to coffee and Tom’s new shop on the bus. Even then I didn’t quite wake up until I started browsing the books in the shop, of which he had curated a good selection and I picked up about five. It was good to see Tom too, he looks like he’s doing well these days.
I walked over to Newtown which was really nice to do, past old buildings and streets I used to drive through.
I got to Moshpit and met Bob and Julian and the band turned up and I caught up with everyone again. Nicely nostalgic and not too weird, even though it’s a Sunday afternoon and I have other places to go to soon.
Today I’m grateful for:
Tom and 19th Nervous Breakdown for buying me coffee, giving me CDs and only charging me 20 bucks for 5 books and a CD. Good man!
Also to Julian for covering the cost of my ticket to the show today. Good man!
The best thing about today was:
Catching up with Shouwang and Carsick Cars again and talking about the good old days, I suppose. It seems like in Beijing these aren’t the good old days anymore.
What was out of your control today and how did you handle it?
Apart from my sleep there was nothing much that couldn’t be easily handled. I didn’t even eat until 7 pm except a Snicker Bars which took off another piece of tooth after losing a bit last night whilst eating bread rolls. I guess that was out of my control but thankfully the filling is still intact so there’s no pain at the moment.
Something I learned today?
Thanks to Dave I learned too much about chickens and limestone. I’m somewhat jealous of people like Bronwyn and Dave who are just able to keep talking even if it’s not that interesting or relevant. I noticed Dave checking himself occasionally before he started wandering off into conspiracy land though he did end up getting into something but I can’t even remember what it was now because it was just so dumb.
Who do I need to spend time with?
I need to spend more time with Amy and to settle back into a comfortable routine that will work for me again. I know there will not be enough time to do all the things I’ve been used to and Amy will have me busy doing things.
I took this picture because it’s been a good while since I got my ears blasted at a show.
When my boot is on your neck I’ll offer you charity for your aid Then once our positions are understood Your debt to me needs to be repaid
I’m sympathetic to all your woes But don’t finger-point at me Even though it’s no longer a secret About my foreign policy
The blame lies back with yourself And your own quest to rule The floods and famine of God’s will And you’ve been played the fool
You are the pirates, as I steal You are the dictator, as I dictate Look around for your own slaves And look to me to imitate
I rained down democratic bombs Gave you the freedom you need You’re exactly where you are wanted Precisely as I agreed
Today I’m feeling:
(2 am) Despite a long day, I’m still awake. Have a headache and tense legs. I want to sleep. I know I’m tired. But my body just won’t let me.
I’ve watched a star travel from the middle of the window until the edge, over these last three hours.
(11 am) I woke up again around 7 am with the sun shining through the window and was wide awake again for another hour. I managed to get up despite not wanting to, as I want to get coffee!
Today I’m grateful for:
Being able to link my Aussie bank card to Apple Pay which makes it easy to pay for things here.
The best thing about today was:
The evening of jazz was nice and I enjoyed it.
What was out of your control today and how did you handle it?
After looking forward to walking down King Street in Newtown I was disappointed in the shops that are there now and that despite it being late-night shopping, everywhere except for bars and restaurants were already closing before 6 pm. The city too seems a little over-gentrified with only a few old-school shops being able to hold on and it won’t be long for them either. This is not my city anymore.
Something I learned today?
Sydney is not what it used to be.
I got a message today that we go back to school on the 27th which gives me a couple of extra recovery days. However, for some reason they want us to work at the weekend too! I think for us we can probably just go and clock in though. I’m not sure what they expect us to be doing really.
What is one thing that I have always wanted to create?
Since enjoying music so much in my life I’ve also wanted to make it. Unfortunately, I have little talent or education and now I don’t make enough time to do it despite having the tools available. There’s still plenty of time left, right?
I took this picture because this is the first, and maybe last, time at Lazybones jazz club in Marrickville.
consolador de dos caras la campana, 53-55 liverpool st, sydney $10 8pm
this is the one we’ve been waiting for! and the line up has blossomed madly! first band will be on at 8.30 tonight so BE EARLY!
the laurels – the laurels are a 5 piece psychedelic/shoegaze band from sydney. first taking the stage in june 2006, the laurels juggernaut has accumulated accolades, guitar pedals and fans in approximately equal proportion.
Vialka – Vialka is an inflatable submarine that survived the commercial war. It travels unrestlessly around the world to explore the rich diversity of its cultures before it is too late. Vialka is a noisy comedy not ashamed of its own way by scorn or ridicule. It is an invitation to dance to steady explosive rhythms, terror melodies and experimental movements. It is a symphony for humble flesh through the high spirits of rock’n’roll. Globetrotting mavericks and dynamic two piece from everywhere and nowhere, Vialka unfailingly blow the minds of the uninitiated! With the world’s smallest and hardest hitting female drummer and ungodliest (un)bearded baritone guitarist, this band surpasses all expectation of the possibilities of popular music!
ian wadley – played with bird blobs, jandek , mick turner plus a whole list as long as your arm. have a look at the website for more info. Oh and also brother to greg of new waver fame
the question – Formed through a combination of too much time + equipment and lack of like minded individuals. no more sitting around >>>time to mess around.
as if these bands weren’t enough there will be other crazy shit going on in the front room:
TEN THOUSAND FREE MEN & THEIR FAMILIES
– 10kfreemen is the alias of Tom Gilmore, an Australian chiptune artist. Tom began making Game Boy music in early 2007 with very little exposure to the world of chiptune. His early minimalistic style developed with his exposure and increased involvement with the scene, along with the development of a live show to express himself to new audiences and expose a new genre of music to an unaware Sydney, Australia. http://10kfreemen.comhttp://myspace.com/thefloortom
DIVIDE BY ZERO
Often described as a mathematical anomaly, Divide is setting out togive a big lo-fi fuck you to mathematicians. ”Anomalise this, cunts” he has been heard to say, wielding a gameboy in each hand whilst shooting lazers out of his eyes. He also occasional designs flyers for No Frills.
PRZEWALSKI’S HORSE
In the wild, Przewalski’s Horses live in social groups consisting of a dominant stallion, a dominant lead mare, other mares, and their offspring. The patterns of their daily lives exhibit horse behavior similar to that of feral horse herds: Each group has a well-defined home range; within the range, the herd travels between three and six miles a day, spending time grazing, drinking, using salt licks anddozing. The stallions can frequently be seen sniffing dung piles to confirm scent markings, and playing out 8-bit tunes in Sydney.
ABORTIFACIENT
When not elbow-deep in recreational autopsy, Abortifacient likes to program Breakcore. Born in 2005, Abortifacient has taken his brand of Queensland Breakcore on a Japanese tour. Like a Gabber set at the Gympie Muster, Abortifacient’s live shows blend Psychobilly, Chiptunes, and Horror Film Fanaticism.
plus the usual DIY markets – bring your wares if you have something to sell
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fri 25
‘stikki records’ 510 king street, newtown , sydney 12.30pm all ages FREE
capa capo death cage rocksteady dub militia squidd doin it for the money fuck oath.
its a public holiday so no excuses!
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sat 26
wolli creek outdoor acoustic entertainment society 1pm meet at turella station
harriet trini commonfilth + more
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sat 26
Name: Killerwatts System presents… Tagline: Death from Above Host: Killerwatts Type: Party – Night of Mayhem Time and Place Start Time: Saturday, April 26, 2008 at 9:30pm End Time: Sunday, April 27, 2008 at 12:30am
Location: Dirty Shirlows Warehouse City/Town: Marrickville, Australia
PASSENGER OF SHIT MATT BLEAK CAT-GRRL DIABOLIQUE DISLASYSTEM DJ ZEITGEIST
i really wish i could go to this as it’s luca brasi’s only show in sydney this weekend. i’ve heard good things about dining in tuscany and i still haven’t seen hospital the musical or schrodingers cat! in my absence you should go check it out! and then head on round to dirty shirlows for mad dancing.
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sat 26
YR wherehouse (contact me if you need address details) 8pm $?
i’m really excited about this sunday!!! we’re having a big tea / cake party at jura bookshop, with music by loads of lurvely ladies and then a bit of a discussion about women in diy music and activism.
my good friend lena has come up from melbourne to grace us with her gorgeous sounds, louise has some new tunes for our listening pleasure, anna will tearour hearts out with her musical tales and i’ll play some little bits i’ve been working on.
there’ll be a huge spread of vegan cakes and treats! feel free to bring some along if you’re extra inspired. and we’ve plenty of tea cups to go around!
most importantly there’s going to be a discussion of women and queers in diy and activist communities in sydney, but more broadly as well. don’t be shy – come and contribute!
the whole thingo kicks off at 11am on sunday morning (27th april) so don’t sleep in too much or you’ll miss out on all the edible goodies! jura bookshop is easy to get to – a five minute walk down crystal street from etersham station, or a short bus ride from central station down parramatta road. it’s number 440 on parramatta road, just a block from where norton street meets parramatta road. just next to the flag shop and opposite the bald faced stag (pub) if that helps.
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sun 27
thirroul neighbourhood centre 1pm $5
hospital the musical mary jane kelly run! hide! sound the mute hira hira let me down jungle man gently
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get prepared for Malaysian screamo merchants DAIGHILA in sydney next weekend (sunday 6pm at hot new space Dirty Shirlows with amazing support from former republics, ohana and the thaw!)
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shaun/tenzenmen ++ i’ll either be at these events or wishing i was there ++
8pm – gateway hotel, newcastle – supporting my disco, with naked on the vague and poland
back to the airport to pick up limited express (has gone?) and round to a friend’s house for a BBQ supposedly with the rogers sisters and popfrenzy peeps in tow. we had to leave before they got there though but everyone felt good and happy eating a traditional aussie outdoor lunch under a cloudless bright blue sky.
so, replenished, we headed off to newcastle and by the time we got there it was dark with loud snoring coming from the back of the car. eventually we found the gateway hotel and loaded things in and organised equipment etc. the room is really used as a discotheque and we couldn’t figure out a way to get good light onto the stage so it was pulsating lights and mirror balls for all the bands!
poland and naked on the vague played short sets to a small but appreciative audience.
the brisbane crew rocked up as promised and limited express (has gone?) played an energetic and destructive set to cap off the tour. the sound wasn’t great but everyone enjoyed the chaotic energy of jj and yukari with koji getting up off his drumseat quite a few times too.
my disco finished off the night with their excellent june of 44-ish hard post rock sounds.
we hung around chatting with various members of various bands and sold merchandise in a steady flow until the pub kicked us out.
thankfully there was little traffic on the way back to sydney and we got home at about 1.30 which meant i could get about 5 hours of sleep before going to work in the morning.
9pm – mandarin club, sydney – midnight special! (now with naked on the vague onstage at 11pm)
we all surfaced late and chilled out. we took to the streets at the absolute worst time traffic wise and by the time we made the city i was mad as hell and the band were getting nauseous with my erratic driving – we loaded the gear into the mandarin club, with the fine help of the pure evil trio who were lending their equipment for the night and i spent the next 20 minutes looking for somewhere to park only to have a parking meter swallow my money for nothing in return! at least things could only get better!
the band ran through soundcheck quickly as chief soundman tobey had to dash off to another venue to play a show. we headed off for food and relaxation before getting back to the club at about 10 or 10.30 just as more people were coming through the door.
the mandarin club room on level 4 is pretty spacious and i’m not sure how many people were there but naked on the vague had done some table rearranging earlier to help push interested spectators closer to the stage and as they played their short 20 minute set there were a few people up close and i think everyone else paying attention pretty much.
naked on the vague is matthew from vincent over the sink playing bass and lucy on keyboards and most of the vocal duties. while i prefer the quirkier tunes of vincent this band was pretty great too – it’s kinda fucked up new wave – almost no-wave. i want to see more of this band.
we had a shortish break in which time more people came in and the merch stall got busy. limited express (has gone?) took the stage at around 1am in the end and there were many people here ready for special show time! and they certainly got a show!
the sound was a little ropey in places due to the small pa (no fault of tobey’s) but that didn’t detract from the power and energy of an up close and personal experience – in which jj decided once again it would be a good idea to get on my shoulders during one song. the crowd seemed into it and when the set finished there were shouts for more but the dj’s took over after a brief silence.
i went to man the merch stall but as i sat down the dj’s stopped and it looked like an encore was coming – we got a bassless mophin’ fellet, crowned off with a full band free style riding. i desperately wanted them to come back for more but the band felt the energy was spent so sydney – you missed out on the limited express (has gone?) version of bad brains ‘i against i’.
when i told my friend this he promised to drive to newcastle on sunday to see it! people partied on some more to the dj’s and most everyone picked up some merchandise on their way out during the night. unfortunately for us and our tired bodies this meant we had to stay til the 3am finish knowing we had to get up at 8am to get to the airport for limited express (has gone?) to fly to brisbane in the morning. not to worry though – everyone was pumped and happy and excited.
load out, drive home and once again i went straight to sleep as the band refuelled and koji watched ping pong club!
8pm – warehouse, coromandel place, city, adelaide – with paddington bear affair + more
we got everything packed up and crammed into the taxi for the qirport – it was a beautiful day in melbourne again and i wish we could have stayed longer. the management team came back to sydney and limited express (has gone?) took off on their lonesome but to be met and looked after by zac – so over to him for the adelaide details.
we showed up at the warehouse at about 7:45 only to find that the resident hippies had changed the locks on mossy and the bands. in anticipation of limited express (has gone?) and a good night out, quite a few people had come to the venue early – a pleasant change from the usual adelaidian attitude of being ‘fashionably late’ to the point of missing support acts. after a couple of very ugly and scary fists fights out the front, we decided that it would be better to hold the show elsewhere.
after briefly toying with the idea of a carpark show, we eventually piled into our cars and drove to hindley street and brett & co’s small apartment. the lounge room was cleared of furniture and miscellaneous debris and everybody pitched in to set up amps and drums against 3 sides of the cramped room. with much help from the housemates, we managed to collect about $50 worth of donations before the bands had even started. the bands kept their sets short so that it could all be over before midnight and the neighbours could get some sleep.
the paddington bear affair kicked off proceedings with a short, noisy, and pretty messy set that got the crowd into a party mood. next up was apes of god, which was supposed to be a solo project. a laptop provided pre-programmed music (dance-y 80s new-wave stuff), with emmett singing over the top. others joined in the fun, playing instruments (not plugged in) and dressed in bank robber attire (with stockings and orange bags over their faces).
next up was my sister the cop – fun, tight and rocky as always, despite the unusual conditions. the final of the support bands was i’m gonna fucking kill you who had been practicing in the lounge room prior to our arrival. they played some sort of rocky hardcore and i was very impressed with this being only their second or third show. they made sure everyone in the room got a free, individually titled demo cd-r.
finally, it was time for limited express (has gone?) to take the stage. the trio had been watching the supports quietly from down the hall but burst into life in front of the crowd. due to a lack of microphone stands (the previous band having to duct tape a microphone to a door frame) lehg chose to play a bass-less set but they still sounded amazing.
while the support bands seemed unable to get a nice clear mix after hurriedly getting themselves and their instruments organised, the simplicity allowed by a guitar/vocals/drums combo meant that limited express (has gone?) were definitely the best sounding band on the night. the room full of onlookers were extremely appreciative between songs and looked to be enjoying themselves immensely during limited express’ short set, which consisted of tiger rock, mophin’ fellet and a cover (though I couldn’t pick it). lehg also looked to be having a lot of fun, with yukari singing amidst the crowd and jj surfing on top of the kick drum.
the shortness of the set left the crowd wanting more and they were promised that much more music and fun would be had at the grace emily. perhaps only 30 or 40 people came (more would have arrived had they known about the change of address) but everybody in attendance had a great time.
after the show, lots of people thanked the band, many perused the small merch desk, and others just buzzed with amazement and excitement after what they had just witnessed. it was a good taste of adelaide punk rock and definitely an interesting first night for limited express (has gone?).
8pm – bar open, melbourne – with the stabs, twitch of the death nerve and vincent over the sink
everyone stirs themselves slowly and we sort ourselves out with coffee and bread before loading gear out to the car and taking the quick trip to bar open. we’re all a little bit disorgansed and not sure how to arrange tonight’s show – finally we agree to set gold coin donation as entry.
there’s people milling about everywhere and suddenly show time arrives starting with vincent over the sink – these guys are so quirkily cool – their tunes are simple, arrangements odd and style bizarre and uncomfortable – just what interests me in a band. i’m so happy that they had this opportunity to play to a bunch more people than they might usually do and nao-san has tweaked a perfect sound for them.
twitch of the death nerve and the room is getting packed with just a little space in front of stage which singer dan soon takes the opportunity to stomp around. twitch are awesome in their complex and dynamic structure and dan is more than just a capable frontman – he has a great voice too. things get a little bizarre mid way through the set as dan covers himself in tomato ketchup and mayonnaise and then continues to throw himself around the room – crashing into me one time, i give him a big shove which splatters him across the floor but he gets up without missing a beat and continues on his merry way. needless to say the crowd loved the craziness.
next the stabs performed their fucked up aural sonic bliss – they take some standard rock elements and pound them out and the crowd appreciated it greatly. i was kinda distracted trying to organise everything during the stabs set though – hopefully they’ll make it up to sydney one day and i can get a proper dose.
bar open is now packed to the gills and there is anticipation in the air. after a nice introduction from mark (who really does believe limited express (has gone?) are the greatest band in the world!) they unusually kick off the set with tiger rock and we’re treated to yukari bouncing around the stage and floor space and some almost silent subtlety during the bridge section with breathy whispers of tiger rock (supposedly a dedication to yukari’s favourite baseball team).
yukari straps the bass on and here comes special show time in full force with the beginning refrain of aloha! i skip this song on the cd having heard it so many times but there’s something new and fresh about it every time they play it live because the band and audience both respond with big smiles and big bounces and everyone is caught up in the moment – from here on out the audience is captivated – totally sucked in to the experience!
the band are happy enough to play in front of just a few people but when they have the attention of a couple of hundred people up close and personal they turn into pure magic. i’m anticipating jinichiro craziness during stop>go and beckon him into the crowd and he willingly obliges and i soon get the message he wants to go upwards so i squat down and slowly lift jj up on my shoulders, i do my best to stagger and sway to the rhythm! i get a tap on the head and lower jj down and he hops off perfectly in time with the next section of the song. when the song finishes i remind jinichiro that i’m an old man!
the rest of the set maintains the high level of excitement – peaking for me with the new song (possibly titled “ichi ni san shi…”) which is rivetting in it’s typical limited express (has gone?) madness – i’m in heaven right here! talk to me, all right closes out the set with jinichiro throwing his guitar to the audience and performing his almost trademark windmill jump (it’s not like townsend, believe me!). soon the chant of ‘we want more’ is raised and limited express (has gone?) are happy to oblige for a bassless version of mophin’ fellet before finishing off band like with an ass kicking run through free style ridin’ – yukari overcome with emotions and happiness runs up to koji behind the kit and falls forward with her bass flailing and the drum are rendered unusable – this is the end – yukari, not sure what’s going on, goes off to the side and curls into a ball before being beckoned back to the stage for a final bow!
everyone is happy, the room is full of joy. my god – that was special show time all right!
it’s a couple of hours before we manage to get out – the merchandise has halved already – after two days! jj calls japan later to get more sent out! everyone is energised and it takes me an hour or so to count out all the donation coins while the others load out and make a trip back to mark’s with equipment before coming back for us.
i was astounded to find over 500 bucks in donations including a couple of 20 dollar notes! this meant we could pay the support bands a hundred bucks or more! (twitch of the death nerve donating all their share to limited express (has gone?)!)
we find some twitch friends outside trying to get their car started – we can’t help them but as we’re driving away dan appears and races up to the car, dives through the front window and shouts ‘aaallllooohhhhaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa!’ much to the amusement of us all!
when we get home mark teaches jj some classical spanish guitar – it’s great to watch mark showing jinichiro the song and see him struggle to play it (it’s pretty complex)! i give in to weariness and fall asleep happy and smiling.
8pm – northcote social club, melbourne – supporting the rogers sisters and love of diagrams
despite numerous phone calls and cat’s crying we wake up well rested and enjoying the sensational sunshine as we, again, lazily head to the city and wander around cafes and stores. there’s a strange tension as i’m sure everyone is thinking about the shows tonight and how important they are.
mark takes us up to the northcote social club and we get acquainted with the setup and introduced to everyone, band members, organisers and staff. limited express (has gone?) do a quick soundcheck and make sure everything is perfect.
the merchandise table is setup and the doors open – it’s great to see a big turn out for a support band – something which has been worrying me about the rogers sisters support slots. it soon becomes obvious that everything will be fine as the band put extra effort into special showtime and the crowd love it. it’s a short fast set and everyone is happy.
the merchandise stall soon becomes very busy and remains that way through the night except when the bands are playing.
love of diagrams, despite worrying about how to follow limited express (has gone?) pull off a nice tight set – the sound in the venue is extremely good.
the rogers sisters put on a good show too and the sold out venue is packed with happy punters. the merchandise stall is still busy for limited express (has gone?) even 30 minutes after the gig has finished and we are trying to pack everything up – occassionally having to run to the car to get more cds for people! amazing!
2am – the pony (late show), melbourne – with the new
but the night is young for us.
mark drives me and the gear to the pony while everyone else gets some food.
at the pony the japanese grind band palm are still playing their show despite it being time for the new to load in and get ready. the pony is packed with people – many who have come from the northcote to see limited express (has gone?) again and after getting all the gear up the stairs and passed all the people myself, dan (singer in twitch) and our friend darius start blowing up balloons in anticipation of extra special show time!
the new play some cool emo punk rock and enjoy themselves in the hot sweaty confines of the pony. a mad scramble to swap out gear ensues and soon people make their way to the front to see what all the fuss is about.
a quiet start with the quirky plinks and plonks of donuts as i hand out party poppers and kick around the balloons before it’s straight ahead into aloha and a set that includes a couple of new songs with yukari taking the mic stand into the crowd to sing right up close and personal. the drunken throng respond and it’s party time at the pony.
yukari finishes off with ‘thank you – i love you’ and dives headfirst into the drumkit while jj’s feedback staggers to a halt. and it’s all smiles for crowd and band. it takes us another hour or so to load out through the mob of drunks – still going at 4am! a few of us wait outside chatting with the new and sipping coffees to keep warm and stay awake.
we eventually get home and to sleep as the sun comes up.
1994ever 