BLOODY BACKYARD BATTLES

Brace yourselves people. Seattle based outfit Blood Brothers are bringing their ferocious, in-your-face style of punk rock down under.

Formed in 1997, Blood Brothers – Jordan Blilie (vocals), Mark Gajadhar (drums), Morgan Henderson (bass, keyboard), Cody Votolato (guitar) and Johnny Whitney (vocals, keyboard) – have released four albums.

The content of each album is fuelled by the group’s alternative views on mainstream culture and society. The results are mind-blowing.

Blood Brothers launch themselves into their music headfirst. This approach has won them a wealth of praise and a host of fans, particularly following the release of their third album, Burn, Piano Island, Burn. Their fourth album, Crimes is being similarly well-received, with a slightly more melodic and immediate approach on display.

Dates:
July
Thursday 14 - Corner Hotel, Melbourne (Over 18)
Friday 15 - Gaelic Club, Sydney (All ages)
Saturday 16 - The Rev, Brisbane (Over 18)
Sunday 17 - The Rev, Brisbane (All ages)
Tuesday 19 - Kings Arms, Auckland (Over 18)

DEVASTATING ROLAND

Rowland S. Howard was thrust into the Australian music scene at the tender age of 16. The year was 1976. He had formed the infamous Young Charlatans and wrote what is possibly Australia’s most enduring cult hit, “Shivers”. One year later, after the nth departure of Ollie Olsen, he left to go rogue in the Boys Next Door (later The Birthday Party) with Nick Cave, significantly changing their direction.

Upon their arrival in London (a journey completely self financed, something virtually unheard of at the time), they entered a world of Faginesque squalor and degradation, while at the same time receiving greater critical acclaim than any other Australian band since the Easybeats. The Birthday Party was not just a band; it was a way of life. Sadly the band dissolved in 1983.

Since then Rowland has played with Crime & The City Solution, American agent provocateur: Lydia Lunch, a brooding French pop band called Kas Produkt, The Bad Seeds, Barry Adamson, and Primal Scream. Leading finally to These Immortal Souls, a group designed as a vehicle for the many songs Rowland had written over the years. The line up included long-time collaborator Genevieve McGuckin (co-writer of songs for Prayers On Fire & Junkyard) and his brother, Harry Howard.

Wearying of London’s malaise he finally fled to Melbourne in 1994. Not soon after his return he began to perform a one man show, looking for a challenge, and also part of his search to get to the heart of the song and to learn how to manipulate his guitar and voice to greater effect. Rowland S. Howard’s newer songs possess a clarity and simplicity of statement that in the past was often lost amongst the density of the imagery. Presented in this stark fashion Rowland’s songs take on a new subtlety and strength, proving that he is an awesome songwriter and a remarkably evocative performer.

2000 brought the dawn of a new era for Rowland S. Howard. Having dissolved These Immortal Souls he recorded his first solo album, Teenage Snuff Film, with the ubiquitous Mick Harvey on drums, and Surreal Beast, Brian Hooper on bass. Initially a recording of his live acoustic set, it took on a life of it’s own ranging from the ballad “Silver Chain” to the apocalyptic howl that is “Sleep Alone”.

Local kids done good, Popfrenzy, are proud to present Rowland S Howard live at the Mandarin Club. Rowland will be supported by The Devastations (who will double as Rowland’s backing band) and Rand and Holland. It’s been over five years since Rowland’s last Sydney visit so this is destined to be amongst the gig of the year.

Date:
Sat June 18 - The Mandarin Club (with The Devastations (Melb), and Rand & Holland)