Maroon 5 ft Wiz Khalif

Written by Jacqui James

LAST NIGHT I became overly excited when I saw Maroon 5 have a new single out that’s already Number 3 on the Aria Single Chart.

Payphone is from their upcoming album Overexposed which from what I can gather will be out in June. Also in the same month they’re releasing a special 10^th anniversary of Songs About Jane.

Some people (mostly jealous males) think Adam has become an arrogant mega rockstar who has it all and flaunts it (the fact he dates supermodels doesn’t help!) but if you listen to the lyrics to Payphone, it reveals a heartbroken man like many previous Maroon 5 songs have.

I chose to post the explicit version of the song as we all know how true the line “One more fucking love song I’ll be sick” is so so true!

All I will say about the video for Payphone is there’s something for the men as well as the ladies.

May 14^th, 2012

Rod Laver Arena, Melbourne 

Written by Jacqui James

ROD LAVER ARENA WAS transformed to present a spectacular event for Prince’s 360 stage which was the shape as his “symbol” in the centre with huge video screens from the roof. The outline of stage and lightening changed colour with the mood of each track.

Last night was the first Melbourne concert; tonight he does it all again for another two hours plus.

The show started with the sound of thunder and blue lightning on the screens. One of Prince’s stunning dancers appeared and she walked towards his guitarist who was playing the introduction of Purple Rain which turned out to be a teaser of something to marvel at later on.

Prince rose from the centre of the stage and asked, “Melbourne, how long has it been?” I didn’t believe how charismatic and cheeky he is. He joked that he wrote his 90′s hit Cream, while looking in mirror.

We wouldn’t expect anything more than an unbelievable concert from the “purple one”. Sometimes he was a little self-indulgent, asking the crowd “What’s my name?” repeatedly and calling his music “real music”. However, this is Prince! He gets away with wearing platform shoes and still is cool.

He might be a little self-indulgent but man, is he an extremely talented artist! He’s an extraordinary guitarist who improvises with his magical guitar-made-hands. On his impressive keyboard he also did a medley of his chart-topping hits: When Doves Cry Nasty Girl (instrumental) and The Most Beautiful Girl in the World / Adore. He played a sample of Beyonce’s Single Ladies (Put A Ring On It)
and joked, “Wait, I didn’t write that!”

1999 got everyone up on their feet from its undated beginning. Prince obviously doesn’t like playing Little Red Corvette because he let the enthusiastic crowd sing the first verse but then leapt into Cream.

What a privilege seeing Prince and his band perform Purple Rain (the whole twelve plus minutes worth). It was totally amazing and awesome!

Most people thought Purple Rain was the last song of the night (including us) but when we were going doing in the lift we heard Prince and his band fire up again! But before he left the stage for the first time he said, “He isn’t afraid of the future and feels blessed.”

The setlist from last night was:

Thunderstorms Intro

Purple Rain (Andy McKee Acoustic Intro)

Gold

Jam Of The Year (Incl. Also Sprach Zarathustra)

Song of the Heart

Let’s Go Crazy

Delirious

Let’s Go Crazy (reprise)

1999

Little Red Corvette

I Could Never Take the Place of Your Man / Jailhouse Rock

Take Me With You

Raspberry Beret

Cream

Cool (incl. Don’t Stop ‘Til You Get Enough)

Guitar Segue

Sometimes It Snows in April

Love…Thy Will Be Done (Prince – Elisa Dease & Andy McKee)

Mountains

The dance electric

Encore:

When Doves Cry

Nasty Girl (instrumental)

Darling Nikki

Pop Life

Sign “O” the Times

The Most Beautiful Girl in the World / Adore

Single Ladies (Put A Ring On It)

(Beyoncé cover)

Dance 4 Me

Hot Thing

I Would Die For You

Encore 2:

Kiss

Purple Rain

If I Was Your Girlfriend

She’s Always in My Hair

Dreamer

Peach

FLAP! ARE A MELBOURNE group happily admit that life’s supposed to be joyful! Flap! is a group who are influenced by the music from the 1920′s to 1940′s, you know the type of music that makes you happy even when the world going to crap around you!

Flap! is made up with so much talent with Jess Guille (banjo-ukulele, vocals), Eamon McNelis (trumpet, vocals), Mark Elton (bass), Ben Hendry (drums) and their gigs always have a special guest! What’s even cooler is the fact that Jess is married to a clown who’s attending clown college and Eamon won the National Jazz Award in 2010.

A Great Day At The Race is Flap!’s latest album and honestly you could have the worst day ever but this album would get your toe tapping and get you smiling. It’s very jazzy, but as Jess told me, “I suppose we are all into happy dancing music but like to sing about all sorts of things that affect us! ”

The Princess Mary Rag Eamon sings about his crush on the Princess and what lengths he would go to to have one kiss with her! Enjoy Yourself is like Flap’s creed in life; it’s such a catchy tune that it makes you smile!

Jess kindly answered some questions for me but I urge you to check out their site and listen to their really cool music.

How did an extremely talented bunch of singers and musicians got together?

We were lucky enough to all be friends before Flap! started. Eamon, Mark and Ben all played in different bands that I used to go out and see regularly around Melbourne. Then we became friends, and after a silly late night jam the band was born! Being good mates is very helpful for when we’re on tour as it takes much longer than usual to get sick of each other {smiles}. This is the first and only band I’ve ever been in, so I got very lucky to end up with this bunch of exceptionally talented fellas.

A Day At The Race is the most perfect title for your album! Was it intentional to make a conceptional album?

The album is titled after a line in one of the songs, “Rock In Space.” A great day for what race? The Human Race! It’s a nod to how wonderful it is to be alive, no matter how crappy your circumstances.

Many of your tracks are so uplifting and funky even those with depressing lyrics like Apocalypse and Come Down To My Funeral (which I love because it’s so Aussie). How do you do this?

I suppose we are all into happy dancing music but like to sing about all sorts of things that affect us! A lot of our songs are in minor keys too but manage to stay happy. A lot of old jazz tunes were very deceptive like that; buoyant and joyful music with dark lyrics.

Who has the crush on Princess Mary?

That’d be Eamon! We’re going to Denmark in June, we hope she comes to one of our gigs and hears the song {The Princess Mary Rag from A Great Day for the Race}.

On your website I read you guys got Nude in Melbourne’s Legendary Bar. What led to this very brave decision?

It just all happened without warning! We were playing a relatively relaxed gig on a Sunday night when people started taking their clothes off. It was only right to follow suit, so to speak! It was probably one of the most incredible things that has happened to me – I felt a little shell shocked for the next week or so, it was quite an amazing experience.

Are you all fans of the 30/40′s style of music?

Absolutely! The guys in the band all play old jazz in other bands, and I met them by going to see that kind of music, so I guess it is the true unifying factor for us all. It’s just such terrifically exciting music!

Your lyrics are very down-to-earth and basically you tell it how they are with no bullshit! Are you proud of this and not caving in to the commercialism?

I couldn’t sing a song that I didn’t believe in, I’d feel pretty silly. I write very personally, and don’t really know any other way! Covers can be a little different because they are a bit tongue in cheek.

I had to laugh when I watched Down Down Down on your site because you Jess introduced the song with saying, “a song about falling off a cliff and breaking both of your legs….yayyyyy!” Would I be right in saying you’re a half full kind of girl?

Yep that’s pretty much right! It is a true story, and there is photographic evidence of me smiling in all the photos both before and after the accident. I got very lucky – I fell about seven metres and only badly broke one ankle and damaged the other knee. I wouldn’t be the person I am today without that happening, so it’s just all a part of the journey {smiles}.

How did you all come up with your unique version of Steve Miller’s Abracadbra?

I spent some time backpacking through Europe, and it was the ‘hostel song’ at a tiny hostel I stayed at in Granada in Spain. Everyone would go wild when it came on! I was travelling with my ukulele, and it was so much fun I had to learn the song and speed it up a bit because I love to dance.

Do you have secret plans to conquer the world with your magical sounds?

You bet! We are heading over to Europe in June for a two month tour, which is ridiculously exciting! We’ve never toured overseas before so we’re very much looking forward to playing to new crowds at festivals we’ve never been to. We want to play everywhere!

Thanks again Jess! I wish Flap! all the best. Also thank you Will from Heapsaflash!

Before Flap! embark overseas, you can catch them on the following dates:

Saturday, 5th of May – Melbourne, The Corner Hotel
www.cornerhotel.com / (03) 9427 9198

Friday, 11th of May – Bairnsdale, Bairnsdale Sporting and Convention Centre
www.pigandwhistle.bigbig.com / 0419 530 362

Sunday, 13th of May – Adelaide, The Wheatsheaf
www.wheatsheafhotel.com.au / (08) 8443 4546

Friday, 18th of May – Brisbane, The Joynt
www.myspace.com/thejoyntbrisbane / (07) 3255 1579

Saturday, 19th of May – Byron Bay, Coorabell Hall
www.coorabellhall.net / (02) 6619 0494

Friday, 25th of May – Castlemaine, Theatre Royale
www.theatreroyal.info / (03) 5472 1196

Saturday, 26th of May – Hobart, Grand Poohbah
www.facebook.com/thegrandpoobahba / (03) 6231 3363

Sunday, 27th of May – Torquay, The Torquay Bowls Club
www.facebook.com/pages/Hiphipshebang/160393590686402 / (04)05422285

Wednesday, 30th of May – Canberra, The Front Gallery and Café
www.facebook.com/thefront / (02) 6249 8453

Thursday, 31st of May – Sydney, Camelot Lounge
www.camelotlounge.com / (02) 9550 3777

Friday, 1st of June – Newcastle, The Great Northern
www.thegreatnorthern.com.au / (02) 4927 5728

Saturday, 2nd of June – Urunga, Ocean View Hotel
www.oceanviewhotel.com.au / (02) 6655 6221

 Written by Jacqui James

THE UNIQUE SAM SPARRO  is back with his new single I Wish I Never Met You with a killer video (quite literary!)

Sam has been very busy doing tours here in Australia and the US as well as attending Paris Fashion Week.

For all things Sparro, head to samsparro.com/.

Dragon in 2012

Written by Jacqui James

I DOUBT THAT not many people know Dragon formed before Cold Chisel. I certainly didn’t, but with hits like April Sun In Cuba, Are You Old Enough?,April Sun In Cuba and Still In Love With You dominating the 70′s pub-life, Dragon have a certain place in Aussies’ hearts.

Following their success in the 70′s, Dragon found new fans with Rain, Young Years, Celebration and Dreams Of Ordinary Men in the 80′s.

However way before that, Todd and his younger brother Marc were influenced to play music by their Mum and Dad; playing in a band all together at performances. Todd was in a few bands before 1972 when with two of his friends from their previous band called Anteapot decided to form Dragon. Graeme Collins, the lead singer soon left the band saying he didn’t fit in.

Unfortunately drugs and alcohol played a vicious demon as Dragon lost their drummer Neil Storey in 1976. When Marc Hunter joined the band he had his own addictions, so Todd seriously completed breaking the band up indefinitely.

But as it goes, Dragon in 1977 had their breakthrough album called Sunshine which made them Australia’s number one band From then onwards (well not without more controversy with boozey and drugs antics from Marc) the band had major success in Australia.

Tragically Marc lost his seventeen month battle with throat cancer in July 1998. Understandably Todd didn’t know if they could or should continue with the band they had begun over thirty years ago. They did with Mark Williams as their lead singer in 2006.

The current line-up for Dragon have been wowing crowds at recent Day On The Green festivals and now doing gigs until August. (see tour dates below the interview)

I felt really honoured to chat with Todd and Mark. Thanks Todd to allow me to interview you two.
Without stating the obvious, Dragon were one of Australia’s best pub bands in the 70′s! Do you have a favourite pub (if you can remember {laughs})?

Probably the Bondi Lifesaver, it was a wild place. We used to live in the same Street and if a band didn’t turn up the bouncers would come and carry our equipment over and we would play

WOW! Dragon are celebrating their 40 years anniversary as a band this year (or next year?) Which achievements are you most proud of?

To be playing again is the best thing. It’s great to be playing to new generations of people.

When Mark sadly passed in 1998, how difficult was it to decide to find a new lead singer?

There was no band for ten years after Marc died. Then slowly it seemed like those songs should be played again.   In retrospect it was the right thing to do because when you get a few thousand people singing along it’s like Marc and Paul live on in their music.

You’ve been doing gigs around Australia, recently on the Day On The Green tour. I was at the Rochford Estate gig and you guys rocked! Why do you think you guys were the ones who got everyone up and singing?

{It’s} because they know the songs and because we are playing now with more energy than when we were twenty.

Mark, at the Rochford gig, you kept asking the crowd, “Are you pissed?” My question to you is did you in fact, did you get pissed?

No, I don’t drink… if I did I would have been dead long ago.

Which song is your favourite to perform?

Rain… It plays itsefl!

O Zambezi live is one of those tracks that transports your listeners to another continent. Was this your purpose for this song?

Yes, Robert had been reading about Africa and it made its way into the song.

What is Dragon doing currently (besides touring)?

We are recording a new EP at the moment. Expect the unexpected.

Is it difficult trying to preserve the Dragon fans loved in it the 70′s and 80′s, but still progress as a band?

No, the great thing about being in a band is that you have to please yourself. Only then is it possible to please other people.

Is there an ongoing friendly rift between Dragon and Chisel, since not many people know Dragon formed before Chisel?

No, no rivalry, both bands are very different propositions.  We have been playing the same shows as Ian and Jimmy and it’s always good to see them.

Thanks Jacqui, all the best.

Dragon’s Tour Dates:

Apr 2012 THE CRUSING YACHT CLUB – ROCKINGHAM – WA

Sat 21 Apr 2012 THE RED HILL – GERALDTON – WA

Sun 6 May 2012 DAY ON THE GREEN – SIRROMET WINERY – QL

Fri 11 May 2012 THE BRASS MONKEY

Sat 19 May 2012 PORT DOUGLAS FOOD & WINE FESTIVAL

Fri 8 Jun 2012 LIZOTTES – KINCUMBER

Sun 10 Jun 2012 LIZOTTES – NEWCASTLE

Sun 10 Jun 2012 LIZOTTES – NEWCASTLE

Thu 5 Jul 2012 SUPER WELCOME FESTIVAL – TOWNSVILLE – QL

Sat 7 Jul 2012 BRONCOS BRIS

THIS MONTH I WOULD LIKE to highlight two videos that capture the human spirit and HOPE for a better world.

Gerard Butler acting as an inspirational Sam Chillders in Machine Gun Preacher

Last year I watched an incredible movie Machine Gun Preacher based on the life and ongoing work of Sam Chillders in Northern Uganda and Southern Sudan saving children from the evil grip of Sam Kony and his army (which consists of children who Kony kidnapped and forced them to kill their own parents.

Unfortunately as the movie wasn’t “fairy-floss, Hollywood-friendly” it was a very limited release even though it starred the very gorgeous Gerard Butler. I do believe Machine Gun Preacher is released on DVD next month in Australia. I have just read Sam’s autobiography Another Man’s War: The True Story Of Sam Chillders which was very inspirational and if you want to visit his website it’s www.machinegunpreacher.org/

Jason Mraz

The second video is Jason Mraz's I Won't Give Up On Us which is a total different sound his past cruisey sound. It's Jason's more mature side. This great song can be about anything; a relationship or human beings as a whole. The video is quite beautiful too.

With special guests Mi-sex, 1927, Dragon and Ian Moss

Saturday, March 24, 2012

Written by Jacqui James

Mi-Sex

Unfortunately we missed the Choirboys but seeing them live last year I bet they would have warmed up the crowd quite nicely for an afternoon of AUSSIE ROCK on a chilly afternoon!

The afternoon wasn’t without its drama. The keyboardist of Mi-Sex Murray Burns collapsed going into the third song and the band were forced to end their set so as Murary could be carried off the stage to attended to by paramedics.

1927

The show must go on as they say. Mick Newton, Roundhouse Entertainment Promoter reassured the crowd that there would be more music from 1927, Ian Moss and Noiseworks!

When 1927 got stuck into their set all their songs came rushing back to me (like Compulsory Hero)! When they released their debut album Ish in the late 80′s, they became one of the biggest bands in Australia! Today in 2012 they still have fans who remember each

line to every song. If I Could, You’ll Never Know and their biggest hit single That’s When I Think Of You were when the crowd became boisterous.

Dragon

Dragon were the surprise package of the whole afternoon/night. Lead singer Mark Williams engaged the crowd from the word go. Mark’s positive and cheeky side was very visible as he had a few jokes with their energized audience. He asked, “Are you all pissed?” and introduced Todd Hunter as the “latest member of the band.” They sung all their hits including Young Years, Celebration, O Zambezi, Still In Love, Are You Old Enough? and April Sun In Cuba which brought everyone to their feet.

Whenever Ian Moss enters the stage, there’s a high respect that washes over the crowd. It’s almost like we’re preparing ourselves to be in awe. The funniest thing happened though; as a typical Ocka, the first words that came out of Ian’s mouth was, “How the fuck are ya?”, then took the piss of other wineries’ reds. Ian with his bassist and drummer did songs off his latest album Soul On West 53^rd, plus treating us with his two big solo hits Telephone Booth and Tucker’s Daughter. But the crowd really raised their voices to Choirgirl, Bow River and My Baby.

Ian Mos

Jon Stevens fronting Noiseworks

Noiseworks originally formed in 1986 and for three years they dominated the radio and Aussie rock scene. I was a very big fan of this band and remember singing to their music. On Saturday night their first track Take Me Back was very fitting. Jon soon said how it’s “Great to be back” and he was at ease being back in the band, even when things technically didn’t go to plan. He explained how when things don’t go to plan he loves it because that’s life! He jokingly said, “Loves when everything fuck up” then he thanked us supporting live music.

These days Jon isn’t afraid to be outspoken! He dedicated No Lies and Voice Of Reason to our politicians and urged us to appreciate each other because “Life too damn short.”

Before singing In My Youth he joked about how as a young Dad his children would climb over him on the couch where he’d slept after drinking and doing other stuff. He had trouble hitting the high notes the song is known for so he urged the crowd to help in singing with him!

Jon Stevens

There’s no doubt Jon’s outlook on life has changed since his heart surgery. Having the privilege of meeting and interviewing him, he is a man who’s priorities and care for others shines. Before singing Touch he urged people to reach back and touch somebody.

As the encore Noiseworks brought on Mick Newton to sing the Sunnyboys classic I’m Alone With You. The crowd went wild as Noiseworks performed the the last song of the night Hot Chilli Woman.

It was an afternoon filled with a little drama but it shows how we love our Aussie Rock!

Written by Jacqui James

THE LEGENDARY AND ONE of the greatest songwriters of all-time Bruce Springsteen has released his latest album with his beloved E Street Band TODAY.

Here’s the video for the first single We Take Care Of Our Own: I just love the positivity of the whole song!

Written by Jacqui James

TO CELEBRATE JON BON JOVI turning 50 yesterday, here’s a video why he and Bon Jovi are seen as one of the world’s best live bands still today:

RICK PRICE IS ONE OF those highly believable, immensely respected, down-to-earth, singers/songwriters who has been incredibly busy over the past year.
But first, let’s rewind to 1991 where he released his debut album Heaven Knows. This album launched his career big time and Walk Away Renee was in the Top 50 on the Arias Charts in June ’93. Then in ’95 his follow-up album Tamborine Mountain was released and had the hit single River Of Love and my personal favourite Love Never Dies which is a song for his Mum.

Since then Rick has several albums under his belt; one was a garage record called A Million Miles. According to his site, he did this “just for fun.” In 2011 Rick took on a role to star in The John Denver Story and has performed in front of 26,000 people so far.

As well as continuing doing this slightly new role, Rick has a new album being released this year called The Water’s Edge. Rick kindly agreed to put time aside from his busy schedule to have a chat with myself.

In 2011 you began to star in The John Denver Story (which you will be of course continuing in 2012). Were you a big fan of Denver?

As a kid I was big fan, I’ve always had great respect for John’s writing. His songs have clearly stood the test of time.

Did you have to audition for the role? How did it all come about? The entire show was put together by a production company called Boldjack. They offered me the role and I flew to Australia to meet with them. It was not an official audition, though we had a trial period where by both parties could see if it was going to be a good fit. Everything flowed beautifully from the first meeting and rehearsal with the band.

Is it like a musical or do you just sing Denver’s songs? It’s referred to as a narrative concert. I have a four piece band, we perform about twenty of John’s songs and I narrate the show. I tell the story of his career from his humble beginnings to the peak of his success. The story touches also the ups and downs of his personal life. {Also} his charity and humanitarian work and devotion to the preservation of the planet.

In my humble opinion, you’ve always been one of Australia’s best singer/songwriters. I loved your 1995 album Tamborine
Mountain especially for the track Love Never Dies which you wrote for your mother. Are you continuously writing or do you do other things like producing? I spend most of my time writing, recording and performing my own music. I often write and produce for other artists and over the years I’ve written for film and television as well. As long as I’m making some kind of racket I’m happy!

You have an extremely exciting and hectic time ahead of you because as well as doing The John Denver Story, you are releasing your first album since 2003 called The Water’s Edge. Are you feeling on top of the world or nervous?

I’m really pleased with how the album is being received so that’s been wonderful and because I love my job I enjoy being busy so ‘it’s all good’ as they say!

On The Water’s Edge what can we expect to hear? It’s a very easy listen; it’s a pretty relaxed record. My intention was to make an uplifting record. Some of the feedback I’ve received so far is that the album is ‘Soothing”… that makes me happy! I like that.

You’ve done gigs in America, London and even Russia! Do you have a favourite gig you’ve done that stands out in your mind? I get asked this question a lot and I really don’t have a favourite show… I have so many wonderful memories of shows over the forty some years I’ve been performing. It would be impossible to name one. I’ve played all over the world and rarely have a bad show.

After doing the John Denver Story are you planning to tour Australia to showcase The Water’s Edge?

Yes I’m here doing that right now!

I wish you all the very best with the John Denver Story and the release of The Water’s Edge! I hope we see you doing gigs around Australia with your own material really soon! Thanks Rick!
Here are some dates for The John Denver Story:

Anthenaeum Theatre, Melbourne – 28 June – 10 July

Twelfth Night Theatre, Brisbane

–12 July

Evenings: Tue – Sat 7.30pm

Matinees: Wed 11am, Sat 2pm, Sun 1.30pm

You can catch Rick doing his own shows during Feb / March 201:

Sat 18 Feb         Canberra Southern Cross Club      Tuggeranong                        ACT

Wed 22 Feb       Notes at Newtown                         Sydney                                 NSW

Thur 23 Feb      Brass Monkey                                Kogarah                                NSW

Thur 1 Mar       The Vault Windsor                         Windsor                                NSW

Sat 3 Mar          Clarendon Hotel                            Katoomba                             NSW

Fri 9 Mar          Grand Pacific                                 Jogjakarta-IY                     Indonesia

Sun 11 Mar       Santika Dyandra                           Medan-North Sumatra       Indonesia

Tue 13 Mar       Clarion Hall                                  Makassar-South Sulawesi  Indonesia

Fri 16 Mar        Sasana Budaya Banesha                 Bandung-West Java            Indonesia

Sun 18 Mar      Grand City                                     Surabaya-East Java             Indonesia

Wed 21 Mar      Topolino’s St Kilda                        Melbourne                            VIC

Thurs 22 Mar    Wellers at Kangaroo Ground         Melbourne                            VIC

Fri 23 Mar         Twin Towns Services Club           Tweed Heads                        NSW

Sat 24 Mar        Somerville Function Centre          Hampton Park                       VIC

Sun 25 Mar       Supreme Bar & Restaurant            Maryborough                         VIC

Thurs 29 Mar    Lizottes Kincumber                      Central Coast                        NSW

Fri 30 Mar         Lizottes Dee Why                         Sydney                                  NSW

Sun 1 Apr         Lizottes Newcastle                       Newcastle                             NSW