THE SHINY BRIGHTS
by Scott McLennan
With fresh Onitsuka sneakers on their feet, plane tickets to New York in their hot little hands and 10 dancing tigers ready for their moment in the spotlight, The Shiny Brights are set to take over the Governor Hindmarsh this weekend. Still coming down from the excitement of supporting The Wombats at the same venue last month, the quintet are returning to the Gov to officially launching their EP Let’s Not And Say We Did.
Although suffering from a “filthy cold”, guitarist Alex Rajkowski is extremely excited.
“We’re over the moon with what’s happening and can’t wait to get to New York to play these showcases in October,” Alex begins. “There’s so much you need to organise, so we’re just working out the logistics, from where to rent gear to voltage issues. We’ll definitely try and get out a bit as we’re pretty keen to see as much of New York as we can. It will be nice to soak it all up – it’s pretty exciting. New York’s like the centre of the universe – that’s how I think of it. It’s taken a while to sink in, but now that we’re leaving in a month or so it’s so close we can touch it. It’s like Christmas!”
Shoe label Onitsuka Tiger are utilising The Shiny Brights’ song Electric Tigerland for their latest campaign and will also be involved in the launch.
“We wrote Electric Tigerland and sent it in to them, since we heard they were looking for a song to use. They liked the song because we were inspired by the same concepts as they were and they thought that we would work well together. The song was inspired by this neon paradise where you could escape. It had the nightlife of both a dream and a nightmare. Tokyo is the craziest places on Earth – where else can you get vending machines for shoes? I’d love to put a dollar in and get a pair, but what if they come out and they don’t fit right? You can’t return ‘em!”
The band’s manager Emma Haslam has been busy sourcing tiger costumes for some special stage invaders on the night of the launch.
“Emma has been all over the place and I had a friend come up to me and say, ‘Hey man! I think I saw your manager walking down the street with a tiger suit the other day!’ We’ll work out who are our tigers in the next few days and maybe the tigers will have to rehearse for a Thriller-like tiger dance. We want the EP to be as fun as possible and like a big party.”
Alex and bassist Chris Plummer have also brought synchronised rock thrusts back into their live show.
“Chris invented it, but we are now sort of like the Torvill and Dean of the Thrust. If it was an Olympic event we’d definitely take gold. It’s going to be a demo sport in London and then we’ll go from there. It’s a cock rock thing, so I just want to get out my leather pants and headband.”
The Shiny Brights launch Let’s Not And Say We Did at the Governor Hindmarsh on Sat Aug 30 with Bakewell Street, The Touch and DJ Stubanger. The band also play Rip It Up’s 1000th issue party at the Gov with City Riots, The Transatlantics and DJ Alistair Cookie on Thu Sep 11.

THE SUNDANCE KIDS
by Michelle Read
Forget the Olympics. The Sundance Kids have been doing laps of the country that would almost make gold medal-winning sprinter Usain Bolt run out of puff. Try six weeks on the road between Sydney, the central coast, Canberra, Melbourne and Adelaide, a short breather and then another month of travelling. Phew. So is lead singer and acoustic guitarist Ash Gale putting his feet up in the down time? Nah. He’s hitting the slopes at Falls Creek.
Ash admits hurtling down a mountain a few days before the next tour starts might not be the best idea for a man who needs his strumming arm in good order.
“Yeah there was a bit of controversy with me going to the snow right before a four week tour but I managed to squirm my way in,” he laughs. “I am being really cautious… I’ve had a few stacks so far but it’s no fun if you don’t go fast.”
The Sundance Kids’ latest trek comes after the five-piece – Ash, drummer Suresh Meyer, acoustic guitarist and vocalist Jason Shepherd, bassist Jeremy Wright and electric guitarist Luke Zecchin – finished recording their first full-length album at the local Broadcast studio. Carrying on from their first self-titled release and 2007’s Including The Atmosphere EP, the latest effort takes the acoustic sound and pop rock anthems The Sundance Kids have made their own and brings in rich elements such as strings from violinist Niki Vasilakis and harmonies from the Marryatville High School Pop Choir.
“There were some really special moments when we were recording the album,” Ash says. “We had a good friend by the name of Niki Vasilakis, who is a brilliant violin player, and she had done all the string arrangements for most of the album. She had a solid week recording all these string parts of the album and it was after that week the album really came alive and the songs were sounding really rich and big and warm.”
The album is the latest feather in the Kids’ caps after touring with Thirsty Merc, selling out a show at The Gov in 20 minutes and being played on Triple J and Nova. It’s all come together quite quickly for the group whose members came from bands including Edison and Thinktank, drifting together in the usual Adelaide six degrees of separation fashion.
Ash’s songwriting contribution to the group has come together in some unconventional locations. Tour vans. Pubs. Tractors. Paddocks. Working on his parents’ Strathalbyn farm allows him to sing to cows, listen to CDs in tractors and write when inspiration hits.
“I don’t see myself as a long-term farmer, music is obviously my passion, but it’s good to get back to the farm, away from the chaos of touring and cities and stuff like that. I listen to a lot of CDs and write music in the tractor. The tractor is my special time, it’s my Ash time.”
The Sundance Kids play Jive on Sun Aug 31 and two shows (including all-ages from 2pm – 5pm) on Sun Sep 7.

LOCAL HYPE
HAPPY BIRTHDAY RHINO ROOM!
On Sat Aug 30, Rhino Room will be throwing the party to end all parties in celebration of ten years of what has become an institution! So that’s a big happy birthday to them! Rhino is renowned for its theme parties and following this tradition, they will be presenting the The 10th Great Rhino Hunt, so don your safari suit, your hunting gear, your African attire or animal costume and get along to Rhino for a night of drinking, dancing and mayhem! Both levels and all areas will be open for this night of nights with three dance floors, three bars, a games room, an outdoor area and loads of drinks specials all night long. Doors open at 9pm so get along early or you will miss out!

TRANSMISSION LIVE! @ ED CASTLE
Transmission Live! happens on Fri Aug 29 at the Edinburgh Castle. Hitting the stage will be Former Child Stars, Melbourne’s Carnation and Bakewell Street while on the decks will be Wolf & Cub and Transmission DJs who’ll be spinning your favourite tunes to keep you dancing long into the night.  Awesome bands, cool people, dance floor bangers and cheap drinks all at Adelaide’s hottest venue – what more do you need for a rocking night?

BATTLE OF THE BANDS
The Rock Music Battle of the Bands School Competition is due to commence on Thu Aug 28, so if you think you’ve got what it takes, listen up. Heats will run for four weeks, with the winner of each heat proceeding to the grand final, which will be held on Fri Sep 26. Bands are competing for a $500 voucher from Rock Music Adelaide, $500 tuition from Learning Music Australia, recording time at the Northern Sound System and a chance to play on the main stage of Elizapalooza, an annual music festival that celebrates and focuses the creative energies and talents of the people in the north. It is not only an opportunity for developing and recognised bands from the region to gain exposure but also a chance for the general northern        community to enjoy and embrace live music in a festival atmosphere! Applications for the competition are now being accepted, so get active! Contact Northern Sound System on 8255 5560 or check out <myspace.com/nssbattleofthebands> for further information.

STOLEN YOUTH
After being absent for six months and having played minimal shows at the start of 2008, Adelaide’s very own Stolen Youth will be returning to the gig circuit fresh and ready to go. With the addition of new guitarist Jesse (ex-The Rivalry), Stolen Youth will begin playing on Fri Sep 19 at The Enigma Bar with fellow Adelaide bands Robotosaurus, who have just released their debut album, The Brews and upcoming young hardcore band Can't Relate. Doors open at 8.30pm and entry will only cost you $6. Oh and later on in the month, Stolen Youth will be hitting the road with Italian Hardcore band Watch Your Step for their first visit to Australia, where they will be showcasing their stuff on Wed Oct 1 at Big Star Records.

RISEMANN
Congratulations to Adelaide band Risemann, who have just been signed to a three year management deal with WOA International. With the release of their debut album New Evolution in November last year, which was produced by Adelaide's own Rob Pippan, things are looking up for the band. Risemann will be touring India and the middle-east for WOA International in April next year. They have featured interstate at Darwin Fringe Festival supporting Australian act The Beautiful Girls to a sold out open air concert and it’s now Adelaide’s turn to take notice. Congratulations!

WHIP IT
After popular demand, Phantasm Ball, the annual fetish event is back On Sat Aug 30, from 10pm and for a measly $12, you could be experiencing everything that Necromancy at Enigma Bar has to offer. Presenting an evening of gothic, electro, industrial and alternative entertainment, including a live BDSM Fetish Display by Gimp Master and crew plus Empusa, Cenobite  and Azureus, it’ll be everything it promises to be. Giveaways courtesy of Adelaide’s own Hangup (now under new management!) will also be a feature of the night. Oh and there’ll be drink specials! For the latest information slip into their website at <clubnecromancy.com>.

ENOLAS SECRET
After a year of zigzagging across Oz, supporting big name national and international acts, Adelaide boys, Enolas Secret are embarking on east coast tour with Sienna Skies (NSW) and Addison (NZ). The band will be playing popular favourites, Sinners And Saints and the Nova 191 hit, This Is War, as well as a variety of new songs from there upcoming debut release. Having shared the stage with the likes of The Used, Boys Night Out, Rise Against, Drop Dead Gorgeous and The Getaway Plan, the forthcoming tour will be a natural and deserved progression. November will see the boys head into Adelaide’s acclaimed Capitalsound studios to record there debut album where release is set for February 2009. Well done, guys! Oh and catch up with them on Sat Sep 20 at Enigma Bar with Dangerous Secret, The Vampirates, Maverick and Deefa Deejay.

GREAT TUNES & OFFBEAT SHENANIGANS
Ausmusic SA students are hosting an all ages event where Adelaide’s hottest musicians come together for a night of great tunes and offbeat shenanigans. Its all taking place at The Cavern Club on Thu Aug 28 for only $10 at the door with featured bands Radio Spectacular, She Said You and Vorn Doolette kicking off at 8pm along with special guest DJ's Ghetto Blaster Ensemble. For those of you wanting to make a real night of it, ‘dinner and a show’ is also available. Starting at 6.30pm, $20 will not only get you entry into the event but a warm delicious meal in your belly and a drink in your hand. Bookings for dinner or show are essential so call the Cavern Club on 82311965. Bring your dancing shoes, support your locals and come check out what promises to be a massive night of live musical awesomeness.

EXETER UPDATE
Guys, we’ve received word of some changes to Exeter’s Sunday line-up, so here it is. A new vibe is happening on the ol’ day of rest with four fresh faces taking over the helm from Sundy Side Up. As of Sun Sep 7, they’ll have the experimental, melodic musings of Lockie Pagan and friends, while on Sun Sep 14, the jazzed out mayhem of Butt School featuring Dan Boundy and Adam Page, will be showcased. Sun Sep 21 will see the folk noise of Lenin Simos and friends take to the stage while on Sun Sep 28, Cookie Baker and co will be flaunting their stuff.  So after a good long time in the trenches, Sundy Side Up is hangin’ up its gloves for now. But these new residencies are hot to trot and will be offering new vibes each month!

NEW TRANSLATION
On Fri Sep 5, be at Lizard Lounge. It promises to be a night not to be forgotten where three bands of various stylistic persuasions will rock various socks off. First up, The Rides will get your blood moving and your fists pumping, The MERRg will then follow, tickling your soul and tinkling your heart. After these two great bands, New Translation will round out the night with some musical adventures.  All this for the bargain-basement price of $8 Each band has Aboriginal musicians in them so support your local indigenous artists!

ROBYN HABEL
Robyn Habel has just completed recording her third original album at Love Hz Studios in Sydney. Catch Robyn and her band in full flight performing new songs, songs from her previous CDs, and a few tunes with Bert (her double bass), on Sun Sep 7 from 6pm at The Trinity Sessions, 318 Goodwood Rd, Clarence Park. Also performing will be the fabulous community choir Nobody’s Fault But Mine. A top night not to be missed! Bookings can be made at <dramatix.com.au> and more information is at <myspace.com/robynhabel>.