Puff'n'Stuff

City Riots will be making the big trek away from their regular stomping grounds up and down the Eastern seaboard. Yes, they've discovered a map of Australia which shows the 'missing cities' and are therefore heading west for the first time to play shows in Perth and Fremantle to promote their self titled EP and the new single Signs. The single was mixed in the US by producer/Engineer Scott Spelbring after he got hold of the EP and liked what he heard. City Riots also discovered it's a long way to WA, and found to their surprise that there's somewhere in between... so their latest single Signs will also be launched in Adelaide on Fri 11 May at Rocket Bar.

'Instantaneous' is an art exhibition, but one with a difference... an exhibition showcasing original artwork by South Australian creators, on display now at the Grace Emily Hotel, in their upstairs space, until Fri 18 May. Presented by Pulp Fiction Comics, and in association with World free Comic Day, which is on Sat 5 May.

Styling themselves as "the new kids on the block", DSD Entertainment believe an event they've been planning for months brings the best of the local live scene to the forefront. 'Krankfest Adelaide' is an afternoon of showcase performances beginning at 3pm, and happening at the venue they think is best suited to the idea - getting the message out about Adelaide's great live music scene. In their words, the hottest young talent will be taking to the stage on Sun 20 May; the featured bands being VicePirate, Under The Vet, Desert Eagle, Tracer & The Lost Show. Also on the bill will be some of the coolest Rock DJ's around, so 'Krankfest' will have a little something for everybody - enough to keep all rock enthusiasts happy.

One of the many Australian bands who made the long trek over to Austin Texas for this year's 'South By Southwest' music expo was Dallas Crane. Having kicked some ass (or is that arse?) in America, the boys went on to the UK for a sold out London show, and a quick tour of Japan. Now, they've made it back intact, and they're ready to embark on what they've cunningly entitled the 'God Damn Pride' national tour, which sees them showing off their latest goodies in June. So, with a full complement of music related stuff in the tour bus, and their old mates 67 Special, who have just completed a national tour promoting their new single Killer Bees, plus The Super Insurgent Group of Intemperance talent (Indonesia) and some mates from recent tour of Japan The Bawdies, Dallas Crane will be heading this way. That's quite a lineup for a special gig, at The Gov on Thurs 14 June.

A quick reminder that in the flurry of promotion and lead up to the 8th AustralAsian Music Business Conference which is to be held in Sydney in August, there is to be a screening of 'Before The Music Dies', a provocative and informative documentary on the current state of the recorded music industry. For the first time this documentary will be shown at selected events across Australia. The Adelaide date is as follows: Tues 22 May 22 at Fowlers Live, 68 North Terrace, North Adelaide. Doors open at 6 for drinks networking, film starts at 7, panel starts at 8:30-10 pm. This will be the only SA screening of 'Before The Music Dies', and the organisers stress there are no tickets or pre-bookings. Attendance is limited by venue capacity and once it's full there will be no more entry permitted. It is a free screening.

To view a trailer for the film or to download either an ipoddable low res or high res full version, go to http://themusic.com.au/im_m/tripp.php /.For a synopsis of the film which features Erykah Badu, Branford Marsalis, Billy Preston, Dave Matthews, Bonie Raitt, Eric Clapton, Elvis Costello, Doyle Bramhall II, Questlove, Hubert Sumlin, North Mississippi Allstars, My Morning Jacket and Calexico as well as interviews with industry execs, radio moles and more go to http://www.beforethemusicdies.com/blog/about-the-film.

Gigantic the band are probably not huge - yet! But they've got that idea in mind. Brothers Mark and Paul Di Renzo play power pop the way it was meant to be played - with some guts and passion. Why else indeed would you name the band Gigantic? In any case, check out this Western Australian band on Sun 6 May when they play at the Crown & Anchor.



Yet another touring band from Western Australia, what is going on? Are they all trying to escape, launching the invasion in the vain hope that all of South Australia doesn't notice they're stealthily taking over and forcing all the local bands out of the venues and out onto the cold mean streets? Is this Cane Toad mania in reverse? Ah, not exactly... not content with sitting still, they explain, Birds Of Tokyo are set to hit the road again on the 'Wayside National tour this April/May, going a bit feral. They're getting out and playing a lot of regional towns and cities, and sprinkling in a few choice dates at the major centres as well. Since the release of their self produced record 'Day One', the past few weeks for Birds of Tokyo have literally been a blur. Their national album tour in February saw the Birds' sell out a bunch of shows on the east coast. The band headed home to grab a bunch of WAMI Awards, then hit the road again: they'll be at the Enigma Bar on Sat 12 May, along with special guests Soft White Machine & Is This Art? These, aptly enough, are the Birds Of Tokyo. They probably should spurn the daft art director who suggested this shot.

If you're into the surfin scene and the culture which goes with it, you probably know about this one already, so don't let this paragraph get in the way of your quietly stoned contemplation. On Sun 6 May at Fowlers Live you'll find Todd Hannigan who, Puff is told, has built a cult following throughout the surf community with his music being used in award winning surf films such as 'Thicker Than Water', 'A Brokedown Melody', 'The September Sessions'. Joining him for the evening will be hot Sydney surf groove band Mojada who have been making waves on the Australian music scene with the release of their single Put Your Hands Up; and there'll also be a screening of a surf film by one of the greatest surf film makers of our time, Jack McCoy. For over 30 years McCoy has been filming some of the world's best surfers in some of the world's surf in known and exotic locations across the world. He has made making films and shooting the surf his life's work. Jack has over 24 feature and short award winning films to his credit on the sport of surfing.

Stef Lashchuk, who was last heard of in Adelaide circles as part of the band Krystapinzch, then as a budding author (he was pretty good, too) now resides in Melbourne, and, more importantly for this story, has got the itch to play live music. Cue an army of old friends, similarly resident of Melbourne. Isn't it funny how that happens? Anyway, Lashchuk has hooked up with and is now playing in a new band called Girls & Adam with four other ex-Adelaideans: Jed Palmer, Steve Griffiths and Zoe Barry (ex-Bergerac), and Justin Hermes, who was once a Tommy Gun. They're on their way over here to perform, which promises to be a big night of rock, just the way they like it in Melbourne - and at the Jade Monkey, 'cause that's where you'll find them. Girls & Adam play at the Jade Monkey on Fri 18 May with the aforementioned Krystapinzch and Poly & The Phonics).

Roadrunner Records are quite busy at the moment, with a number of their bands hitting the live spots around the country, including Dragonforce and Behind Crimson Eyes. So far so good, since both those bands are performing in Adelaide, on Sun 13 and Sat 12 May respectively. Not so good news is in store for fans of the smokin' hot Stone Sour, who come absolutely nowhere near Adelaide on their current Australian Tour. Madness, and inconsiderate, especially since they'll be playing both in Melbourne and Perth.

The brainchild of ex-Mr Bungle and Faith No More guitarist Trey Spruance, the forthcoming Australian tour of Secret Chiefs 3 will see three members of Mr Bungle on stage together for the first time since their break up! Can you really believe it's been nine years since the last Mr Bungle shows in Australia? They were legendary performances that are still talked about in hushed terms by slightly crazy and definitely weird music fanatics who couldn't make any sense whatsoever of the Secret Chiefs 3's penchant for mixing it up. From 'surf' to 'neo-Pythagorean electro Folk' played by some of the most talented musicians you are likely to see... National support on the Secret Chiefs tour will be the mysterious Dr el Suavo in special DJ mode, dipping into the el Suavo archives and spinning lounge, soundtracks, jazz, surf, product music and the even more bizarre!! They play at Fowler' Live on Fri 11 May for an all ages event; doors open at 7pm.

A quick missive from they who must be obeyed... on Fri 4 May the next of the semi-legendary Alleyway shows comes about. It's been a year since the last such endeavour, but this one, the anonymous tipsters suggests - will be big, with Stolen Youth, Equal Minded and Snake Run. The location was, and is, a secret, but was revealed on local radio a few weeks ago... if you can work that one out, then good luck to you. Sounds like Black Market music to Puff, tee hee. Stolen Youth, incidentally, will be off to NZ at the end of this month for a short run of dates. Nice to see them getting their touring clogs on.

A quick note: the 2007 Jazz Awards with performances from the Adelaide Connection jazz choir are to be held at 7.30pm on Wed 9 May at the Scott Theatre at the University of Adelaide, on Kintore Ave. The evening features the performances of six outstanding jazz musicians from the Elder Conservatorium.

If you are trying to get your music out there, managing a band, want to work in marketing or you are serious about working in the music industry then Ausmusic SA's 'Promoting Your Music (Marketing In The Music Industry 1)' is for you. Enrolments have pretty much closed but you might still be able to sneak in to this Tues night course, so for further info Contact Ausmusic SA on 8218 8444 or email ausmusic.sa@musichouse.org.au

You Am I front man Tim Rogers is stripping back for fans, announcing his 'Gentleman's Agreement' Tour which sees him performing on Thurs 31 May at The Gov with very special guest Louis Macklin from Melbourne band 67 Special. On the Tour the intimate shows will feature Louis on piano and Tim singing sweet songs old and new for those lucky enough to see this suave duo perform together.

'Girls Gone Rock' is, without a doubt, and as described by its title, a gig with a preponderance of women on stage. Well, you'd hope so, wouldn't you. See Angelik (SA), Blow up Betty (SA), Crackwhore (Vic), Teddy Royals (Vic), and Ricochet Pete (SA) get together for 'Girls Gone Rock' at the upstairs room at the Worldsend Hotel on Sat 5 May from 8pm. The night has a rock chick theme, and all the bands performing are a cross between punk and rock. Some of them even look Angelik...

"The Hiptones are one of those bands you'd expect to see under a marquee in Byron at the East Coast Blues Fest, rocking on your heels to the music, wondering how it is that every note played and sung sounds like it's exactly what should have been played, asking yourself why you haven't heard of them before, and that goddamn it you really should listen to more blues music that sounds like this." So said Beat Magazine, showing they were unimpressed by the great new thing tagline, and more impressed by pure talent, regardless of whence originates. That'll be The Hiptones, then, who are set to release a brand new single, Love's Gonna Get You, off their latest album, 'The Hiptones Right Now'. You know, there are no immediate dates for The Hiptones in Adelaide, since they spend most of May touring on the East Coast. Stay tuned for news.

Who'd have thought there was life for the band after Doc Neeson? The Angels must get sick to death of reading much the same question posed each and every time they venture forth to perform (seen here in full sunglasses mode as befits a collection of rock dogs who refuse to lay down). They'll need to get thicker skins about it, for The Angels just continue to amaze, drawing huge crowds to their live gigs and winning over a bunch of new fans, proving that there really were very few Australian bands who could belt it out and win over a crowd as well as they. So they're still at it; they've still got it, and they'll still bring it to you. See 'em on their current tour, which hits South Australia from Thurs 10 May 10 (at The Gov), then Fri 11 May (International Hotel) and on Sat 12 May (where they'll be at the South Augusta Football Club, Port Augusta).

The boys in local rock n' roll band Society Of Beggars have been locked away in Soundhouse Studios, under intense pressure to make the good music for your listening delight. They came away with a five track EP, and have launched their website www.societyofbeggars.com, with all five tracks available for free download. Society Of Beggars will be hitting the stage at The Rhino Room on Sat 12 May and The Jade Monkey later in the month for a going away gig for roots trio From The Ground Up, so come along and enjoy a true alternative.

You know, every band in the world claims to have been really busy, really really busy. No-one ever sends in a lazy email saying "we're doing bugger all at the moment..." So it is with the boys from Morals Of A Minor who say they have just played a handful of shows in Melbourne, and have finished recording their debut album 'Questions & Answers'. Launching at Rocket Bar on Sat 12 May with Taught By Animals. That particular Sat night is looking pretty busy itself.

And finally, a plug for our old friends Love Of Diagrams, who might have got a mention in last issue's Puff... the Melbourne band are currently spruiking their new album 'Mosaic', recorded in Chicago at Steve Albini's Electrical Audio Studios with legendary producer Bob Weston (Shellac, Mission of Burma). Love Of Diagrams play Thur 10 May at Jive.

The Sensational Alex Harvey Band perform at The Gov on Thur 3 May. You'll no doubt be aware that Harvey himself died many years ago, but the band regrouped under his banner and they still kick ass. If you don't know who they are, you're too young. So,

GET OUT OF THE HOUSE!!