Perth Burlesque Festival

Opening Night Review

While burlesque is certainly not Rockabilly, there has been increasing cross-over with both the Swing and Rockabilly scene in Perth over the last couple of years. That seemed like more than enough reason to me to go and check out the opening night of the "First Annual International Perth Burlesque Festival" at DeVille's Pad - no ulterior motives. Really ;)

http://www.perthburlesquefestival.com/

My first and (most lasting) impression of the evening was the quality of the host, MC Feisty (FeistyStrumpet) (http://www.feistyentertainment.com.au/images/me.jpg) - thank me later guys... Hmhmm... by quality, I am referring to the fantastic job of engaging the crowd with wit and humour. The evening never once fell flat or felt stalled between performances as she did a great job of keeping everyone entertained. She was also clearly well supported by a variety of helpers and co-ordinators on and off stage. In short, a professional and well run evening.

There variety of local and guest performers was diverse, with the acts ranging from clever comedy pieces (Kitty Litteur), dance inspired numbers (Scarlet O'Harlot), raunchy tease (Agatha Frisky), and everything in between (Miss La Vida). 

Kitty Litteur - this act was a *lot* of fun

As with any multi-act event, undoubtedly not all the performances struck the right note with the audience. Nevertheless, it was great to participate in the convivial wolf whistles and cries of "get your gear off!" liberally dispensed to all the ladies on stage during the evening. Unfortunately MC Fiesty never complied, despite the enthusiastic requests from the crowd...

While there were many fine performances during the evening, my personal choice was for NZ's Miss La Vida. Funny, sexy, and very compelling to watch. A great use of the music, not to mention props... Similarly, it was a shame that an equipment malfunction prevented the performance from Tasia from having a chance to truly shine (if you were there, please forgive the pun!). This act had a very Vampirella vibe to it and for those who enjoy a slightly darker edge it would surely have been a highlight of the evening.

Miss La Vida - another reason to visit NZ soon...

However, while all the ladies received acknowledgement for their efforts, the judges pick for the evenings stand-out performer was Agatha Frisky. Along with Kitty Litteur, this act was certainly one of the most memorable performances by Perth's local performers. Though I found it slightly lacking in the comedy department, it was a very polished and  well synchronised performance.  

Agatha Frisky - the night's main winner... showing her cheeky side ;)

If you haven't caught the Festival already there's still one more day to go. Otherwise, join the roadshow as the festival heads through the south-west!

Ringside Rockabilly

Pat Capocci vs. Rusty Pinto

What a great night out at DeVille's! Both Rusty and Pat put on great performances, rising to the challenge...

While I do enjoy Rusty's blues stylings with the Combo, Friday night was a great change to the regular programming. The gauntlet was thrown down early, with Rusty ripping out some red hot numbers. Those who like their Rockabilly fast and furious would have had a hard time being disappointed. The dance floor was full, the joint was rockin', and the uninitiated probably wondered what awesome hidden pocket of the Perth music scene they had just uncovered.

Rusty - hitting the right notes...

After some great tracks from DJ Razor Jack, Pat stepped up to put his stamp on the evenings proceedings. As a (*cough*) completely unbiased observer I always thought Pat would have  a pretty tough time following up on a local legend. However, after some very catchy tunes, I'm sure I was not the only person lamenting the rarity of visitations from our Eastern compatriots. While the tempo generally set a more relaxed pace, for many reaching the close of a great evening with friends and (possibly more than) a few drinks this was probably just what the doctor ordered.

Perth commands that you bring more Rockabilly!!!

At the end of the evening, my entirely impartial verdict -

Rusty, on points ;)

If you felt differently, go ahead and fly a flag for your team and leave your comments!

More photos from the evening can be found on Facebook:

http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.298555936895575.70537.121502454600925&type=1

Garterbelts & Gasoline

Garterbelts & Gasoline 

Rockabilly, Rod & Culture Festival 2012

**Rocket to Memphis' Razor Jack gives the 

low-down on this knockout weekender**

This was the second year in a row that we've had the pleasure of attending Garterbelts & Gasoline - and it seems to be getting bigger and better all the time! Held in picturesque Mt. Tamborine (a hour outside Brisbane) this is a celebration of 50s rockin' culture, with live music, pin-up gals, hotrods, lowbrow art and more - wrapped up in a 3 day festival that rivals any in the country. Here's a brief taste of the action…

Friday night

Things kicked off on Friday with the Rockabilly Ball. The event sold out so quickly last year that organiser Paul Biagini made the wise decision to move the Fri & Sat nights to the Vonda Youngman Centre. While it was a little less intimate than last year's venue, it had a huge dance floor and great stage/sound for the bands. As always the mix of music was great, with 4 live bands and DJ Jamie Suppa (Dingo, from Presstone Records) spinning up a storm in the breaks. There was also a vintage fashion show, which added a nice touch.

Opening act was the Drey Rollan Band a young rockabilly outfit from Sydney - I thought they sounded great, reminding me a little of Kitty, Daisy & Lewis. After the fashion show, Rocket to Memphis turned on the voodoo - we busted out a brand new song "Turn it on" - and had a ball!  Next was the swinging' country sounds of QLD-based Pete Martini & the Freight Jumpers (great name!). Joining Pete (also Corn Liquor's frontman) were my good friends Warren Earl (guitar) and Ben Franz (steel) and a wild fiddle-player who's name unfortunately escapes me. International headline act for this (and Sat) night were Austrian/Swiss rockabilly cats Mars Attacks. These boys have been around for a while and it shows - they were solid and rockin' - a great addition to the bill!

Saturday 

Had a few extra jars when we got back to our accommodation, so Saturday morning wasn't exactly an early start and we didn't get to see the thrills and spills of the legendary "Soapbox Derby" - G&G's annual vintage Gokart race! Instead, we spent the afternoon with our Canberra buddies The Fuelers who treated us to 4 fabulous sets at the micro brewery. They've gotta be one of the most entertaining bands on the planet, with a great mix of rocking' music (hillbilly, surf, even a bit of "country & eastern"!), crazy ad breaks and audience participation games - they are an act best savoured live and we love 'em! The Mars Attacks boys dropped by for a beer too and really dug it.

Saturday night

Back to the Vonda Youngman Centre for Saturday night's great line-up. Launching a brand new album (and what a corker it is too!) was Melbourne-based Warren Earl & the Atomic Rockers. Billed as rockabilly, but this band plays period-perfect western swing and hillbilly boogie - and they're dynamite! Great twin lines from Warren & Ben Franz - and a killer rhythm section to boot!  Next up was the Pin-up competition, which Rusty & I had the pleasure of judging last time round. This year, the Rocket gals Betty Bombshell & Voodoo Viv shared the duties with Martin (guitar man from Mars Attacks) and a gentleman from Cruizin' mag, who sponsor the event. All good clean fun - and the usual high standard of pin-ups!  Hang onto your hats folks… the whirlwind is about to take the stage… next up, the Rusty Pinto Combo, back by popular demand and with killer Pat Capocci on guitar - proceeded to tear the place apart!  (this is the same line up that played Devilles the next Friday - so if you caught that Perth show, you'll know what I'm talking about). Great rockabilly and rockin' blues… as was the next band too. Wes Pudsey's Hollywood Hombres (NSW) added piano and sax for a swingin' r&b sound - and were great. Mars Attacks closed the night and once again bust out a great set of savage rockabilly.

Sunday - HOTROD CARNIVALE

Perfect weather for the big show - and a huge turn-out too (I think they'd already clocked up 6000 people by 2pm!). A great display of hotrods and custom cars, vintage stalls, live bands, fairground rides, food stalls and a bar - all contributed to a very enjoyable day. The Fuelers kept people entertained with their own stage once again and the main stage featured the following:  Corn Liquor (alt. country/rock n roll), Little Miss Garterbelts competition, the hip-shakin' swampabilly of Rocket to Memphis,  great rockin' sets from Scotty Baker, Coral Lee and one of my favourite rockabilly bands Hank's Jalopy Demons. Midnight Son kept things rockin' right till the end.

Sunday night

Billed as the festival "wind down" session, the Sunday evening was at last year's venue St. Bernard's Hotel. Warren Earl & the Atomic Rockers treated us to two swinging' sets and the more intimate room was perfect for them - the band was a knockout! Great to have a beer and chat at the end too, before making the trek back across the country to the "big smoke" of Perth (heh heh!).

Big thanks to Paul & Amanda, who put so much work into making this event such a success (and a medal to Giggles for driving us all around too!). Check out the pics and investigate any of the bands you haven't heard of - they were all great. I have a feeling even more people will be putting Garterbelts & Gasoline  on their calendar for next year!

https://www.facebook.com/garterbeltsandgasoline

MARS ATTACKS - hot rockabilly from Austria / Switzerland 

Sounds of the Swamp

Those who know me will also know that I'm a big fan of the swampy Rockabilly sound. The more the notes seem to slowly ooze out of the guitar, the deeper the bass, the thicker the drums and I just enjoy it more... So I consider myself very fortunate to have one of the swampiest (and best) Rockabilly bands around, right here in Perth: Rocket to Memphis!

Rockets have been around for a while now, but I still consider their first offering "Swampwater Shuffle" to be the standard against which all other "swampy" albums should be assessed.


The title track, Swampwater Shuffle, slowly creeps up on you as it seems to drip off the album - before it hits you in the face with that driving rock. And so things continue: Voodoo Twist grooves right along, while Catwoman and Devil's Ride somehow seem to make me want to keep looking over my shoulder... then, when I'm maybe feeling  a little vulnerable already, What Kinda Man? reminds me not to mess around with girls who know how to use Daddy's gun ;) However, my favourite track from the album (not to mention just one of my all-out favourites) is The Jazz Butcher. If you know the track, you know why... Yes, Rockets, we definitely want more... I can't wait for the next album!


If you haven't got a copy of Swampwater Shuffle already then I strongly recommend you ask Andy (Razor Jack) for a copy the next time you see him at Mustang Bar or DeVilles. You can also pick up a copy at the Mustang Bar on Monday nights from Cool Cats (www.coolcatsrocknroll.com).


Until then, get a taste from YouTube:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4BxovVCX5OY&feature=relmfu