THURSDAY 2 APRIL
This week's guest editors, Fashion Launches Rocket Launches, are a group of Sydney's sound elite who have aligned in a musical project to eliminate the clichés of bands as we know them. There are no set members and there are no set songs. Their psychedelic hymns are inspired by the four key values of improvisation - Trust, Bravery, Exchange & Serendipity.
We never thought we'd admit a penchant for cowbell. But in the hands of FLRL, we do. Imagine a transcendental swell of sound. Then double it, throw it around Mercury (because Mercury is the harshest planet), cover it in flowers and you have the beginnings of a FLRL set.
This week, five of the band's key engines indulge us with their Sydney best; from groove legends to moustaches, buzzcocking to pickled pets, and ninja food to pudding.
Issue 180 - rocket men
On the site now! (it's updated every day!)
WATCH: The Room! Best and worst film ever!
SHOP: Cheap Monday POP! up store
READ: Woooo Magazine #6
WATCH: Sympathy for the Devil
Cover photo by Dave Ma. Background image by google, Jono Ma and Pat Santamaria. If you would like to submit a cover shot email lisa@twothousand.com.au
The Alabama leprechaun
Nick Cave's sound suits
Craig's posters plot thickens!
Children of the Night pics
Tattoo magazine
Mistletone mail-order sale
The Ego Has Landed
Disobeying the Honour Code
Via Alley new store!
Baby stunt
Chloe Sevigny for Opening Ceremony
Tell us what's cool
cool@threethousand.com.au
FAIL Blog
Although strictly speaking it's not much of a READ, we think FAIL Blog deserves a mention. The main rationale behind regular visits to this blog is that if we're having a shit day, we can open it up and witness a plethora of half witted humans committing acts so stupid they can flip a mood from depressed to chirped.
Format: Online
Motivation: Improve your dinner conversation
Keywords: Fashion Launches Rocket Launches, Comedy, Fail Blog
Drums of Passion, Babtunde Olatunji
This week we celebrate both Babatunde's 82nd birthday and the 6th year anniversary since his passing.
Why? Because we love beats. Everybody loves beats. We especially like the African ones. Primal, hypnotic, cathartic, magnetic, explosive. You won't catch people's eyes shaking, bodies throbbing or asses clapping to Strauss' 'Blue Danube'. You will catch that happening to Fela Kuti's jams, Timbaland's loops and Ladysaw's riddims. Heck, you might even catch the odd ass clap during Paul Simon's concert in the park. The common link? The African groove. Babatunde was the groove guru.
Nigerian born he moved to the States in 1950. Apart from introducing millions of Americans to 'world music' starting with his debut album DRUMS OF PASSION in 1959, Babatunde was a prolific musician, a teacher, a scholar and a social activist.
He played alongside such music legends as John Coltrane, Cannonball Alderly, Stevie Wonder, Quincy Jones and Bob Marley. He toured the southern states speaking out for social justice and equality along side Rev Martin Luther King Jr. He wrote and published books drawing links between music and the evolution of political beliefs. He toured colleges and schools all round the world to pass on his understanding of groove and his secrets on how to spank the f*!k out of a drum. Baba kept playing, recording, speaking, writing and teaching until his death aged 75 on April 6, 2003. May he rest in peace. The man was a legend.
We will be hitting up Samurai Sushi for Babatunde's 'surprise birthday treat' this coming Tuesday.
Release: Album
To Cure: A predictable playlist
Custom Creature Taxidermy
We've always been interested in taxidermy. For one, it's the title of the greatest Hungarian film of all time, but this is something else.
Customcreaturetaxidermy.com is a site where rampant primal nightmares are realised. The artist, Sarina Brewer, takes supernatural dream art to a whole new level.
Mutant pickled piglets, winged kittens, rat carcasses doing the jitterbug, flying monkeys, squirrel drinks decanter trays and ram's heart totem poles are among the wild and weird things you can order from the U.S. What fantastic gifts! Not only that, she does commissioned custom work. So if you've been dreaming of a two headed kangaroo with condor wings and shark tails, or need some eye of newt for your cauldron, check this out!
Product: Pets
Anatomy: Whole body
Lawson's Records
WHAT
LAWSON'S RECORDS
WHERE
380 PITT ST, CITY
WHEN
MON-FRI 10AM-5.30PM, SAT 9AM-3PM
HOW MUCH
FROM $5
CONTACT
9267 3434
Easily our favourite record store in Sydney, Lawson's lays claim to a great collection of used CDs, DVDs and vinyl. They also carry stacks of original pressings and obscure compilations. Every time we get something there it feels like we've discovered a fragment of history that must now be passed on to us.
While we were down there taking some shots for this article we swiftly swept up Liars' THEY WERE SO WRONG WE DROWNED in mint condition for $5! What fool sold that? Last time there we also gathered up about five Duke Ellington records for $30. With its humble layout and interesting regulars, the place is classic record store all over.
Product: Music
Anatomy: Brain
The State Library Exhibitions
WHAT
THE STATE LIBRARY EXHIBITIONS
WHERE
STATE LIBRARY, MACQUARIE ST, SYDNEY
WHEN
MON-THUR 9AM-8PM, FRI 9AM-5PM, SAT 10AM-5PM
HOW MUCH
FREE
CONTACT
9273 1414
As the Australian media and art aficionados get caught in Archibald hype, a quick stroll round the corner from the gallery of NSW will see you to the State Library - home of many exhibited bits.
Just closed are Norman Lindsay's THE MAGIC PUDDING illustrations - which not only flicked the nostalgia switch but were awesome pieces of work. It made for a great place to reminisce about kindergarten antics. Unfortunately for Stricker, the memories aren't so fond. As a child he believed the pudding to be bright green, which inevitably led to his realisation that he had mild colour blindness. So sad.
Within the State Library also lie complexities well outside of the pages of a book, coming up is Charles Darwin's exhibited patterns of evolution and the 2009 World Press Photo spectacle.
Medium: Illustration
Drink: Bottle of red
Keywords: State Library, Norman Lindsay, Fashion Launches Rocket Launches, Magic Pudding, Exhibition
Never Mind The Buzzcocks
This is British comedy that parades as a game show. However, NEVER MIND THE BUZZCOCKS is more of a talk show, where the panellists' main objectives are humiliation and props. You could say it's the rich-man's SPICKS 'N' SPECKS. It's hosted by the hilariously quick-witted Simon Amstel, a man so funny that he once gave a guest a hernia.
Earlier seasons of the show saw BLACK BOOKS weirdo and stand up comedian Bill Bailey as team captain. Guests on the program have included Noel Fielding, Moby, Light Speed Champion and other British celebs. Our favourite is season 20. Check it out on YouTube, buy a copy on eBay, or watch it in Britain on TV for free.
Format: TV
Mood: Smarts
Clayton Bailey's 'Super Stiff' Moustache Grower
WHAT
CLAYTON BAILEY'S 'SUPER STIFF' MOUSTACHE GROWER
WHERE
WWW.CLAYTONBAILEY.COM
HOW MUCH
$72.50 + POSTAGE
CONTACT
EMAIL CLAYTON
For all of you either growing a precious 'mo', or just maintaining one - make sure you check out Clayton Bailey's Moustache Grower. Clayton Bailey's secret 'super stiff' organic protein formula Moustache Grower comes in a hand-made, wheel-thrown, porcelain-covered jar. On this jar is a photo-silk-screened underglaze label showing its inventor's prize-winning moustache.
The jar is 3.5" in diameter, and holds about 4 ounces of Moustache Grower. As it's rare and scarcely available, email Clayton to beg for a jar. Alternatively seek Clayton's wit-sharpening Moustache Snake Oil in porcelain flask.
Product: Beauty
Theft: Theft is inevitable: Buy two
Keywords: moustache, Grow, Fashion Launches Rocket Launches, Face
Samurai Japanese Dining Bar
WHAT
SAMURAI JAPANESE DINING BAR
WHERE
68 STANLEY ST, DARLINGHURST
WHEN
MON-FRI 11.30AM-10.30PM, SAT 5.30PM-10.30PM, SUN CLOSED
CONTACT
9331 0582
The pre-show supper. Although you may not think that Stanley Street needs another Japanese place, Samurai is king. Amazing fish gyoza, a hearty seafood hot pot and an exceptional birthday surprise are all on the menu for reasonable prices. And the staff are adorable! Expect background tunes from artists such as Billie Holiday, Ivie Anderson and Louis Armstrong.
We went there for the first time a few weeks ago and after checking out the 'specials menu', decided it was going to be Kirin's 21st birthday. The whole restaurant joined in a chorus of happy birthday and then they brought out presents! A candle lit pudding and a fold out fan. Sweet.. highly recommend electing someone as birthday boy or girl as it makes for a more interesting meal.
Venue: Eatery
Meal: Lunch and dinner
Keywords: Darlinghurst, Restaurant, Japan, Japanese, Fashion Launches Rocket Launches
BJB Fund Raiser
WHAT
BRETHREN JUST BELOW EXHIBITION
WHERE
L1, 259 RILEY ST, SURRY HILLS
WHEN
SAT APR 18, 6PM-9PM
HOW MUCH
$30 INCLUDES FOOD, DRINK AND RAFFLE TICKET!
CONTACT
BRETHERENJUSTBELOW@GMAIL.COM
A space full of 18 artists called 'Brethren Just Below' (BJB), recently started up under the famous BJB recording studios. We've all hung out a lot upstairs (and had the pleasure of recording there), but now we get to do it all day 'just below'. Ahem. To help this space grow into fruition, BJB has a fundraiser on Saturday April 18 featuring our very own Kirin doing his solo thing, Steve Clisby (formerly of Hot Chocolate), Peter Head and more.
There's a raffle including prizes from pretty much everyone - including studio inhabitants Elke Kramer, Greedy Hen, Kevina-Jo Smith, heaps of record label stuff, tons of artwork and millions of theatre tickets. It's almost impossible to lose.
Ambience: Indoor
Difficulty: Won't hurt a bit
Keywords: Fundraiser, Surry Hills, Studio, Fashion Launches Rocket Launches, BJB
More OUTS!
What:
More Outs!
Where:
On The Calendar Now
LAUNCH: Sister Jane 7" Launch
PARTY: Stereosonic
SOUND: Beck's Berlin Sessions
BATTLE: B-Side Battle of the Airwaves
Event: Launch
Stimulus: E
The Temper Trap, Seabellies, Sherlock's Daughter
WHAT
THE TEMPER TRAP W/ THE SEABELLIES + SHERLOCK'S DAUGHTER
WHERE
ANNANDALE HOTEL, 17 PARRAMATTA RD, ANNANDALE
WHEN
THUR APR 3, 8PM
HOW MUCH
$15 +BF HERE OR $18 ON THE DOOR
The days are getting darker sooner. It's nearly time to tuck in and hibernate for the winter. So clutch onto the last straws of summer while you still can. Eith their soaring vocals and shimmering guitars, The Temper Trap keep the sun-soaked days going a little longer. The band is doing their last round of shows here before jumping over to the UK and Europe for a tour. Enjoy one last hurrah before they tumble away.- VH
Event: Bands
Stimulus: A
Keywords: Temper Trap, Bands, Annandale
Luminous
WHAT
LUMINOUS
WHERE
STATE THEATRE, 49 MARKET ST, CITY
WHEN
FRI APR 3, 8PM & SAT APR 4, 8PM
HOW MUCH
FROM $59. $35 UNDER 30
Not to be confused with Brian Eno's upcoming spectacular at the Opera House, LUMINOUS pairs the Australia Chamber Orchestra's sound with Bill Henson visuals. WTF!? If you don't have a ticket already sell your hat or something and buy one. You might remember Bill from last year's controversy of sorts involving his images of kids. Bah, wadda bunch of prudes. The man is to a lens what Lynch is to film, but less screwy. - NS
Event: Music + art
Stimulus: C
Keywords: Bill Henson, Classical, Music, Australia Chamber Orchestra, State Theatre, Sydney
Uber Lingua's Cultural Collision
WHAT
UBER LINGUA'S CULTURAL COLLISION
WHERE
ABERCROMBIE HOTEL, CNR ABERCROMBIE & BROADWAY, ULTIMO
WHEN
SAT APR 4, 8PM-4AM
HOW MUCH
$10 BEFORE 10PM, $15 AFTER
What do Cubans, Indonesians and Russians have in common? Uber Lingua! After many successful gigs, UL are going out on a limb and delivering a continental collision of musical flavour. Three rooms, each with a different theme. Latin Space Race Asado BBQ with Pochoman. Gypsy and Balkan Bash with Sveta. Pan Asian Sound Clash with MC Nova and MC Potato Master. Very full lineup here. - HM
Event: Party
Stimulus: Culture
Keywords: Uber Lingua, Culture, Music
Cabaret Caligari
WHAT
THE HOUSE OF HEAVEN AND HELL PRESENTS CABARET CALIGARI
WHERE
HELLEN ROSE-SCHAUERSBERGER LABORATORIUM, 1/17 WATERLOO ST, SURRY HILLS
WHEN
SAT APR 4, 7PM
HOW MUCH
$12
An evening of Neo Expressionist Cabaret? Put on your make-up, turn off your mobile phone and step into the weirder side of Sydney's underground. Performances and artworks by a range of experimental & envelope-pushing artists, including Celia Curtis, Even Stevens, Reverend Kriss Hades, Rosa Krell, Hellen Rose, Mc Diamantis, Phillip Barnes, Leah Fraser, Victor Sheehan & Mr Kirin J. Callinan. - FLRL
Event: Performance
Stimulus: Ideas
Keywords: Surry Hills, cabaret, Art, Music
Wollongong City Gallery Zine Fair
WHAT
WOLLONGONG CITY GALLERY ZINE FAIR
WHERE
WOLLONGONG CITY GALLERY, CNR BURELLI ST AND KEMBLA ST, WOLLONGONG
WHEN
SUN APR 5, 12PM-7PM
HOW MUCH
TOTES FREE
Wollongong is freaking fed up with all this Sydney versus Melbourne mumbo-jumbo. When will somebody notice their super-cute zine fair, which features young writers from across the country, a poster exhibition, comic workshops, cushions and live music from The Effing Seas and Mother and Son?! Take a road trip to this out-of-town town, the over-looked middle-child of the east coast, that boasts pretty beaches AND a cultural backbone. - JB
Event: Fair
Stimulus: Cheap Treasure
Keywords: Zine, Wollongong, Bands
Leather pants are the coolest. WOOOOOO magazine says so. So is the 'smooth leatherjacket', a fish grilled with lemon on a bun. And we all know Sandy turned hot when she donned the upper leather and lit up.
Sydney's Sarah King and Tristan Blair from Es Trella build leather good, strong and in key fetching shapes - where classic style and statement pieces are friends, interlinked on a park bench. Their latest line pits leather with silk and cotton and other bits, without the risk of a seafood stench and can be found at Tuchuzy and Moku BTQ.
The weather's taken a turn, so embrace the declining temperatures and attempt to win a piece of hide here.
This week's question:
The best leather use of all time is
a) Mummified mystery hand earrings
b) Buckethead's guitar case (this freak taught Slash)
c) Estrella's ESO27 leather jacket
d) Leatherface's, um, face
To be in the running send your answer, postal address AND size to win@twothousand.com.au, winners will be notified by email. Subscriber only entry. Not a subscriber? No sweat. Sign up here.
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