Parklife line-up additions

Hearted this arvo

With an already nicely-rounded bill including the likes of Dizzee Rascal, Goldfrapp and Peaches, the Parklife festival has enlisted some new names.

The Fashion: finally in vogue

Hearted on Tuesday

As is usually the case with 'new' bands, The Fashion is ambivalent about 'The Next Big Thing' label and more interested in making music and touring.

Youth Group

Hearted a few weeks ago

Having topped the charts with their last album 'Casino Twilight Dogs', Sydney four-piece Youth Group set new challenges for its follow-up.

Weezer

Hearted a few weeks ago

On Weezer’s latest self-titled album there’s a sense of democracy in action. FL hears from bass player Scott Shriner how they got to that point.

The Wombats go down to Ramsay Street

Hearted a few weeks ago

Guitar pop upstarts The Wombats will perform in a forthcoming episode of 'Neighbours', to be filmed when they arrive on our shores for Splendour.

The E.L.F @ Click Click, Melbourne (23/02/2008)

Hearted a few weeks ago

Darren Cross does dance, in an op-shop kind of way: Presenting The E.L.F.

The Angels: face to face, side by side

Hearted a few weeks ago

On the eve on their re-ignition, John Brewster talks to FL about The Angels, the troubles and the reason they're back together.

Winehouse very ill indeed

Hearted a few weeks ago

Four days out from her scheduled performance at Glastonbury, Amy Winehouse is apparently suffering early stage emphysema. So says Dad...

Fan feels Josh Homme’s fury

Hearted a few weeks ago

At a recent festival, Josh Homme of Queens Of The Stone Age gave a bottle-throwing fan a piece of his own medicine. Get the video evidence into ya!

Josh Homme ain't no homophobe

Hearted a few weeks ago

Following his verbal lashing of a shoe-throwing festival-goer a fortnight ago (in which the word “faggot” got a good airing), Queens of the Stone Age frontman Josh Homme has denied he’s a homophobe.

Coldplay - Viva La Vida or Death And All His Friends

Hearted a few weeks ago

This new album probably won't convert any of the Coldplay haters, but fans, or even those with an open mind, will surely rate this as one of the best albums of the year.

Kill Teen Angst

Hearted a few weeks ago

From one of Australia's most isolated places. Perth indie band Kill Teen Angst's Greg Sanders talks about the history of KTA, and their big excitement of 2008: touring nationally this July.

Flamingo Crash

Hearted last month on the 18th

With a new album, tour, line-up and base of operations, art-punks Flamingo Crash chat to FL about the exciting changes taking place within the band.

Whitley, Pete Akhurst, Ash Maddox @ ANU Bar, Canberra (10/06/08)

Hearted last month on the 18th

Whitley made his way to Canberra, playing an intimate solo show to make up for not making his show last May. A night of gags and acoustic glamour definitely made up for it.

Weezer to jam with fans onstage

Hearted last month on the 15th

For their upcoming tour of America, quirk merchants Weezer are inviting “a bunch of fans” to “bring their instruments” along for a mass jam session.

In Fiction plot national tour

Hearted last month on the 14th

To celebrate the release of ‘Liar Liar’, In Fiction will head out on their first national headline tour – taking in East Coast capitals and regional centres.

Ben Lee interviews The Grates

Hearted last month on the 14th

Both making the pilgrimage north for Splendour In The Grass 2008, good friends Ben Lee and Patience of The Grates got chatty for FasterLouder.

The Bravery - The Sun And The Moon Complete

Hearted last month on the 14th

New York City's self-confessed 'new wavers' return with 'The Sun And The Moon Complete'; a bizarre two-disc effort comprising of the same songs on each, re-recorded in a different style. Not necessarily for completists only.

Powderfinger, Whitley @ The Tivoli, Brisbane (09/06/08)

Hearted last month on the 13th

A definitive Powderfinger experience - one that has stapled the Brisbane boys firmly to the hearts of all involved on this Queen's Birthday night.

Powderfinger, Whitley @ Lake Kawana Community Centre, Sunshine Coast (06/06/08)

Hearted last month on the 13th

Powderfinger get their Upstairs At The Downstairs tour started with a bang.

The Annandale’s birthday bonanza

Hearted last month on the 13th

Beloved Sydney venue The Annandale Hotel is turning eight, which means we get a week’s worth of kick-arse live music in late June.

The Great Escape first Line-up revealed

Hearted last month on the 12th

The Great Escape is back this year - same location, different date and one helluva line-up to boot.

Whitley is no man's woman

Hearted last month on the 11th

It would seem a new super group drops into the picture every other week - in fact we're a little tired of hearing about them - that's why Dew Process' latest concept album No Man's Woman has us intrigued.

I Killed The Prom Queen 'Say Goodbye' tour @ UCU Refectory, Canberra (27/05/08)

Hearted last month on the 10th

After seven years of success and hard work, tonight's sweat-soaked show was truly a fitting end to I Killed The Prom Queen.

The Mars Volta: raising Bedlam

Hearted last month on the 3rd

The Mars Volta is synonymous with unpredictable live shows and mind-bending lyrics. FL hears how the band thrives on tumult.

Warehouse Winter Music Festival @ AIS Arena (31/05/2008)

Hearted last month on the 1st

First impressions upon entering the AIS Arena for Saturday’s Warehouse Winter Music Festival - wow! The Friction/Lexington Music boys know how to throw a party! Following on from the success of Foreshore last December the boys decided to step it up.

Whitley @ Jive, Adelaide (23/05/08)

Hearted last month on the 1st

A young, intimate, mainly female crowd, welcomed *Whitley* back to Adelaide.

The Panics @ The Metro Theatre, Sydney (09/05/08)

Hearted on the 27th May, 2008

The Metro Theatre is no stranger to sold-out shows and punters wrestling for the best view of the stage. For humble Perth lads The Panics, though, this was a very special night - a milestone to be etched into their minds for years to come.

Plastic Palace Alice, Greasers, Oh Mercy @ East Brunswick Club, Melbourne (23/05/2008)

Hearted on the 27th May, 2008

Plastic Palace Alice launched their debut album The Great Depression at the East Brunswick Club on Friday night...

This week in Canberra 26/05/2007

Hearted on the 25th May, 2008

I've been in this town for many years, but I've never seen a week so jammed pack full of events as this week is.

Faker, Grafton Primary, Violent Soho @ The Zoo, Brisbane (16/05/08)

Hearted on the 23rd May, 2008

Faker smashed their fans with a performance that will leave none with any doubt of where these Aussies belong; right on top.

Death Cab For Cutie

Hearted on the 22nd May, 2008

Death Cab For Cutie could end 2008 as one of the biggest rock bands in the world. FL finds out if they're ready.

Crystal Castles - Crystal Castles

Hearted on the 18th May, 2008

Swathed with vintage 8-bit and modern synths, the warped sounds of Crystal Castles' self-titled album debut brings a run-around dance album that objectifies modern music to their own taste.

The Kooks trade blows with Arctic Monkeys

Hearted on the 17th May, 2008

Don’t we just love an inter-band dust-up! The Kooks frontman is now boasting of giving the Arctic Monkey's Alex Turner a boot to the face.

Cloud Control

Hearted on the 17th May, 2008

New tour, new album, new fans every day. Blue Mountains' Cloud Control bassist speaks to FasterLouder.

Gabriella Cilmi

Hearted on the 15th May, 2008

I always knew Gabriella Cilmi was a liar. When she sings, “Nothing’s sweet about me,” on chart-topper Sweet About Me, the opposite couldn’t be truer.

Electric Mary

Hearted on the 15th May, 2008

“Manic riffs, pop sensibilities…it’s powerful,” explains vocalist Rusty Brown of his band Electric Mary.

Anton Newcombe opens up

Hearted on the 14th May, 2008

There are few musical figures with as fearsome a reputation as Anton Newcombe of The Brian Jonestown Massacre. FasterLouder sent one of our best to pick his mind. The full interview will be up soon, but here are some soundbites from the exchange.

Augie March-ing back into studio

Hearted on the 14th May, 2008

Having just finished touring the nation as part of The Big Day Out and playing shows in North America, Augie March has announced they will be starting work on a new album.

This week in Canberra 12/05/2007

Hearted on the 13th May, 2008

Wondering what to check out in Canberra this week? Click here to get the low down on the top tickets in town.

Yves Klein Blue plus John Steel Singers equals BLUE STEEL!

Hearted on the 13th May, 2008

Brisbane's Yves Klein Blue join forces with the John Steel Singers for the Blue Steel tour.

Liam Finn’s homecoming

Hearted on the 12th May, 2008

Having recently wowed America and the UK, Kiwi talent Liam Finn is returning to familiar shores for a short run of intimate shows in June. After two dates in New Zealand, he’ll cross the Tasman to play Sydney and Melbourne with good friends The Gin Club.

Eskimo Joe, Little Birdy, Sugar Army @ Metro City, Perth (24/5/2007)

Hearted on the 12th May, 2008

It must have been a very special Thursday night to see the queue to Metro City larger than any given Ruby Room night. Not often are music lovers treated to a double headlining show with Eskimo Joe and Little Birdy – two of the biggest acts to emerge from Perth in recent times.

Yorke chides 'Radiohead: The Best Of'

Hearted on the 12th May, 2008

In the lead-up to the June release of Radiohead: The Best Of by the band’s former label EMI, vocalist Thom Yorke has voiced his inevitable disappointment. "We haven't really had any hits,” he told The Word, “so what exactly is the purpose?"

Splendour's carbon offset option

Hearted on the 12th May, 2008

Following the successful launch of their ‘green ticket’ option last year, Splendour In The Grass will once again offer punters the chance to off-set their carbon footprint for the 2008 festival.

On the road with the Panics

Hearted on the 11th May, 2008

While it's early days on the Panics national tour, frontman Jae Laffer checks in with FasterLouder to share some of the recent thrills and spills.

Neon Neon [Audio]: Kitsch beyond belief

Hearted on the 9th May, 2008

A concept album about flying cars with two admired musical identities who each stand atop the apex of their respective scenes... It’s kitsch beyond belief, but Neon Neon have the musical chops to back it up with substance as well as style.

The Matches

Hearted on the 9th May, 2008

FasterLouder catches up with Soundwave Festival standouts The Matches to get the word on their new album, A Band In Hope.

Beck to pop album out early

Hearted on the 9th May, 2008

In keeping with the recent trend of shotgun releases, our favourite oddball Beck is unveiling his album in "four to six weeks", having only recently completed it.

Weezer - Pinkerton

Hearted on the 8th May, 2008

Weezer's classic college confessional under the spotlight.

Whitley

Hearted on the 8th May, 2008

Folktronica charmer Whitley talks to FasterLouder about his upcoming shows, touring the States and meeting his songwriting idol, Mason Jennings.

This week in Canberra 05/05/2007

Hearted on the 7th May, 2008

A quick guide to the musical goings on this week in Canberra.

The Saboteurs: working as one

Hearted on the 7th May, 2008

The Saboteurs, or the Raconteurs everywhere else in the world, might be a side-project for Whites Stripes mainman Jack White and his good bud Brendan Benson, but they’re quickly becoming something far more than that.

Josh Pyke, Ashleigh Mannix @ UCU 13/3/08

Hearted on the 6th May, 2008

Bonde Do Role in Canberra

Hearted on the 6th May, 2008

You may have heard a member of Bonde Do Role on Triple J this morning taliking about their up coming Australian tour. What you may not have realised is that the whole eight piece are hitting Canberra as part of the Warehouse Winter Music Festival.

Midnight Juggernauts continue quest for world domination

Hearted on the 6th May, 2008

Continuing on their never-ending quest for domination of the worldwide indie scene, Melbourne boys the Midnight Juggernauts have announced a summer of massive European festival appearances!

The Dandy Warhols back in orbit

Hearted on the 6th May, 2008

Things have been a little quiet in the Dandy Warhols camp of late, but the psych-rockers are set to return this July with a new album, Earth To The Dandy Warhols.

Dukes Of Windsor declare war

Hearted on the 4th May, 2008

Melbourne quintet the Dukes of Windsor has recently returned from Sweden with a newly-completed album, Minus, in hand and you’ll be able to hear it live this June.

The Galvatrons: the synth-ony of the future

Hearted on the 2nd May, 2008

The Galvatrons – a four-piece synth-rock band from Melbourne who claim to robots from outer space – are the latest cats batting at the hype mouse, hoping they don’t get batted back.

Gyroscope

Hearted on the 2nd May, 2008

FasterLouder spoke to endlessly enthusiastic Gyroscope drummer Rob Nassif about their "most adventurous album yet" and the insatiable thrill of playing live.

Sparkadia, Cuthbert and the Nightwalkers @ Hopetoun Hotel (23/04/08)

Hearted on the 2nd May, 2008

A night of whimsy as Sparkadia and friends take us on an morosely joyous journey.

This week in Canberra 28/04/2007

Hearted on the 2nd May, 2008

What's on this week in Canberra? Click below to find out the hottest tickets in town.

Faker

Hearted on the 1st May, 2008

After 12 years of EPs, local shows and line-up changes, Faker’s steady rise has started to speed up. Bass player Nic Munnings tells FasterLouder what we can look forward to from their tour in May.

The Gin Club, The Gentlemen of Fortune & Dan Mangan @ The Greenroom (11/04/08)

Hearted on the 1st May, 2008

Folk and country was the order for Friday night at the Greenroom. The Gin Club, The Gentlemen of Fortune and Dan Mangan all gave something very different to the audience, making an interesting night of music out at Phillip.

FL’s Big Brother man-on-the-inside

Hearted on the 30th Apr, 2008

On Christmas Eve 2007, FasterLouder contributor dream_vs_scream announced to the forum massive that he would be auditioning for Big Brother. His audition video was a hit, and now dream_vs_scream - aka Ben - is kicking it in the BB house.

Portishead - Third

Hearted on the 28th Apr, 2008

After a decade hiatus, English trip-hop trio Portishead returns with Third. Over eleven intricately-crafted tracks, the album re-confirms why they're masters of their genre.

Casual Projects, The Andi & George Band @ ANU (18/04/08)

Hearted on the 27th Apr, 2008

Mixing Australian hip hop of Casual Projects with the unique fusion of roots and fun of the Andi & George Band the crowd at the ANU bar had a great night of rhythm, rhyme and dance that had the crowd going from the beginning of the night to the very end.

MGMT - Oracular Spectacular

Hearted on the 24th Apr, 2008

With their recent release Oracular Spectacular, MGMT have sprung up out of no where to bring a little electro-pop-psychedelic-funk-trip hop chaos into your headphones.

British India @ The Green Room, Canberra (18/04/08)

Hearted on the 22nd Apr, 2008

If there was ever a night to pull out your favourite black band t-shirt, best dancing jeans and comfy sneakers, it was Friday night’s British India gig. The audience certainly loved it, and the band seemed to as well.

We Are Scientists

Hearted on the 22nd Apr, 2008

We Are Scientists follow up their mainstream label debut With Love And Squalor with their latest effort Brain Thrust Mastery. Chris Cain gives an insight to making this album and loosely discusses the prospect of another Australian tour.

PJ Wolf, Sarah Humphreys @ Hippo Bar, Canberra, (17/04/2008)

Hearted on the 22nd Apr, 2008

While Scene kids passed by on roller skates below in Garema Place, the scene upstairs in Hippo Bar on Thursday night was a little more sophisticated. The twenty-thirty something crowd were out to enjoy the considerable talent of Canberra local, PJ

Henry Rollins

Hearted on the 20th Apr, 2008

Author, radio host, performer, publisher, television producer, occasional actor, constant traveler. Old school LA punk icon. Henry Rollins is no slouch when it comes to, well, anything really.

Cut Copy's ghostly national tour

Hearted on the 20th Apr, 2008

If you’d been wondering when we’d see our favourite indie-dance darlings Cut Copy back in Australia again, wonder no more; they’ll be heading home in June for their biggest headline tour to date!

Bliss n Eso, Funkoars, The Winnie Coopers, @ ANU Bar, Canberra, (16/04/2008)

Hearted on the 20th Apr, 2008

Wednesday night at ANU Bar saw the kickoff of the Unified 2008 National Tour, a 25 university stop hip-hop extravaganza, with Bliss n Eso, Funkoars, and The Winnie Coopers showing Canberra the excitement of contemporary Australian hip-hop.

2XX Fundraiser Youth Coalition @ Front Cafe and Gallery (12/04/08)

Hearted on the 17th Apr, 2008

Saturday night at the Front went off! Opening the 2XX Fundraiser, Andi and George Band pulled big numbers. George was his usual bare-footed smiley self and Andi displaying her usual motherly presence looking over her band members with a big warm smil

My night as back-up dancer for Pnau

Hearted on the 16th Apr, 2008

The email came through casually on the afternoon of the gig, with Pnau’s tour publicist asking if anyone from the office wanted to wear a suit at their Enmore Theatre show that night. It took me about 0.0007387 seconds to reply.

The Presets: bringing back the bliss

Hearted on the 16th Apr, 2008

With their new album Apocalypso poised to send them stratospheric, The Presets are ready to "take on the big guns". One half of the duo Kim Moyes tells FasterLouder why he's feeling good.

Operator Please, Little Red @ ANU Bar, Canberra (12/04/2008)

Hearted on the 15th Apr, 2008

Operator Please play their last gig of the latest Australian tour at Canberra's ANU Bar, with Little Red and Flamingo Crash.

2XX Fundraiser Youth Coalition @ Front Cafe and Gallery (12/04/08)

Hearted on the 15th Apr, 2008

Saturday night at the Front went off! Opening the 2XX Fundraiser, Andi and George Band pulled big numbers. George was his usual bare-footed smiley self and Andi displaying her usual motherly presence looking over her band members with a big warm smil

The Presets - Apocalypso

Hearted on the 12th Apr, 2008

Touring both Australia and the rest of the world, The Presets eventually began working on a new album. 'Apocalypso' is what they came up with, and much like the last few years have been a journey for the lads, this is also one hell of a ride.

Whitley tours with Josh Pyke

Hearted on the 3rd Apr, 2008

Hot on the heels of the first single I Remember from his debut album The Submarine, Melbourne artist Whitley has been announced as one of the support acts for Josh Pyke's Monkey With A Drum tour.

The Wombats

Hearted on the 1st Apr, 2008

English three-piece Wombats make cute, fun, and totally sugary pop music. They are nothing like the mammal from which they take their name – wombats are squat, ugly, and vicious little blighters.

Chicks on Speed: Industrious Antagonists

Hearted on the 27th Mar, 2008

For their latest Australian tour, Chicks on Speed conducted a workshop for for L'Oreal Melbourne Fashion Festival called 'Collaboration in Design: Fashion as Song'. They talk to FL about how they manage so much without ever compromising.

The Butterfly Effect, Mammal, Amphetame @ ANU, Canberra (22/03/2008)

Hearted on the 25th Mar, 2008

This Easter Saturday boasted an incendiary triple bill, headed by The Butterfly Effect. Right from the explosive opening set, it was clear that this gig was going to be a night to rip off your shirt, strap yourself in and feel the Gs...

Cut Copy talk of their Ghostly Colours

Hearted on the 24th Mar, 2008

Cut Copy took their time, but by the end of their promotional campaign for debut album, Bright Like Neon Love, they were firmly positioned as the `80s-flecked quasi-dance group it was cool to groove along to.