Roland S. Howard Lane, St Kilda, Vic, 3182

In what could be a forming trend, Port Philip City Council have approved the naming of a lane way in St Kilda "Roland S. Howard Lane" in memory of one of the greatest Australian songwriters of all time.  Last night the council voted unanimously for a name change, off Eildon Rd, in a move which, along-side "Paul Hester Walk" and "ACDC Lane" could be the start of a postman's worst nightmare.  Amphlett St, Paul Kelly Rd, Hutchence Cres, or even Molly Gve could be next but I think that honoring Roland S. Howard is a nice touch.

heraldsun.com.au

The first time I had heard of Roland S. Howard was in about 1993 or '94 when the Screaming Jets covered 'Shivers'.  Possibly one of his best known songs, it has been covered by a whole host of rubbish bands since (Jets not included!).  While I'm not a huge fan of Howard's music, or any of his myriad of musical collaborations it's impossible not to respect his uncompromising approach and although I never saw him play live I've never heard a gig reviewer who wasn't astonished by his stage presence.



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I'm unable to find any confirmation of this but years ago I heard that Howard had stayed on a fellow musician's couch for a period of time and when he left, as a thank you for the host, he wrote and then performed a song on their answering machine and gave them the rights for it.  It turned out to be a big song for the band but I don't remember which song it was.  I have a feeling it was Tex Perkins or someone from the Cruel Sea but I love that story...

The petition lodged to the council to have a lane renamed was apparently signed by over 3000 people including Henry Rollins, Nick Cave, Lee Ranaldo and Shane MacGowan.

RSH Youtube

School Nights

Best. Lunch-break. Ever.  I work 6pm til 3am and my lunch break usually consists of sitting around at my desk bludging (with no descriptive difference to normal hours); walking around the city for 20 mins before getting bored; or working through the hour and calling it even...  Tonight was different and something that, realistically, could be done each night with a bit of spare cash.  I saw a gig at The Forum.

Before I explain the gig I have to explain The Forum.  I don't remember the first time I went to The Forum but I do remember the best.  Faithless, 2002-ish.  Dead sober and I wanted to start a riot.  No doubt Faithless had a huge part in that but the venue suits particular bands very well.    I think it's the best venue I've ever been to.  I've been to bigger and more historical venues but this is the best. Best for band/ audience interaction, best for ambiance, best for sound and proximity.  It's great. 

Tonight's gig, however, could have gone either way.  Carla bought tickets to Garbage and only after that did she ask if I wanted to go.  I have never bought a Garbage record and never been to a gig, but I cannot say I've never liked a song.  Plus, they inadvertently had a major part in the soundtrack of my youth.  If I could treat myself as a cheerleader or high school quarterback, my finest years were in the late '90's.  To display my naivety of Garbage's back catalog I'd suggest theirs was too.  I was wrong.

The gig was incredible.  There are records from 2005 and 2012 which I was introduced to tonight and they sound fantastic.  I'd like to leave the 90's where they lay but I could see myself buying the most recent record.  I wouldn't suggest Garbage have taken a different direction; they still have the grungy power they always had, but the last two records just seem different- a good different.

I haven't seen many 90's bands play recent gigs without looking like they are here for the cash.  In fact if Garbage were trying to re-live their (relative) youth then I'd pay a lot to see them in 1996.  Tonight would have given so many bands in their prime a run for their money.  I have never seen them previously but I would be surprised if they haven't improved.  There was a great connection between the band- the type that is formed from years of playing together for the fun of it, rather than anything else.  This was particularly evidenced by Shirley Manson screwing up the words to one of their biggest, yet my least favourite songs: 'When I Grow Up'.  The fact that they made this playful was a breath of fresh air for me as I'd pay $100 to see a $20 band jam rather than play a structured gig.  Kinda helps that anything Butch Vig does, musically, I'll listen to!

It may have taken me 19 years to come to this conclusion but I'm now a fan of Garbage.

Lunch is now over but it makes my 'afternoon' a lot easier...

Buildings at 100 Club

Occasionally I pause while walking through London streets and have a look around. Every now and then I'm hit with the realisation that I am in LONDON. Not just a tourist destination for uber-painful Europeans trying to improve their English, or backpackers ticking off their 'mum-said-I-should' list. To me London is up there with the opposite sex for top influences that inspire the greatest music that has ever been produced. So despite being 39 years too late to see some of the music I adore being created I am extremely appreciative that some of the venues that helped make that happen are still open and thriving; and more great music is still being nurtured.

On Friday I went to The 100 Club in Oxford St, a venue with incredible history. With just 10 months left in London I was happy to kill two birds with one stone- I got to see a venue that has played a huge part in live music over the years as well as seeing a band I have heard a lot of good things about. Granted, I've known the lead singer and bassist of Buildings for a while and held them both in very high regard, but I was actually blown away by the quality of their live show.



As their booking agent suggests, "they show a unique and adventurous dynamic style and can boast a sound all of their own". I'm not glib enough to explain their sound and it would simply give other established bands a free ride if I were to liken Buildings to them... I found Buildings completely unique, and I don't get to suggest that very often. I think the music hit me at the right time; when I'm quite contemplative yet on the verge of a breakthrough. To me their verses felt like an inner dialogue, of sorts, and the chorus came together with an epic realisation combined with a burst of energy. That's the recipe for motivation, in my book.

I now realise the best music of all time wasn't limited to the jazz of the 1920/30's, nor the blues of the 1940/50's, nor the rock of the 1960/70's, and I am excited to see that incredible music is still being made today in the same venues.

Best gig I've seen for years.

Have a listen to their music at their Myspace.