Thank God I'm a Country Boy

From the onset I knew this would not be like all the other interviews I'd done. A young Adam Brand was in the process of writing a new song when I arrived and politely asked permission to use my tape recorder to record his work in progress. Unable to refuse I witnessed his remarkable ability to get to the heart of thoughts and perceptions of everyday life. A true-blue country boy with a heart of gold, Brand certainly remembers where he came from and doesn't appear to be losing track of where he's going.

If there were an Australian accent equivalent to a Dallas drawl, Brand has it, and uses it to a tee. Through this thick accent (Yes, there are accents within Australia) he began to tell me how he started, how far he'd come and where he wants to go in the world of country music.

Writing his first song three years ago, learning guitar as he went, Brand taught himself how to get the tunes in his head onto paper and into music. Since then, he's made an album, and won himself three Golden Guitars, recognised as the pinnacle of country music in Australia. Brand's a bit chuffed at this and describes the honour in his usual down to earth manner. "You've got this long tunnel, and right at the end of that tunnel is a big Golden Guitar. You spend your life dreaming about it and trying to get there, so now that I've got it, I'm pretty happy to have it. I obviously don't want to ride off the back of it, but it's good recognition as a songwriter. I won one, for the APRA (Australian Performers Rights Association), so that's a really nice compliment."

Brand began recording his debut album in December of 97 and spent about four months getting the album done. Once finished, success has come his way fairly quickly, resulting in recognition Australia wide. But don't call him an "overnight success".

"As far as the country music industry is concerned, yeah I'm pretty much an overnight success. Two years ago was my first time in Tamworth and these are the first awards that I got a nomination for. I've been doing music since I was ten years old. I started playing drums when I was 10 and started singing when I was 18, so music's always something that I've been doing, but it's only in the last two or three years that I've actually made a step towards trying to achieve anything."

Moving from Perth to Sydney to help his career took Adam away from his friends and family which wasn't easy, but needed to be done in order for him to establish himself in the country scene. "If I could possibly do this from Perth, I would. But a thousand mile journey starts with one step, so you gotta take the first step." However, Brand stays true to his family and friends, his album is full of songs about the influence they have on him, and it's easy to see how much he has learnt from life. "Traditionally country music has a lot of heartbreak and sad stories in it, and I didn't want to do that. I wanted to make the album family oriented and have some funny stories and some uplifting things so people didn't go away with a tissue box. I didn't want to turn people to drink."

Since the release of the self-titled album, Brand has clocked up 25 000 kms in his car. Not something you hear of everyday, Brand wanted to do promotional work to help himself. "What I do, is I get in my car and I drive, and I stop at every town and I go into all the CD shops, the local radio station and maybe the local paper. Sometimes I've gone into the local primary school and done a free acoustic show for the kids. I've been doing that to get my name in front of people and people seem to appreciate it. It's also good for me to meet the people who are selling it and say thanks."

Completely off the track of music, Brand was also named in Cleo's recent Bachelor of the Year list. A topic that I couldn't let slide, I asked for his opinion on the whole thing. "A couple of my buddies are going to come to my gig wearing Wiggles t-shirts. It's actually been a lot of fun, if anything I think it's great for country music, because people are going to go, "Who's this guy" and maybe have a listen. Otherwise I just think it's one of those things you tell your grand-kids and say "Hey, guess what?" and they'll go "Oh sure granddad, sure." It's good exposure."

Adam Brand is a refreshing change, it's not often you hear of someone who is young, successful, humble and proud of what they are doing enough to do the hard work themselves, for little (or no) reward. And for the record, yes, he does have cowboy boots, no, he can't yodel, no he doesn't he have an akubra and yes he believes Anthony Wiggle deserved to win the Bachelor of the Year.

Turah Loudon  [Top]

Quietly Overcome by Happiness

Playing an acoustic set at the Greenwich is always going to be difficult, in fact playing an acoustic set anywhere is. It always reminds me of those infamous Bluetile Lounge gigs - they were more background music than anything, they don't exactly demand our attention. Perhaps the same can be said for Still except they have an advantage with being slightly more upbeat and country. In fact, they reminded me of a cross between Bluetile Lounge and the Silver Jews. Funny that considering Still are made up of members of Bluetile guys, Adam Said Galore and Bing - three bands who seemed to have taken the twangy guitar scene to new heights. As for Still they are a refreshing break from the Jebediah-esque pop that has saturated Perth for too long now. Lets get back to the indi twangs and squeaky voices of yesteryear.

Enter Joe Pernice. Like sitting in a large loungeroom with your closest friends Joe demanded everyone's attention. I have never heard the Greenwich so quiet, so still in absolute awe. Underneath Joe's music, there was no murmur of conversations from the crowd, no clinking of glasses and laughter from the bogans at the back. It was complete science. His husky voice and melancholy pop had everyone mesmerised. Playing a selection of solo songs, he then jumped into songs from the latest Pernice Brothers album Overcome By Happiness. Being a huge fan of this album, I was amazed at how fantastic he sounded live as compared with the cd. There was no difference. Amazing.

The nice thing about Joe Pernice is that he had personality, he told anecdotes between songs, asked for requests, told jokes. He said he knew it was a cliche that musicians always say "Oh this is the most beautiful place I've ever been to" - but he said Perth really was. Which made everyone feel extra special and gooey, and when he played his Christmas tune we all felt like handing out presents. He had a way of capturing - shit - everything!

Buy his cd's now.

Emma Cattapan  [Top]

Superbad Volume 2

Various

I know what yer thinking. A half naked man on the cover, and a title like that? What's going on? Well, it's not what you're thinking. It is, in fact, a compilation of hits from 1963 to 1979. All the big names are here, from Otis Redding, to James Brown and the Four Tops. Tracks include "I Had a Talk With My Man" by Mitty Collier, "Sex Machine" by Sly and the family Stone and "I Can See Clearly Now", by the great Johnny Nash. Basically, this album has a whole bunch of songs you've heard, but never knew who did it.

Covering one of the best eras in music, Superbad has everything you could want by way of funk and soul. I suggest putting it on for that dinner-party you've been wanting to have and get a little culture into your guests. Then, by the time the last track comes around, you'll be ready to get down and start funking. The most sampled of songs from 1979, "Goodtimes" by Chic is the best way they could have ended this CD and if you don't recognise this track (or the bass line) and start grooving, you either need to get out more, or search through your parents record collection to find out what you've been missing.

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Without You I'm Nothing

Placebo

It's only now and then you hear something that really captures your interest, Placebo is one such band for me. For two weeks I found many new ways to listen to this album; in the bath, on a bike, in a bus, and in many other places starting with B. This is the second album from a band made up of an American born front-man, and two Swedes who collectively hail from Britain (confused?).

For a band who have such a 90's glam sensibility they rock incredibly hard. "Pure Morning" (the first single from the album and the one you all know) commences proceedings with a multi-layered pop- punk powerhouse. However things get pretty damn mint with "You Don't Care About Us" and "Every Me and Every You." The diversity of the album surprises you with the somber moments of "Without You I'm Nothing" and "Ask for Answers" appearing just when you expect apocalyptic rock. This band doesn't fit into any box, their unique sound and a lyrical foundation seems to fascinate and captivate at every listen.

Chris Hayes  [Top]

Live at the Filmore East

Jimi Hendrix

This is a more convoluted double CD release drawn from the same live recordings as Jimi's album Band of Gypsys, which was four concerts at the Filmore East club in New York. Unfortunately, all the good songs were released on Band of Gypsys and I feel this is the crap that is left over. Jimi Hendrix, along with Billy Cox on bass and Buddy Miles on drums made four performances, two on New Years Ever and two on New Years Day in 1969/70. These performances were said to influence the very boundaries of Rock, R&B and funk, and maybe they did, but it is not this period in Hendrix' career that is most remembered.

This is actually the most obscure, least known and hardest to listen to Hendrix music in most people's opinion. The performances on this release are long and drawn out, with lengthy improvisation and boring bits. Each song is at least seven minutes long, and since they are live recordings, even the recordings of "Voodoo Chile (Slight Return)", "Stone Free" and "Machine Gun and Scratchy". This double CD is strictly for hard core Jimi fans only.

Marty Blum  [Top]

14:59

Sugar Ray

14:59 is a much more poppy and radio friendly release then their last offering Floored. The songs are more similar and light hearted lemonade music, rather than varied and drawing from a wide range of influences as their last album was. Sugar Ray are a band that are very much geared towards the mainstream and making money, however making good catchy music at the same time. Likely radio hits from this album are "Every Morning" and "Aim for Me". This album also includes a cover of "Abracadabra", as well as a funky little sea shanty tune. To further tantalise the senses, there is funny inside cover cartoon art, drawn in the style of aeroplane safety cards that you find in the pouch in front of your seat. It includes a cartoon dog smoking a cigar while the no smoking sign is on, a man looking up a girls dress as she puts on a life jacket and finally a man removing an oxygen mask from above his seat and using it to funnel a beer. So all in all, a good album, but if you hate Hollywood schmeltz, then steer clear of this one.

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Whiskey in the Jar

Metallica

Metallica continue to confirm that they now exist as a pathetic shadow of their former selves. This latest single has no original tracks, and although the songs are played well, (Metallica lack no musicianship after all) it is slightly dissapointing to see this coming from the definitive pioneers of the thrash metal genre. Also, the majority of the songs are live recordings and hence are of shocking quality. Having said all that, we now come to the fact that although this single is crap for Metallica, it still exceeds the standard of most other heavy metal/hard rock bands around. This rocky, bluesy even country style that Metallica have adopted has fitted comfortably into current musical trends. Since there is a lack of hard rock blues based bands, Metallica have slotted themselves comfortably in this niche, and dominate this genre now. This can only contribute to Metallica's inevitable domination of the world.

Marty Blum  [Top]

The Sebadoh

Sebadoh

Well, not many bands get to make an appearance two issues in a row, but Sebadoh seem to be an exception to almost every rule. Self-titling their fifth album may be seen as a bit pretentious by any means, but in this case, it appears that Sebadoh are finally establishing themselves and returning to please us. In true form, the longest track here is still under 5 minutes, the average under 3. Lou Barlow would probably have one of the worst voices for singing, appearing unable to hold a tune. Yet, at other times, he has the perfect pop-rock ability to start feet tapping. There's even some clever tambourine playing.

"Weird" is a good little boppy tune with poignant lyrics "paranoia's contagious". "Break Free" is a nice little almost-ballad and "Love is Stronger" is just wonderful. Special mention must be made of the thank-you list, Lynrd Skynrd is thanked about eight times within the first column, there's six columns. Sebadoh seem to thank everyone in the world from the aforementioned Mr Skynrd, to Elliot Smith, Method Man, the women and men making good pornography, Sepultura and clean bathrooms with locking doors. A big ? is the best thing to keep in mind when thinking of Sebadoh.

Turah Loudon  [Top]

Gran Tourismo

The Cardigans

Oh the Cardigans. You chameleons of rock . I guess some might say GranTurismo is a significant change for the Cardigans from their candyfloss

soundtrack singles, a darker change, perhaps? A rockier edge, hmm? For aband who's influenced by the likes of Black Sabbath, I say who cares? I

like em. It's not like Carnival, and its not First Band on the Moon: InGran Tourismo the songs take on amore melancholic tone, which the intro, "Paralyzed" leads into perfectly. The change in pace of the new album is exemplified by the faster (comparatively) songs like "Hanging Around", and the whole album definitely has a lot more edge and sharpness to it. Well, Nina still sounds syrupy sweet, and there still are the obvious singles, "My Favourite Game". They aren't quite going to be eating chicken heads in concerts just yet.

Tim Martin  [Top]

Live at the Filmore East (Video)

Jimi Hendrix

This video accompanies the release of the double album of the same name, taken from the same concerts. The video includes interviews with fellow Band of Gypsys members Buddy Miles and Billy Cox as well as with industry insiders and popular musicians influenced by this period in Jimi's career, such as Lenny Kravitz, Vernon Reid and Slash. Funnily enough, every one of them are convinced that this was the most exciting and influential part of Jimis career. It seems true, with The Jimi Hendrix Experience Jimi was forced to play and perform the way his record company wanted, leaving him keen to experiment and "jam wid his brudders". The end results, the four recorded concerts, aren't so spectacular, and if The Band of Gypsys were so great, they would have lasted longer than five concerts. The Gypsys ended when the drummer Buddy Miles was booted out by the manager. Buddy maintains that this was an anti-black conspiracy, that the management didn't want "three brudders playing togetha".

The video ends saying that after the Gypsys dissolved, Jimi reformed the Experience, this time with Billy Cox and Mitch Mitchell. It goes on to say how Hendrix now had the best of both worlds and was happiest than he had ever been. This video provides interesting insight, but just like the CD release, it's for keen Jimi fans only.

Marty Blum  [Top]

WOMAD 99 Southern Hemisphere

Various

I don't know how you classify something as world music, I think anyway you

try and define it some track on the WOMAD 99 album will screw it for you no problem. The album highlights the different styles that the term encompasses and a real hybrid mix, both within the album and within the individual tracks, that I guess world music is now defined as. The album has all your usual stadium-selling bigwigs of the world music scene like Baaba Maal or Yungchen Lhamo, those 80s wonderkiddies like Dave Dobbyn or Colin Hay, and all the acoustic folk tunes your body can handle in more languages than a VCR manual. And always something that leaves you thinking "nahhh I don't want to even think what this is but it sounds alright so why bother?" Some of the stuff doesn't do it for me, I still refuse to recognise the accordion as a valid musical instrument, but on the whole the range of

styles and the laid-back feel is really quite pleasant, hell enjoyable if you will. Put the kettle on and pretend you're in a café.

Tim Martin  [Top]

Unreal

UNKLE

A new single from one the most hyped outfits of last year, UNKLE (Mr James Mo' Wax Lavelle and DJ Shadow) comes a new single, "Unreal". Now this tune is on the Psyence Fiction album, but not in this present format. This version includes another in the long list of Brit-inspired singers (see Thom Yorke and Richard Ashcroft), a certain Ian Brown on vocals. Sounding more like a pop anthem singer cashing in to the current "electronic" movement, Brown adds his two cents worth. Usually dull at the best of times, this time Brown actually manages to sound good. The circular rhythm of his voice adds to the blasé tone of the track, enabling you to switch off to everything and hum along.

The background tune is the same, and the only new bits courtesy of Mr's Lavelle and Shadow is the absence of the sample at the start of the song, and an additional sample at the end. Still, quite a nice effort to get Ian Brown along, one wonders when they'll finish re-working their tunes. Only available for DJ's and journos, you'll have to wait and see if it emerges as a b-side, or makes an appearance elsewhere.

Turah Loudon  [Top]

John Butler

John Butler

Sheer guitar wizardry. Before you die you must see John Butler live.

The biggest problem John was ever going to have in recording this CD was translating the raw power and energy of a live show into digital produce which has power at the touch of a few graphic equaliser buttons. Put up to his 1996 cassette release of purely instrumental songs, this recording is so much more multi-faceted, but in all honesty I like the instrumental stuff better.

The mental imagery that involuntarily springs up from instrumental songs like "Oceans" and "Under an Indian Sky" never pale in comparison to the other 7 songs featuring John's vocals such as "Inspiration" and "Colours". There's no ignoring the soul, emotion and intensity behind the Butler's voice however. He pours every little bit of his being into every word, every note and every breath.

As far as reaching goals, the CD does pretty well to bring the live intensity home, but despite the professionalism and excellence on display the feeling is that John has so much more potential for future releases.

Stu Badhair  [Top]

Lime

3PH

Funk. Like it or hate it. But at least admit that there is good and there is bad, and Perth seems to produce some of the best around.

Enter 3PH. A three piece formula funk band - harmonic vocals, jangly guitar, sharp percussion and big rolling bass lines who won the Next Big Thing in 1997 (a controversial win over the Tigers). This is their debut release which has sprung as a result of this win and some fine songwriting in between. Sometimes they sound like any other funk band you may run into (the very RHCP "Coffee"), other times they're resoundingly Prague ("Idiot Man") but with a keen sense of pop melody and some damn tight rhythms ("Lonely Guy Blues").

The humour of "Right Lane Driver" and "Idiot Man" instill an immunity to the annoying harmonies within but the constant changes in "Coffee" and intelligent funk of "Lonely Guy Blues" make this a very interesting CD. You know, like when someone says "Mmm, that's very interesting", when you wear checks and stripes together.

Stu Badhair  [Top]

COMING AT YA

GREENWOODSTOCK GREENWOODSTOCK GREENWOODSTOCK, cashing in on Greenwood, the boys that started it all, Adam Said Galore, are having a backroom bonanza with their various side projects in an unabashed effort to raise funds for an eastern states tour. A tag team effort with Buster Cube, Mukaizake, Still, Adam Said Galore and the only Greenwood Shampoo Apprecietion Society's Official Marching Band's gig ever again, will be held at the Grosvenor Backroom, this Friday, March 12. Be there, feel good.

Racey Action at Greenwich on Wednesdays for the next week has Reykjavik, Gutterville Speldour 6 and Gata Negra - March 17.

Laidback will be here this Saturday at Fuel Bar and Cafe, last year tickets went very quickly so if you have a life, get a ticket and be a schmoozer.

I suppose I'd better mention Jon Spencer and his Blues Explosion just so I can say I did. So there. March 26-27, Curtin Uni, Custard, Shihad and Not From There will be there.

Faithless will be appearing at Metro's Perth for a bit of enlightening. March 17 is the date, so get your buddies and be prepared. Stay tuned for the next Pelican with an interview with the man, Maxi Jazz.

Tim Rogers and the Twin Set (sounds a bit funny to me) will be doing something April 1 and 2 at the Greenwich and elsewhere. So if yer interested, go have a gander.

Yeah yeah, Coldcut-April, John Mellancamp (yep he's still around)-March, Cake-April, Pollyanna-April and Offspring-May/June.

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