Melody Pops – Milk Bar’s music snapshot

Little Red Reach End of the Line
After months of speculation, Melbourne pop-rock darlings Little Red have officially disbanded. Shortly after announcing his departure from the band, former-bassist Quang Dinh confirmed the breakup on the Little Red Facebook page late last week.

It follows the departure of keyboardist Tom Hartney earlier this year, who left to spend more time fronting Major Tom and The Atoms. Dinh is remaining musically active in new band Naked Bodies, while remaining Little Red members Dominic Byrne and Adrian Beltrame are rumoured to be continuing working together under a different name. Drummer Taka Honda, meanwhile, has seemingly fallen off the face of the Earth.

New War Declared
The long awaited debut album from New War hit servers and shelves last week. The self-titled record is out via Sensory Projects and gives a full autopsy of the band’s dark, rhythmic, post-punk body as previewed on last year’s dubbed-out single ‘Ghostwalking‘.

New War are officially launching the album at the Northcote Social Club on August 11th before supporting US post-rock godfathers Tortoise at The Corner Hotel in October.

You can buy ‘New War’ now as a set of compressed audio files at iTunes or on small plastic discs in shops. Larger vinyl discs will be available soon.

It’s Not Weezey Being Blue
Tickets go on sale today for Weezer’s much-anticipated ‘Blue Album’ tour. The band will be playing their seminal first album start to finish at Sidney Myer Music Bowl next January as part of their first Australian tour since 1996.

Tickets will set you back a cool $120 and are available via Ticketek, provided they’ve not been snapped up by zealous fans and scalpers by the time you read this.

Ding Dong, It’s Not Dead
After a lengthy closure following damage sustained in a fire last year, Ding Dong Lounge finally re-opened to the public earlier this month.

Melbourne’s second favourite late night den of drunkenness and debauchery features a newly outfitted band room, saloon bar, vertical garden and smoking room (it’s about time someone started looking out for smokers), while retaining the same wasted louts and stumbling lasses that the venue is renowned for.

In addition to the usual late-night shenanigans, this weekend’s headliners include Dan Kelly’s Dream Band and Money For Rope.

Gigs of the Week
Local janglegazers Pop Singles launch their debut album ‘All Gone’ at The Tote tomorrow night. Supports are krautrock trio Constant Light in their first show for over a year + Dane Certificate and The Enclosures.
facebook.com/photo.php

Dan Brodie and The Grieving Widows are launching an LP at Yah Yahs on Saturday night. Supported by Saint Jude, Merri Creek Pickers and Molly Jean Morrison.
facebook.com/events/383042591753951

Lost and Found Market are hosting a record fair at their Lygon Street store in Brunswick this Sunday with live performances by Blue Juice, Two Shots and PBS DJs. Get in early to secure a copy of ‘Christmas With Kamahl’ or the soundtrack to The King and I.
facebook.com/events