As we fall into sequence

This years Big Day Out really lived up to its name. I took the train and arrived at the venue around 10 o'clock, I had to make sure I was there early because one of my favourite bands were playing in the opening slot. Street Chant took the stage at 10:30AM which is exactly when I got through the gates and ran to the barrier, so I could rock out to my favourite NZ band. They played a great set and I even made 3 news that night as one of the crazys who was rocking out first thing in the morning. I stayed at the Green/Converse stage for a while after that but I was only interested in every second band. That didn't bother me too much though because it meant I got to stay against the barrier on the Converse stage and just wait for the bands to come to me (while I tried to pretend I couldn't hear the awful bands playing on the Green stage. Next band to play was Die! Die! Die! and they had a really extreme set with a lot of crazy fan participation. Later, the Greenhornes played and I'm not a huge fan of theirs but I am a giant Dead Weather fan, so there is no way I could pass up seeing little Jack. During that time, I missed seeing Drab Doo-Riffs on the Lilyworld stage, but I will see them plently more around Auckland in the future, so it is okay. I made my first trip to the main stages after that, Airbourne were playing their hearts out and Joel O'Keeffe climbed the stage structure to thrash his guitar high above the ground. I headed over to the Boiler Room next to see CSS, they played a really fun and energetic show. For the rest of the afternoon, I was running between stages seeing the likes of Lupe Fiasco and Wolfmother, until it was time to go see one of the main events (in my opinion), Crystal Castles. The only problem was that Alice was in a leg cast, so their performance wasn't the best it could've been. They still played some of my favourite songs but they cut their set short in the end, I am just hoping that they will come back to NZ one day so I can see a proper show filled with Alice insanity. Shihad were playing their General Electric album on the main stage and they are always a classic NZ BDO band. I started moving away before Shihad were finished though because I wanted to get a really good spot for the next band, Iggy and the Stooges. Despite only playing at 7PM, Iggy was the highlight of the night. His set was an example that the raw power of rock and roll never dies. It started to rain during his set and I got completely soaked but I didn't care at the time. I ran over to the Green Stage in an attempt to keep warm, I got there just in time to catch the end of local band, The Naked & Famous. Sia played right after and it was such an awesome show. She was dressed in this big box with stripes painted in it and then her body was painting in the same stripes, so she looked like a chameleon trying to blend in with her background. Her performance was very sweet and adorable, especially considering it was happening while Rammstein were playing on the main stage. It was now very dark and I was extremely wet and cold, but there was still one band to see. I headed over to the main stage to witness Tool, but I was thoroughly underwhelmed. Not much happened and they didn't even play my favourite song, Parabola. At this point, I was freezing cold so I started to make my way out of the venue and towards the trains, where I could find some warmth and dry clothes when I got home. I don't have any photos from the later bands, but here are some of the best of the earlier bands:

Big Day Out 2011. 21/01/2011. Mt Smart Stadium, Auckland, New Zealand

Street Chant

Die! Die! Die!

The Greenhornes

Airbourne

Wolfmother

Shihad

New Zealand Music Month 2011

This is a dedication to all the great New Zealand bands out there today in honour of New Zealand music month 2011. Even though the comedy gala has overshadowed kiwi music in the month of may in NZ, I still think NZMM should be properly appreciated, so here are 4 amazing bands that everyone in the world should know about...




STREET CHANT

These guys are a heavy pop trio from Auckland, New Zealand formed in 2007 that sound like bubble gum with the liquid centre, and getting punched in the face. The band consists of Emily Littler (vocals/guitar), Billie Rogers (bass/vocals) and Alex Brown (drums). Their debut album Means is the best record to come out of NZ in 2010 and they have played some amazing shows including Big Day Out '11 and the We Means Kudos tour with Surf City and The Transistors. I was first introduced to their music when they opened for The Dead Weather in March 2010 and have been addicted ever since. Their live show is a unique and energetic experience with elements of the grunge/punk 'fuck shit up' attitude, they are truly the best band around these days.

Best Songs: Scream Walk, Less Chat More Sewing, Blister, Yr Philosophy.

POPSTRANGERS

This band is the trigger that started my obsession with New Zealand music. An Auckland trio consisting of Joel Flyger (Vocals, Guitar), Adam Page (Bass) and Elliot Rawson (Drums), they exploded onto the scene in 2009 with their unique combination of grunge, punk and noise. Their debut self-titled EP was flawless with every track just as brilliant as the next. I first saw them when they opened for Peaches at the Transmission Room and then a day later at Big Day Out '10, with one of their most notable shows being opening for MGMT in 2011. After the success of their first EP, they began work on their next record with new drummer, Jimmy Mac and in 2010 they released Happy Accidents which was another fucking brilliant EP. These guys would be the second best band around these days.

Best songs: 1000, Take It To The Grave, Happy Accidents, Arrest Your Body

THE DRAB DOO-RIFFS

An Auckland-based bluesy, surf punk five piece fronted by Karl Steven (Lead Vocals/Harmonica and former member of Supergroove). They are a band that is just focused on being themselves and having fun, with other members including Caoimhe Macfehin (co-lead vocals and percussion), Marcus Joyce (Bass), Mikey Sperring (Drums) and Lucy Stewart (guitars). The true essence of this band can be found at their live shows where their spastic and crazy energy is on display. They are committed to making lots of music, choosing to release their music on EPs because they are small and fast and playing as many live gigs as possible, including opening for The Cult in 2010 and MGMT in 2011. The DD-R's are a band that wants to be Spock and releases music as fast as a mongoose – what more could you ask for?

Best Songs: Hot Tanya, Ill Equipped, Broke It Up, Gold Coin

LEECHES

An Auckland-based hardcore punk band featuring members from many other NZ bands including The Bleeders. Forming in 2010, they have been playing shows and gaining momentum with the release of their self-titled EP in 2011. The band is made up of Angelo Munro (Vocals), Sam Crocker (Bass/Vocals), Ian King (Guitar/Vocals), Dan Brenndorfer (Guitar/Vocals) and Rob O-Conner (Drums). As all the members have come from other successful NZ bands, there was no hesitation when they erupted on the scene and they found their rhythm very quickly. Some of their more notable shows included opening for Cancer Bats at The Kings Arms and playing No Sleep Til Auckland in 2010 along with 10 other legendary bands.

Best Songs: Damnation, Never Forget, Already Dead

Check Out New Zealand Music Month 2011 - Part II

It's raining leprosy and acid.

On the 23rd of February, I saw Amanda Palmer (The Dresden Dolls) at the Kings Arms Tavern. The KA's is one of my favourite places, it is just perfect for hosting the smaller, slightly less popular bands. It is quite an intimate venue so you always get a chance to have a drink and talk to the musicians. Ive seen quite a few shows there before, including The Black Dahlia Murder, Unearth, Cancer Bats, Cairo Knife Fight, Street Chant, Cobra Khan and The Dauntless. But on that night, I was blown away by AP's opening musician who was a man named Jason Webley, a Seattle-born singer-songwriter known for playing a mix of gypsy, folk, and punk. He is the most badass piano-accordionist I have ever seen and his performance was violently beautiful. Needless to say, I highly recommend you check this guy out. That's him down there, he loves sweaty hugs right after a show.

My favourite song of Jason's is a post-apocalyptic tale of remorse and destruction called 'Dance while the sky crashes down', it is fucking amazing. But it really got me thinking...and now it has become my life's purpose to dance while something epic is happening in the background. It is a repeating theme that occurs in the music I listen to and I've decided I can no longer ignore this message, surely it is a sign that this will be my destiny. So just as Jason Webley dances as the sky crashes down, Lamb Of God dance as the palaces burn and The Black Dahlia Murder dance by night and drink the blood of a child's broken neck, I too, will one day achieve this epic feat

It is my calling.