I, A Man - Live @ Northcote Social Club (EP Launch), Feb 24

As if it wasn’t enough that I, A Man offered a killer sophomore EP, they also provided one of the best line-ups to launch it that inner-Melbourne has seen this year thus far. Namely, a handful of equally obscurely named bands, well, except for opening act Neighbourhood Youth that is.

They don’t have much visual appeal, dressed in plain shirts and shorts, they furrow the typical ‘heads-down’ mode of most fresh faced acts, but nevertheless sound far better than most opening acts should. Particularly given the small crowd, their tight rhythm section – all trebly bass and backbeat drums – suit their indie rock swell nicely. They even get some cowbell action in for Only One, with their other tunes characterised by stop-start dynamics and shuffling, danceable rhythms while frontman John Philip offers some yearning vocals. Their strongest tunes, namely the upbeat Home and hook-driven Stone, have a solid thing going, if not the performative aspect to sell them just yet. Elementally, they’ve got it going, but there’s still some gelling to go yet. 

Review: Scaramouche - Access Denied

A review for Beat magazine, originally published on-line and in-print. Reproduced here.

From their name reminding of Queen’s Bohemian Rhapsody, to the kicking off their EP with a classic rock countdown – you’d figure Scaramouche were a ‘classic’ rock band. However, the former Canberra-now-Melbourne-based five-piece quickly un-stick those preconceptions, and start throwing musical curveballs.

'You're Boring Us All' Interview: I, a Man

An interview originally syndicated for Tone Deaf, just in time for the band's launch at The Northcote Social Club tonight.

Through no conscious effort, Melbourne four-piece I, A Man are adding to the tally of unGoogleable band names, “Yeah, we probably shouldn’t have called ourselves that” laughs singer/guitarist Dan Moss, “It’s probably the one part of the band we’ve put the least amount of thought into” admits fellow axeman Ash Hunter. “The majority of the time, you have to repeat it to people after a gig. They think ‘Iron Man!?’ The Robert Downey Jr. comparisons come flying” adds their drummer, the fabulously named Sumner Fish. Despite the confusion that suggests they’re named after the popular comic book character, or a Black Sabbath song; the quartet have put far more attention towards crafting their music.

The Dead Leaves - Live @ The Toff In Town (Album Launch), Feb 16

The following gig review was originally published in Beat, and is reproduced here in its entirety

Supporting The Dead Leaves as they launched their debut, was the musically schizophrenic Enola Fall. Hopping the pond from Tassie, and arriving on stage at the eleventh hour due to an unfortunate airport mix-up, Enola Fall and particularly band leader Joe Nuttall, look and sound a little underprepared. After delivering two songs of grinding guitars and dull tub-thumping energy that suggests at least one member is enthralled to Jimmy Eat World – they surprise with a sudden musical U-turn. Nuttall migrates to some jaunty piano, in a theatrical rock number closer to Queen’s cabaret leanings than anything their previous alt-rock contested.

Introducing... I, A Man

Apologies to Al's Music Rant purists, but I've actually already introduced Melbourne quartet I, A Man's deliciously atmospheric guitar rock to the wider masses. After hearing their sophomore EP You're Boring Us All, I was instantly smitten with their textural approach to songwriting, a deft sequencing of their striking guitar sounds, dreamy vibes and beautifully rendered songcraft. What followed was a quick turnaround on a review of the same EP for Beat magazine, and spotlighting as the second act ever for a new column for the wonderful folks over at Everguide, entitled 'You Need To Know.'

'What's will all of this living?' Interview: The Dead Leaves

The following is an interview originally published in Beat magazine, and online, it is recreated here in an extended edit

It might be a peaking summer day outside, but in the air-conditioned confines of a label office, half of Melbourne’s The Dead Leaves are looking, as always, extremely dapper. “We heard you were coming, so we dressed up” jokes guitarist Andy Pollock, bedecked in a neat pressed shirt framed by a waistcoast and full Windsor-knotted tie. He is flanked by frontman Matt Joe Gow, he of the cool demeanour and bruised baritone that drives so much of the band’s emotional candour, today dressed in a spotless black shirt and pants – save for a flashing bronze tie buckle. Usually a band’s fashion choices aren’t really worth mentioning but for the Melbourne four-piece, it reflects not only their polished image, but their equally buffed sound.

News: Big Scary are 'Leaving Home' again, announce Vacation tour

AMR's favourite babes, Big Scary, have already announced their first international visit, hitting up the prestigious SXSW festival later this year; but today sees the announcement of their biggest national headline tour to date. The Vacation tour sees the Melbourne duo playing dates across the country throughout April, with support from the excellently eighties stylings of Geoffrey O'Connor and some, as yet unconfirmed, special guests.

Big Scary are nothing if not a thrilling live act (in fact, last year's best according to this blog) and having released their excellent debut album on their own independent label, Pieater, they're taking it back on the road - the very place that inspired it's reflective set of intropsective, genre-defying gems.