Friday, April 24, 2015

Song of the Week #346

Spotify link for some of the songs in this episode (not all available on that service) as well as a few related extras: https://play.spotify.com/user/1233409237/playlist/3iv5rY131SksaodwG1fBqE

It's ANZAC Day tomorrow (25th April). I choose to capitalise ANZAC as it is an acronym. A little research has revealed that no-one can really make up their minds about this and either ANZAC and Anzac are permissible. To me, not capitalising NZ just seems disrespectful.

The commercialisation of ANZAC Day is annoying and inconsistent. It seems OK for a range of organisations to make a profit using the term ANZAC but not for others. The recent supermarket advertising debacle might not have been the most tasteful but is it any worse than the marketing of sports events or beverages using the same gist? I have no doubt that there is a certain amount of reverence involved in each campaign but I am sure that a profit is being made.

Whilst our politicians and media are telling us all about the 100th Anniversary of the Gallipoli landings and campaign let's take a moment to remember those who have served in areas of conflict that don't get as much coverage as well as those who did their time, served their country and were fortunate enough not to see active service.

DJ SAB has been working hard with Australian music legends John Schumann, Shane Howard, Rob Hirst and Hugh McDonald on an ANZAC Day tune. Commissioned by LTGEN Morrison, the Chief of Army, it's about the experience of indigenous service personnel. I highly recommend you give it a look. The song is touching and Scot has done a great job on the clip. Please note the the official clip won't be released until May. This is a placeholder version. I've seen the rough cuts of what's coming and it's fantastic. You'll see it here when it gets the green light.

John Schumann - Every ANZAC Day - https://youtu.be/r3dArkmfy_Q

Twisted Sister drummer AJ Pero passed away recently and the band is now on a farewell tour. The interesting part is their choice to hit the skins; Mike Portnoy (ex-Dream Theater). I wonder how he'll cope with the 4/4 beat and the tinny (and iconic) snare drum sound!

Dream Theater - Hollow Years (live) - https://youtu.be/jMaCzEbZ2-s

Twisted Sister - I Wanna Rock (live) - https://youtu.be/3nYeN5rBGgs

English band Lux Lisbon contacted me via Twitter this week. It's a good marketing ploy and after checking that I wasn't being spammed I replied and Stu sent me a link to their latest EP which streams online. Rarely does a band make me want to stop and listen on the first run through but Lux Lisbon managed it. They describe their music as being influenced by such artists as Fleetwood Mac, The Killers, Springsteen and Bloc Party. I can definitely hear all of those and more rolling around in their songs. After only a couple of listens I was positive that I needed to include them here for all of you to check out. I like the fact that the instrumentation and vocals are recorded and produced so that you can hear all of them. The vocals cut through rather well and are easy to understand; no need for a lyric sheet. I'd love to see them live!

You can preview (and order) the Lux Lisbon EP, "Get Some Scars" at this link: http://shop.luxlisbon.com/album/get-some-scars-ep-special-edition

silverchair have released the 20th Anniversary version of their debut album, "Frogstomp". I was lucky enough to get a copy for my birthday. I'm really not sure if I ever owned the original, surely I had a cassette somewhere, but this is a great repackaging. The album sounds powerful and the live tracks and DVD included have been well selected. I'm happy to say that I saw silverchair live before they were absolutely massive; just before Frogstomp came out. Although The Mark of Cain blew everyone away that night there was no doubting that silverchair were going to be masters of riff rock; and for a while they were. This is a decent anniversary edition well worth your money.

silverchair - Israel's Son - https://youtu.be/k2d6iwOSAfQ

Alabama Shakes have a new release called "Sound and Color". Buy it now. If you're a lover of vinyl then spend the money on that. I bought their previous LP after hearing one tune and I still think it's fabulous. It's Southern rootsy, bluesy soul rock but without the hard edge. If you like Janis Joplin try it out...

Alabama Shakes - Don't Wanna Fight (live)  - https://youtu.be/t3Lu1WbImPE

Canberra sludge, doom, metal and volume dealers Witchskull have been in the studio. Their debut album should be out soon. As a teaser they've released a 3 song demo CD (and online tracks) to get your head nodding. Having seen them play live twice now I can attest that the live energy and aural assault is well captured on tape. I've ponied up a few dollars to support them and should have the physical copy of the CD soon. For now, life is online. Witchskull is a three piece band from Canberra and with any luck the Australian and worldwide metal community will get behind them. Horns up folks! Get their stuff here: http://witchskull.bandcamp.com/

Witchskull - Vast Electric Dark - https://youtu.be/B5i0mgZ35GI

We've known for ages now that there will be a new Star Wars film at the end of the year. It's set 30 years after Return of the Jedi. I guess that means that they won't need to try and make any of the original actors appearing in it look younger! I've been totally underwhelmed by the whole thing for a while now...from the announcement to the actual film is a very, very long time. However, the second trailer was released recently and I begrudgingly devoted 1 minute and 49 seconds to watching it. Then I watched it again, and again. Suddenly I felt like a kid again instead of the grumbling yet windswept and interesting blogger that you all know and love. It's good...I'm more than excited now...you should watch it.

Star Wars - The Force Awakens trailer #2 - https://youtu.be/wCc2v7izk8w

Big news this week was Angus' birthday. 17! I must say I'm impressed as well; he got his driving license right on time without any major hiccups. DJ Al-ee-sun now has three chauffeurs!

The Radiators - 17 - https://youtu.be/8S9KPoICDdg

As many of you know, I put my Fender Stratocaster guitar up for sale to help out with aid in Vanuatu. Sadly (or not) it didn't sell. A few people have emailed me asking about it. I guess if someone offered me the amount I was looking then of course I would hand it over. Thankfully, due to the generosity of quite a few people out there we ended up raising enough money for Zoë's aid helicopter and some left over to help out on the ground. The band has a few gigs coming up this year, so what I'll do is put any money that I get from those towards Vanuatu. That way if I keep the guitar I can play it without feeling guilty!

Frank Zappa - Shut Up And Play Yer Guitar - https://youtu.be/jvB5dQHvRSc

Lest We Forget,

Rob

"...so they gave me a tin hat,
and they gave me a gun,
and they sent me away to the war...", And The Band Played Waltzing Matilda, Eric Bogle, 1971.



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