Pour les fans de Rock, Pop, et Indé et Alternatif.
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Formed in 1979 as an acoustic duo by Colin Hay (vocals) and Ron Strykert (guitar) in their hometown of Melbourne, the band soon expanded as the welcomed Jerry Speiser (drums), Greg Ham (flute) and John Rees (bass) helping to realise their full potential with influence stemming from pivotal bands such as The Police.
After spending the early beginnings of their career on the Australian pub circuit, the band quickly gained popularity locally and in 1981 Men at Work struck commercial gold. The release of their debut album “Business as Usual” (1981) through Columbia Records saw Men at Work make a clean sweep as they stormed album charts in Australia, New Zealand, Norway, UK and US with the number one spot. Going seven times platinum, the album featured the tracks “Who Can It Be Now”, “Down Under” and “Be Good Johnny”.
The band went down a treat across the pond in both the US and Canada with an overwhelming amount of support from local radio stations coinciding with their extensive US tour. In 1983 Men At Work released their second album “Cargo” which zipped to the top of the Australian album charts at number one producing the singles “Dr. Heckyll and Mr. Jive”, “Overkill” and “It’s a Mistake”. Later that year the band received a Grammy award for Best New Band and the following year were inducted into the ARIA Hall of Fame.
While in the midst of recording their third album “Two Hearts” (1985) tensions ran high in the band as management decided that Rees and Speiser were not needed on the recording and instead were replaced by session musicians. With the album only peaking at number 16, their success was soon short-lived as they hit a dry spell combined with declining popularity and record sales it forced the band to break up in 1986. During the split, Hay embarked on a solo career playing alongside Ringo Starr & His All Star Band meanwhile Ham played Sax in The Nudist Funk Orchestra.
The band reformed in 1996 with Ham and Hay performing all their greatest hits as they embarked on an extensive South American tour which culminated in the release of the live album “Brazil ‘96” (1997). Although the band only released three studio albums, they achieved incredible levels of recognition worldwide with the highest of accolades bestowed upon them.
Taking their name from a rock band in a Monty Python sketch, the band formed out of San Marcos High School when their singer and songwriter Glen Phillips was only 16 years old. After making their live debut at a school-sponsored open mic talent contest, the band spent the next three years honing their live act and song-writing skills. In 1989 they were ready, and formed their own label to release their debut album “Bread & Circus”. Despite the fact that the record was almost entirely self-released, their second single “One Little Girl” managed to make the Billboard Modern Rock Tracks chart. This early success meant that while they were recording “Pale”, their second album, the band signed a major label deal with Columbia Records.
After its release in 1990, “Pale” wasn't a chart success but the record's singles found a strong foothold in college radio, meaning that Columbia retained the band for the release of their third album. This proved to be an incredibly good choice as their third album, 1991's “fear”, was an enormous hit. After its second single “All I Want” was a surprise hit, reaching number 15 on the Billboard Hot 100, the album was certified Gold just over a year after its release and would go on to be certified Platinum by September 1994. They replicated this level of success with the album's follow up “Dulcinea”, which was another Platinum certified hit. However, all was not well within the band, and the band broke up in 1998, citing creative differences as the reasoning behind their demise.
However, the band still worked together occasionally, either by playing short live sets together or reuniting to work on retrospective releases put together by their label. However, in 2002 they came back together for a charity show and to open for Counting Crows, which lead to a more extensive tour in 2003, but despite the hugely positive reception from both fans and critics, the band still decided to stay broken up for the time being. Their full time reunion came in 2009, and the band have since released a crowd-funded new album called “New Constellations”, and remain an unmissable live act. As one of the greatest acts of the 1990's, Toad The Wet Sprocket come highly recommended.
Men at Work provide an explosive concert experience. Greg explodes with almost no warning into a frenzied flurry of fingers and flute before Simon explodes into song and the clapping around me takes on a rhythm that almost blocks out the rest of the band. Not to be outdone by their own audience the band picks up the tempo and the room fills with sweet down-under accents I remember so well from my childhood.
Hilarious dancing and jumping breaks out on the stage while Greg skillfully handles his solos and sets a staccato beat for the clapping rhythm. While the ethereal vocals and skillful playing of the other members is interesting Greg Ham is the real focus for me. He switches seamlessly from flute to saxophone and again sets both the rhythm for the audience and the tempo for the band. His solos show an intense concentration while the other members dance around and enjoy themselves.
Eschewing a fancy setup the bands equipment is easily visible making the instrument changes for Greg easier and forcing the focus to remain on the band and nothing else. There are a few lights high above the band shedding small swaths of coloured light onto the band. The vocal harmonization in an otherwise staccato song leaves me in awe of the bands talent.
Glenn, Todd, Dean and Randy were awesome as usual! Great fan interaction, great energy and they sounded fantastic. HOB N.O. is a quaint venue and it was fun being right up next to the stage. Got to take a pic with each one of the guys after the show. Would love some more tunes from Pale and Bread & Circus, but all in all a great time. Thanks Toad!
Who doesn't love bizarre punk pop? No one, that's who. So go see Japanese pop trio Shonen Knife as soon as you possibly can for a night of laughs, power pop and some talented musicians. Inspired by the 60's pop acts such as The Beach Boys, and taking inspiration from a favourite act of theirs The Ramones, the girls sculpted a unique alt rock/pop sound which earned them a cult following worldwide in the 80's.
Devoted fans described them as an alternative to Sonic Youth & Nirvana during the 90's. A lofty claim perhaps, but you can see where their logic lay in that the band are just so likeable and warm with their audiences and they back up this infectious personality with equally infectious pop. It's been a true adventure for the trio and they have visited places that they may not have had the opportunity to otherwise, they once stated that they felt they had made "the international pop underground more international" by "opening it up to bands from Japan". The ascetics that they've built over their long career continue to delight fans during their shows and their kooky songs such as 'Twist Barbie' and 'Badaka' keep audiences bopping along before they drop in Ramones covers that have become so original to the girls, you would pass them off as their own. A lovely trio of musicians who love what they do, go see them soon.
The Glen Phillips show was amazing as always. Thanks to KC Turner for promoting this awesome weekend! Watching him perform in a beer garden was truly special. His performances of "Better Off Here" and "Shorn" will be he most memorable. If you ever have a chance to see his show I highly recommend it.