Pistop Music Festival, Fairbridge Friday 25th November 2005 Review: Susan Clark
Fairbridge Village is known by thousands as an idyllic wedding location, or the place where many smuggled alcohol to for their year 9 camp.
According to Pitstop event organiser, Adele Dixon, “The concept of the Festival is to provide as alternative avenue for entertainment whilst encouraging young people to celebrate the end of school in a safe and controlled environment, which will be a ‘Drug Aware’ no alcohol, drugs or smoking event.”
A noble statement, and it probably secured funding from certain groups, but it seemed to have scared off all the schoolies.
There was a very poor turn out, less than 250 tickets were sold pre-event, and only a few more turned up at the gate on the day. The prospect of not getting tanked on alcohol and other substances, running and partying madly through the streets, then eventually passing out and waking up in some strangers bed probably scared the schoolies off.
It’s a pity the crowd turn out was so poor, as Pitstop does have the makings of a fantastic festival. 3 Degrees of Separation were first up, and were asked to start 10 minutes earlier, and cut 20 minutes from their set. There was a wedding at the church at 4pm, and apparently you need a bit of quiet for those kinds of things. So that meant most people missed the band. I happened to turn up for the last song, “Goonbag,” as some guy jumped on the stage wearing a chemical suit. Interesting… Tangled Thoughts of Leaving played after the vows were exchanged. My tangled thoughts seriously counselled me to leave while this band played. I hate to ever say a band was truly terrible, but for the lack of a better term, they were terrible! This band is a fusion of metal and rock styles. Bits were death metal, bits were that new style of “emo” metal (where the singer whinges on for a fair bit), with a bit of Muse thrown into the mix. It was a particularly uncomfortable style- stick with the Muse bit I reckon.
The Flairz were running late, apparently their car broke down on the way. While waiting for them to turn up, the stage manager decided he had talent, grabbed a guitar and graced the crowd with his own musical offerings. There’s a reason why this man is the stage manager, and not one of the performers.
Thank crap the Flairz eventually turned up! They’re fantastic musicians, but there seemed to be something missing. I dunno- a few feet of height? Puberty? To be fair though, the group had more talent and performed better than most other bands on the bill. Most of the crowd didn’t know what to think, and neither did I.
Antistatic seem to have created a fair amount of buzz on the strength of their debut EP, Still Life Portrait. The fans showed how much they loved the band by throwing balls at them. I reckon there were a few bruises from that lot! The band plays that new emo metal style that I seem to be such a fan of… Well, the schoolies seemed to like it. Veterans of the Perth indie scene, Red Jezebel played a fantastic set. I haven’t seen them for a long while, and it’s great to see the pretentiousness stripped away. Red Jez were a lot of fun tonight and debuted a couple of new songs that are to be included on the new album. Look out for a fantastic new song, “Amsterdam”. They played one of the best sets of the night.
“Man can that chick wail or what?!” asked the multi-“talented” stage manager about Abbe from the Fuzz. I have to ask, why did this man continue to have access to the microphone? I had to agree with him though. The schoolies ran out from the trees at the first husky screams of Abbe’s voice. The Fuzz blistered through a dirty set, blowing away the crowd, really getting them moving.
There was a guitar signed by all the acts on the bill and kindly donated by Music Force Mandurah raffled off. Congratulations to the lucky winner of the Ashton Accoustic. All funds raised went towards the Fairbridge Music Program in hosting similar events.
I decided to leave on a high note and left after the Fuzz. There were three other bands to play that night, Cog, Gyroscope and the Butterfly Effect, but my little indie being couldn’t stomach the thought of more metal rock.
Apparently the gig was cancelled soon after I left due to weather concerns. The place turned into a bit of a windy dust bowl and there were concerns about safety and the equipment. It was perhaps the last nail in the coffin for an otherwise promising event.
Before the Pitstop Music Festival at Fairbridge, Perthsounds writer Susan Clark caught up with the boys from 3Degrees of Separation, one of the local acts on this Friday’s lineup.
The 3 piece have been jamming together for a number of years (kind of unavoidable as they’re brothers), though they’ve just recently decided to get serious. And it seems to be paying dividends for them, everything is falling into place.
A demo, Habytual, was released a few months back, 11 originals of blue grass metal on rock steroids. As a result, gigs are being thrown at them and their open rehearsals turn into free gigs with several hundred fans converging on their lonely little warehouse in one of Mandurah’s many light industrial areas.
3 Degrees of Separation are metal, and live as hard as they play. The Micholowsky brothers, Tuck (guitar and vocals), Rob (bass) and Dan (drums) inject all their madness into their music.
They’re self proclaimed ferals and vagrants, with many a fine story of subsistence living and close scrapes from the law. My favourite story was when the brothers Tuck and Rob were run out of their squat under a bridge by the sergeant (some question involving a brother and the sergeant’s daughter). They decided on a whim to go to Adelaide, but sold their unlicenced car whilst halfway across the Nullarbor Plain, and then walked the rest of the way. Rob said the weeks of searing heat and sun and lack of water ‘fried our brains’. No arguement here. 🙂 Much of the madness of their lives is inherent in their music- it’s fast, it’s hard, and tinged with a little of the Micholowsky madness.
The band has high hopes of soon recording and releasing their first studio album.
3 Degrees of Separation are first up on the bill at the Pitstop Music Festival, this Friday from 3:30pm at Fairbridge. Others on the bill include Cog, Gyroscope, The Butterfly Effect, The Fuzz and Red Jezebel (plus more). Tickets are cheap, there’s free camping and lots of mayhem to be had.
“,1] ); //–MIGG RACER (Reluctant Superhero) Vocals, Keyboards, Blues Harp Nationality: Portugeezer (Pom/Portugese) Currently Fighting: Media Addiction Eagerly Awaiting – Second Wind after Fiancé Split Ruling Planet – Mars
<!– D([“mb”,”Ruling Planet – Neptune
\r\n\r\n
\r\n\r\n
TODD RACER (Machiavellian Mad Scientist)
\r\n\r\n
Guitars, Bass, Beats & Noises
\r\n\r\n
Washed in from Fremantle
\r\n\r\n
Currently Fighting: Serial Hobby Tendencies
\r\n\r\n
Eagerly Awaiting: Organ Transplant
\r\n\r\n
Ruling Planet – Mercury
\r\n\r\n
\r\nInfluences:
\r\n\r\n
Spring Weather, Corrupt Politicians, Tailgaters, Jacaranda\r\ntrees, Alcoholic Beverages, Cheerios, Venetian Biscuits, Corporate Excess, The\r\nBeautiful Happenstance of Serendipity, Chocolate, Wine, Roses, Good Female Company.\r\n”,1] ); //–BENN RACER (Jet Set Vagabond Playboy ) Guitars, Vocals, Keyboards Nationality: Dug up from the Golden Mile Currently Fighting: Wine thirsty Punters Eagerly Awaiting: Universal Acclaim Ruling Planet – Neptune
TODD RACER (Machiavellian Mad Scientist) Guitars, Bass, Beats & Noises Washed in from Fremantle Currently Fighting: Serial Hobby Tendencies Eagerly Awaiting: Organ Transplant Ruling Planet – Mercury
Influences: Spring Weather, Corrupt Politicians, Tailgaters, Jacaranda trees, Alcoholic Beverages, Cheerios, Venetian Biscuits, Corporate Excess, The Beautiful Happenstance of Serendipity, Chocolate, Wine, Roses, Good Female Company. <!– D([“mb”,”
\r\n\r\n
All of the above affect us much more than any songs on the\r\nradio, and all cause strong feelings inside of us that influence the way we see\r\nthe world. If you are talking music, then everything and anything goes, we\r\nstrongly believe that all genres and artists have something to offer the world\r\nof music. But if you were to pin us down… I guess we would say Gorillaz,\r\nRegurgitator and Mr. Moonlight.
\r\n\r\n
\r\nStyle:
\r\n\r\n
An intriguing mix of High and Low Tech, Cold Machines and Warm Guitars,\r\nAcoustic and Electronic, Old School and New Sounds. It’s fresh, unusual\r\nand guaranteed to raise a smile, nod your head and get your body moving.
“,1] ); //–>
<!– D([“mb”,”Ruling Planet – Neptune
\r\n\r\n
\r\n\r\n
TODD RACER (Machiavellian Mad Scientist)
\r\n\r\n
Guitars, Bass, Beats & Noises
\r\n\r\n
Washed in from Fremantle
\r\n\r\n
Currently Fighting: Serial Hobby Tendencies
\r\n\r\n
Eagerly Awaiting: Organ Transplant
\r\n\r\n
Ruling Planet – Mercury
\r\n\r\n
\r\nInfluences:
\r\n\r\n
Spring Weather, Corrupt Politicians, Tailgaters, Jacaranda\r\ntrees, Alcoholic Beverages, Cheerios, Venetian Biscuits, Corporate Excess, The\r\nBeautiful Happenstance of Serendipity, Chocolate, Wine, Roses, Good Female Company.\r\n”,1] ); //–>BENN RACER (Jet Set Vagabond Playboy ) Guitars, Vocals, Keyboards Nationality: Dug up from the Golden Mile Currently Fighting: Wine thirsty Punters Eagerly Awaiting: Universal Acclaim Ruling Planet – Neptune
TODD RACER (Machiavellian Mad Scientist) Guitars, Bass, Beats & Noises Washed in from Fremantle Currently Fighting: Serial Hobby Tendencies Eagerly Awaiting: Organ Transplant Ruling Planet – Mercury
All of the above affect us much more than any songs on the radio, and all cause strong feelings inside of us that influence the way we see the world. If you are talking music, then everything and anything goes, we strongly believe that all genres and artists have something to offer the world of music. But if you were to pin us down… I guess we would say Gorillaz, Regurgitator and Mr. Moonlight.
Style: An intriguing mix of High and Low Tech, Cold Machines and Warm Guitars, Acoustic and Electronic, Old School and New Sounds. It’s fresh, unusual and guaranteed to raise a smile, nod your head and get your body moving.
<!– D([“mb”,”\r\n\r\n
Where\r\ndoes your band name from:
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We were summoned by NASA to ensure that the Space Race once again\r\nbecame a topic of interest worldwide, and lo, the human race is again headed\r\nfor the Moon, followed by Mars.
\r\n\r\n
Plus it rhymes.
\r\n\r\n
\r\nUpcoming gigs:
\r\n\r\n
Surfacing @ the Rosemount November 14th
“,1] ); //–>
Where does your band name from: We were summoned by NASA to ensure that the Space Race once again became a topic of interest worldwide, and lo, the human race is again headed for the Moon, followed by Mars.
Plus it rhymes.
Upcoming gigs: Surfacing @ the Rosemount November 14th
How long have petanque been around for? There is evidence in the geologic table of Petanque being around during the Middle-Cambrian Period, along with the first invertebrate sea life. This evidence may be based souly on my own perception of time, and is perhaps a little exagerated. A more likely figure is 6 years.
How did the band get together? I used a combination of pleading, flattery, cajoling, sweet talk, outrageously unrealistic promises and chocolate biscuits.
How do you take criticism of your music? Witheringly
Where is your favourite place to play gigs? Within the Rococo splendor of The Hyde Park.
Do you prefer playing live or recording? If the performance was good, I prefer playing live. If the performance was a stinker, I would prefer to spend a week doing laps in the Mt Claremont Effluent Pond.
Are there any bands that all members of petanque like? You know, I’ve never asked them, but I’m doubtful… When did you first start playing guitar and singing? In Year 10 I bought a cheap accoustic guitar, and I remember shortly thereafter my Mum saying “Ooh Anton, will you stop making that terrible noise” – the noise being me trying to sing along with my guitar, which I couldn’t play.
What are your musical ambitions? To have “The Theme From Petanque (AKA The Iced Vovo)” bought for use in a beer, coffee or luxury car television advertisement. Do you use the internet to promote the band? If so, how? Aside from cultivating an online personality on a certain internet forum as a vehicle for spruiking up coming gigs (which in marketing terms has been negligible at best) , I’m afraid I have been fairly remiss in such affairs. I’m thinking of starting a “Myspace” page. Do you think that might help?
What is planned for the next six months for petanque? We are currently recording an album with Roly Skender which is all very exciting.
Website? It’s in the pipeline. Does that sound glib?
Upcoming gigs? insert here. Ah yes, I must get onto that…
HARRY SMITH EP LAUNCH Harry Smith, One Horse Town, Mo Wilson and the Drivers Mojo’s Bar Saturday 5th November 2005 Review by RohanHewson
Mo Wilson and the Drivers never seem to play anywhere on a bill except first. That’s OK though, their loungey, sometimes rock, music is well suited to kicking off a night. They were missing their bass player tonight, so a more stripped down set than usual, although there were still some piano flourishes from Mo. There was a fairly decent crowd even before they started playing, helped by the jazzy music coming from the DJ setting the party mood nicely.
One Horse Town have been referred to in the press a bit lately as swamp-rock… OK so ‘swamp’ is hardly a genre, but I’ll use it because nothing else quite fits. Rock? Definitely. Grunge? Probably. Country? Not really. Blues? Uhhh… Anyway, their unique sound comes mainly from the Rhodes piano of Ronan Charles, the same thing that made Seahorse Radio so unique a few years ago. He had no vocal mike but was every bit the frontman, a couple of times almost jumping up on top of the Rhodes. Recent WAM Rock Song of the Year winner ‘Information’ was probably the poppiest part of their set, whereas some of there other songs were quite raw and really rocked hard.
Harry Smith were the stars of tonight, this being the first of two launches for the ‘Preleigh‘ EP. They played to a similar sized crowd that greeted the first two bands. They’re yet another band that plays music not easy to classify; quirky, slightly dark rock / pop with the occasional strange time signature or chord structure… yeah, that should cover it. They had a heckler who yelled out ‘Titties!’ – one of the more interesting consequences of having a female bass player. The next heckle was ‘Stage birth!’ which could well have happened, the bass player also being several months pregnant – now there’s something you don’t see every day. Though there was to be no fifth member of Harry Smith saying hi to the world at Mojo’s this night.
There was a good atmosphere to this gig, so much so that when the band finished, a bunch of people started calling out for an encore. Often when bands come back for an encore, they’ve rehearsed a couple of extra songs and possibly even written them down on the set list, making the whole thing seem rather shallow and cynical. Not Harry Smith, however – they hadn’t counted on an encore, and ended up playing an old song they claimed not to have played for ages, although I could have sworn I heard it at the Hydey not that long ago, and considering they weren’t too optimistic about their ability to play it, they did it pretty well. Just like all their other songs, really.
When did you first start going to see local perth bands? it would have been six or seven years ago now. back when they were still doing the “eat more fruit n veg” calendar.
Do you buy many local cds? ummm…. not really, to be honest. but i don’t actually buy many cd’s at all. they’re something i keep meaning to buy, and then never really get around to it.
Are you involved in the music scene besides going to gigs? kind of. just in a minor sort of way. i’ll put up posters and plug gigs and that sort of thing. occasionally i’ll go through a spate of doing some little reviews and articles if i’m feeling creative.
Which venues do you like and why? the rosemount is my favourite. it’s big, it has great sound, and it’s got this real sort of social vibe to it. when it’s quiet or quiet-ish, it’s an awesome place where you can l about on the couches, or play some pool or just sit around and drink. when it’s packed, it’s just magical, standing at the top of the stairs and seeing that sea of punters. wicked.i’ll be frequenting the beer garden a lot come summer.
Who are you favourite local bands and why? subtruck just blow me away. their sound is just so big and heavy. it’s just this hot, dirty rock n roll, and every time they bring out a new song it impresses me.
snowman are another current favourite. they have this aura of having a constant in-joke happening between themselves which makes them intriguing, but not alienating.
i’ve kind of been going to see the same bands over and over again recently, because i tend to hibernate in winter, but hopefully that will change sometime soon. i’d love to discover something new.
What is the best gig you’ve ever seen? fuck, that’s kind of a hard one. it would probably have to be a four member jed whitey gig, because they were just a really, really fun band to be into. but i don’t think i could pin point which one exactly.
What do you drink at gigs? anything but beer. but i rarely drink spirits because pubs are stingy with measurements and charge too much. lately it’s usually wine of some description, but in a perfect world it would be bulleit bourbon.
What’s the funniest thing you’ve seen on stage? mike wafer.
Are there any new local bands you have discovered lately? see the question about my current favourite bands. i blame it all on winter.
manager, and not one of the performers.
Veterans of the Perth indie scene, Red Jezebel played a fantastic set. I haven’t seen them for a long while, and it’s great to see the pretentiousness stripped away. Red Jez were a lot of fun tonight and debuted a couple of new songs that are to be included on the new album. Look out for a fantastic new song, “Amsterdam”. They played one of the best sets of the night.
from the Fuzz. I have to ask, why did this man continue to have access to the microphone? I had to agree with him though.
PerthSounds.com 
