IT was 20 years ago next year when Tim Freedman famously first warned of gambling addiction and its impact on society and families in The Whitlams’ seminal hit Blow Up The Pokies.
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Today the societal impact of gambling has only become more pronounced and many would argue it’s damaged the live music scene, so it’s fitting that The Whitlams are preparing to revisit that period of their career in 2019.
The Last Drinks at the Morrison Hotel Tour will predominantly focus on The Whitlams’ 1999 classic album Love This City, which also features the popular cuts Thankyou (For Loving Me At My Worst), Chunky Chunky Air Guitar and You Gotta Love This City.
The Whitlams open the tour with two shows at Lizotte’s on May 21 and 22.
GREAT TOUR
BUNBURY lads Great Gable have been slowly building a following through their series of funk-drenched indie rock singles.
Their latest track Golden Slums bounces along with Wombats style pop. The four-piece inked a deal with respected booker the 123 Agency this week, who boast Tash Sultana and Kingswood on their roster, as well as Newcastle acts Split Feed, Trophy Eyes and Vacations.
Great Gable will release another single Cool Mind Blue early next year and have announced a tour to support. The Cambridge Hotel hosts Great Gable on March 9.
DASHVILLE NIGHTS
HUNTER music fans haven’t seen much of growling blues man Steve Smyth in recent times as he’s been busy working on new tunes and embracing the Spanish lifestyle in Barcelona.
That’s all about to change with Smyth announcing two shows in the Hunter. The Gum Ball favourite will return to Matt Johnston’s Lower Belford property on February 1 for a special Dashville Nights performance. Two nights later Smyth will play at Mayfield’s Stag and Hunter Hotel.
BOO XMAS GIFT
ELECTRO-soul duo Boo Seeka have been revealed as the secret act for the Cambridge Hotel’s Boxing Day mini-festival.
Newcastle’s Ben Gumbleton and Sydney’s Sam Croft have sold out the Cambridge’s main room in their own right, so the inclusion of the Kingdom Leader and Does This Last hit-makers should guarantee a large festive crowd next Wednesday.
The block party is headlined by Blue Mountains hip-hop royalty Thundamentals and also includes E^ST, Clypso, Stumps and local acts Foemen, Good Thanks, Nicholas Connors and more.
YOCHOLIDAY VIBES
TWO weeks ago we brought you news that Newcastle rock band dave had finished recording their debut album Slob Stories with US grunge producer Steve Albini.
Fans will have the chance to hear the as-yet-unreleased material on the three-piece’s upcoming Yocholiday Tour this summer. The seven-date tour begins in Canberra on January 11, before finishing at all-ages venue The Dungeon, at Adamstown Uniting Church on February 9.
NEWY SOUND TO ROCK GOLDIE
THERE will be a decidedly Newcastle flavour at the Gold Coast’s Nightquarter on December 29 when it hosts The Best Night Ever mini-festival.
Indie acts The Gooch Palms and Raave Tapes will appear on the bill, alongside the headliner Dune Rats, DZ Deathrays, Waax and Totty.
IS ROCK BACK?
The statement that “rock is dead” is as cliche as many of the out-dated characteristics attached to the music genre. However, a look at Triple J’s publicly-voted album of 2018 charts reveals an overwhelming dominance of indie rock bands.
Nine of the top-10 albums were made by guitar bands, with only No.7 Solace, by electronic act Rufus Du Sol bucking the trend.
For the record Ball Park Music (Good Mood), Ocean Alley (Chiaroscuro), Hockey Dad (Blend Inn), DMA’s (For Now) and Middle Kids (Lost Friends) rounded out the all-Australian top five. Forster’s Jack River finished ninth with her impressive debut Sugar Mountain.
BLUES COUP
HUNTER blues fans will be excited by news that New York legend Eric Bibb is coming to Lizotte’s on May 19 for two separate shows.
