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Howzat! with Jeff Jenkins

HOWZAT!

 

MEET GRETCHEN LEWIS

 

You may remember him from such self-help videos as Smoke Yourself Thin and Get Confident, Stupid. The voice of The Simpsons’ Troy McClure was provided by Phil Hartman, who was sadly killed by his third wife in 1998. Phil’s first wife was Gretchen Lewis, which was also the name of a prostitute in the American comic book series Noble Causes. Melbourne singer Del Sinki came across the name when he was reading a book called The Hollywood Book Of Death. “I just thought the letters that went to making up her name, ‘Gretchen Lewis’, were strong and bold, like our music,” Del explains. Gretchen Lewis have launched their debut album, Issue One,. Gretchen made the album at Birdland with producers Lindsay Gravina and Rob Long. They sound like a throwback to the early 90s, which is no bad thing – think Faith No More, Primus and early Chili Peppers. Their new single, A Night In The Devil’s Bed, is a dark tale filled with drugs, dependence and death. “It’s one of 14 chapters in our comic book, which runs the duration of the album,” Del says. “One of the characters, Isabel, is taken to by some hired thugs, who want to be rid of her before the night is through.” The video features the band performing at a cemetery. Did they have to get permits, or did they do it guerilla-style? “The clip took about four weeks to make as it was done guerilla-style with myself and a friend, Johnny Flynn, shooting it with no permits. It was just, ‘Okay, go, go, go, now!’” You can check out the clip at myspace.com/Gretchenlewis.

 

First gig?

“A uni band comp in late 2002.”

 

Best gig?

“Probably a recent Saturday night at the Vineyard. We threw in a cover of Primus’ Those Damned Blue Collar Tweekers and the whole place was heaving.”

 

Worst gig?

“At the Tote about two years ago. About 12 people there and a tumbleweed blowing through.”

 

Ultimate gig?

“Supporting Faith No More at Festival Hall. Oh well : ).”

 

A comparison you’ve liked? And one that’s surprised you?

“We liked being likened to New Zealand band Supergroove. One that surprised us was being likened to Metallica.”

 

Your MySpace page lists only international influences (Chili Peppers, Mr Bungle, Faith No More, James Brown …). Any Aussie influences?

“I would have to say Regurgitator.”

 

Groupies: Yes/No?

“Actually, yes.”

 

 

GOODBYE AND GOOD LULUC

 

Melbourne duo Luluc are relocating to the US, which means that Steve “Harmony” Hassett is taking leave of absence from Wagons. Steve’s exquisite backing vocals will be a big loss, but he’s leaving on a high – Wagons have just done the Big Day Out, and The Rise And Fall Of Goodtown should be on the shortlist for this year’s Australian Music Prize. The complete shortlist of nine albums will be announced at the St Kilda Festival on Sunday. Meanwhile, Luluc do their farewell show this Thursday at the Christmas Street Warehouse, 188 Christmas Street, Fairfield.

 

 

PERRY GOOD

 

Speaking of Aussie albums, get your money on Perry KeyesJohnny Ray’s Downtown for the 2010 AMP shortlist. He’s crafted an Aussie classic. The album is out on March 6.

 

 

ONE HIT TO THE BODY

It’s disturbing to see the nationalisation of The Herald Sun’s features’ sections. Will this mean fewer Melbourne acts getting exposure in the paper’s Hit liftout? In her first editorial, Rebekah Devlin wrote: “Hit is about you – it’s for your free time, your fun.” Yet, she’s based in Sydney. Fortunately, Cameron Adams remains as music writer, and the new section keeps Mikey Cahill’s brilliant Rock City column.

 

 

LOVE WALKS IN

 

Her dad hung out with Bon Scott. Her mum, known as Mouse, is a textile artist who’s worked on movies such as Moulin Rouge, Mission Impossible and Muriel’s Wedding. And Loene Carmen was on the big screen when we first got to know her, playing Freya in the coming-of-age classic The Year My Voice Break. But Loene has carved a career as a musician. Her fourth album, It Walks Like Love, was released late last year (through Inertia), and it’s too great to fall between the cracks. Loene’s sound has been called sultry, smokin’, suggestive, seductive, sensual and smouldering. She’s also been described as “like a female Australian Bill Callahan … she sits in a magical, rarefied space, somewhere between Tom Waits and Dolly Parton”. Asked how she would describe her sound, Loene smiles and says: “Wordy. Funnier than you might first think.” It Walks Like Love features contributions from Loene’s dad, Peter Head – who played in Adelaide prog blues band Headband, who supported the Stones and Elton John – and Loene’s daughter, Holiday Sidewinder from Bridezilla. “It was lovely having them on the album,” Loene says. “I plan to do more of it, I’m in awe of both of their talents.” Loene loves her music. Asked to list her three favourite Australian songwriters, she provides 14: Tex Perkins (“I love his humour, braggadocio, dirt, beauty, brutality, vulnerability, elegant turn of phrase, a suggestive raised eyebrow and no fear of telling it like it is”), Ian Rilen and Cathy Green (“songs that are simple, tough and tender and conjure up the road and darkened rooms”), Rowland S Howard, Paul Kelly, Don Walker, Gareth Liddiard, Jed Kurzel, Joel Silbersher, Kim Salmon, Louis Tillett, Spencer P Jones, Conrad Standish, Ron Peno … the list goes on.” Howzat! caught up with Loene as she gets set to return to Melbourne. She’s playing on Sunday, February 21 at the Toff.

 

Being the “daughter of a wild rock ‘n’ roller” was a music career inevitable?

“Not at all, especially the fact that I certainly never harboured any illusions about music being a path to wealth and fame! However, my father did nurture an incredible love of music in me and I can’t really imagine being anything else.”

 

A favourite description of your music?

“Soft chaos.”

 

A comparison that’s surprised you?

“Occasionally, my songs are described as ‘heartbroken’ or ‘bitter’, which I find odd, as all of my songs are celebrations of love in some strange form or another. I’m not very interested in exploring heartbreak or bitterness.”

 

“‘I’m tougher than leather and softer than suede’” ... is that a line about yourself?

“Guilty, your honour.”

 

Do you prefer music to movies?

“Yes.”

 

Are there similarities between making music and acting?

“Both require a certain leap of faith and blind belief in what you’re doing in order for it to connect with other people. And they’re both just about getting a story or a feeling across when it comes down to it. The thing I love most about making music is that I’m responsible for the whole package – I can make any choice I want for the best way to get my point across, whereas when I’m acting I’m responsible for trying my hardest to fulfill someone else’s vision, which I also really enjoy, but it’s a pretty different scenario; all care, no responsibility. But I’ve racked up a lot more recorded music time than screen time; acting is pretty rare for me these days.”

 

 

A JJJ-OKE

So, this year’s number one song in the Triple J Hottest 100 comes from UK band Mumford & Sons. Howzat! has only one question: Triple J are all over this song, yet they don’t play Wagons?!

 

 

NOT JUST A TOKENVIEW

It’s great to hear a young band filled with ambition. Sydney’s Tokenview have delivered a grand debut with Patience At Sea (through Inertia). In particular, the single, What Can I Do, is a gem. Epic, cinematic rock.

 

 

HOWZAT! PLAYLIST

A Night In The Devil’s Bed GRETCHEN LEWIS

Oh Apollo! LOENE CARMEN

Will You Shine? PERRY KEYES

Never Been To Spain WAGONS

Oh Apollo! LOENE CARMEN

What Can I Do TOKENVIEW

The Gambler WAGONS

Tickety Boo STEPHEN CUMMINGS

 

 

 

 

 

  

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