Hold the Line.... Love Isn't Always On Time

Generally I hate cover bands from the bottom of my heart, but I decided that this might be a nice way to re-beer (avoid extreme hangover from the night before) and that this show was a benefit gig for the Bushfire Appeal. Jake and Jerry (Bluejuice), Cec (The Mess Hall), Lindsay McDougall (Frenzal Rhomb and Triple J Breakfast Show) and Andy Kelly (Ivy League records and ex-Youth Group, unless i remember wrongly) are known collectively (and imaginatively) as the Annadale Allstars.... anyway... a pretty fab line-up and an immense passion for cheesy rock.
The theme of the day was love (being valentines day and all) and there sure was a lot of love floating around in that room. With guest appearances from Bruno (Peabody), Bow (Front End Loader) and a couple of the guys from Kid Confucius, the set list was just amazing.
I wont name them all, but off the top of my head, soft rock classics from Toto, Billy Joel, Bryan Adams, Elvis Costello, Hoodoo Gurus, Foreigner and a lovely rendition of Holiday Road by Lindsay Buckingham were just some of the gems. Put it together one leather vest, one cake stall, one raffle, one hilarious reaction by the guy that one a signed Australian Idol poster and one heart warming feeling i had knowing that $1 of every beer i bought went to the Bushfire Appeal, made me thankful that i didn't succumb to my body's wishes and go back to bed.

Just three things to remember:
1. Please think about donating to the Red Cross Bushfire Appeal to give a little hand to those that have been caught up int he Victorian Bushfires that have killed so many and made even more homeless.
2. Keep your eye on the Annandale Hotel website for info on any upcoming Annandale Allstars shows.

3. If you want your career as a musician to flourish, remember to maintain hydration and, if need be, carry your water around in a bumbag.

Turnpike Glow

When I got a little email saying something along the lines of "if you like the Super Furry Animals, you'll like us", there was no way I could refuse. I must say, I'm glad i didn't. Turnpike Glow are a four-piece, originally from Rome (well, two of them are... no prizes for guessing which half of the band isn't Italian), but now based in London. I've only been given couple of their tracks, Monday Suitcase and Warranty, but they're both excellent. They're not quite like anything I've heard before. They're cute and catchy, I'm dancing around in my underwear (it's summer you know!) and I'm very keen to hear some more.

Looking at their MySpace page, it's obvious that they're widely loved and are on the brink of something large. Having supported such acts as Cooper Temple Clause, The Futureheads, The Others and The Constantines I'm sure that pop stardom is just around the corner.

There's a few tour dates up on their MySpace page so head over that way to listen and learn and hopefully get this show on the road. In the meantime I'll just send subliminal messages saying "tour Australia, tour Australia" and everything will be tops.



Andrew Keese and the Associates
Desire is the debut album for the Melbourne-based singer/songwriter, Andrew Keese. Recorded in 2007 with the help of Australian producer, Tony Cohen (of Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds, The Go-Betweens, The Beasts of Bourbon and The Cruel Sea recording fame), Desire is a beautifully written and performed album. Thick with sound and well-constructed melodies, this album is perfect for a lazy Sunday afternoon (which is right now!).

The track that stands out for me, mainly because it's the only tune that you can get up and have a little dance around the room to, is the title track, Desire. It's a piece of indie-pop gold, beautifully written and well arranged, complimented with strings and rounded out with the accompaniment of piano harmonies. Andrews voice is strong, distinctive and suits the music well. Excellent.

If you head on over to their official website you can listen to Desire, download a low-quality version of it for free or (if you are less tight with the cash) buy the deluxe digital version (with extra goodies). From here you'll also be able to keep your eye on any tour dates that might surface in the coming months. So look out!

Here's how:

Official website:http://www.andrew-keese.com/

MySpace page: http://www.myspace.com/andrewkeese  

Starsailor
You know, I've never really gotten into Starsailor. They never quite made it as big as the bands of their time (well not here anyway) and I'm ashamed to say that I've always had one of their singles (given to me by god know who) in mint condition for years. Whilst I've just been having a nosey at their website it has jogged my memory. Starsailor originated in the sunny north of England and I see that young Mr Walsh comes from Chorley and I have a vague recollection of someone telling me that he went to the same school as some of my friends (which didn't impress me at all, as i really hadn't given Starsailor the time of day). Now Chorley is a special place and holds a special place in my heart, a town between Preston and Bolton where I spent a good few months in 2004 (freezing my bits off whilst the local lasses would be in next to nothing.... still makes me laugh).

Now, it seems, Starsailor are on the move. With a little help from none other than Ronnie Wood (only a little bit of help) Starsailor's 4th album, All The Plans, will be out on the 9th of March.

For those eager to get a copy, there's a special offer that sees those who pre-order the album get a copy of an EP with some album tracks and some other tracks that couldn't fit onto the album. A live version of one of the songs on (and the title track of) the EP, Boy In Waiting was presented to me last week. Recorded at a show at the London Hard Rock Cafe last year Boy In Waiting is a great example of Starsailor's talent for songwriting and performance. It actually makes me feel quite guilty that i never really got into them more.

If you haven't heard Starsailor before, they're pretty much your standard indie rock band, but just that little bit better that the vast number of clone bands that are around today. However, Starsailor are set apart from these bands by their obvious experience and musical talent.