On the brink of embarking on a tour to promote their debut self-titled EP, it is clear that Paper Champion’s star is on the rise.

After many months of constant touring around the Sydney live music scene, the Sydney four-piece is playing a series of dates to promote their independently-released EP, taking in west Sydney and the Central Coast, culminating in a show at the Cambridge Hotel supporting Grandvue on 22nd November.

Founded by Dave Clark (drums), Denis Giasli (bass) and Dom Alessio (guitar) the lineup was completed after 18 months in 2006 with the addition of singer Grant Spencer.

Following a swathe of energetic gigs around the Sydney circuit Paper Champion’s profile has risen quickly, supporting big names like the Birds of Tokyo, Dead Letter Circus and Bushido. On the back of this stage success their debut EP was recorded in August at Modern Music Studios in Brisbane which has been graced by the likes of the Butterfly Effect, Dead Letter Circus and Small Mercies. Produced by Rick Hollis, who has worked with Shihad and Sunk Loto, the five-track EP is a solid recording, with a polished sound reflecting many months of collaboration, hard work and dedication from a hard-touring band. This effort has not gone unnoticed, and in recent weeks the band has had airtime from Fasterlouder.com.au and FBI and has a performance and interview on the Lock Up Garage on Central Coast FM scheduled for 19th November.

Heavily influenced by the Butterfly Effect, Decoder Ring and Karnivool, Paper Champion’s music provides a fusion of prog rock and melodious ballads, their music infused with ambient and aggressive elements with undertones of political and social commentary.

Discussing the band’s progression, lead singer and lyricist Grant is ambivalent when asked if he prefers performing live to recording, saying that the key part of the music process is to “tell a story… Recording is like painting, playing live is the showing, both are important”. And when you see them live you understand why. Their live shows are an infusion of brooding energy, angsty vocals and potent guitar work. From the ambient harmonies of Undone to the darker Arithmetic, Paper Champion has a diverse repertoire under their belt, describing their music as “hard rock with a progressive edge”.

Paper Champion pride themselves on telling a story and there is no doubt of the band’s song-writing prowess. Grant is enthused by the feature vocals provided by Shadow Treasurer Wayne Swan’s daughter on the EP, including Undone and some surreal vocal gymnastics on Arithmetic. However he is quick to point out their music is only influenced by politics to the extent that “the political influences the personal”, with tracks like This Mute Tide exploring the superficiality of consumer culture.

After building up a respectable fan base in Sydney, their energised and well-publicised EP launch at the Agincourt Hotel in Sydney was supported by The Hotel Charlie and Walking Zero. Their performance was punctuated by a much darker harder atmosphere than their EP lets on, featuring guest performances from local musos. Grant joined Dave on the drums as part of an extended drum score on Teeth adding to the intense quality of the set. The band veers seamlessly between melodious ballads and darker punk-rock, especially on Arithmetic which is reminiscent of the Butterfly Effect, with restrained melodies and angsty vocals seeming into thumping guitar riffs and an angry rocking chorus.

Grant has some advice for upcoming local bands: “The live scene is only as active as you are in it. If you’re going to see live bands they’ll come to see you… The best, most supportive crowd is the one that saw your best show”.

Their music achieves a strange juxtapositioning of melodic ambience and pounding rhythms that highlight the band’s versatility and a burgeoning potential to create the punk anthems that have marked the rise of bands like the Butterfly Effect. Paper Champion is developing a solid fan base as a result of continued touring. This band is on the up, this is not the last we’ll hear from this focused foursome.

Paper Champion can be found at the Cambridge Hotel on 22th November supporting Grandvue with local band Stone Harlet.

The band will be performing live and interviewed on the Lock Up Garage with Lindsay Joel from 7pm on 19th November on 2CCC 96.3 FM on Central Coast or online at www.2ccc.net.

Check them out on Myspace at myspace.com/paperchampionband.

Live photograph by Chantel Bann, group shot by Tim Levy. Article by Rebecca Warren.

After months of touring around the country and playing at many of the major music festivals including The Falls, Point Nepean, Queenscliff and the East Coast Blues and Roots Festival (where she was the second highest cd seller at the festival, not bad for an independent act!).

Dallas Frasca is on the road again…

The foot stomping, ball wrenching, double dueling slide guitar extravaganza that is Dallas Frasca And Her Gentleman have secured themselves a place in the top five finalists list in the Blues/Roots category for 2007! Whilst spreading their infectious rootsy rhythms all across Australia, Dallas Frasca and Her Gentlemen will make a pit stop in Maitland and Newcastle:

Musicoz Awards Finalists - Dallas Frasca And Her Gentleman

• When: Sunday 18th November, 8pm
• Where: Grand Junction (The Junkyard) Church Street, Maitland
• With: Pat Capocci

• When: Wednesday 21st November
• Where: The Cambridge Hotel 789 - 791 Hunter St, Newcastle West, Newcastle
• With: De Jah Groove and Benjula
• Cost: $10

For more information visit myspace.com/dallasfrascamusic or www.dallasfrasca.com.

Brothers Ian and Nigel Date are two extraordinary musicians who will be returning to perform at The Royal Exchange, 34 Bolton St Newcastle, Wednesday 21st November.

Last year the gig was a highlight in their international tour. The Royal Exchange is a fantastic intimate venue with a vibrant funky patronage.

Ian, now based in Ireland, is touring Australia in November performing at the Wangaratta Jazz Festival and the Manouche Gypsy Guitar Festival in Brisbane.

Ian is one of the greatest guitarists to have emerged from Australia. For many years he was associated with the best jazz musicians in the country including Don Burrows, James Morrison, George Washingmachine and Tom Baker. He has collaborated with some of the best guitarists in the world, recording and performing with Martin Taylor, Robin Nolan and renowned gypsy guitar legend Fapy Lafertin.

Guitarist Nigel Date is based in Sydney and has visited Newcastle before with the band The Straight Back Fellows.

In 2006 the Brothers were joined by local sax/clarinet legend Andrew Firth. Expect some special guests this time around also.

For lovers of fine music and fantastic guitar playing, be sure not to miss this rare opportunity and special musical event.

• Who: The Date Brothers
• Where: Royal Exchange 34 Bolton St Newcastle
• When 7PM Wednesday 21^st November 2007

For more information visit www.iandate.com or www.nigeldate.com or contact Dean at The Royal Exchange 0249294969

It was the 80s. Mullets, massive perms, fluro and lycra ruled the fashion world (in Newcastle anyway…) and the music was safe, sanitized, saccharin and completely boring! Live bands still had a strong hold in the pubs and clubs and you could go out any night of the week and watch real people playing real crap all over town. You wanna hear a slick, note perfect Boz Scaggs tune? Would you like that with acid wash denim? BRRROORRRAWK! Has anything really changed?

Then, in 1987, something wild and wonderful emerged from this cultural sludge-pit, dressed in leather, ripped jeans, sneakers and very bad wigs. As their immortal heroes had in New York City back in 1974, four rock’n'roll brothers in arms made a stand. Their mission was to liberate anyone with any real passion for rock’n'roll music as it was always meant to be - fast, furious, thundering energy and excitement!

The venue was an unlikely and unassuming suburban pub in Lambton called The Marquis O’Lorn. The band was The Marones. Yes, it was twenty years ago almost to the day when Johnny, Joey, Tommy and Dee Dee taught the band to play and Newcastle to say ‘GABBA ABBA HEY!’ The Ramones have since been recognised as one of the most influential rock’n'roll bands to ever strike a chord (sometimes as many as three or four!). Their musical formula was simple - a sonic jet-stream of droning, overdriven guitar underpinned with a relentless, pounding blitzkrieg of bass and drums. Joey Ramone’s emotive, adenoidal voice provided a melodic counterpoint to all this raw power - yin and yang - music to balance the universe! Songs of social alienation, lost love and lobotomies, freaks and chainsaws - ‘The Bruddas from Queens’ had it all! Tragically, the world has lost Joey, Johnny and Dee Dee, but the deceptively simple genius of their music will never die.

The Marones were formed by Harry and Donny, who had previously played with The Mansons and The Ramjets. Guitarist Pucko, another veteran of Newcastle’s punk rock scene, was soon recruited to thrash Harry’s beloved Mosrite guitar. Pucko suggested a bass player called Tommy. The named sounded right, and The Marones were born. The Marones had one purpose - to share their passion for The Ramones by recreating the magic of a live Ramones show and…two purposes! Sex, drugs and rock’n'roll. Four purposes. THE MARONES HAD FOUR PURPOSES! After a couple of rehearsals a date was booked and The Marones debuted to a huge and appreciative crowd of 20 or 30 of their friends and relatives. Newcastle alternative music promoter Jim Duncombe, who had been responsible for the hugely successful North Leagues Club venue in the early eighties, booking bands like The Birthday Party, The Sunnyboys and The Johnnys, had dubbed The Marones debut ‘The Take-away Pizza Tour 1987′ and pizza was distributed to the crowd as the band played their set.

Countless gigs followed in venues like The Airforce Club, The Uptown Circus, The Great Northern, Tats Club, The Congo Club, The Lass, The Lucky, The Hunter, The Cambridge, a battalion of bowlos… trips to Sydney and Brisbane, parties in livingrooms, garages, on boats and beaches, paddocks and patios. Members came and went and sometimes came back again. Paulie, Tony and Bee Bee (RIP) on bass, Cammie and Humpy on guitar and Deano on drums.

The current Marones line-up, Harry, Humpy, Tommy and Donny, will be joined by as many past members as they can locate, as well as their legendary pinhead mascot Buckee, at their 20th Anniversary Showcase Spectacular on August 18th at The Lucky Country Hotel. Support bands will be Melbourne’s Murder Meal Combo and local band The Hannigans. Hey! Ho! Let’s Go!

Earthfest is an all ages one day mini- music festival to be held at Maitland City Bowls, Sports and Rec Club on Saturday, July 14^th from 1.30pm- 10.30pm. The festival will feature up to 20 of Maitland and Newcastle’s most talented independent bands, with a variety of genres including folk, indie, grunge and good ol rock’n'roll.

The Earthfest Line-up so far includes Sleight Of Hand, Level 8, Benjalu, Light Noise, The Wireflys, The Zillers, Sketching Cato, Volition, The Receptionists, Sensitive Freight, Laugh Or Cry, The Winters, Red Light Trolley, Alusive, The Bright Blues and Romance Explosion.

Other features of the festival include stalls by local artists and not-for- profit organisations, a free shuttle bus service at the end of the night, raffles, cheap food and a huge after party in Maitland for bands and attendees over 18. The aim of the festival is to promote young musicians and artists, and raise funds for environmental conservation and education with the help of Maitland Region Landcare. Tickets for the event are $16, with $3 from each sale going towards the cause. Earthfest aims to provide a great atmosphere for festival goers, in which to expose some fantastic local bands and raise awareness of this region’s environmental issues.

For more information about Earthfest visit http://www.myspace.com/earthfestmaitland.

The Crusade is an All Ages gig that will be held at Maitland PCYC on Friday July 6^th between 5 and 10pm.

The event will be Drug and Alcohol Free with no pass outs. Professional security will be present throughout the evening.

The Crusade is being organised by the Maitland Youth Music Crew, a small, committed volunteer group of people who are putting their hand up in order to harness the potential for a music scene in the Maitland area. They are comitted to providing an opportunity for local bands to play original music, experience live crowds and gain valuable performing experience.

Bands performing at The Crusade include:

• Riviera (Qld)
• Amity Affliction (Qld)
• Coma Lies (Newcastle)
• Safe hands (Central Coast)
• Held By Heartstrings (Newcastle/Maitland)
• Burn Sienna (Newcastle/Maitland)
• Indecision (Mailtland)

Tickets are $10 and can be obtained from Youth Enterprises (the Youth Centre) and the Maitland PCYC, James Street, Mailtland.

Live @ the Lunchbox is an Acoustic show with Artists playing Original and/or Covers backing themselves with Guitars, Keys, Harps, Slide Guitar and other various instruments. Bands also play ‘unplugged’ versions of their music.

The event is held every Thursday, 11:45am at Tighes Hill Tafe. Put on by the Music Buisness Certificate 3 Class, it showcases the talented musicians we have attending our artistic and creative campus. Although Live @ the Lunchbox was only founded at the begining of March 2007, it has grown emensly popular with Students, Teachers and Staff alike.

All production and technical aspects that go with putting on a show are organised and run by the Music Technology students.

• 24^th May 2007 - Benjalu, Dave Rudder
• 1^st May 2007 - Memorial Drive, One Man Down
• 7^th Jun 2007 - Jez, Jamie Towers, Eve Gibson, Jason Lowe, Dave Fenwick
• 14^th Jun 2007 - Michael West
• 21^th Jun 2007 - Aaron Moxey, Jason Lowe

For more information and visit myspace.com/livethelunchbox or email live_at_the_lunchbox@hotmail.com.

The Secret Empire is a group that organises regular All Ages events around the Hunter Region and the Central Coast. The first Secret Empire show was held at the Lockdown Theatre in Hamilton in early 2006. The Empire has has recently expanded to include gigs on the Central Coast and at Port Stephens in what has become a weekly event.

Nathan Rancloud, the driving force behind Secret Empire, was interviewed on TIN Radio on the 28^th of March by The Garage. “Newcastle’s got fantastic bands” Nathan explains in the interview, “it’s a shame that most of them will ever be known outside of [this region]”. Many local bands have been given an opportunity to perform at Secret Empire, with over 150 different bands having performed at the shows so far.

Secret Empire was held at the Cambridge Hotel for the first time on 31st of March 2007. “We’re playing scout halls most of the time so it’s a real step up” Nathan points out, “Ever since the beginning the local guys have really backed us up, it’s meant that The Empire has been able to keep going”.

Check out this video of the action at one of the Secret Empire gigs which was uploaded to YouTube by Nathan earlier this year. The background music on the video is provided by local band Room 24.

A recording of the complete interview is available at tin.org.au/podcasts/TheGarage.

Below is a list of some of the Secret Empire gigs that are organised for the coming months:

Date: Saturday 5^th May 2007 5:00 pm - 10:00 pm
Venue: Maitland Ex Services Bowling Club Hunter St Maitland
Bands: Big City Exile, Rubix Cuba, A Crimson Flame, Tharsis Plain, Abstract Reality, Ophelia Theory, Blind Monkey Voodoo, Black Entity

Date: Saturday 12^th May 2007 5:00 pm - 10:00 pm
Venue: Gallipoli Legions Club- Hamilton Beaumont St Hamilton
Bands: Vicious Effect, Rubix Cuba, Big City Exile, Falling For Beloved, 4th Priority, Little Miss Oblivious, Picket Fence, Sleepwalker, One Step Behind, Drop Dead, The Ultimate Jesse Experience

Date: Saturday 26^th May 2007 5:00 pm - 10:00 pm
Venue: Nelson Bay PCYC
Bands: Big City Exile, Rubix Cuba, What Drives The Weak, 2316 Crew, One Man Down, Exchanging Hope For Hearts, Wolves, Flex T Rex

Date: Saturday 9^th Jun 2007 6:00 pm - 10:00 pm
Venue: Wesley Hall 150 Beaumont St Hamilton
Bands: Town Hall Steps, Heartbreak Club, Misanthropist, Vicious Effect, 4th Priority, It Ends Here, Effects Of Betrayal, The Rapids, Maniken, White Solitude, Village Green

Date: Saturday 16^th Jun 2007 5:00 pm - 10:00 pm
Venue: Gosford Youth Arts Warehouse, Gosford
Bands: Town Hall Steps, Rubix Cuba, Opacity, Short Stories, Red Pandora, The Pitiful Lie, Domino Effect, Church For Atheist, Dying Days

Date: Saturday 23^rd Jun 2007 5:00 pm - 10:00 pm
Venue: The Swansea Centre, 228 Pacific Hwy, Swansea
Bands: Town Hall Steps, Ponderonit, Cataclysmic Fate, None so Far, Paperglass Window, Disguise The Fallen, Shaded Glass, Bad Influence, Falcon One, After Dusk, Eleven

Date: Saturday 30^th Jun 2007 5:00 am - 10:00 am
Venue: Maitland Ex Services Bowling Club, Hunter St, Maitland
Bands: Heartbreak Club, Indisperse, Just …, Vetna, The Perpetrators, The Ophelia Theory, Frantic

Lineups for each event can change. Check myspace.com/secretempire or the brand new Secret Empire website at www.secretempire.com.au for the latest information about the Secret Empire events.

Rock for Refuge is a gig that will be held at the Lucky Country Hotel on the 21st of July.

All proceeds from the gig will be put towards the resettlement and education of refugees in the Newcastle area.

Line-up for the gig is Wiseheimer, The Hyenas, Trohpywives and Fatal Justice.

• Where: Lucky Country Hotel
• When: 21^st July 2007
• Time: 9PM
• Tickets: $8 at the door

Find out more at myspace.com/rock_for_refuge

The Lock and Load Festival is an all ages event that is all about giving local Newcastle bands a chance to play shows and be heard by the right people.

The next Lock and Load was to be held at the Kavon Theatre on the 6^th of May 2007. Unfortunately the event has had to be cancelled as the organisers explained on their MySpace blog. Apparently the venue would not allow the event to begin until 4PM and wanted a $5 cut from each ticket sold which did not suit the organisers.

Bands slated to perform at the cancelled event included Falling for Beloved, My Afterthought, Vicious Effect, Rest in April, Killing Wanda and As Silence Breaks.

Mosh Magazine has published a review of the first Lock and Load festival which was held on the 20^th of January 2007. Copies of the latest Mosh Magazine will be available for purchase at Lock and Load for $5.

The Lock and Load organisers are now seeking to obtain public liability insurance which will greatly broaden their choice of venue for upcoming gigs.

Find out more at myspace.com/lockandload_festival