Shows have been up and down in violent swings. Very much buoyed by playing in places like Brisbane where the venues open and close and the people are pretty resourceful- and they find you and come and have a ball. Playing in Adelaide is also always enjoyable. I feel kind of in tune with people there. South Australian tones I guess.
Played a gig on guitar sitting in with the Dames, opening for Barry Adamson. Stu Thomas, also learned the whole set on bass as Rosie Westbrook was away playing with Mick Harvey. Emily Jarrett also learned all the songs for the gig on extra keys as Will Hindmarsh was away in Europe. The set went really well and it was a blast to see Barry play with his band. Then the show was reviewed by a KNOW NOTHING IGNORANT PRIVATE SCHOOL HACK in an online paper who sniffed at the DAMES for not beeing teens and called them Aussie rock. As if they are one of many female led bands on an endless touring circuit. Get a fucking clue you phony, ill educated mere bug! It was also stated that it was a mismatch with Barry, who produced my first recordings with the Coral Snakes (including Clare of course) in 1988 and we've known for ages and I wrote the liner notes for his first solo album. The writer then said Barry sounded like Nick Cave. Fuck you. In the nose!
Stu Thomas is such a match fit player. Aside form learning all that DAMES stuff he has been doing shows with us and with his Stu Thomas Paradox, and guesting in Billy Millers WHO show and playing with Kim Salmon and the Surrealists ( who seem to improvise 1/2 their set) and also playing with Jane Dust and the Giant Hoopoes and Mikelangelo and also some shows on bass with Martin Cilia from the Atlantics. I mean, he gets across all the material and plays it with his whole mind and body. he throws himself into stuff.
The show in Westernport was mad- wildly drunken audience. Bonnie from Wonnie. I mean "shagtown". (Wonthaggi). They drunkest and loudest guy in the world walked to middle of the dancefloor and pulled his pants down during "flash in the pantz".
Eating breakfast the next morning a man came up and said " does anybody under 40 know who you are?" A bit gratuitous. "Yes, some do", I replied.
Brutal conversations like that abound. Too many to recount. I don't want to drag them out, it would seem like I am complaining.
People think musicians are lost and silly types. I think that the players are closer to currents that are swiftly moving than many in the straight world know are even moving. Things are not as they seem in many ways, people and their fantasy views of what is going on "out there" I know.
The Brisbane writers festival was cool. Met with Jeet Thayil, a writer from Hong Kong/New York and Bombay who had read my book and said "it could have been a work of fiction!". The greatest review I have had. He is up for the Booker prize.
Played a solo gig up there. Enjoyed that. I will be doing a lot more after this tour.
Newport Substation was a great gig . Very well attended . No other venue like it in Melbourne.
The Adelaide show (two weeks ago now) was noteable because our brother -in-law Graeme came along, even though he was battling mutiple tumours. He loved our band and the latest record and would always come to see us. A lovely guy. Blessed to have known such a generous character. He died two nights ago. As we packed up in Hepburn Springs.
Heading to WA next. Four of us, travelling from melbourne to the other side of the country.
Thursday 04th Oct Clancys Fish Pub (solo), Fremantle w/ the morning night
Friday 05th Oct – Clancy’s Fish Pub , Dunsborough w/ lucy peach
Saturday 06th Oct – the Bird - Northbridge - Perth w/ the morning night
Sunday 07th Oct – Mojos - Fremantle WA w/ lucy peach
Friday Oct 19th - The Red Rattler- Marrickville NSW w/ the holy soul
Saturday Oct 20th - The Paperback Sessions - Smiths Alternative Bookshop - Civic - Canberra
This tour is supported by the Victorian Government through Arts Victoria
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