Gig of the Week

POST-ROCK: THIS week's GIG OF THE WEEK would have to be PURPLENE (pictured above) tomorrow night at The Cambridge Hotel with AUDIOPHILE and UKIYO-E. Purplene formed in 1996 in Newcastle, and moved to Sydney where they have supported the likes of TRANS AM, BLUEBOTTLE KISS, SOMETHING FOR KATE, GERLING, BIG HEAVY STUFF and POLLYANNA. Purplene aren't short on style when it comes to the two guitars, bass and drums thing. The band evokes many moods with its performances, which are equal mix of precision playing and powerful muscular song structures. Joining Purplene on stage will be Sydney's newest and most exciting underground act, avant-instrumentalists - Ukiyo-E. In the tradition of bands such as TORTOISE, THE SEA, CAKE and SLINT, Ukiyo-e stretch the boundaries of what is now considered 'post rock' - by blending the standard guitar/bass/drums format with samplers in to a cocktail of skewed punk rock and twisted jazz. The show begins at the Cambridge from 8pm.

THUNDER CATS: IF you're looking for something to kick a little adrenalin into your mundane world, take a geek at the THUNDERCAT RACING over the Easter Long Weekend off the waters of Catherine Hill Bay. Two Sydney-based teams will be racing off the waters on Easter Monday, between 9am and 2pm. Thundercat representatives will have a marquee set up on the beach on Monday where members of the general public will be able to take a closer look at the machines that have been described at the 'formula one' of water sports. The 'adrenalin rush experience' comes from riding at close proximity to the water on top of the 'twin-hulled inflatable boats with a 50hp outboard engine'. Inquiries =(02) 9979-5177.

LIVE RADIO: JOIN ABC Newcastle's JOHN CLARKE tomorrow as he broadcasts live from the concert hall of the University of Newcastle Conservatorium of Music. The two-hour broadcast, beginning at 1pm, will include the CONSERVATORIUM CHAMBER CHOIR'S fundraising performance before their departure for a tour of the United Kingdom. Tickets are $5, $4 concession and $3 for children. TE