you were deep inside that thought: Qld NSW and Melbourne recap now we play Victorian shows.

We have been playing two sets at all of these shows we have been doing. A lot of songs from (strangely)(emotional) and a lot of songs from other albums. Thanks to everybody who has been coming along. Also thanks to our agent Steve Griffiths for finding interesting venues for us to play in. Its been really challenging for us to work out how to play some of the songs and then also to present it all to people. An enjoyable challenge. But thats what we think musicians and songwriters and performers should do. They should keep on bringing stuff out from within themselves and then chuck it out into the world. They should stand by what they do as well as what they have done in the past and see how it all stacks up as a piece.

Clare and I flew up to Brisbane from a very cold and wintry Melbourne. We decided to go for a streetwear look for these dates.

We met up with Adele Pickvance who was going to play bass with us and the first gig was on a Thursday night at The Bearded Lady in the West End of Brisbane. This was a pretty regular rock'n'roll type room. The young sound guy was so 2024. By that I mean he was very attentive and helpful as well as very sensitive and skilful. He really took care to stop and listen and make eye contact with whomever he was talking. Nothing was a problem. A really good backline was provided and I played through a Roland amp. I love them! I had decided to use my Ibanez Talman guitar only (as opposed to carrying two through the airport) as it was really good for quickly changing tuning as well as having a lot of variation to the tone with the two Gretsch Filtertron pickups. Unfortunately the case was not hard plastic and there were signs of it having been tossed about by the baggage handlers as all the latches on it were bent. (Baggage handlers seem to take pride in damaging music gear). This was a pretty raucous show, though we began with the delicate guitar and keys songs from (strangely)(emotional). My oldest friend David Edwards was in attendance as well as Federal MP Graham Perrett, Mick Medew and Ursula and Pascalle and Ian from The Stress Of Leisure. We loaded out into a strangely empty and misty street.

pic by Gawain Barker

pic by Pascalle Burton

Friday 31st May the Majestic Theatre, Pomona Qld

On the next day, Friday, we travelled to the Sunshine Coast in Adeles car to play the Majestic Theatre in Pomona. A community run venue. It was raining steadily for most of the day but it wasn't cold at all.

This venue deserves a lot of pictorial coverage here.

pic by Adele Pickvance

This lovely theatre was all run by volunteers and they have silent movie screenings every week. A gem of a venue. You could hear a pin drop during the quiet songs.

Saturday 1st June Eltham Hotel, Eltham , Northern NSW

Eltham hotel on Saturday was a cool couple of sets in a sheltered outdoor area with soft rain falling on the roof. Good to see Dave Wray (who has played a lot of sax on our two most recent albums) and Andy and Dave Brown from Mt Gambier party scene days. Derek Bovill had helped out with sound and backline for the Pomona show and he was with us for these three dates. He brought a Fender Deluxe Reverb amp for me. I love those amps!

This venue is unfortunately having to fight in the courts to stay open due to one neighbour complaining. There are 30 houses which are much closer to the hotel than the litigant who are all happy to have a well run social and musical hub in their midst but thats all it takes. I hope the hotel is allowed to continue. We stayed the night in the fantastic upstairs rooms (no tv) and then breakfasted and drove to the Gold Coast.

Sunday 2nd June Tom Atkin Hall, Tugun, QLD

Sunday afternoon we played Tom Atkin Hall in Tugun on the Gold Coast. Wonderful community run venue. BYO alcohol and food! We brought a PA in thanks to @dungeondungeon and Bobs yer uncle! Two sets from 3pm. Bring on more BYO gigs! Thanks to all who came to gigs in Qld and Northern NSW and special thanks to Adele Pickvance and Derek Bovill! You made it so easy.

We drove back to Brisbane after the show and then caught a plane to Melbourne in the morning.
We had last played with Stuart Perera on guitar and Stu Thomas in February at the single launch for Creative Creep at Northcote Social Club. We had a rehearsal at Pony Music in Hallam on the Wednesday afternoon.

Stu Thomas and Clare Moore

Stuart Perera and Stu Thomas

Saturday 8th June Kindred Bandroom, Yarraville, Vic

With Stu and Stuart we are able to do more songs from our 2022 album In A Mistly. Two guitars , bass and drums and lots of vocals.

Kindred is a venue on the west side of Melbourne where there has been little music activity over the years even though many musicians live there.

Thats a problem as it takes people an age and then another age to know where a venue is. Its hard enough for us to connect with people in Melbourne in the best of times. In the end, they found us and we had a fantastic night. Again, playing two sets of music.

Kindred is all new. No sticky carpet, no smells, no graffitti in the band room area. The young sound engineer was as skilled and as sensitive to anybodys needs as the one in Brisbane and indeed as Drek Bovill for our other shows. He worked hard and took care of all the business. I played through my Vox amp head with Fender speaker box and Clare used her own kit. I wore a light blue suit with white t shirt and my Adidas Gazelles. I was going for a Phil Collins at Live Aid look, though I forgot to roll my sleeves up enough. .

pic Clare Moore

Pic Henry Manetta

Pic Wendy Catling

you were deep inside that thought

Sunday, June 9, 2024

Qld NSW and Melbourne recap now we play Victorian shows.

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