The Neurotics were a classic rock/pop punk band from New York City, comprised of Scottie Harvey (drums), Henry Michaelson (vocals/guitar/bass), Jordan Rowe (vocals/guitar/bass), and Henry Yuliano (vocals/guitar/keys/bass). Their influences ranged from the classic rock roots of the Beatles and the Rolling Stones to the 80s pop punk sound of the B-52s and Talking Heads, to 90s alternative rock like R.E.M. and Oasis.
Formed in Collingwood in 1990, the three-piece
consisting of original members Charlie Rooke
(guitar & vocals), Allan Catlin (double bass &
vocals) and Piet Collins (drums) already had a
strong live following but when they released the
independent single ‘Love Your Head’ the band
quickly gained radio support on Triple R and PBS.
Triple J were soon behind the band and a record
deal with Warner Music was struck. Their debut
album This Is The Sharp was certified gold and
the band earned ARIA nominations, magazine
covers and appearances on just about every
TV/radio show in Australia.
Comedy program The Late Show loved The
Sharp so much they parodied their hit single
‘Scratch My Back’ as ‘Skivvies Are Back’ in
reference to the now famous black skivvied
uniform the band had adopted.
Rigorous touring ensued before the band settled
into the studio to record its second album Sonic
Tripod with American producer Rick Will (Ziggy
Marley, Diesel). A brief tour of Europe and the US
saw the band back home exhausted but ready to
take on more touring.
Finally, after nearly five years in the limelight, the
rigorous touring schedule brought the band to a
crossroads and a decision was made to end on a
high note. Single File, a collection of singles, was
released as the band’s final album while the Thank
You Good Night farewell tour saw them playing to
packed houses around the nation. When the band
played its last shows in 1995, many (including the
band themselves), wondered when (or if) it would
all happen again.
Now many years later (and thanks to some
persistent pestering from fans) The Sharp are
back and sounding better than ever. Original
bassist/vocalist Allan Catlin is not involved due to
personal reasons, but he is ably represented by
Scott Owen (double bass) from The Living End
while lead vocal duties are taken care of by the
amazing Louie Lee Feltrin.
Performing all their hits plus some rockin’ covers
31 years on from the release of This Is The Sharp,
The Sharp are back with a vengeance!!!
Those Pretty Wrongs are Jody Stephens and Luther Russell, two old friends and veterans of the music scene in different ways. Jody was the drummer for the legendary band Big Star and now helps run equally legendary Ardent Studios in Memphis. Luther Russell was the leader of seminal roots-rock band The Freewheelers and is now an acclaimed solo artist and producer.
It was the documentary Big Star: Nothing Can Hurt Me that brought Jody and Luther together creatively, when Jody asked Luther to join him for some promo performances. A chemistry was immediately noticed. They began writing songs and performing them whenever possible, soon taking their name from the opening line of Shakespeare Sonnet 41, which they slipped into one of their first collaborations, “Fool Of Myself”. They released the first track they cut in Memphis, “Lucky Guy”, with “Fool Of Myself” as the flip side. There was an outpouring of support for the new music, which gave Jody and Luther the confidence to move forward.
Those Pretty Wrongs was tracked entirely to 2” tape at Ardent Studios in Memphis, using much of the old Big Star gear, including Jody’s original kit from Radio City and Third and Chris Bell’s acoustic and electric guitars from #1 Record. The album was mixed by Luther Russell and Jason Hiller at Hiller’s Electrosound Studios in Los Angeles, CA. Jody is way out in front on this release--really for the first time ever--taking all lead vocals and co-writing all of the songs with Luther. Through the words on this record Jody opens up about his life, which has been well-documented, but not in this very intimate way. Adds Stephens: “For me the lyrics are a walk through day-to-day emotions and experiences."
Luther lives in Los Angeles and Jody in Memphis, so there was a real commitment to finishing these songs and cutting them until they were totally satisfied. Those Pretty Wrongs will be released in May in a unique partnering between the Ardent Music label and Burger Records. No one could be happier than Jody and Luther, who feel that this keeps a family-like feeling to the release. “Why stop now”, remarks Luther. “We’ve wanted to keep this thing sounding and feeling personal from the start because it’s extremely personal for both of us.” Just like Luther's handmade collage inside the LP, the record is akin to a series of snapshots: of lives present and past, and fleeting moments of simple joy and reflection.
Matt Hadgraft and I met a few years ago when we worked together on the musical The Boy From OZ. Matt is a huge Peter Allen fan. He has created his own Peter Allen cabaret show. He has also created an Elton John tribute show and he was part of an ABBA tribute band that toured Australia. Matt has been involved in community and professional entertainment for a very long time.
So I guess music and performing is a bit more than a hobby for you.
It is it is somewhat. I always wanted to be a film director or have my own sitcom. Something else like that. But as a kid I was a choirboy. Let’s skip forward past all of school to I went to uni at the Queensland Conservatorium. I was astonished to find out how much music I had already learned through the choir. Anyway, music just was so much in my bones that I noticed when it was missing. And I think that’s more how I fell into it as a Korea of sorts. But that said, I never started making any kind of a living out of music until I moved to Melbourne, which is part of the reason I came here because there was so much more going on. I played in an ABBA tribute band, which was easily one of the best summative experiences you can have in such a good way to see Australia because no matter where you land, people know ABBA and they are prepared to get loose screaming a lot
What do you personally get out of performing?
I think you’re dreaming if that’s the reason you go into performing in the first place. But what you get out of performing is it’s a it for me anyway. It’s a special kind of sharing. Because I think audiences have an expectation of what they want to get out of a performance. You’ve got something that you want to share in between the two of you for that hour or hour and a half or whatever, you have this relationship that you just do not get anywhere else. When you when you take on a song or Or when you deep into the narrative of a musical, whatever it is you happen to be doing this, this kind of like this outside raise and everyone else is there and bringing it to life and going through that, you know, bringing it to life as a performer but but also going through that journey. as an audience member, there’s something very special about it, you get to express yourself, people give you that instant validation through applause. You both get to feel the same kind of things. It’s tremendous. And you really build a relationship with whoever you perform to.
Do you feel different in different audiences on different nights?
Yes. Sometimes, if somebody’s sitting there with their arms folded or worse on the phone, you know you’re doomed. You’re going to have a terrible time you may as well just kind of read from the from the book the whole time. Sometimes the audience is in sync with you and they are ready to laugh and they’re just ready to take it all in. Some audiences are more easily pleased than others. I’ve got to say the easily pleased ones you just have the best time because there’s this appreciation that takes over the show.
You’ve been in your own shows you’ve been in cabarets, you’ve been in fringe festivals, what keeps drawing you back to community theatre?
Everyone comes from different walks of life for the same reason. And that’s to bring that show to life and put it on stage. And you get different mixes of abilities, different mixes of nerves, different backgrounds, all sorts of things, but the product draws everyone together and I’ve every single show I’ve ever been in, has just had this special heart to it. You make new friends you. It’s just such a wonderful thing to invest in
Matt, when we met you were Musical Director and I was Production Manager for MLOC’s The Boy From Oz. To say that you’re a Peter Allen fan is a bit of an understatement. What sparked your fascination for all things Peter Allen?
Anyone who’s done The Boy From Oz, I think is on the same page where they didn’t realise just what a magical legacy Peter Allen left. And the further you dig into his past and what he achieved, the more appealing it becomes. When you think of, there’s only a handful of the songs he ever recorded that he didn’t write. But when you consider everything he wrote, he performed and he meant it. He also wrote it in this really cleverly ambiguous way where it speaks to any gender. Anyone who needs to hear the song can hear it and it is validating for them. More people sigh and get wistful at Tenterfield Sadler than any other song. They just absolutely love that. As far as Still Call Australia Home, I mean that brings the house down and everyone knows that and everyone’s prepared to laugh and sing it even though they don’t know a lot of the words. That’s fine. That’s not the point. It’s that song. You know, they crossed from being a novelty into, you know, part of the national lexicon,
It’s a really hard time for a lot of people at the moment including people in the performing arts. How do you think theatre and cabaret and performing is going to change?
There will probably be more of an appetite for something new. I feel like people will have more of an appetite for original ideas, but in equal measure They’ll want to just be entertained. I’ve picture in my mind that once all the restrictions are lifted, the world goes back to normal. There’ll be a flood of people going out lapping up theatre, taking it all in having a wonderful time for about a month and then it will die on back down again and people will renew there all these streaming services that popped up out of the woodwork. I mean, who would have thought you could get 24/7 Disney. Personally, I think that there’s going to be a big appetite for original work
We are friends on social media. Daily push ups? Olivia Newton John? Speedos? Old ladies in church? What’s going on??
If somebody’s posting a video of themselves doing push ups every day it is supposed to raise awareness of it’s supposed to be raising awareness for mental health. But how is somebody doing push ups going to inspire? It doesn’t! That’s the problem. So I tried to make this as entertaining as I can, so that if nothing else, if somebody is having a tough time of it, if they watched the video, they can have two minutes of, of, you know, escape from, from how serious life can get and how the bad cards that we’ve all been dealt lightly. But the old women in churches, they are the masters of those platitudes that make you feel better about themselves. You talk to any old lady in church, you will feel like a superstar by the end of the conversation because they’re like, Oh, that’s nice. Oh, that’s great. You know, I’m not going to do the same video again and again in the media or people aren’t going to watch them It better be worth watching. What people are going to churn out, forget it and what happens to all those people with mental illness
Born in India in the southern state of Madras on 12th March 1965 the youngest of 10 children. Adelerick Charles Hogg migrated to Melbourne, Australia with Parents Malcolm & Violet, seven sisters & two brothers in early 1968.
At the tender age of 7 Adelerick, received his first acoustic guitar - a Christmas present from his father. Learning a few basic chords from his elder brother, Adelerick began his quest to further master this instrument.
Through primary school days he performed for his classmates, and won first prize - a candy bar at the school camp talent quest. This event ignited his passion for singing.
During High School he broadened his musical ability and mastered the alto saxophone with the high school orchestra. Upon completion of schooling in 1981, his dreams continued, and the passion to become an entertainer grew. However his father disapproved, as it was a difficult industry to break into.
In view of pleasing his father, Adelerick took on an apprenticeship in the field of printing. On conclusion of his printing apprenticeship, he approached his father once again for permission to follow his dreams. With qualifications behind him, his father gave full support in order to help him achieve his goals.
In 1985 Adelerick changed his stage name to Ricky Charles. In 1989 Ricky Charles was discovered by Adam Dion and Nina Randall of Casino Promotions. Casino Promotions changed his stage name from Ricky Charles to Rick Charles and placed him in numerous successful stage productions, nationally and internationally, also appearing within the fields of television, radio and media.
In 2004 Rick decided to leave Casino Promotions and form his own production company. “A C Hogg Productions".
Since winning the candy bar and guided solely by his strong Christian faith. Rick has not lost sight of his childhood dreams and he continues to dazzle audiences & fans to date.
Sugar Fed Leopards (SFL) are a blazing septet conceived at the nexus of classic pop and disco. With smoking hot costumes, sweet harmonies, tight dance routines and a cranking rhythm section, SFL have been breaking hearts and starting dance floor fires since 2013.
Described as "...Saturday Night Fever meets Kath & Kim on acid", the band has toured in Europe and across Australia, including festival spots at Boogie, Woodford and Falls.
In January 2015, SFL launched their debut album ‘Sweet Spots’ followed up by 'Take You Out Tonight' (April 2017) which was selected as 'Album of the Week' on both PBS FM and 3RRR FM.
The release of Double A-Side single ‘Rose’ and ‘Sugar In Her Pocket’ in February 2018 signalled a short break for the band as they took some time off to recoup and regroup following a hectic few years of peak fitness.
During the pandemic, the band recorded and released single and film clip ode to spring, 'Flowers in the Falling Rain' (September 2021).
SFL are currently working hard on their core strength to emerge early in 2023 with new moves, new fashions and a new full length album.
~
Sugar Breath (Steph Brett) – lead vox
Lemona Squeeze (Louise Terry) – back-up vox
Coco Caramelle (Carrie Webster) – back-up vox
Chocolate Marshmallow (Justin Marshall) – drums
Davide Dolce (David Bramble) – guitar
Kitty Katerini (Kat Karvess) – bass
Candy Lion (Dandelion Jackson) – saxophone
He was named Rome’s Ambassador to the world last year, awarded as “Global Icon” by GQ magazine, but he was also barred entry from a suburban Japanese restaurant in Melbourne for not wearing the correct attire, on a Friday, at lunchtime, in 37° heat. A non-story that became global news.
Whether he’s telling the story, or people are telling a story about him, life’s always interesting if you’re Russell Crowe.
In May and June, he’s playing music and bringing his Indoor Garden Party to towns and cities on the east coast.
An “Indoor Garden Party” is, he says “an event, a band, a happening. It’s fluid. The personnel changes, but it’s always big. It’s like a festival where I gather people I admire, musicians and storytellers, and we put on a show.”
Until January this year, with 2 concerts in his home town of Coffs Harbour, Crowe had not performed music in Australia since 2014. Yet, within that same time, he had done announced and unannounced concerts in New York, London, Leeds, Dublin, Stockholm, Reykjavik, LA and released the Indoor Garden Party Album, The Musical.
The concept started in 2009 in a pub outside London owned by the chat show legend, Michael Parkinson, and it has kept going in a haphazard, ad lib way ever since.
With this configuration, Crowe brings to the foreground The Gentlemen Barbers, who he has been quietly tinkering with for the last four years.
“There’s an attitude about this band. It’s got a groove. We do a lot of story songs, but we also know we are here to blow out the cobwebs and give the audience a good night”. Grabbing time between the shoots of films like Unhinged, Thor: Love & Thunder, The Greatest Beer Run and his next movie release, The Pope’s Exorcist, the band have been gathering, sometimes for weeks at a time just playing, recording, talking, gelling. The result went on stage in Coffs Harbour in January to packed houses, and it was decided, as they say, to “take the show on the road”.
The relationships within the band go back 30 years. Dave Kelly (drums) and Stewart Kirwan (trumpet) were members of Thirty Odd Foot of Grunts, as well as playing with Crowe in The Ordinary Fear of God, which included Stu Hunter (piano), and in its touring form also included Chris Kamzelas (guitar). James Hazelwood (bass) has fit right in and shares friendships within the band that go back decades.
Joining this tour are a pair of amazing singers from Ireland.
From County Tyrone in Northern Ireland is Janet Devlin. She first made a splash as a contestant in the 2011 UK version of X factor where she won the audience’s heart.
She has a uniquely beautiful voice and has continued to release albums and singles to acclaim since.
From the town of Cavan, comes Lorraine O’Reilly. Thrown together with Crowe for a duet on the Bible Code Sundays album “Walk like Kings”, they became friends and have performed together since 2017.
Famous for her gorgeous, rasping, powerhouse vocals, Lorraine has done Indoor Garden Party shows in London, Stockholm, Leeds, and at home in Ireland joining them on stage at the Olympia in Dublin.
Also on this tour, in acoustic mode, is a young Maroubra based Sydney band called Myth of Her. You’d think that opening a show with so many acts might intimidate a young band, but these boys got called back for encores at the two Indoor Garden Party shows that they performed at in Coffs Harbour in January this year. They are mature beyond their years and deeply talented.
This east coast tour includes pubs, clubs, and theatres. “I like playing in pubs. It’s what I did growing up. It’s my version of theatre. Even though my day job has a huge claim on my time, I’ve never not played music. My journey to film starts with playing in bands, touring around, releasing records. The band work led to musical theatre (Grease, Rocky Horror Show, Blood Brothers) and miraculously, a film director saw me performing in Blood Brothers and asked me to audition.”
The rest, as they say, is history. Some 40+ international awards later, including BAFTA, SAG, Academy Award, Golden Globes, Crowe still keeps his love for the immediacy of live performance.
Asked if the shows will change between pubs and theatres, Crowe replied “Probably. I imagine when everyone has a comfy seat, I’ll tell more stories. After all, that’s what it’s about, songs or films. It’s always about the story. In the pubs and clubs, we will be putting the foot down. The Gentlemen Barbers sway between R&B, Gospel, dirty country songs about murder, dark waltzes, and powerful inspiring singalongs. Should be a good night.”
Talking Heads were an American rock band formed in 1975 in New York City and active until 1991.[9] The band was composed of Scottish-born David Byrne (lead vocals, guitar), Chris Frantz (drums), Tina Weymouth (bass) and Jerry Harrison (keyboards, guitar). Described as "one of the most critically acclaimed bands of the '80s",[3] the group helped to pioneer new wave music by integrating elements of punk, art rock, funk, and world music with an anxious, clean-cut image.[3]
As former art school students who became involved in the 1970s New York punk scene, Talking Heads released their 1977 debut album, Talking Heads: 77, to positive reviews.[10] They collaborated with the British producer Brian Eno on a trio of critically acclaimed releases—More Songs About Buildings and Food (1978), Fear of Music (1979), and Remain in Light (1980)—which blended their art school sensibilities with influence from artists such as Parliament-Funkadelic and Fela Kuti.[3] From the early 1980s, they included additional musicians in their recording sessions and shows, notably guitarist Adrian Belew, keyboardist Bernie Worrell, singer Nona Hendryx, and bassist Busta Jones.
After a hiatus, Talking Heads hit their commercial peak in 1983 with the U.S. Top 10 hit "Burning Down the House" from the album Speaking in Tongues, and released the concert film Stop Making Sense, directed by Jonathan Demme. For these performances, they were joined by Worrell, guitarist Alex Weir, percussionist Steve Scales, and singers Lynn Mabry and Ednah Holt.[3] In 1985, Talking Heads released their best-selling album, Little Creatures. They produced a soundtrack album for Byrne's film True Stories (1986), and released their final album, worldbeat-influenced Naked (1988), before disbanding in 1991. Without Byrne, the other band members performed under the name Shrunken Heads, and released an album, No Talking, Just Head, as the Heads in 1996.
In 2002, Talking Heads were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Four of their albums appear in Rolling Stone's list of the 500 Greatest Albums of All Time, and three of their songs ("Psycho Killer", "Life During Wartime", and "Once in a Lifetime") were included among the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame's 500 Songs That Shaped Rock and Roll.[11] Talking Heads were also number 64 on VH1's list of the "100 Greatest Artists of All Time".[12] In the 2011 update of Rolling Stone's "100 Greatest Artists of All Time", they were ranked number 100.
Royale with Cheese is AUSTRALIA’S PREMIER 90s ROCK SHOW, playing all 90s rock and pop covers – from Seattle-sound to Grunge to Britpop and all the best Oz Rock from the 90s. Royale With Cheese is not just a covers band - it's a rollicking 90s party reviving one of the greatest and most influential decades in rock music.
From Nirvana, Pearl Jam and Soundgarden to Radiohead, Blur and Oasis to Silverchair, You Am I and Screaming Jets to Red Hot Chilli Peppers, Green Day and Blink 182, Royale with Cheese magically weaves all these 90s sounds into a night that'll have you feeling nostalgic for the last great decade of rock music!
Come as you are to smash pumpkins and RAGE AGAINST THE 90s!
Don't take our word for it! Here's what our fans have to say:
Great to see some serious love for the music that rocked a generation
Fantastic musicians! Vocals were fantastic I actually thought they might have mimed they were that good! Loved every minute of it!!!! I’ll be following these wonderful performers!
Awesome Band!! Nailed every cover, loved the mix ups too. Tight, gutsy and loud- One of the best bands I’ve seen live.
Had such an awesome time on Saturday night!
Full of energy & fun, smashed every song & lovely guys too.
Cant wait til the next gig!!
Royale With Cheese are hands down the best tribute show we've had at our venue in the 18 months I've been here. They're extremely well rehearsed, work the crowd really well and have a solid portfolio of songs which the vocalist nailed! Needless to say, my team and I were very impressed by the group.
That was amazing. Best, most consistently good 90s cover band I've seen. RATM are not a lightweight band to cover. Mighty guitar sounds last night guys, and holy snapping duck shit, how do you jump all over the stage, sweat your balls off and then back that up with a whole album of Zack lyrics without missing a beat?! Damn.
Best 90's tribute band ever!!!
Amazing vocals, you guys are the best!!! Fantastic stage presence, you know how to get the crowd jumping thanks for the rocktastic night
Even in a poor venue, with the dodgiest air conditioning in Australia.....you guys rocked! The room was a buzz and the show was amazing!! Thank you!!
Seen these guys at the Narrabeen Sands twice now, brutally excellent both times. If you grew up in the 90's get your ass down to one of their gigs and DESTROY THE DANCEFLOOR!!!
Had a great night at O'Donoghues in Emu Plains listening to this band. Great entertainers.
Great night at The Bull and Bush last night guys, you guys Rock, always enjoy seeing you
Saw this band for the first time at Gymea pub tonight-was blown away by their fantastic songs-will definitely follow them to other gigs!
Love love love! Really authentic. Will definitely see again.
Absolutely amazing Canberra gig, guys. Every song was truly incredible - I didn't expect anything like that - thanks, come back to Canberra-town soon! You're all very talented.
I was blown away. All my favorite songs coming out of the same band, sounding on point... amazeballs. I have not had that much fun in Canberra, ever! Thank you!!
Awesome set tonight guys to pay tribute to the one and only Chris Cornell. Great selection of tunes that not only captured Soundgarden but also the 90s in general! Can't wait to catch the next gig!
The 90s are the best and you guys make them better!
Awesome band , Parkway gig was great! Looking forward to seeing you tomorrow night at The Sands.
Saw them at Towradgi Beach Hotel was great to listen to my teenage music had great memories flashback :) will see you next time you're in the gong
So versatile. Amazing. Thanks for the AIC song xx I'd pay to see a full grunge gig.
The set list rocked. Sounds awesome and loads of fun. We had a great night. Go see them!
Love seeing these guys perform. Very talented bunch of guys.
You guys rocked the Sands hotel last night (by far the best cover band I have ever seen). Hope you make it back to the beaches soon
Just saw Royale with Cheese at Towradgi Beach Hotel. What a stellar performance. You can't help but dance to their music. I was impressed by the vocals, the fun atmosphere the guys created and the professionalism in which they conducted themselves....Better than a french quarter pounder. :)
Hey guys, thank you so so much for stepping out of the norm and completely rocking our wedding reception.
We had such a great night, it was everything we dreamed of, and that is in no small part due to the role you played.
Our guests haven’t stopped raving about how epic our band was, and we completely agree!
If anyone is ever tossing up whether to hire a band for their wedding I’ll be the first to say “DO IT!! And hire ROYALE WITH CHEESE MUTHAFUCKER!!”
We love all your guts and thank you again for the most epic night!
Melbourne four-piece Supermodels play roots-inspired post-punk that draws on folk rock, 60s pop, blues punk and new wave. Oscar Sergeant and Callum Elvins' lyrical songwriting is backed by Callum's Telecaster twang and the hulking rhythm section of Rehn Smith (drums) and Fraser Elvins (bass), to create driving and melodic rock and roll that pays homage to it's influences while forging a path of its own.