END GAME
It’s pretty much a given that Aussie rock fans are already excited about the new Living End album, but Hype thought it was worth mentioning that the band played the set of their lives at Come Together in Sydney recently and the new stuff sounds fabulous. The album White Noise is out on Sat Jul 19 and the band has just announced their album launch tour. It stops off in Adelaide on Tue Sep 30. Tickets for the show at HQ go on sale on Thu Jul 10 from Ticketek <ticketek.com.au>, Moshtix <moshtix.com.au> and VenueTix <venuetix.com.au>. The band is taking Children Collide and The Silents around the country with them.

MATCH FIT
Taking a break from making their own clothes and doing artwork for other bands, The Matches are heading back down under. The band has recently released a new album, A Band In Hope, and like their last album, Decomposer,the new one features a range of producers from Rancid’s Tim Armstrong to Goldfinger’s John Feldmann. The band is heading to our shores in September and they’ll play at Fowler’s Live on Sun Sep 14 to an all-ages crowd so get your tickets from Mon Jul 7 through Moshtix <moshtix.com.au>.

TOKYO GHETTO POSSE
Some people are greedy, not happy playing with one successful band, they manage to find a second that also has its share of fans. Ian Kenny has already won over rock fans as the lead singer of intense rockers Karnivool. But Kenny doesn’t like being idle, so instead of sitting on his laurels in Karnivool’s downtime, he spends the time out the front of the almost equally successful Birds Of Tokyo. Though BOT haven’t been around as long, they’re just about to release their second album, Universes, on Sat Jul 5. It looks like it’s going to be a very busy September for shows but make sure you keep free Sat Sep 27 so you can get along to The Gov to see Kenny and his Birds Of Tokyo. Tickets will be available from <birdsoftokyo.com> from Thu Jul 10.

LOVE OF THE COMMON PEOPLE
Australian rock is in a great place at the moment. A lot of experienced bands are bringing out quality new albums while in the last twelve months a load of local bands have released cracking debuts. Horsell Common’s The Rescue was one of those first up albums that signalled their intentions. The band has lost drummer Leigh Pengelly, but they’ve have been testing out new beat-keepers and are preparing for a new tour that kicks off at Jive Bar on Thu Aug 7.

ACID TRIP
Acid Eyeliner are a Sydney band that aren’t just hitting the road for rock‘n’roll this month. The band has seen the affects of Parkinson’s disease and will be heading out on tour to raise money for Parkinson’s Australia. There’s going to be a lot of regional visits on the tour but before the band goes outback they’re playing the Gov on Thu Jul 3 and are asking everyone to help them make a difference.

COUGAR VERSUS CROW
Hype knows it’s been a long time since John Mellencamp first sang his little ditty about Jack And Diane, those two American kids growin’ up in the heartland. The singer songwriter has written a truckload of great material since then but that will always be the song Hype thinks of first whenever the name Mellencamp is mentioned. And what a song it is. If, like Hype, you’ve got your favourite John Mellencamp song then you might want to make sure you’re at the Adelaide Entertainment Centre on Wed Nov 19 when Mellencamp will perform all his classic hits with Sheryl Crow and Shane Nicholson the high profile supports. Get your tickets from Ticketek <ticketek.com.au> on Mon Jul 7.

DIRT MUSIC
Magic Dirt have been playing this rock‘n’roll game for quite some time now. They’ve even got a new album, Girl, out on Sat Jul 5. They’re certainly no strangers to the rigours of touring, but their latest tour, the scarily named No Sleep Till Christmas tour, so far consists of 35 shows with more to be announced. The group plays Adelaide on Sat Sep 6 at the Gov and the Mt Gambier Hotel on Fri Sep 12. Hopefully that’s before the real ‘confined to a van’ madness sets in.

PORNO RE-RUNS
Unlike many of the other East Coast only Festivals, The Great Escape will hopefully be sharing the love a little bit with us down here in SA. The first side shows from one of the festival’s international bands has just been announced, with Canada’s New Pornographers playing the Governor Hindmarsh on Fri Oct 10. The Pornographers are the acclaimed indie pop project of songwriter AC Newman. The collective also features beautiful Americana songstress Neko Case. Tickets for the tour go on sale on Fri Jul 11 through VenueTix <venuetix.com.au>

LIFE’S RICH PAGEANT
Hype is trying not to scare anyone by saying the C word (NO, not that C word!) but Christmas really isn’t that far away. You’ve only got six months to figure out what colour hankies you should buy Aunty Mavis, and which Bratz figurine nine-year-old niece Sarah doesn’t have. If you want a bit of extra cash to take care of some of your presents, the Credit Union Christmas Pageant is offering uni students the chance to design a children’s game that will be put on the pageant website. There’s $1000 up for grabs. You can work alone or as part of a team but you’ll need to register your interest by Fri Jul 18 by emailing <magic@cupageant.com.au>. There’s a list of guidelines you’ll need to follow and a judging panel will decide on a winner in August who then has a month to complete the game.

FALLS WELL
If we’re already talking about Christmas then it’s only natural the next thing to think about is Falls Festival. It’s always one of the hottest tickets of the year and there’s always a big Adelaide contingent rocking out at Lorne or Marion Bay, Tassie. To make sure you’ve got a shot at getting tickets you have to sign up to the ticket ballot. You’ve got until Wed Aug 27 to sign up and on Wed Aug 13, you’ll find out the first round of bands so start making your New Year’s Eve plans now or you’ll miss out. You can sign up to the ticket ballot at <fallsfestival.com>.

THIS MESS WE’RE IN
Already this year The Mess Hall have won the Australian Music Prize for their second album Devils Elbow, and two St Kilda Film Festival prizes (yes, that’s Film Festival prizes) for their clips Pulse and Keep Walking. Now The Mess Hall bring their award winning selves to Adelaide to stomp and belt their way through a dynamic set of rock‘n’roll tunes at Enigma Bar on Fri Aug 8. Tickets are through VenueTix <venuetix.com.au>.

SHAKIN’ MARTINI
Martin Martini & The Bone Palace Orchestra have traded in their tuba and violin for instruments that rock just a little bit harder and need electricity to run. Of course, this band couldn’t write songs that didn’t have a heavy slice of Gypsy and circus pop about them whatever instruments they’re played on. The band’s new sound can be heard on new album, We’re All Just Monkeys, and seen at the Wheatsheaf Hotel over two nights on Thu Jul 24 and Fri Jul 25.

JUST JOSHING
Need some sweet soul to warm up these chilly winter days? Melbourne’s Josh Owen is coming to bring a bit of heat to the Norwood Hotel on Thu Jul 31 and the Bridgeport in Murray Bridge on Fri Aug 1.

BLOODY CARCASS
Make sure your favourite metal T-shirt is washed and ironed before October. You’ll be needing it to wear when Carcass play HQ on Fri Oct 10. The band, one of metal’s most influential, have been playing shows again in Europe and have signed on the dotted line to head our way. It’s been 12 years since Carcass’ last studio album Swansong. Help them celebrate their return by picking up tickets at VenueTix <venuetix.com.au>.

WE HAVE IGNITION
Cali-punk isn’t called Cali-punk just because one or two bands from that area made a name for themselves over the years. California is a fertile breeding ground for all manner of punk and Orange County has produced its fair share of acclaimed bands from the punk and hardcore genres. One of these bands, Ignite, laces their hardcore with lyrics about social justice, environmental issues and politics. The band’s latest album Our Darkest Days is out now as a Tour Edition with bonus tracks. You can see the band at Enigma Bar on Fri Jul 18. Get your tickets from Resist Records <resistrecords.com>.

THAT GREENE GENTLEMAN
Some singer songwriters are never going to be the next big musical thing and the latest hyped artist, but good ones will always be appreciated by discerning listeners and critics. Paul Greene is such an artist. Underrated, but not by the people who matter (including influential US singer songwriter Patty Griffin and country superstar Adam Brand, who have both taken him out on the road), Greene is making his way through SA at the end of the month. On Wed Jul 30 Greene plays the Grace Emily, on Thu Jul 31 at the North Star Hotel, Melrose, on Fri Aug 1 at the Pier Hotel, Port Lincoln and Sat Aug 2 at Ceduna Sailing Club, Ceduna.

MISSION PERSONS
Having just supported Story Of The Year, Sydney’s Mission In Motion are touring to celebrate the release of their new melodic rock EP A Curse, A Calling. The band will be playing at Fowler’s Live on Sat Jul 12 at an all-ages gig.

DEAN QUEEN
Up in Queensland there’s been a delightful sound echoing out of pubs and clubs the last few years. Emma Dean is now ready to show off her talent to the rest of the country and with the release of her debut album, Real Life Computer Game, Dean will be playing the Crown & Anchor on Thu Aug 7 and The Wheatsheaf on Fri Aug 8.

TORAL! TORAL! TORAL!
There’s electronic music - the kind that occasionally makes it up the charts and consists of a really bad drum machine beat and a bit of programmed instrumentation straight from a demonstration model of a computer, then there’s the electronica that truly pushes boundaries and expands what we think of as music. Rafael Toral is definitely in the later category. The Portuguese musician is bringing his ‘post-free jazz electronic music’ to Jade Monkey on Sat Jul 5.

GOLDEN GUGLIELMINO
It’s an odd little beast, the music made by Edward Guglielmino. Brisbane avant-garde sonic experimentalist. Avant-garde sonic experimentalist may sound like a Doctor Who baddy but Guglielmino makes music that is inspired equally by Warhol, Kerouac and The Velvet Underground. You can witness the madness yourself when Guglielmino makes an appearance at the Grace Emily on Wed Jul 9.

DO NOT DISTURB
After hitting the number one album slot before Coldplay came a-knockin’, Disturbed a hitting Australia on a metal high. With more than 10 million album sales to their name, David Draiman and his Indestructible troops are heading to Australia in support of their smash hit fourth album. Supported by Alter Bridge and Behind Crimson Eyes, Disturbed play an all-ages show at Thebarton Theatre on Sun Aug 31. Tickets available from VenueTix <venuetix.com.au> from Thu Jul 10.

BACK IN BLACK
American hardcore band Blacklisted are in the country to do a fortnight of shows from north to south and east to west. The band is touring new album Heavier Than Heaven, Lonelier Than God and are giving hardcore fans of all ages a chance to catch the band when they play with 50 Lions, Bad Blood and Can’t Relate at the Underground on Wed Jul 4.

WEIRD SCIENCE
It may have seemed like Rocket Science went on an Eternal Holiday after they released their third album of the same name, but those demented psych garage rockers are back. With a new album, Different Like You, hitting stores on Sat Jul 26, Rocket Science are dropping into Jive on Thu Aug 28.

DEF EFFECTS
This November one of the biggest bands of the entire metal universe, Def Leppard, are on their way down under for a monster night of rock. Supporting this iconic band is none other than the great Cheap Trick and lucky locals, the young Galvatrons. Def Leppard have a new album Songs From The Sparkle Lounge and will be playing songs off that and classic albums like Hysteria, Pyromania and Euphoria when they hit the Entertainment Centre on Sun Nov 2.

LIFE OF THE PARTY
After making the trip to Adelaide for the first time last year, Parklife is back. One of Sydney’s biggest dance festivals, Parklife is bringing almost the complete line-up to our fair city, with only Goldfrapp not signing on for Adelaide. Instead Soulwax, Peaches, 2manydjs, Dizzee Rascal, Diplo, Does It Offend You, Yeah? and Blackalicious are just some of the names gracing the stage at Botanic Park on Sat Sep 27. Tickets go on sale on Mon Jul 14 from <parklife.com.au>

HIS MASTERS’ VOICE
Jim Keays, an icon of Australian music, has spent the last 12 months battling cancer. But the former Masters Apprentices frontman is fully recovered and wants to get back to doing what he does best: rock! So, with his good buddies and band mates, Darryl Cotton and Russell Morris, Keays will be playing the Cavern Club on Sat Jun 28. Tickets are available from 8231 1965.

A GOODFELLOW CAUSE
Geoff Goodfellow is a well known figure around South Australia. A big fan of literature, Goodfellow has spent a lot of his life introducing people to the magic of poetry. And because poetry can sometimes be a difficult thing to unravel, Goodfellow has gone out of his way to share his poetry with people who don’t always get to appreciate the beauty in life, like people serving time in jail and homeless people. Earlier this year Geoff was diagnosed with cancer. His friends, including Mark Seymour, the Robot Sex Dolls, comedian Mark Rubeo, the Huckleberry Swedes, Geoff’s daughter Grace and many more, will come together on Fri Jul 18 at the Irish Club to read poetry, play music and raise money for Geoff. There’s not a lot of money in being a poet, or in helping others, but medical bills are expensive. Geoff’s given a lot to the local community. It’s only fair we give something back.

PRESET RESET
It’s fairly obvious by now that The Presets didn’t play at HQ on Fri Jun 20. One half of the duo, Julian Hamilton, has been ill so the group has postponed the Adelaide show until Tue Jul 29. The new show will also be at HQ. People that were already holding tickets can just keep them for the new show, but if you need to get a refund you’ve got until Wed Jul 2 to get onto VenueTix or head back to where you bought the tickets.

AUSTRALIA CALLING
The second round of the JD Set - the band competition that’s giving this nation’s up and comers a chance to prove their worth on the nation’s live stages - has announced the winners for round two. This time it’s Melbourne rockers Borne and Calling All Cars (a current favourite of Hype’s. Their song Hey You is quite addictive) and Canberra’s hip hop and soul collective Casual Projects. The three bands will be giving it their all at Fowler’s Live on Thu Jul 24 and the gig is free. So make sure you’re there to see the next big thing.

REMEMBER THE TIM
‘Bounce, like yo ass had the hiccups.’ C’mon, how can a line like that not get you excited? Timbaland may not be the greatest lyricist in modern music, but he’s just about one of the most successful producers going around and he doesn’t just make hits for other people. His own album Shock Value was itself a hit and he’s finally announced an Adelaide show on his Shock Value Tour. Timbaland will be bouncing his ass off and the rest of himself at the Entertainment Centre on Sun Jul 13. Tickets are on sale from Ticketek <ticketek.com.au>

OK COMPUTER
There’s not a lot of bands that make their way over to the mainland from Tasmania. Viva Computer are a thrilling indie/guitar pop band that have been toiling away recording their debut album The Great Bear in Hobart. Check out their MySpace <myspace.com/vivacomputer>. They’re well worth having a listen to. If you like what you hear, the band is playing a couple of shows in Adelaide, starting with a late afternoon instore at Big Star on Wed Jul 2. Following on from that they’re playing the Lizard Lounge on Thu Jul 3 and Fad Bar on Fri Jul 4.

DEEP CUTS
If you haven’t seen New Zealand quartet Cut Off Your Hands, then you obviously didn’t spend much time seeing live music over summer. The band is a festival favourite and has developed quite a nice little fanbase in Australia. Though their debut album You And I isn’t due until October, the band is treating their Australian fans to a sneak preview when they tour here next month. See them at Rocket Bar on Thu Jul 24.

SHAM! BAM! THANK YOU, MA’AM!
For no particular reason except for a love of local music, Onion along with Fringe Benefits and the Ed Castle have decided to throw a party celebrating the dope talent that exists in this town. For five bucks head down to the Ed Castle to hear a diverse array of toonage from disco to house, hip hop and rock. Live acts on the night include the fine-arse improv disco of The Swiss and the house and techno stylings of The Carter Bros. On the DJ front Sham! features the one and only Delta; one of the finest selectors in the biz, Jorge Watts along with the spaced out rock of the Wolf & Cub DJs, as well as the unique Sidwho?. Support local music and head down to the Ed Castle on Sat Jun 28 for $5 or for free if you’re a Fringe Benefits member.

GRAFTON PRIMARY EDUCATION
Considering their name is Grafton Primary, it’s obvious this Sydney three piece are still heavily influenced by their formative years. Before they arrive to play Rocket Bar on Fri Jun 27, we thought we’d try and uncover what made singer Josh Garden’s early years so memorable. And if Josh ever decides music’s not his true calling, Hype has decided he really needs to make a Breakfast Club-style primary school tween-drama.

1) Did you actually go to Grafton Primary?
If we hadn’t, people would question the band name for evermore. As it is, technically no, because there is no school called Grafton Primary, except in the UK. However, we did attend Grafton Public School for a short period in our young lives. Does this make us honorary Graftonians? Will we be awarded the keys to the town now? And do towns have walls, doors and locks for such keys? 

2) Did you have a primary school teacher that was particularly inspirational?
My year three teacher obviously had a few self esteem issues. (We’ll call him Mr X to protect the innocent.) He would award early marks to people who gave him shout-outs, to the effect of, “Mr X, you are the strongest/coolest/smartest man of all time”. One time, he had us measure his biceps with a tape measure while he flexed. I kid you not. I wasn’t comfortable with this regime and was usually one of the last people out of the classroom. It should be obvious why this is inspirational. I did not repeat grade three, having learned some important things about human nature.

3) Favourite subject at primary school?
Definitely Japanese. You got to learn a whole new alphabet, eat delicious food and manipulate paper into amazing shapes - I have never forgotten how to make water bombs in eight easy folds.
Additionally, I got to travel to Japan in grade five and stay with a host family. Their Nintendos were so far ahead of ours it wasn’t funny. And I had 10-year-old crushes on 20-year-old Japanese girls. It didn’t help that they thought my ‘friend’ on tour was much cuter than I.

4) Favourite playground game?
British Bullrush. You line up and run en masse past this kid who tries to tackle one of you. When he does he has a new recruit for his devious schemes. Soon there are three of you trying to run past about 20 others. Deranged madness. There were also these great bows you could make with a government pen shell, a thick rubber band, and a compass, The arrow was the inside part of the pen. And the best part? It was all fun because no one lost an eye.

5) Were you ever responsible for the class being kept in at lunchtime or kept back after school?
Absolutely not, sir. I had nothing to do with it. And yes, I understand no one is leaving here until someone owns up.

6) What's the worst trouble you ever got into at primary school?
Probably the worst thing was getting sent to the vice principal, who wore knee-high socks, short shorts, cream ‘70s short sleeve shirts, and had a big round red face with a bald head. I can’t remember what minor misdemeanour landed us there, but the trouble began when we tried to keep a straight face. I mean, imagine it; his dark old world office he can no longer cane people in, you and two of your best friends, the silence between his stern lectures. You lose it, naturally. And then he’s roaring in his bull voice, “You think it’s funny, boy?!”
Well, what do you reckon?

7) Greatest achievement at primary school?
I won the prize for junior literature. That’s a clean sweep for me in the kindy to grade three category. In mum’s inevitable photo of the event, (in which incidentally my brother Ben, also in the band, won a prize and was wearing a velvet bow tie) I have skinny chicken legs and my shorts are pulled right up with the shirt tucked in. So hot. I also won the shotput competition one year at the sports carnival. I was a runt, but it’s all about technique, you beefcakes.

8) Any romantic dalliances in primary school?
Romance? Primary school? In year four I received a letter from a girl called Leila. It had the words ‘private, confidential’ penciled and sketched in on the outside. She had put some serious work into it. I can’t remember the details, but I think the gist of it was that she liked me, but she liked someone else more, who didn’t like her. From that day forth I was a fan of the love letter, and always liked girls who could write. On a smuttier note, a girl in year three had a huge crush on one of my close friends, and she sat opposite us. During class she would open her legs and flash him the bare kitty. I thought it was pretty fascinating, but he didn’t want anything to do with her. Ah, the pressures of primary school.

THRICE BUBBLES
Californian quartet Thrice may have made their debut as a technically proficient, passionate post-hardcore band but in the last three years, since 2005’s epic and experimental Vheissu, the band have been exploring the boundaries of their sound. Their latest release The Alchemy Index, is a series of four EPs, released over the course of two albums, Vols 1 And 2 and Vols 3 And 4. Each EP corresponds to one of the elements - Air, Earth, Fire and Water - allowing the band to explore their heavy side (fire), a more ambient, electronic sound (water), a really open, spacious vibe (air) and the acoustic and ‘vintage mic’ kind of sound (earth). The band was last in Australia supporting the Deftones. Now they’re back to headline their own show at HQ on Mon Sep 1. Tickets from VenueTix <venuetix.com.au> on Fri Jun 20.

PAINT YOUR WAGONS
If you like your country a little bit alternative, your rock a little bit country and your melodies to sound like they were written driving down a Californian highway in 1968 then rejoice over this Wagons/Leader Cheetah double bill. Wagons are Melbourne’s finest urban country outfit and local Adelaide boys Leader Cheetah sound like they’ve just been on tour with Gram Parsons and Neil Young. Together the bands play the Electric Light Hotel on Fri Jul 25.

CH-CH-CHEQUE IT OUT
Those hip hop heavyweights Hilltop Hoods, (heavens, that’s a lot of aitches), have always supported the hip hop community in the same way Australian hip hop fans have supported them. Applications for this year’s Hilltop Hoods initiative are now open. You’ve got until Fri Aug 15 to get your entries in if you’re a South Australian hip hop artist or group. The initiative provides assistance in getting your debut album out there. There’s a bunch of criteria you have to meet so head on over to <arts.sa.gov.au> to read all about it and find out if you fit the criteria.

NEW AT THE TZU
Speaking of Aussie hip hop, Hype is a big fan of the thick, tasty rhythms and intelligent rhymes of TZU. Excited that the boys are back with a new album Computer Love, Hype is happy to announce the band will be playing around the country to launch the album. Out on Sat Jun 28, the album will be brought to life here on Sat Jul 26 at the Electric Light Hotel.

SUPER COLLIDERS
Most Australian rock fans will know the name Dave Sardy. The producer responsible for the cracking debuts of Jet and Wolfmother, Sardy has recently taken another Australian rock band under his wing. Melbourne three-piece Children Collide have just got back from LA where they were recording their new album. The album isn’t out until October, but before then the first single from it Social Currency is out mid-July and the band are coming over to play Jive Bar just after its release. Get your tickets for the Sat Jul 26 gig from Moshtix <moshtix.com.au>.

PIERS ON
There’s a lot of people in the world who play piano, so when someone is considered to be one of the best in the world, that’s not an idle compliment. Piers Lane has performed all around the world as a classical pianist. On Wed Jun 25 Lane is coming to Elder Hall to show this talent to Adelaide. Book tickets at Bass <bass.net.au>.

DIESEL POWER
Music fans living in Adelaide’s inner east will soon have to travel a whole lot less to see great live bands. The Norwood Hotel has teamed up with the Bridgeport Hotel, Murray Bridge to give artists two quality music venues to play this side of the border. The venues are opening with a special interactive show by Diesel where the audience gets to pick the night’s setlist. Norwood Live opens its doors to Diesel on Thu Jul 3, while Bridgeport Live kicks off the following night on Fri Jul 4. Coming up soon at both venues will be the Black Sorrows, Ross Wilson & The Urban Legends, James Reyne, Brian Cadd & Russell Morris and Mark Seymour.

SNOW BUSINESS
There’s a lot of people who won’t know the name Remi Meum, but for fans of snow sports Meum is the man. Just to explain for people who don’t know their snow sports, Meum is a world champion snowkiter, a cross between snowboarding and kite surfing. Meum is on his way to Australia to demonstrate his considerable skills and before he ventures up some snow covered mountains, he’s dropping into Q-Zone in Glenelg on Tue 8 Jul. He’s keen to meet his fans, so head along to the store from 3pm.

RANDOM THOUGHTS
Don’t let the ‘We come from Torquay’, stickers on the tour van fool you. The Thoughts may live the surfie, beach lifestyle at home, but put the three-piece on a stage and it’s all about the early garage and ‘70s punk sound. Sure, they might be laidback guys, but they make a lot of noise. The trio is heading west, for drummer Mick it’s a homecoming (he grew up in Adelaide). And they’ll be playing the Electric Light Hotel on Thu Jul 10 with The What 4 and Sat Jul 12 at the Exeter.

THE HOLY TRINITY
If you like to see music in a slightly more civilised environment, then the Trinity Sessions at Clarence Park’s Church Of The Trinity is a great way to see music. The acoustics in the church are magnificent and the organisers do a great job of picking the kind of acts whose sound really fills out the church. On Sun Jun 22 the Sessions play host to a Robert Johnson tribute, then on Sun Jun 29, charming roots singer/songwriter Sime Nugent will team up with The Yearlings for a night of sublime tunes. Tickets are available from <dramatix.com.au>.

HIT A NERVE
Raw Nerve is a film making initiative that gives young talent a chance to get a short film up on the big screen. This year the four developed films have been shot around the state and cover themes such as inner beauty, family relationships and true love. The films are screening at the Mercury Cinema on Sun Jun 22.

WATUSSI FANDANGO
You might have caught Watussi, watussing it up at WOMADelaide earlier this year. If not, the only thing you really need to know is that the band’s world rhythms are extremely infectious. Lead singer Oscar Jimenez was born in Colombia and sings in Spanish, English and French in an effort to get his music’s multicultural message across. Ultimately though, the music’s message is ‘get on the dance floor and have a great time’. The band will be setting the rhythm for your feet at Live On Light Square on Fri Jul 25.

GEEK AND YE SHALL FIND
Gamers unite. AVCon, the gaming and anime convention is on again. Held at the University Of Adelaide on Sat Jul 26 and Sun Jul 27, AVCon gives gamers a chance to battle it out in tournaments, dress up as their favourite game character, buy the latest merchandise from the trade stalls and watch sneak previews of the latest games. For all the details on the Con and where to get tickets head to <avcon.org.au>.

DAGGIN’ SAYER
Leo Sayer has made millions of people dance around the world, and not just because he named one of his songs You Make Me Feel Like Dancing. The diminutive pop singer knows how to get toes tapping, lips humming and hips wiggling. For the last couple of years the British born Sayer has called Australia home. Next year he’ll be making it official, taking out citizenship. Before he celebrates this milestone he’s hitting the road to visit some of his favourite places to perform around the country and Adelaide will get the change to spend a night with Sayer at the Entertainment Centre on Sat Nov 22. The venue will be transformed into theatre mode as Sayer will take the stage with a 25-piece band. Get tickets from Ticketek <ticketek.com.au> and take your mum along.

WHOLE NEW CHAPTER
Make sure you get along to Rocket Bar on Fri Jun 20 to see Guy Blackman. The Melbourne singer/songwriter weaves very personal, delicate tales based on his own experiences. But Blackman isn’t your sit-at-home-making-cups-of-tea kind of songwriter. As the face behind indie label Chapter Music, Blackman spends a lot of his time scouring the world for new music to bring back to the label’s dedicated fans at home. All this world travel also gives Blackman a chance to play in some unusual places.

Where's the oddest place you've seen a band that you've signed to the label?
When I was in living Japan in 2003 I saw an amazing show by Maher Shalal Hash Baz, who acted out a musical version of Shakespeare's The Tempest in a university hall. They had a cast of about 30 musicians in weird costumes, some of them just shaking buckets of sand or banging sticks, and a horn section that wove its way wonkily through the crowd. 

Where's your favourite place to play?
In Berlin at a venue called Schokoladen. When I was touring with Sly Hats last year, the owner lived upstairs and cooked us a huge dinner of pasta, salad and bread, and later brought around trays of shots for us to drink after we'd played. She made us feel really welcome and made sure we had a great night. Oh, I miss the Punters Club in Melbourne too.

If you could nominate one of your songs for someone on your label to cover what would the song be and who would be covering it?
I would like to hear Kath Bloom doing one of my songs, she has one of the most beautiful and emotional voices I've ever heard. Most of my songs are very personal and based on real experiences in my life, so it's hard to imagine other people singing them, but I think she could do a great version of Black Eyes or Older.

Were you apprehensive asking any of your guest artists who appear on the album if they'd like to make a musical contribution?
Not really, they're all people I've known for quite a while. I was a little nervous I guess about asking Jens Lekman, ‘cause he's a big star and everything, but he wrote back straight away saying he'd love to do it, so the nerves didn't last long.

As a music journalist, have you ever dropped the name of one of your bands into an interview just to see what the musician you're talking to would say?
Occasionally I've tried to word up a famous musician about someone on my label, like when I told Patty Griffin she should check out Kath Bloom. I always leave that to the end of the interview, though, so they don't think I'm a pushy networker right from the start. And mostly they just say, 'Oh, really?' and then the conversation ends a few seconds later.

Favourite interview subject and the musician you'd most like to interview?
Interviewing Scott Walker was a lifetime highlight for me - I never thought I'd get to talk to someone whose music I love as much as I love his. And I was really disappointed I didn't get to talk to Lee Hazelwood before he died last year. I would have asked him all the juicy questions no one was ever game to, like, ‘Did Frank Sinatra really put a mafia contract out on you?’ or ‘Did you really do it with Nancy Sinatra?’

Is it a far greater feeling of achievement releasing a solo album, than with a band?
The feeling is kinda the same except I wrote all the songs on this album, instead of just a quarter of them, like I used to in my old band Sleepy Township. I invested a lot in making up parts and playing along to my old bandmates' songs, but this record was so long in the making that it's a pretty great feeling now that it's out and breaking hearts all over the world! 

LITTLE RED ROCKING ‘HOOD
Sure, Hype was there when Little Red played their first headline gig in Adelaide at the Grace Emily earlier this year. Hype may be getting cynical in her old age, but there will always be some bands that remind her why she loves music. Little Red are one of those bands. The harmonies are to die for and Taka at the back behind the drum kit wears a smile that would soothe even the world weariest soul. With a sound that melds garage pop and doo-wop soul, the microphone-swapping quintet will be releasing their debut album Listen To Little Red on Sat Jun 28. Their debut headlining tour kicks off mid-August and brings the band to Adelaide on Fri Aug 29 to play Jive Bar.

DISHING THE DIRT
A lot of bands burst out of the blocks with a solid EP or two to mark their musical intentions, but then keep us waiting for their release of their debut long-player. Understandably they want to make sure they get it right, but it leaves us trying to patiently wait, when all we want is new material. Angelas Dish first won fans with a couple of choice EP releases, notably 2005’s Lie, Die. Now the Central Coast quartet has signed off on their debut full-length, War On Time, and are asking music fans to take the time to really listen to the album. We may be living in an age of music being digested as single tracks downloaded free from the internet, but some bands are worth the effort. Angelas Dish will repay the favour for your full attention when they launch the album at Jive on Sat Jul 12. The band will be calling into Big Star the following day for an instore. Hype will bring you more details as they come to hand.

CARP ARTS
It was no mean feat for Carpathian to score a spot on the Soundwave tour this year. The Victorian band can boast of being the only Australian band on a bill of over around 40 international bands. It was a highly coveted spot. But Carpathian deserved the attention such a place granted them. The blistering band have just converged on a studio in Wakefield, Massachusetts, belonging to American producer Jay Maas who recorded the band’s new album Isolation. Bringing the album to the live setting, the band will head out on tour with Break Even and The Broderick and will play Fowler’s Live on Sat Aug 2. Get your tickets from VenueTix <venuetix.com.au>

BUDDHIST GETAWAY
The word funk often sends people screaming from the room, but funk doesn’t have to be a slap bass wank-fest. Funk is the ultimate party genre - get your feet on the floor and dance! Good Buddha most definitely play the good kind of funk. They combine it with hip hop, reggae, African styles and make music that is perfect for getting on down to. Especially once you’ve had a couple of the Crown & Sceptre’s yummy cocktails. Hype recommends something warm and wintry to kickstart your heart when Good Buddha drop in on Thu Jul 10 to play songs off their new album Hit The Sky Running.

PILOT EPISODE
There must have been a twinge of “Why rock music?” thought by Mrs Siva-Rajah, when her son Raj told her he wasn’t going to follow in her classically-trained footsteps. Instead of the Carnatic music Raj was introduced to as part of his Sri Lankan heritage, Siva-Rajah has chosen a life of crunching guitars, pounding drums and rock’n’roll. As frontman of The Sunpilots, Siva-Rajah is bringing the rock to Jive on Fri Aug 8 when the band launches its debut album, Living Receiver. Get tickets from Moshtix <moshtix.com.au>

IN PRIMARY COLOURS
Are you ready to get your electro on? Sydney’s dazzling dance trio Grafton Primary are launching their new single She Knows It, with a quick visit over to Rocket Bar on Fri Jun 27. Stowing away in the van will be indie wunderkind, The ELF (better known to music fans around the country as Darren from Gerling).

SCOPE BROADENED
You know you’ve finally made it as a band when you announce a tour and you’re being supported by one of your musical heroes. It’s got to be a pretty big thrill for Perth rockers Gyroscope then that, even though they’ve already topped the charts with their new album Breed Obsession, they’re now announced a mammoth 36 date regional and capital cities tour with big rock influences, Shihad. The tour is in aid of Gyroscope’s next single Australia and, having seen the band on their last tour, Hype is prepared to go out on a limb and say these four laidback lads are fast becoming one of the best live bands in the country. So don’t miss them when they bring Shihad and fellow Perth rockers Sugar Army to the Pretoria Hotel, Mannum on Sat Sep 6 and HQ on Sun Sep 7. Tickets go on sale from Ticketek <ticketek.com.au> and VenueTix <venuetix.com.au> from Thu Jun 29.

LOVE IN THIS CUB
Local lads Wolf & Cub are a rhythmic machine. Anchored at the back by twin drum kits, Wolf & Cub play a powerful brand of atmospheric rock. The strength of their debut Vessels got them signed to acclaimed British indie label 4AD and now the band are working with Christopher Colonna from the Bumblebeez on their follow-up. The first single One To The Other is almost ready to go so the band is playing the Ed Castle on Sat Jul 5.

THE TIDE IS HIGH
Get ready to have your socks rocked off by Queenslanders Mourning Tide. The heavy rockers are joining forces and car-pooling with young Melburnians House Vs Hurricane, they of the ambient hardcore, to head off around the country. We get our turn on Sun Jul 27 at Fowler’s Live. Get your tickets at the door.

RED SUN MONKEY TIME
It’s been awhile since Adelaidians have been able to get all haunted and wistful listening to the ethereal sounds of theredsunband, but the girls want you to know they’ve missed your smiling faces and appreciation for their fine, fine tunes and they can’t wait to get back to the Jade Monkey on Sat Jul 12.

CHAMBERS ORCHESTRA
Australian queen of country music Kasey Chambers hit the top of the charts again earlier this year, with her latest album, Rattlin’ Bones. This time though, Chambers isn’t doing it on her own. Rattlin’ Bones is a collaboration between Chambers and her husband, Shane Nicholson. While Chambers brings her country sounds to the album, Nicholson is the roots, folk and rock side of the coin and together they’ve got the balance just right. The happy couple is enlisting a band, that includes Kasey’s dad Bill Chambers and the whole tour kicks off in Adelaide on Wed Aug 13. Tickets are available from VenueTix <venuetix.com.au>.

APRA Q&A
These days there seems to be an award for everything, especially in the music industry. Often it’s hard to know which are the important ones and which awards have been decided by some 16-year-old smarmy music blogger and her pet dog, Thom. Let Hype make things easy for you. In the Australian music industry it’s simple. There’s the ARIAs which you’ve seen on telly and then there’s the APRAs. While a broad group of music professionals from critics to record company reps vote for the ARIAs, the APRA Awards are decided by APRA’s 30,000 members who are all songwriters. Winning an APRA award is a pat on the back from your peers. This year’s awards are being held in Sydney on Mon Jun 16, so Hype asked three nominees to uncover the mystery behind the creation of their nominated songs, The Hiptones’ I’ve Been Loving You Too Long for Blues and Roots Work of the Year, Eskimo Joe’s New York and Sally Seltmann (AKA New Buffalo) for 1, 2, 3, 4 (recorded by Canadian artist Feist). Seltmann and Eskimo Joe are both nominated for APRA Song of the Year.

What was the process of writing your APRA nominated song?
Brother T, The Hiptones: We wrote the song when Snooks, Steve Smith and I were doing an intensive session of writing with a debut album in mind. Snooks and I were convinced that we could blend our influences of blues, funk and soul into a sound that was more ‘us’ with a nod to some really important retro influences and create something unique. It was all just feeling it really. Although I came to the session with some grooves that I had been working on, we wrote most of the song in about two hours. Then we just thought about the words a little bit more to bring it all together.
Kav Temperley, Eskimo Joe: The first part of New York that appeared was the line, ‘I should have stayed in bed’. It came while I was lying in bed with the flu in a hotel in Melbourne during the Big Day Out tour. When we got home we started working out some chords for the verse, but still had no melody or words, so we invited around a bunch of friends and set everyone up on different instruments (I was on acoustic, which is always easiest for me while writing on the go). We taught everyone the song structure as it stood so far and started jamming and in moment of frustration after hours of nothing, I just spontaneously started singing the first thing that came into my head which ended up being the story of a disastrous trip to New York the year before.
Sally Seltmann: My friend had just told me that she was leaving her partner. Following this, I literally walked into my house, sat at the piano, and wrote 1, 2, 3, 4 in about 20 minutes. The melody and the lyrics came together at the same time. This happens to me occasionally, and it feels good, because I'm just going with my subconscious, and not over analysing anything that I'm doing. I then gave the song to Feist, wondering whether she might like to use it. She started playing it live, and then recorded it for her album, The Reminder. During this stage she asked is she could change some of the lyrics. I was happy for her to make the changes, and liked the lyrics she added.

In your opinion, what makes a great song?
The Hiptones: When the words and lyrics meld together to make a piece of music powerful enough to completely change your mood, and take you to somewhere that you want to be, or touches you deep. Could be a good groove, a great lyric or a heartfelt lament.
Eskimo Joe: Obviously a good melody and lyric, but what gets me is a sense of mystery. The best songs always work in any style on any instrument.
Sally Seltmann: A memorable, catchy melody and subject matter that nearly everyone can relate to, but with lyrics that are unique and imaginative, without being too clever and wordy. Either that, or a song where the production is completely new and original and the sounds and melody are strong enough to carry themselves with few or no lyrics at all.
Head to <apra.com.au> for more APRA details.

HEY JUDAS
Raise those devil horns to the sky metal heads, the Priest is coming to absolve you of your sins. The original line-up of Judas Priest is Australia-bound. That means Rob Halford, Glenn Tipton, KK Downing, Ian Hill and Scott Travis will be playing songs from their iconic albums such as Hell Bent For Leather, British Steel and Stained Class as well as bringing to Australia songs from their brand new album Nostradamus - a metal opera about the prediction guru. The band plays the Entertainment Centre on Sun Sep 14. Tickets for this epic show go on sale on Fri Jun 13 from Ticketek <ticketek.com.au> and if having these metal heroes in the one place at the one time isn’t enough, Judas Priest are being supported on their Australian tour by Cavalera Conspiracy - the project that reunites brothers Max and Igor Cavalera.

A: WE ARE DEVO
Are you ready to Whip It? Whip it good? If you’re not sure how to, Akron, Ohio’s finest synth popsters Devo are coming to show you the way. You’ve all danced along to their version of (I Can’t Get No) Satisfication, Mongoloid and Blockhead. Now you can dance along as the band play the songs live at Thebarton Theatre on Mon Aug 4. Tickets go on sale Thu Jun 12 through VenueTix <venuetix.com.au> and the band will be joined in Adelaide by Regurgitator.

TOTAL RECOIL
Lacuna Coil announced their tour, cancelled their tour and have now said they will be making their way to Australia eventually - we just have to wait until Soundwave next year. Hype is a bit scared, because it feels like we’ve just had Soundwave 2008 and who wants to think about February next year already, but Lacuna Coil fans who have got themselves a refund on their original tickets should put their money aside and save it to use on a Soundwave ticket.

JIVE SNOWBUNNIES
Snowman’s self-titled debut album was an abrasive, dark pleasure to behold. The band have just released a new album The Horse, The Rat And The Swan where guitars swirl, Andy’s violin squeals and the musical landscape is treacherous and edgy. Catch the band when they bring their new songs to life at Jive on Wed Jul 9 with Baseball in support.

THE MOD SQUAD
Modular don’t just know how to find those bands that are destined to make it big. The record label is also pretty good at knowing how to throw a party. The latest Modular circus to hit the road is the Van She Party. Considering the impact Van She made on the live scene last year it’s hard to believe they still haven’t released their debut album, but it’s coming. August is the release date for V and to get you party people good and ready the band is touring in July to play live (expect an introduction to some of the new songs) and also DJ - where you’ll be treated to some tasty dancefloor treats and some of the band’s quality remixes. The band hits town on Sat Jul 26 and will be taking over the Edinburgh Castle. Tickets are available from VenueTix <venuetix.com.au>.

THE FUTURE’S UNWRITTEN
Lovable punk larrikins Unwritten Law have always connected with Australian audiences. Maybe it’s their cheeky sense of humour, their shared sun, surf and sand outlook thanks to their Californian heritage or maybe it’s the raw, blistering pop punk the band play that connects with Australian music fans. Whatever it is, the band is getting ready to release a combined live CD/DVD (it seems that’s what all the cool kids are doing these days). Live And Lawless is out in August, just in time for the band to kick it at HQ on Fri Aug 22. Get your tickets from VenueTix <venuetix.com.au> and <killrockstar.com.au>..

IN BETWEEN DAYS
One half of the songwriting team that put Australian pop on the international map in the ‘80s, Go-Between Robert Forster sadly lost his collaborator Grant McLennan two years ago from a heart attack. The Evangelist is Forster’s first album since his musical partner’s death and includes some of McLennan’s last songwriting efforts. Forster is taking to the road to play the beautiful rich pop off the album. Head along to the Governor Hindmarsh on Wed Aug 6 to see Forster. Tickets are on sale from the venue, and VenueTix <venuetix.com.au>.

NICE N SLEAZY
It’s been a while for them to find the time but the Hell City Glamours have finally signed off on their debut album. The straight-up, sleazy rock of the Sydney quartet will be heard from Sat Jul 5 and they’ll be dropping into Enigma Bar on Sat July 19.

THE GREAT ESCAPE
Australian fans missed out on seeing Las Vegas post-hardcore outfit Escape The Fate last year when they cancelled their spot on the Taste Of Chaos tour. Instead they went into the studio and took all the ups and downs associated with 12 months of being a band and channeled them into a new album. Though the album isn’t out until later in the year, the band is making up for lost time and coming to hang out with their Australian fans at Fowler’s Live on Tue Jul 22. Tickets go on sale on Fri Jun 6 and are available from Moshtix <moshtix.com.au> and VenueTix <venuetix.com.au>.

A HINDMARSH SHADE WINTER
There’s nothing better on a cold winter night than curling up with the heating on, putting on a few tunes and enjoying a nice wine and some winter snacks. One of the cosiest pubs in Adelaide, the Governor Hindmarsh, is starting up a new night for people that love a winter night like Hype’s described but is sick of sitting at home on the couch to do it. Winter Warmers kicks off on Thu Jun 12 and will be a weekly night of cheese platters, wine, warmth and a live band. The first night sees the appropriately named Wintermild weaving a web of delightfully toasty indie pop.

CRASH BOOM BANG
Flamingo Crash are at once both old and new. The band’s indie, electro pop pays homage to bands like XTC and Talking Heads but is made for a generation used to technological overload. Self-aware, substantial and a hell of a lot of fun, Flamingo Crash are celebrating the release of their debut album Triangle Island and are bringing the album to the Edinburgh Castle on Sat Jun 21 with Mad Shapes and DJs PhDJ and Craig. Tickets will be sold at the door on the night.

LAMPLIGHT MY FIRE
Melbourne five-piece Lamplight uses traditional instruments, double bass, violin, flute and piano to make music that is just as much modern indie pop as anything older. Fresh from getting radio spins on French and American radio, Lamplight are packing their instruments into their cases and loading up their van to come over to play Fowler’s Live on Fri Jun 20.

ACUTE ANGELS
Sydney electropunk duo Angelspit have recorded their second album Blood, Death And Ivory. The album is out later this month, and then the band will come to Adelaide to play the Crown & Anchor on Fri Jul 4.

TEN THINGS YOU SHOULDN’T DO AT A GIG
No one needs an instruction manual on how to behave at a concert; find a good spot, clap in between songs, and thoroughly enjoy yourself. But Hype’s been to a lot of gigs over the years and there are an awful lot of people out there who need a reminder of some of the things you probably shouldn’t do.

1) Don’t wear the gig shirt
By all means buy a band tee. You’ll be helping your favourite musicians hold the wolves of hunger at bay a little bit longer, but don’t put it on straight away. There are at least 50 people in the room already wearing the tee and rock‘n’roll should never be about a uniform. The “don’t wear the gig tee” rule lasts for at least the first week after the gig. No exceptions.

2) Don’t talk the whole way through
It’s bad enough if you decide a loud and packed band room is the best place to catch up with the friend you haven’t seen for a month, but talking the entire way through a gig is absolutely unforgivable if the band/artist isn’t playing ear-bleedingly loud tunes. If Hype can hear everything you’re saying about the girl three rows away that used to go out with your best friend’s cousin then go into the front bar. People paid to hear the sound from onstage, not the nattering person standing next to them.

3) Pick a spot and stay there
Hype can appreciate sometimes people need to get a drink or find a friend after the main band has started, that’s fine. Rule Three isn’t directed at you. Rule Three is aimed at that person that waits until 20 minutes into the set before they come and stand right in front of you then spends the entire show leaning over to whisper things in their friend’s ear, cutting off your perfect view of the stage. There are people behind you. Always remember that.

4) Don’t take your top off
Unless you look like Brad Pitt in Troy - though obviously you won’t be wearing a skirt and carrying a shield -  Hype really doesn’t want to see your flabby, pasty beer belly bouncing around in the mosh. Everyone else at the show is hot too, but keep it on.

5) Don’t layer everyone else in your sweat
Even when you’re in a packed crowd there are still personal space rules that definitely apply. Why are the sweatiest guys in the room always the people that need the personal space lessons? It’s bad enough the rest of the room has to put up with the stench of human bodies from the mosh pit, but to end up covered in someone else’s sweat as they push through the crowds is just disgusting.

6) Don’t drink so much before hand you don’t remember the show
Why would anyone spend $60-$100 for a ticket to a show, then spend another $100-$200 to forget everything about the show? Unless it’s the new version of the Smashing Pumpkins and the best thing to do is drink until you’ve erased the entire thing from your memory, save the majority of the drinking until after the show, that way you can have crazy big night with your buddies, still get your money’s worth out of your favourite band and you’re not going to annoy the shit out of everyone around you.

7) Don’t sing every word in someone’s ear
The reason the band is onstage is usually because they’re pretty good at what they do. If you’re really as good as the main act, start a band. Don’t annoy the shit out of your friends by trying to out sing the lead singer.

8) Don’t heckle the support band
It’s a pretty thankless task playing early on the bill. Even the biggest bands in the world had to start somewhere. They’re just doing what they do. If you don’t dig it, go have a beer in the front bar and just let them get on with it.

9) Don’t ask the merch guy/girl how big the medium is?
The merch person is usually getting shit money, has taken a lot of time and care putting up their merch display and has to deal with drunk dickheads all night. They know you want to know about sizes, everyone does. But don’t ask stupid questions. It’s also good merch karma to spare a bit of loose change for the merch tip jar and give your friendly merch retailer a smile. They deserve it.

10) Being a fan is okay, being a stalker isn’t
Bands like meeting their fans but it gets a bit weird if you’re at every show, before soundcheck just waiting for the band to give you that glimpse of recognition. Say hi after the gig, get your photo taken or get something signed if you must, then let the band get back to their friends and the important task of drinking their rider.