Hard News by Russell Brown

I saw One More Time With Feeling in Wellington last night. You could have heard a pin drop as people left the theatre. Powerful and moving stuff.

Space Academy is hosting tonight what looks like a German duo, Kraus and Motte. The former has at least included ‘pounding Neanderthal rock’ in his repertoire! I hadn’t heard of him until this week even though he’s been around 10-15 years.

And of course, Motte is aka Anita Clark. She’s performed in recent times with John Chrisstoffels (Dark Matter, Terminals) and Indy,from Doprah. Could be the low-key highlight of the year.

Yes, very sad news about Stephen. Rosalind is my niece.

Aggrieved that I forgot that the Nick Cave film was on in Auckland last night, when I was in town for the AUT book launch of Reimagining Journalism. Just hope it plays again, somewhere.

when I was in town for the AUT book launch of Reimagining Journalism.

Which I, er, forgot ...

Oooh, this looks good, something for the diaries in October, a string of nine shows by Bill Direen and the (various) Bilders. There are also associated 'BD reads' and 'unplugged' shows.This ain't no ordinary one line-up does all tour - check the extensive personnel list, tailored for each venue. Gosh, we might even see the rarely seen Allen Meek from the early EPs make a re-appearance. Stephen Cogle will join the Chch line-up.

Oh, why not, here's the Alligator Song

Ah yes, saw that. I'll write it up next week.

And how cool would it be to see Allen Meek back in the band!?

Allen Meek, and correct me if I'm wrong, is a lecturer in Media Studies at Massey. Have been re-enjoying giving the Victor Dimisich Band a few spins (the Siltbreeze release with extra cassette recordings) and listening to his fine guitar work, e.g., on Native Waiter

Christchurch’s Roy Montgomery is back with his first release in a decade – a four-LP box set

Many here and everywhere are anticipating this. I believe there is a fuller Wire interview in the wings. Roy has no plans to tour the release, however, he did do a recent 'gig' at the Darkroom, a show-and-tell session on how he put Headquarters together.

Saw the movie on Thursday, too. He's really put himself through the mincer (especially in his twenties, early thirties) has Nick Cave and always managed to endure, but dear oh dear, he really looked - understandably - wrung-out by things in it.

Both it and the new album are very compelling but sombre, needless to say.

send in the aggregator…
found this diverse playlist by Joy Division/New Order’s Stephen Morris at http://britishideascorporation.co.uk/champion-sound-stephen-morris-of-new-order/#more-247

there’s also an exhibition of Smiths posters on at Space Academy in Chchch until Sept 29 – if you want a Mancunian Miserablism fix…
https://ssl-www.stuff.co.nz/entertainment/music/84066003/Christchurch-artist-switches-attention-from-superheroes-to-The-Smiths

and
https://www.facebook.com/events/1727446437504493/

The Roulettes' new single has been compared, I gather, to Brough-era Straitjacket Fits – and yeah, it's got the slow burn and the sweet vocal alright.

And the geetar sound. Or is that JPSE? Nice, anyway.