Everyone blame Glans: Part One

Posted on March 4, 2013 by Super Action Radio Team

In the immortal words of MC Rakim, “It’s been a long time, I shouldn’tve left you” (without some podcasts to step to).

We are back. And we are recapping all that has been since we last spoke, namely The Scenery from September until now.

We shall be doing this with month by month recaps, before we re-format our website to suit our new doings.

As of February 16th The Scenery no longer broadcasts on community radio station Radio Adelaide, and instead we shall be releasing podcasts directly to our website, not to mention other forms of media. We sincerely thank Radio Adelaide, and are eternally grateful for all they done for us and IMPLORE you to subscribe to Australia’s first community radio station at www.radio.adelaide.edu.au/subcribe/

So there was September…

The ongoing Jade Monkey saga was a grievous one for the Adelaide live music scene. Many positives and negatives have since been born over the debate about Adelaide’s live music culture, that has seemingly drawn a line in the sand between the industry old guard, and the grass roots purveyors of culture.

The Scenery caught up with Zac the week of the Jade’s last show at it’s Twin Street abode.

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As it stands now the Jade Monkey are currently going through various legal processes in order the get a liquor license for a space at the rear of the St Paul’s complex. We wish Zac and Naomi all the best in their strenuous fight to re launch “The Jade”. We will endeavor to catch up with Zac in the coming weeks to keep you up to date with the Jade’s future.

By now you all should have heard of Fascination Street. A group of architects and designers who have furiously plied their wares all over our fair city. Their credits to date include Moving Music, Lost City, and The Depot to name a few. John caught up with Branko, Josh, Rene and Sarie back in September to talk about the idea behind Fascination Street, their motivations and their goals.

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September also saw Adelaide’s first glimpse at it’s Live Music Thinker in Residence, Martin Elbourne. Various stakeholders in the Adelaide Live Music Scene were invited to the World’s End Hotel to presumably rub shoulders with one another and get an idea of how M. Elbourne thought. The Scenery were in attendance and reported back as to how we thought the night went, and our impression of the man who is to save the scene.

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In a response to the growing criticism of the Adelaide live music scene, Fowler’s Live proprietor Peter Darwin announced his intentions to host a Music Awards ceremony for South Australian artists. There were many critics putting in their ten cents about the announcement, including one Ryan Winter and one Alex Gordon-Smith of the Scenery.

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It was that time of year again when we rustled up some torches and gum boots to go searching for the infamous Stan Mahoney and talk about the happenings of Format Festival 2012. Stan, along with gallery exhibition Rosanne Angry curator Amira H, joined Ryan, Alex and John in the studio to give us the low down on Format, the Festival, Rosanne and miscellaneous life advice.

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Don’t ask me why, but someone thought it would be a good idea to give Adelaide’s favourite seedy uncle Matthew Hayward his own segment. You don’t want to know how many takes it took…but here’s A Thought with Matthew Hayward.

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Finally. You may have heard the urban legend of ‘The Poisoner’, but you probably haven’t. In the interests of public safety, here’s the story behind the myth.

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And so we have it, the first, hastily done Scenery post in let’s not talk about how long. More to come imminently.

Your friends,

The Scenery.

Bad Sweater.

Posted on September 14, 2012 by Super Action Radio Team

This week on the Scenery we caught up with Edwin Kemp Attrill, artistic director of the University of Adelaide Theatre Guild, about their production of The Merchant of Venice. Alex spoke with sound man about town Patrick Lockwood of Format about his recordings and general feelings on the state of the Adelaide live scene. Also we strap Alex to a desk and squeeze lemons into his taped open eyes until he finds a new way of introducing the blog.

Founder of ActNow Theatre and current artistic director for the University of Adelaide Theatre Guild, Edwin Kemp Attrill kindly gave us his time, on the night of his preview screening, to chat with Mateo about his last production with the Guild, Shakespeare’s The Merchant of Venice.

Not familiar with theatre as much as I should be, I struggled in writing a fitting introduction for Edwin that would be deserved of his work within the South Australian theatre scene. In the research of trying to adequately do him justice, I stumbled upon this video from the TEDxAdelaide talks. It seemed fitting, and easier, (and lazier) for you to find out about Edwin from the man himself.

Here now is Mateo and Edwin talking about his undertaking of the Merchant of Venice, including the controversy that surrounds the subject matter of the play. Incidentally the play featured The Scenery’s very own John ‘Dexterity’ Dexter in the role of Bassanio to critical acclaim (true story).

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There has been a lot of talk about the current state of the Adelaide live music scene of late that has somewhat eventuated in the appointment of Live Music Thinker in Residence, Martin Elbourne. Of that talk, that has included a push for small venue licensing, and the lament of the exodus of Adelaide bands, is also the lack of skilled live music infrastructure, managers, promoters, and the people with their fingers on the faders, the sound guys.

Pat Lockwood, of bands Box Elder and Cool Jumper, is a sound guy. His home is the Format basement, that has seen an array of Scenery favorites, but you’ll also see him on the desk at the Metro, Tuxedo Cat and the odd gig around town. More than this he records albums, having worked with Terrible Truths, Old Mate, Big Richard Insect and Wild Oats. Alex caught up with Pat to talk about his beginnings, and thoughts on the Adelaide live scene.

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The Scenery continues it’s Format Vaults song feature, this week with a delicious intro from Safe Cracker John Dexterity. This week’s track belongs to Gold Bloom, recorded live by Pat Lockwood in the Format Basement.

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clap your hands, I’m out.

The Hon.

Posted on June 18, 2012 by Super Action Radio Team

This story begins many many weeks ago. Adelaide was much younger then, and in need of some soft nurturing hands and some bars.

I was standing in the offices of Radio Adelaide (228 North Terrace, next to the Anthopolgy building, for all you subscription needs). Restless, I tapped my collegue John on the shoulder and asked whether he would fancy a skip and a hop down to Format. I beleive we took the route of North Terrace down to King William, as to avoid the consumers in Rundle Mall, and perhaps stick our noses into Tuxedo Cat to ascertain whether the selling of beers was occurring.

The sun was near completing it’s decent beyond the gulf of St Vincent, when in actuality it was the Earth itself, particularly the South Easternish hemisphere, turning away from the sun (or if your point of view is America/Europe being the centre of the world, turning toward the sun.) We were on Hindley Street by that stage, I could tell because the shop fronts took on a decidedly lesser brow.

We turned, fighting the unavoidbale g-force of vibrations, down into Peel Street where standing there was none other than Tea & Magazine merchant, and some times bicycle chaining felon Joshua Fanning.

“Oh, hello dear sir. Jolly funny that we should bump into you like this. What may I ask brings you to this most vibrative of bitchumen paths”, I said.

“Waiting for a bunch of beaurocrats”.

Mr Fanning went onto explain that the capital city committee had decided to tinker with the already fine workings of Leigh St and that, he beleived, they should perhaps focus some time and energy on the laneways that weren’t doing so well, such as the very one upon which we stood.

We bid him good luck, tipped our hats, and journeyed forth to Format. Despite the sign on the door reading that the shop were to open at Three PM, and it being a quarter past that time, the door was locked. We therefore turned heel, and traveled back to Josh. It was at this time that the capital city committee turned up.

I said to my collegue John.

“Hold up good chap, let’s eavesdrop”.

And that we did.

It turned out that this group of bureaucrats included Lord Mayor Stephen Yarwood and Premeir Jay Weatherill. We inconspicuously waited back, leaning on pillars like the cool guys that we were (although I think John was standing upright, like a person above the age of 17). All of a sudden standing next to us, like a ninja from a thin mist, was a woman.

“Are you with Josh”, she asked.

A conversation ensued, the woman introduced herself as Lois Boswell, deputy chief of staff of the Premier. We introduced ourselves as The Scenery, we make lots and lots of money with our radio show. Seconds later we were shaking hands with the Premier, giving our personnel details to the governent, and then shaking hands with the Mayor.

Then Stan came. It involved the Mayor, there may have been talk of ball tickling, but that’s another story…

Some time after that the Scenery was involved in a conversation that may well have changed the course of Adelaide’s destiny: The Cultural Impact of Licensing and Regulation for Small Venues and Bars CODENAME: VIBRATORS.

So we all know what happened there, or we SHOULD all know ^^^. Anyway I found myself with a pint of Little Creatures Quiet American, sitting in the front bar of the Wheatsheaf with a host of good people and Stan. Joe Hay was talking excitedly about an idea that we’ll come back to a bit later. Then Lois Boswell leans over, like a ninja from a thin mist, and says.

“Y’know, we got to get the Premier on your show”

“Sure”, I said.

And the rest is history. Thanks Lois.

And so the Scenery, along with Ianto Ware, welcomed Premier Jay Weatherill. We weren’t short of any topics of interest for the Premier, but decided on three main points of focus:

1)The budget decisions regarding the Thinkers in Residence Program and the Integrated Design Commission and what that meant for the future of South Australian design.

2) The government’s response to suggestions of a small venues liquor license, and amendments to building codes in order to stimulate Adelaide’s fine grain culture and night time economy.

3) How important is the relationship between State and Local Governments in achieving the related goals of the above.

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The announcement of a Thinker in Residence, most likely the last of the program, to tackle the live music industry and the related issues, was met with great anticipation from the Scenery and de facto member Ianto Ware. The idea for this goes way back to before that night at the Wheatsheaf.

“So who do you think we should get to be a Thinker for the live music scene”. Joe Hay asks putting me on the spot.

“Nick Cave”, I say.

“Lemmy”, says Ianto.

(The Scenery shall hold a poll as to who you think would be the better thinker.)

Following the show the Premier visited the Jade Monkey, and spoke with Zac before sitting down for a beer and a chat with Mateo, Ianto and myself. Then it was time for an impromptu tour of down stairs bar Two Ships, during Mutiny. Only in Adelaide.

Goodnight, and goodluck.

What’s your road, man?

Posted on May 3, 2012 by Super Action Radio Team

Ryan and Alex took to the Scenery chairs on this episode, as Mateo was jet setting in sunny Madrid, and Dexter was frolicking along mysterious, yet to be trodden paths. Filmmaker Paul Gallasch came in to tell us about the American Dream, and Ryan spoke with Nikki Lovell of One Village.

We also played tracks from a few of our favorite Adelaide bands, so instead of picking between them, we have four feature tracks. Yessir.

Starting with everyone’s favourite new punk band Big Richard Insect. You have no excuses for not seeing this band, as they constantly pop up over the Adelaide map playing that straight up garage punk that’s making the Australian music scene palatable again.

I was down at Format, bugging Stan as he busily prepared some whiteboard, for some people, for some thing. Two innocuous and stolid questions popped into my head, 1) can I buy a beer 2) what’s coming up. I took option two, as I stood in front of a large board that answered my questions. Stan moved his head to the left and examined the board. “Weeeell”…

And that’s when he told me about Paul Gallasch. “You should have him on the show, he’s a funny guy… and it would be good publicity for us”.

Stan went on to say that Paul had been around during Format’s early days, when they occupied a space down Hindley St. He had been in America for some time living in New York, and travelling around the country. Not to mention falling in love with a girl, breaking up with said girl, and then holding a funeral for her as part of his short film ‘Killing Anna’.

During the end of his time there, a friend asked him to hitchhike with him from San Francisco to New York. As the culture of hitchhiking was becoming far less in the world, Paul agreed, deciding that he would film the adventure. The experience exposed Paul to the strange candid relationship that Americans had with the camera, with complete strangers divulging personnel, and sometimes shocking stories of their life.

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To help Paul and support the making of this documentary, follow the link below through to the ‘Foreign Country’ pozible page.

‘Foreign Country’- film/app by Paul Gallasch on Pozible.

Yet another band you have no excuse for not seeing is Sparkspitter. A mate had been overseas for some time, and had just returned home for a quick stint before jetting off again. His other mates were heading to the Metro to see Sparkspitter, he asked me if I wanted to come along. “Sure”, I said, thinking how I didn’t like the name of the band, and I’d indulge his mates.

What I was met with was one of the greatest local band shows I have seen thus far. It begins with lead man Rohan playing chords on his steel lap guitar into a loop pedal, one bit, then another. He lets a bit loop then jumps up behind the drums to clinically metronome the band to life. At cues bassist Matt Barlow, or guitarist Tom Capogreco will hit the pedals, engaging another loop. What it becomes is a beautiful marriage of ambiance and timing, glued together with the nuances of Tom’s almost spacey guitar. GO SEE THEM.

When I was eighteen my flat had a stack of Pizza Haven boxes that stood taller then me, dishes that stank of death and pale ale bottles in place of food essentials. When Nikki Lovell was eighteen she was in Uganda, giving her time in an effort to better the lives of the people in the village of Namwendwa.

On her return to Australia Nikki established the charity One Village. She has now written a book of her experience in Uganda entitled ‘We are One Village’. Ryan caught up with Nikki for a chat about the book, and her experiences in Uganda.

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I again found myself in Format talking to Stan.

“Do you have the Old Mate tape?”, I asked.

“Yep”

With the transaction complete, I made my way to radio to tell Ryan of my intentions to dust off the old Radio Adelaide tape decks and play Old Mate. Scenery live radio is a beautiful thing, as we do not hide behind the thin plastic glaze of professionalism, and are prepared to inflict dead air in the name of entertainment. It so happened that the radio decks were not sending the music to the panel, until I pressed a little button with some gibberish written under it. So it came time to play Old Mate live on the air. I hit play, Ryan brought up the channel. Nothing, just the mocking hiss of static…

Until…

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I’ve gotten off at Gawler station. Old Mate – Bad Situation. Buy the tape at Format maybe.

I said four didn’t I?

SWIMMING. It’s FREE. Do yourself a favour why don’t ya. A beautiful collection of songs sure to make your drive home in the dark that little more eerie.

The Scenery is shot in front of a live studio audience. Sit, Ubu, sit. Good dog.

Unfortunate Furnishings

Posted on April 25, 2012 by Super Action Radio Team

The Doctor is in.

On this episode of the Scenery Ryan and Alex were joined by Negroni enthusiast Ianto Ware, and Nina Jerebica of Suzi Wong’s Room. The tireless Ryan Winter also had a chat with Daniel Randell, the general manager of Music SA about a proposed music training centre to be built in the Adelaide CBD.

We once again return to a topic of concern for the Scenery; liquor licensing. The eternal crusader Ianto Ware returns to regale us with the trials and tribulations of Hindmarsh cafebar/lounge Suzi Wong’s Room. On previous episodes of the Scenery, Ianto has discussed the lack of a liquor license classification for a small bar/venue. This lack of classification is currently preventing a host of small venue operators the relative ease of realising their goal compared with other states, not to mention it being an effective wall in the way of this city reaching it’s potential vibrancy. In order to give an actual example of the frustrations experienced by small venue operators, Ianto invited Nina Jerebica, manager of Suzi Wong’s Room, onto the show to talk about her experiences with liquor licensing, and the interpretation of licensing rules by licensing enforcement.

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Music SA, headed by Daniel Randell, has proposed that a vacant three story building on Currie St become Australia’s first Music Industry Training Centre. It would provide courses for people wanting to work in the music industry, including promoters, artist and event managers, sound technicians, festival organisers and road crew. Importantly it would also re-enforce Adelaide and South Australia’s somewhat under resourced music industry. Ryan Winter catches up with Daniel Randell to talk about the project.

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This week’s feature track comes from a split 7″ that we bought from Format before the show between Nothing People and Scenery favorites Mondo Phase Band. We played ‘Horseshoe’ from Mondo Phase Band which you can hear here and our feature track ‘Pride’ by Nothing People. If you don’t like fuzz then I can not help you.

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Hide the Laphroaig.

Scenery Out.

The Carnival is Over

Posted on April 1, 2012 by Super Action Radio Team

On this episode Ryan and John were joined by Format Collective member Simon Gray, discussing the end of Adelaide’s festival season, the South Australian Screen Awards and Format doings.

So it’s come to this…

I stood looking up and down the line up for the Barrio ‘End of the World Party’, it’s last night as the festive season drew to a close. A group or friends were more or less lined up where the back Neon Lobster would have been, tempting me like midnight sprites to line cut, and offering plausible rationale for doing so. After battling with my conscience for some time, and faced with never seeing the bowels of the wonderful Barrio beast, I quickly buttered my way in as the line made it’s natural progression forward. We waited for forty odd minutes, which paled in comparison to the some who had been in line for up to two hours, before we made it to the glorious front. Before even quizzing us, our arms were loaded up with offerings as we made our way past the giant Barrio sign, and into the mouth of madness.

The great hype that surrounded the mysterious Barrio injected a pleasant excitement into the festival season that many Adelaideans take, not for granted but something else, like a cruise control mentality. It certainly exposed holes in the draw of the Garden of Unearthly Delights, that for many who patroned it in it’s infancy, has become a strange, unnatractive beast, more like a pen for ticket holders than a destination of curiosity.

Both Tuxedo Cat and Arcade Lane shone amongst the current barrage of buzz words being thrown about this city (renewal, activation, vibrancy) and continue to teach lessons about the potential of unused spaces and the need for small live/arts based venues.

Here Simon gives a Fringe show critique.

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Some may have noticed that the Format space, usually bustling with the goings on of the Format Festival, was a little subdued this year.

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The Scenery office was buzzing at the list of nominations for this years South Australian Screen Awards, with many a Scenery friend making the list.

We must congratulate and good luck:

Best Documentary Nominee Peter Drew for Adelaide’s Forgotten Outlaws.

Innovation in Digital Media nominee Dario Russo for Danger 5

Innovation in Digital Media & Best Feature Film nominee Sam Wright

Best Perfromance nominee Kieran McNamara for Steak Knife

Good Luck Chaps!

and as for us, we bid you adieu

Love,

The Scenery.

Stan II: the Quickening

Posted on February 26, 2012 by Super Action Radio Team

The dynamic duo of Mateo and Ryan headed up this episode of the Scenery featuring the infamous Stan Mahoney and a feature on local Adelaide television production Danger 5.

Film makers Dario Russo and David Ashby caught the eyes of SBS television execs with Youtube clips of their serial ‘Italian Spiderman’. They were originally approached to turn the internet sensation into a television series, but due to differences among the original production team, the idea never came to fruition, leaving Italian Spiderman for dead. SBS opted to see what Russo and Ashby could come up with, leading the two to give birth to Danger 5.

Danger 5 is a local South Australian production, the only current production that is wholly South Australian made, conceived and funded, with the majority of the cast and crew from SA. Set in an alternative World War 2, Danger 5 follows an elite fighting force as they try and thwart the evil doings of Adolf Hitler. Ryan Winter dropped Russo a line to hear all about the up-coming television debut of Danger 5.

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Danger 5 debuts on SBS Monday the 27th of February at 9:30pm

This week the Scenery invited Format Collective and Festival of Unpopluar Culture big wig Stan Mahoney to the studios as part of our Drop In series. Stan was lovely enough to lend his time in chatting about the Generation 4 incarnation of Format, this years abridged FUC, and the general trials and tribulations of an Adelaide arts guy.

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This week’s feature track comes from the the world’s superpower, China. Band, Dear Eloise, is a husband and wife collaboration, whom do not perform live (at least not at the time of the article I read about them). I love droning noise with sweet voices over the top. That is all.

Many Bothans died to bring us this information.
Pardon my brain deadity, I am extremely hungover.
Loving you for too long,
The Scenery.

The Stan Ultimatum

Posted on October 3, 2011 by Super Action Radio Team

So you took the blue pill.

Good thing too. Mateo, Ryan and Dangerous Dave Harden have brought you the tale of two festivals. Originally aired on the 30th of September this episode of the Scenery brings you the best of the other side of Adelaide’s festival calendar. October blesses Adelaide with the Festival of Ideas and, its Fringe, the Festival of Unpopular Culture.

First Up! Our friend Mateo-with-no-last-name spoke to the good people from the Adelaide Festival of Idea about the treats they are about to offer. The Festival of Ideas is one of the grander ideas we have come across in our times. Celebrating the discussion of the ideas of living, the way we may have done it wrong and the ways we may do it better. That may be a disserving simplification, but its the best we’re gonna do.

The courageous Ryan spoke with Stan.

Stan, last name not supplied, Mahoney is a keen supplier of un-popular culture. The Festival of Unpopluar Culture has come as a kind of fringe to the Festival of Ideas. With a program of comic sans and a sharp moustached logo, We Shall See.

Dave likes all things Swedish, including (but not exclusive to) the music stylings of Air France. Described as, heh, post-rave bliss. (god I love that shit sometimes). What it is though, is a post rave bliss exploration of young adult love and loss (kidding). What I do love is the steel drums, you guys know El Guincho? its not like that.

Live long and prosper,
Mateo, Dave & Ryan. (and alex)

theScenery.com.au

stories from the curious city

Tag Archives: format

Everyone blame Glans: Part One

Bad Sweater.

The Hon.

What’s your road, man?

Unfortunate Furnishings

The Carnival is Over

Stan II: the Quickening

The Stan Ultimatum