Live Review: Poseidon, Shape Bar

Fun, cool, dancey… these are all things that Poseidon are not. Instead, I believe that to be an understatement. Let’s try going with something like… “radical” or “extreme” because these two dudes are off the flipping chain!

On Friday the 16^th of March, Poseidon played a greatly enjoyable set at Shape, located on the corner of Bennett street and Hay street, East Perth. The amount of stretchers situated in the crowd was insane!
Poseidon (Daniel Ovens and Paul Nimwegen) dropped some heavy beats, making the crowd sweaty, in more ways than one. Now, I don’t normally listen to dubstep or anything like that, but I have to say, I really, really enjoyed watching their set! And, obviously, the rest of the crowd felt the same way.

Loose, energetic, pumping, bumping, pornographic… these are all things that Poseidon definitely are. I highly recommend anyone who listens to dubstep, or just wants a really great night to check out one of Poseidon’s gigs. There’ll definitely be more coming in the near future!

I’m gonna give Poseidon an overall rating of 8/10.

Poseidon’s Facebook page: http://www.facebook.com/PoseidonDubstep?group_id=0


Written by Samuel Smith

Featured Act: Hyte

The new single ‘Drain It Out’ from self-described ‘snail rock’ trio Hyte is huge. Not a moment after the roaring guitar riff kicks in, it’s hard to believe you’re listening to a local band. Guitarist/Vocalist Grant Touchell pounds through the punchy, almost iconic riff, while the band’s rhythm section holds their own, completing the picture of a band who know their sound. You’ll be trying to wrap your head around the drum fill into the first verse for a while, but Touchell’s vocals quickly take centre stage, the powerful drone sounding like the reincarnation of Layne Staley. It’s hard to believe that the guitar in the verse is also played by the man doing the singing; it’s fast, technical, and saturated with groovy wah, bringing to mind the difficulty of singing, playing, and controlling a foot pedal all at the same time. Hyte seem intent on proving that they are all talented musicians, and do so admirably. The larger than life chorus, with the song’s title wailed over the song’s intro riff, is undoubtedly another strong moment for the trio. The single diverts course briefly for an instrumental build up, powering into a wah-filled mini solo and returning to the chorus effortlessly. Some listeners may be left desiring a vocal section that differs from this tune, but the chorus is by no means lacking; if it’s that good, why can’t they sing it again?

Hyte are a talented trio of musicians carefully crafting a powerful sound that will surely go from strength to strength. Their single ‘Drain It Out’ is the perfect demonstration of their prowess, and deserving of all the praise it can get.

 By: Ethan Reed

Interview

How are we going guys? Congratulations on being our third Featured Act of 2013! How does it feel?

Yeh, feels awesome! Its good to know that Perth is starting to get us, instead of trying to get rid of us haha

Congratulations on the new single. Tell us a bit about your track "Drain It Out", where was it recorded? 

Well, its actually the B-side to our next single 'Where Are You Taking Me?". We recorded, mixed and mastered the 2 tracks over 2 days in December last year with Rob Grant at Poons Head, we were really going for a performance based recording, and we are really happy with the feel of it.

What do you love most about music?

The way it seems to matter more then life itself, "deep"

What inspires you as a band? 

Just that feeling you get when its all happening, the harmony amongst the chaos; the imperfections that make it all real. Music inspires truth. So i suppose truth inspires music?

Who are your main influences?

Bands that do there own thing.

How long have you guys been playing together?

Too long, haha about 6 years now, since high school. We just click and i wouldn't want it any other way.

What's your favorite thing about performing live?

Probably the way that performing demands this 'momentary priority' or 'supreme focus', you have to surrender to the moment completely, otherwise you play shit.

What is your favorite venue you have played at and why?

This isn't pleasing anyone, but probably the house party's, warehouse party's and the hills and down south trips in the bush. When your not playing a venue, it is more about the music itself, not the bullshit business side of things like presenting your band to the 'Industry'. It's just you and a few of  mates, rocking out. Focusing on where it all came from, and not giving a fuck about anything but that.

What is your most memorable gig?

Probably our EP launch

What is the funniest muck up thats happened on stage?

When we first started doing gigs for party's and shitty venues, it seemed like at

every 2nd show the crowd would just start beating the shit out of each other; violently.

My sis' Sammy was singing with us for one of those gigs and as 40 cracked up dudes were ripping each others faces off, we went into this hell slow groove jam and sam started improvising these rap lyrics "just chill"; but they kept beating the shit out of each other; that was a hilariously light shedding moment.

What artists/bands would you like to play alongside in the future?

Anyone that wants to play with us i suppose

What's your favourite song to play?

 'Embrace', we play it last nearly all the time because we never know how its gonna end, we just let it all out every time we play it.

If you could sum up your music in one sentence what would it be?

A Pulsating ear-gasm from the 4th dimension

What can we expect from you in the future?

Better arrangements, more vocal harmonies and a cpl acoustics tracks.

Spilt Cities: Interview

Q1: How are you guys?

Shaun; Good, thanks.

Zac; Chipper

James: Good.

Mike; Well, thank you.

Q2: In a rating out of 10, how happy are you with your new EP?

Shaun; I’d say about 8.

Zac; Probably a 7 or 8. I think I’m still just really happy to have a finished physical product. Something to be fairly proud of.

James; 8

Mike; 9

Q3; Which song of the EP is your favourite?

Shaun; I think Ashes in the End is my favorite recording, but Broken is probably my favorite to play live.

Zac; Either Ashes in the End or Your Old Ghost. It’s been interesting seeing how both those songs have developed  and changed from when we first played them.

James; Either Ashes In The End or Apparent Horizon.

Mike; Tie between Ashes and Apparent Horizon.

Q4: If you had the opportunity to change the EP in any way, would you?

Shaun; I say yes, but the stuff I would change is just part of the learning curve, and something that I will take with me the next time we hit the studio.

Zac; I don’t think so. Even though most of us were ‘studio virgins’ before this EP and we all learnt a lot through recording, I like the idea of having this EP as a historical record of where we were and how we were feeling at the time.

James; Yeah, why not, would be fun.

Mike; The EP was a statement of time and place (and all other recordings for that matter), so no, I wouldn't change it if you paid me.

Q5; What alterations would you make and why?

Shaun; I’d leave it be.

Zac; N/A

James; I feel like some of the songs may benefit from a little more fine tuning/shortening. I think we’re still developing as a band and maturing as musicians, so naturally you feel some parts could have been done better if we had wrote them today as opposed to a year ago. But at the time we were all happy, which was cool. 

Mike; Zero bebs

Q6: Are you a career musician or a hobbyist?

Shaun; Hopeful hobbyist.

Zac; Hobbyist I guess.

James; I consider myself a career musician  as I have now been playing drums for 32 years.

Mike; Hobbyist looking for love

Q7: If for some reason you couldn't play music for a living, what would your fallback be?

Shaun; N/A

Zac; N/A

James; Probably body building/human muscle philosophy.

Mike; -

Q8: Where do you see yourself in 10 years time?

Shaun; Probably still studying, putting off a real people job.

Zac; Hopefully not dead.

James; Being bored in some office.

Mike; Cruising the streets of San Andreas.

Q9: Will we ever hear any music from you on RTRFM, or anywhere else in the near future?

Shaun; We have had some RTR play, I hope that continues.

Zac; Fingers crossed

James; Hopefully, but your more likely to hear us on Nova 93.7.

Mike; I would say so, yes.

Q10: Any words of wisdom? (Not necessarily about the music industry, but absolutely anything. e.g - "Drunkenness is cowardice; sobriety is loneliness" - Julian Casablancas)

Shaun; Always do sober what you said you would do drunk, that will teach you to keep your mouth shut.

Zac; -

James; Nope

Mike; Mikez Wordz of Wizdom: YOGTHSO (You Only Go Through High School Once so stay in school kids, that's the ultimate swag)

Interview undertaken by: Samuel Smith

Mandalay Victory: Feels Like Home album review

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Feels Like Home is the second full-length release from Perth metalcore giants Mandalay Victory, bringing together everything the band is known for. For fans and new comers alike, the album does not disappoint; every track radiates the kind of energy that you only find in a passionate band who love what they do.

Beginning with the genre’s trademark one minute-thirty intro track, Feels Like Home takes a single minute to build up, and doesn’t relent until the last, echoing vocal line from ‘Danny Archer Sends His Regards’ fades into the distance. Just over 35 minutes in length, the album isn’t a long one, but doesn’t ever feel rushed or incomplete. If anything, the pounding riffs and crunching vocals start to feel a bit repetitive. ‘Holey Dollar’ provides a welcome change in pace, almost serving as an introduction to the last portion of the album; and the band transition effortlessly and smoothly back into their trade.

The subsequent track ‘Whispers’ will be a familiar one for fans, containing some of the album’s best riffs, clean vocals, and breakdowns. This track alone stands up as some of the better material of the genre, providing a strong showing for this Perth band. On ‘The Hearts We Left Behind’, Mandalay Victory showcase their ability to be versatile within their own sound; the song is almost a ballad, with clean vocals and guitar dominating the epic landscape the song creates.

Some of the album’s best moments are in the contrast between vocals, with tracks like ‘Lower Your Guard’ and ‘All or Nothing’ demonstrating the bands ability to construct a soaring chorus within a brutal hardcore song. If anything could be improved on Feels Like Home, it would be the use of this variation in the most central element of their songs. Gang vocals, clean vocals, and vocal effects are found scattered amongst the album, but are occasionally lost in the relentless barrage of screams.

Mandalay Victory aren’t breaking any moulds, but they do what they do well, and Feels Like Home is an impressive second album for the Perth band.www.listn.to/mandalayvictory
www.facebook.com/mandalayvictory
www.myspace.com/mandalayvictory

By: Ethan Reed

Spilt Cities: EP Review

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Fresh from the kickin’ streets of Perth, Spilt Cities is a band that’s sure to get your earholes excited.
The four piece band consists of Shaun Rodan (vox, guitar) Zac Ward (guitar) Michael Kinnane Ewings (bass) and James Porteous (drums). And has recently come out with a new EP entitled “Build/Rebuild”.

The band as a whole scored the album as an 8/10, which they definitely deserve. There was also a bit of a paradigm for the band’s favourite song, which was “Ashes in the End”. Each member said this song was their favourite in a recent interview. I personally like “Your Old Ghost”, but each to their own.
Spilt Cities has a sort of aura about them, almost the same as The Jezabels but with a  male vocalist and a bit of dirty vocals.
As an overall rating, I’d give the EP a 7.5/10.

So just remember, if ever you’re out and about, and happen to come across a poster advertising a Spilt Cities gig, FOLLOW THAT POSTER UP! You won’t regret it.

By: Samuel Smith

Breadbox Mafia, Children, Golden Slums & Miranda and Gordo at the Swan Basement 22/02/2013

The Swan Basement is strikingly relaxed and groovy, with pool tables, a lounge area and soft blue lighting.  I’m sitting on one of the blue couches and enjoying the vibe of the place when Breadbox Mafia begins to play.

Their five-piece indie rock style calls forth images of The Smiths and R.E.M. while the singer laments in an Ian Curtis-style baritone. Okay, while he may not win the award for the best Ian Curtis impression, but it works well with the sound that Breadbox Mafia have going. Instrumentally, the arrangements sound good, though I might suggest that the lead guitarist work more melody into their songs. The distorted lead sounds somewhat disjointed from the vocalist, occasionally finding unison and then drifting into chaos again. It’s not altogether unpleasant, but I find that pentatonic scales are the go when it comes to indie rock.

Following Breadbox Mafia is more indie rock from the four-piece band Children. Though Children are coming from a similar place as the former, their music is more reminiscent of The Shins. The acoustic guitar and gentle strumming feature strongly. Children make interesting use of harmony, with the lead guitarist singing only low notes to compliment the front man’s higher register. Though the result could sound nice, there were parts (especially towards the end) where some of the harmonies sounded somewhat lazy, a problem perhaps arising from neither register having enough power behind it during big moments. Perhaps the baritone should push those higher notes during the chorus. Then who knows what they could become, the next San Cisco even?

When the third band, The Golden Slums, begins to play, their sound transports me out of my seat and into the desert of New Mexico. It’s a cinematic, brooding sort of ambience and very bluesy. And the harmonica’s a nice touch. The drummer counts in and the song suddenly transforms into a groovy blues rock song. It’s very simple music, if I were to liken it to other bands; I would say INXS or the Black Keys. The singer/bass player makes use of the harmonica and a fun vocal effect that cuts out low frequencies, making for a more low-fi sound like it’s passing through a radio. He almost looks like Thor on stage, bass guitar in hand like his mighty hammer. I’m just going to throw all caution to the wind and say what’s on my mind right now: I think The Golden Slums should be (more appropriately redubbed) “Thor”. A little something for the band to consider. Low and behold, they even cover a Black Keys song towards the end of their set. When they do blues rock, the Golden Slums do it well, however I feel like the guitarist shies away from soloing somewhat. This is blues rock I’m afraid, and if I’m seeing a blues rock band one screaming badass mother of a guitar solo is not optional. All in all, the Golden Slums are highly listenable and fit the vibe of the venue- a highlight of the evening for sure.

Miranda and Gordo strip back to the three-piece band and split singing duties 50-50 between the guitarist and the bassist. I actually find this vocal style more agreeable; the bassist has a softer and more low-key sort of voice, so if he sings the first two lines of a verse then the guitarist’s voice is relatively more passionate and aggressive. It’s an interesting formula, and they certainly do use it to their advantage. I’m intrigued by their fast-paced drum beats, considering the vocals and (presumably, it’s hard to tell) lyrics are of darker subject matter and a similarly mellow tone.

To conclude my review, it was altogether an enjoyable evening. The Swan Basement makes the most of the emerging music scene, and I paid compliment to the sound man for his work – it did sound exceptionally tidy, he seemed to have everything at the right levels.

MIRANDA AND GORDO - https://www.facebook.com/mirandaandgordo?fref=ts

THE GOLDEN SLUMS - https://www.facebook.com/TheGoldenSlums?fref=ts

CHILDREN - https://www.facebook.com/childrenofficial

BREADBOX MAFIA - https://www.facebook.com/pages/Breadbox-Mafia/492319237446365?fref=ts

By: Yann Vissac