Melody Pops

Stale Meat Loaf Replaced With Fresh Local Produce
Following last year’s nationally panned performance by Meat Loaf, this week the AFL announced The Temper Trap, Paul Kelly and Tim Rogers as performers at this year’s Grand Final. The  applaudable local selection of current youth favourites and trusty stalwarts are set to make for a more aurally friendly, yet ultimately less memorable experience.

Missing the cut this year was former Grand Final performer Angry Anderson. Sure, he may be an refugee-hating aspiring conservative politician these days, but he brought the house down at the 1991 Grand Final.

In a few years time is anyone really going to remember one Paul Kelly performance from another, or who The Temper Trap were? What would really sear in our collection consciousness would be Anderson belting out ‘Bound For Glory’ from a bright blue hotrod Batmobile. Again.

Sunn O))) Cancel Australian Tour, Blame Melbourne Promotor
The cancelation of a tour by doom druids Sunn O))) this week has sparked an ugly public feud between a number of international musicians and Melbourne tour promotor Heathen Skulls. Sunn O))) released a statement on Monday, stating that promotor Robert MacManus “Has shown complete inconsideration towards the basic requirements of our agreement together [and] eroded trust we need to have in order to fly across the planet.”

Known for improbably touring international bands popular in the small but dedicated experimental music scene, Heathen Skulls stated that the cancellation was “due to the high costs and complicated nature of presenting Sunn, in the way they like to be best represented”.

MacManus has since has copped a beating on social media by LA musician John Wiese and Lightning Bolt‘s Brian Chippendale, regarding shoddily planned tours and unpaid performance fees.

The spat has so far had no effect on forthcoming Heathen Skull tours by Earth, Russian Circles and Eagle Twin.

Boomgates Lift on Album
Melbourne indie supergroup Boomgates (made up of members of Eddy Current Surpression Ring, Twerps and Dick Diver) released their debut album ‘Double Natural’ this week. Have a listen to the track ‘Whispering or Singing’ over at Bedroom Suck Records, who have been releasing a inordinately high amount of good music lately.

GIGS OF THE WEEK
Pony Face are launching their debut album “Hypnotised” at the Northcote Social Club this Friday night with Flying Colours and Matt Walker.

Ouch My Face hit The Old Bar in Fitzroy this Saturday night with a great lineup feature Bad Aches, DJ Tim Cashmere, High Tea and The Once Overs.