THEY released a CD called CATGUT YA TONGUE where they played covers of some contemporary rock'n'roll songs and even a TV theme song or two. Standard fare for a pop band, but FOURPLAY was anything but your standard pop band. In fact FourPlay is a string quartet and its unorthodox approach was a wild success wherever it performed. That was two years ago but now the group, playing on Friday night at the Northern Satr Hotel, has a new CD called THE JOY OF. . . featuring new covers by POP WILL EAT ITSELF, THE CLOUDS, THE VELVET UNDERGROUND and more.
PHILLING IN: NEWCASTLE band VALHALLA has not broken up, despite lead singer DAMIEN BAGULEY stepping onto a plane this month for overseas, vowing not to return until at least June. Stepping into the sizeable shoes of Baguley is the irrepressible PHIL BELLAMY (LUCKY PHIL, ULTIMATE FREAK OUT). The band has renamed itself PHILHALLA until Baguley returns, and will perform this Friday night at The Brewery and Saturday night at Jacks Night Spot.
NEWIE ON FILM: BANDS with a song in their heart - and in the can - could have their songs selected by budding film makers at this year's SHOOT OUT FILM FESTIVAL. Organisers are encouraging musicians to supply their music to the Shoot Out CD Library this year to make Newcastle music more accessible during the filming weekend of Friday, July 7. Bands could have the chance to win $500 for Best Original Music. Inquiries phone 4962-1855.
GRAND SLAM: EVERY Thursday night for the past 26 weeks almost 80 bands have battled it out to win a place in the BAND SLAM GRAND SLAM event which takes place tomorrow night at SJ's Hotel. Each week three bands performed a 30-minute set of original music, a score was calculated from judges marks and audience votes, and winning bands collected a cash prize which increased every week they won. Three straight wins got you a BAND SLAM jackpot and a place in the GRAND SLAM. The five bands which scored a Band Slam were BOK CHOY, TWIN PSYCHE, NUBRIUM, UNDERSIDED and NOB. They will play tomorrow night for $1500 cash and $500 in recording time.
SQUISHY FISHY: FORMER members of GRRRRUMBLE (drummer STEVE MARSH and bass player MICK RUDDER) have resurfaced in a delicious new concoction which calls itself a HOT FISH MILKSHAKE. Hold that thought, and make a mental note to get down to The Cambridge tomorrow night where the band will perform along with guitarist DEON VOYER and vocalist MANDY ROBINSON.
BRACKETS BACK: THE Acoustic Cafe and The Star Hotel have closed down again, and with it some fine entertainment institutions that called the venue home. One of those was the Tuesday night roll-up night BLACKBOARD BRACKETS, which was an opportunity for budding musicians and poets to get up in front of an audience and try their material. The good news is that Blackboard Brackets and its MC GREG BOXHALL has found a new home at The Casbah City Hotel, with the first set returning on Tuesday, May 2.
BUTLER TRIO: THE only West Australian performer invited to perform at this weekend's EAST COAST BLUES & ROOTS FESTIVAL at Byron Bay, THE JOHN BUTLER TRIO, will drop into the Northern Star Hotel this Saturday night. Butler's debut self-titled CD is getting heaps of air play on TRIPLE J, with RICHARD KINGSMILL giving Butler big wraps in his column in ROLLING STONE. Butler's roots-driven music with a strong social message has seen him sell 3000 copies after scooping the pool at last year's WESTERN AUSTRALIA MUSIC INDUSTRY awards in five categories.
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