What’s On At Ding Dong Lounge In August

The new Ding Dong has been completely reinvented from top to bottom but has stayed true to its underground roots. The throbbing red neon sign will draw Melbourne’s musically-enlightened like moths to a flame, down their dark alleyway, and up those stairs.

The new refurb has seen the Ding Dong Lounge split in to rooms, a saloon bar modelled after the ladies lounges of Aussie pubs from yesteryear, a lux 70’s studio 54 bandroom and a disco room, complete with sunken dancefloor, and a private room for when special guests are in town.

The Dong, Ding Dong Lounge, which was previously known as Melbourne’s favourite underground & alternative rock’n roll bar that delivered live eclectic local, national & international rock, hip-hop & electro, and sold the odd sausage role to international stars of alternative music like Thom Yorke from Radiohead.

Check out n below what’s on at the Ding Dong Lounge this July:

Friday 27th July
Dan Kelly & His Dream Band
Supports TBC
Doors 8PM
$20.00
Hailing from the frontier lands of coastal Qld and now a long term resident of inner Melbourne, Dan Kelly has forged an intricate and humorous path into the hearts and minds of Australian music lovers over the last 6 years. Dan’s third record, 2010’s ‘Dan Kelly’s Dream’, brought Dan and his new Dream band 5 star reviews, ARIA and AIR award nominations and widespread radio play across the country. Dan’s hyper-narrative and melodic indie rock opuses are brought to life on the big stage with his brilliant band, which features members of Augie March and the Ground Components. With only very occasional appearances this show at Ding Dong is Dan and His Dream Bands first show for 2012 and one not to be missed.

Saturday 28th July
Money For Rope
Supports The Treatment, Drunk Mums & Fifth Friend
Doors 8PM
$12.00 + BF
Their crazed rock’n’soul surf garage parties are still continuing to transform a stoic and cynical crowds all over Australia. Money For Rope’s rabid energy onstage and their jaw-dropping energy of two drum kits, two guitars, a bass, four voices and keys command the response of an electrified room. They’ve supported The Vasco Era, The Mess Hall, Those Darlins, Even, The Meanies, Celibate Rifles, Bob Log III, The Cruel Sea, Wolf & Cub and Fearless Vampire Killers. As well as played Splendour In The Grass, Cherry Rock, and the legendary Reclink Community Cup. Come and party with them for the launch of their new single ‘Misery Lane’ which has recently been added to Triple J, along with The Treatment, Drunk Mums and Fifth Friend.

Friday 3rd August
Forty Thousand Sisters – Album Launch
Supports Sirens of Venice & Warmth Crashes In
Doors 8PM
$10.00 + BF
Taking inspiration from flophouses, neon signs & pawnshop guitars, Forty Thousand Sisters bring their guitar driven songs about youth, life, punks, and anti-heroes for the first time to the Ding Dong stage. Helping Forty Thousand Sisters launch their new art-rock epic “Goodbye Broken Sled” will be very special guests Sirens of Venice in their final Australian show (featuring Gersey front-man Craig Jackson) and Warmth Crashes In (Rory Lampitt & Erin Taylor of Priory Dolls fame).

Saturday 4th August
Howlin’ Steam Train – EP Launch
Supports Major Tom & The Atoms & guest
Doors 8PM
$10.00 + BF/$12 on the Door
Get ready to put your feet into a toe-tappin frenzy as Howlin’ Steam Train channel their raw energy into this live show. With help from producer Steve Schram (The Vasco Era, San Cisco) their self-titled EP, persuades you, not only to put it on repeat, but insists on your attendance at their next gig, because what could be more fun than jumping around to a frenetic rock and blues beat? Their return to Melbourne after a recent Sydney tour, including a sell out show at the exclusive ‘Vanguard’, has these guys on an epic high! Catch them along with Major Tom and The Atoms, and special guests, this will be a night not to be missed!

Saturday 25th August
Die Die Die!
Supports TBC
Doors 8PM
$15.00 + BF/$18.00 on the Door
Hailing from what is considered NZ’s iconic music city, Dunedin, Andrew Wilson and Michael Prain founded Die Die Die! in 2003, with their hard working DIY ethos that continues even now. Die! Die! Die’s current release Harmony, is their fourth studio album recorded at Blackbox Studios, France. This album proves the band continue on their evolution to perfect their sound. Harmony brings together the raw energy and emotion from their live shows, encapsulating savant pop elements with their DIY punk philosophy. Produced by Chris Townend (Portishead, D12, Violent Femmes), and bringing back Shayne P. Carter on vocals, Harmony is set to be THE album of 2012. Bringing on board bassist Michael Logie (The Mint Chicks, F In Math, Opossom), this is one show not miss when the tour hits Ding Dong Lounge.

Check out what else is on in Melbourne…Click HERE