The Corner Hotel April Listings

What: DEAD MEADOW (USA) with PINK MOUNTAINTOPS (Canada)
When: Sunday 1 April
Price: $35.00 ($3.00 bf)

Heathen Skulls are proud to present the highly anticipated return of North America’s cosmic sons, Dead Meadow! LA Based, DC born, Dead Meadow have been spreading their psychic ideals for well over 10 years. Gone are the days of indie cool and the hit band of summer tag. Dead Meadow have now risen above the critical acclaim and media hype and become an institution, a valued and highly respected part of the American musical and artistic consciousness. With founding drummer Mark Laughlin back in the fold and a brand new studio album in the can, Dead Meadow are about to reclaim the throne from the three kings and re-establish themselves as the undisputed lords of ‘70s inspired psych rock. Accompanying Dead Meadow on their third Australian tour will be the Vancouver-based alter ego of Black Mountains’ Stephen McBean, and that being his critically acclaimed experimental psych ensemble Pink Mountaintops!

What: JOHN HIATT and THE COMBO (USA) – SELLING FAST!
When: Monday 2 April 2012 8:00pm
Price: $66.00 ($3.00 bf)

John Hiatt hit the ground running as an 18- year old songwriter in Nashville for artists like the Neville Brothers and Bonnie Raitt. His own highly respected solo career began in 1974 and over the next decade ran through a number of different styles from rock ‘n’ roll to new wave pop before he finally settled on a rootsy fusion of rock ‘n’ roll, country, blues and folk with his 1987 breakthrough album ‘Bring the Family’. The legendary rock guitarist, piano player, singer and songwriter will be bringing his seminal, highly acclaimed new album ‘Dirty Jeans and Mudslide Hymns’ with him with the help of his all-star band The Combo.

What: GREAT BIG SEA (Canada) – SELLING FAST!
When: Tuesday 3 April 2012 8:00pm
Price: $49.50 ($3.00 bf)

Some of Canada’s favourite sons are touring Australia for the first ever time. This folk-rock partnership was forged in the harsh lands and rowdy pubs of Newfoundland where co-founders Sean McCann and Bob Hallet met while playing traditional folk songs for boisterous crowds. Forming Great Big Sea in 1993 in an attempt to create a new approach to Newfoundland folk music that combined their original music with the traditional sounds and instruments they had grown up with. Now, 17 years and nine studio albums later, Great Big Sea have won over a global audience with their eclectic musical mix. This is no ordinary ‘sea shanty’ band. Their influences range from Bob Marley, The Clash and Johnny Cash to Fergus O’Byrne and Donal Lunny.

What: KENNY WAYNE SHEPHERD (USA) – SELLING FAST!
When: Wednesday 4 April 2012 8:00pm
Price: $55.00 ($3.00 bf)

The guitar driven, blues prodigy, Kenny Wayne Shepherd, is coming to Australia for Bluesfest and this sideshow! There are few artists whose names are synonymous with one instrument and how it’s played in service to an entire genre. This is one such artist. Given his first guitar at three years old, playing by seven and sharing the stage with New Orleans legend Bryan Lee at 13, and still barely in his 30s, Kenny has been selling albums by the million, with three platinum-selling albums (out of six) and seven Top 10 singles including ‘Blue on Black’ and ‘Never Lookin’ Back’.

What: KEB MO (USA) – SELLING FAST!
When: Thursday 5 April 2012 8:00pm
Price: $66.00 ($3.00 bf)

Anyone who has seen Keb Mo before will remember his mesmerising performance, and his rich, distinctive, smoky voice, which spins emotive and passionate stories. This multi-Grammy award-winning singer, songwriter and guitarist is bringing with him his highly-anticipated album ‘The Reflection’ and touring for the first time with a full band. ‘The Reflection’ was written and recorded over a period of three years, and is his first release since 2006. Self-produced, it features duets with India Arie and Vince Gill and performances from a host of others. His music has long been regarded as a living link to the seminal Delta blues. Keb Mo is one of those performers who have taken the blues beyond its traditional audience, with his wide-ranging, appealing music and infectious performances.

What: TROMBONE SHORTY & ORLEANS AVENUE (USA) – SELLING FAST!
When: Saturday 7 April 2012 8:30pm
Price: $55.00 ($3.00 bf)

After absolutely killing it at Bluesfest in 2011, Trombone Shorty & Orleans Avenue are back and taking on Melbourne doing what they do best – supafunkrock! No arguments, a Grammy-nominated debut album, ‘Backatown’, a brand new album in hand ‘For True’ and a non-stop touring schedule have won them hordes of new fans across 5 continents. Trombone Shorty & Orleans Avenue are a 200 proof power-packed performance of blistering funk, rock, jazz & RnB grooves – not to be missed Here’s a taste of the talent at his live performances!

What: FABULOUS THUNDERBIRDS (USA) feat. KIM WILSON with CANNED HEAT (USA) – SELLING FAST!
When: Sunday 8 April 2012 8:30pm
Price: $55.00 ($3.00 bf)

For the last 30 years the W.C. Handy award-winning ‘Best Blues Band’ The Fabulous Thunderbirds have been winning audiences over worldwide with their unique blend of Texas blues & harmonica-laced swamp sounds. Now it’s our turn, and joining them on the road is Canned Heat. Some say they invented the genre ‘Blues n Boogie’, which made them a global phenomenon 40+ years ago. Now into their 6th decade of their seemingly endless World Boogie Tour, the Heat have turned it up again, and are bringing their unique blend of roadhouse electric blues, rock and boogie back to our stages. Playing this Bluesfest sideshow, The Fabulous Thunderbirds, a quintessential American band, were instrumental in helping kick-start the blues revival scene in the mid-‘80s and after showcasing their high energy, distinctive and powerful music on tour with the Rolling Stones and Eric Clapton, they won over the masses with hits like ‘Tuff Enuff’ and ‘Wrap It Up’.

What: ZIGGY MARLEY (Jamaica) – SELLING FAST!
When: Monday 9 April 2012 8:00pm
Price: $66.00 ($3.00 bf)

This is Roots. This is Rock. This is Reggae! This is Ziggy Marley! The five-time Grammy Award-winning musician, actor, activist and humanitarian, Ziggy Marley, returns to Bluesfest after a five year absence and will play this sideshow! He’ll be featuring songs from his latest album, ‘Wild and Free’, as well as all the favourites from his three other solo albums and those of the Melody Makers. Ziggy, the son of the legendary Bob Marley is, to many, the embodiment of his father. It is almost eerie to see the similarity. A native of Jamaica, Ziggy joined with his siblings to become Ziggy Marley & The Melody Makers, allowing him to craft his own soulful sound blending blues, R&B, hip-hop and roots reggae. His first solo tour came in 2002 with the following year seeing the release of his debut solo album ‘Dragonfly’, followed by 2006’s Grammy-winning ‘Love Is My Religion’. Going on to win five Grammys to date and heading a record label and with heavy involvement in a breadth of charities, Ziggy is a special person and a special performer.

What: SEASICK STEVE (USA) – SELLING FAST!
When: Tuesday 10 April 2012 8:00pm
Price: $66.00 ($3.00 bf)

Seasick Steve is back! Given the aural evidence of his back catalogue, classifying Steve as a blues artist is pretty understandable, but it does do him a slight disservice. His material, like his life, is drawn from a long rich history of experience and a broad palette of influences. “I got so many damned songs, it’s like a big old train and only part of them get into the station,” Steve affirms. “The rest of them are just waiting for the next station.” The animation in his clip ‘You Can’t Teach An Old Dog New Tricks’ is incredible and showcases Steve’s storytelling to a tee – a must see!

What: MACEO PARKER (USA) – SELLING FAST!
When: Wednesday 11 & Thursday 12 April 2012 8:00pm
Price: $79.20 ($3.00 bf)

It’s impossible to know which came first – Maceo or funk. His name is synonymous with funky music, his pedigree impeccable; his band – the tightest little funk orchestra on earth. He’s played with each and every leader of funk: his start with James Brown, which Maceo describes as “like being at University”; jumping aboard the mothership with George Clinton and those various and colourful incarnations of Parliament and Funkadelic; stretching out with Bootsy’s Rubber Band. He’s the living, breathing pulse that connects the history of funk in one golden thread. Ever since James Brown coined the phrase, “Maceo – I want you to blow!,” Maceo has enjoyed a blistering solo career, blowing that famous sax funk sound across the globe and now he’s coming back to Australia.

What: CHILDREN COLLIDE (single tour) – SOLD OUT
When: Friday 13 April 2012 8:30pm

Children Collide are back in full force with a brand new single ‘Sword To A Gunfight’ unleashed on radio, internet and TV. In true Collide fashion, the band will embark on a tour, including this show, giving audiences their first taste of the new album. Frontman Johnny Mackay expounds on the new single: “I was paddling down the river somewhere between Primal Scream and Boney M and ended up falling out of the boat into a time-travelling disco space-punk song, which I still think is hilarious.” Late in 2011 the band locked themselves away to record their third album ‘Monument’, a follow up to the ARIA nominated Top Five album ‘Theory Of Everything’, which spawned singles ‘Jellylegs’ and ‘Loveless’. Johnny went on to say they “tried to build our own aural theme-park out of twelve different kinds of song,” and ‘Sword To A Gunfight’ is the first taste of that theme-park. ‘Sword To A Gunfight’ is the first taste of that theme-park .

What: BALL PARK MUSIC (album tour – under 18s only matinee show)
When: Sunday 15 April 2012 12:30pm
Price: $17.00 ($3.00 bf)

Off the back of not one, but two entries into this year’s triple j Hottest 100, this is the most ambitious national tour for Ball Park Music yet – The 180 Degree Tour. After being officially Unearthed by triple j just over a year ago, they’ve become one of Australia’s must see musical outfits. With widespread airplay the catalyst for a touring regime that doesn’t seem to let up, Ball Park Music are the band the masses are talking about. With hit songs including ‘iFly’, ‘Rich People Are Stupid’, ‘It’s Nice To Be Alive’, ‘All I Want is You’ (reaching #38 on the countdown) and ‘It’s Nice To Be Alive’ (#31), their debut album ‘Happiness and Surrounding Suburbs’ was nominated for Album of the Year in the triple j J Awards and Rolling Stone Awards, was voted 10th Best Album of 2011 in triple j’s listener poll, among other accolades. Ball Park Music have become one of the most cohesive creative units in the country. Now, the bar is set as they embark on their biggest national outing yet.

What: HUSKY (‘The Woods Tour’) – SELLING FAST!
When: Thursday 19 April 2012 7:30pm
Price: $18.00 ($3.00 bf)

Husky enters a new chapter of their career in 2012. Last year they played national sold out headline tours in Australia following the release of their debut album ‘Forever So’, featuring singles ‘History’s Door’, ‘Dark Sea’ and ‘The Woods’, they supported world-class acts including Gotye, Devendra Banhart, and Noah & The Whale, and played at some of Australia’s biggest music festivals. Already in 2012 the band has supported Laura Marling, played at St Jerome’s Laneway Festival, and booked performances in Germany, the USA and Canada. In April they return home to play West Coast Blues and Roots Festival before hitting the road on this tour.

What: PASSENGER (album launch) – SELLING FAST!
When: Friday 20 April 2012 8:30pm
Price: $27.50 ($3.00 bf)

From busking on Australia’s street corners to selling out venues across the country in only 18 months, Mike Rosenberg, aka Passenger, is a modern day troubadour whose constant touring in both hemispheres has seen him win over scores of fans with his unique lyricism and ability to move from the heartbreaking to hilarious in a single phrase. In celebration of his new album ‘All The Little Lights’, Passenger will set out on his largest Australian tour to date, accompanied by a full band to recreate the sounds and size of the record.

What: THE HERD – SELLING FAST!
When: Saturday 21 April 2012 8:30pm
Price: $27.00 ($3.00 bf)

The Herd formed in 2001 after the core members of the record label Elefant Traks decided to collaborate rather than submit individual tracks for a compilation. What resulted was the self-titled album that featured the triple j hit ‘Scallops’, a song that became an Aussie backyard anthem. Mid-2002 saw The Herd put the final touches on the follow-up album called ‘An Elefant Never forgets’, featuring hit singles ‘Burn Down The Parliament’ and ‘77%’, a controversial tune criticising the treatment of asylum seekers during the Tampa incident. Despite the uproar, the track was voted into the triple j Hottest 100. Now with five albums, a J Award, ARIA nomination, an AIR Award, and further hit singles including ‘The King is Dead’ and ‘The Sum of it All’, under their collective belt, The Herd is back for this tour.

What: BIG SCARY (album launch) – SELLING FAST!
When: Wednesday 25 April 2012 7:30pm
Price: $15.00 ($3.00 bf)

Originally forming in 2006, Big Scary is a Melbourne-based boy/girl two-piece. Joanna chills at the kit, occasionally chiming in with some backing vocals, whilst lead singer Tom swaps between electric guitar and keys, in turn moulding the on-stage genres from grunge to pop to moody ballads. Releasing their debut album ‘Vacation’ in October 2011 to widespread critical acclaim, including being listed among Triple J Music Director Richard Kingsmill’s top ten albums of the year, the band was feted widely in the awards season, picking up an Album of the Year nomination in the Triple J awards and nominations for breakthrough artist in both the Australian Independent Record Association and The Age EG Awards. Watch the video for Big Scary’s single ‘Gladiator’ from ‘Vacation’.

What: RAPSKALLION (album launch)
When: Thursday 26 April 2012 8:00pm
Price: $15.00 ($3.00 bf)

Rapskallion have enticed audiences around the globe with their own brand of vaudevillian, cabaret, junk yard gypsy blues for over half a decade. Reminiscent of ‘20s Paris Bohemia transported to a Romanian tavern and then set adrift on the high seas, their music is strongly influenced by that of Eastern Europe, Greece, France and Spain as well as hip hop and hobo jazz. They’ve toured Europe extensively, played residencies at The Famous Spiegel Tent and have undertaken two Australian East Coast tours, one of which culminated in rapturous performances at Woodford Folk Festival and last year played Splendour in the Grass.

What: AN HORSE
When: Friday 27 April 2012 8:30pm
Price: $15.00 ($3.00 bf)

An Horse will return to Australia this April in continued support of their acclaimed 2011 album ‘Walls’. The band has released a third video off ‘Walls’ for ‘Airport Death’, which was shot in Brooklyn, NY. The release of ‘Walls’ saw An Horse continue to keep a relentless place on the road through Australia, Europe, and North America, with SPIN magazine stating the “Aussie duo’s buzzy guitar pop is more hyper and gripping than ever”. They’ve performed internationally at Lollapalooza, Austin City Limits, and Rolling Stone Weekender, while locally they finished up 2011 with performances at Falls in Lorne and Marion Bay.

What: THE EXPLOITED (UK)
When: Saturday 28 April 2012 8:30pm
Price: $53.00 ($3.00 bf)

The hotel trashing, foul talking, noise making, chaos causing, government hating, rule breaking, unrelenting, punk rock band The Exploited are set to bring their politically charged live show to The Corner! Formed in 1979, the quartet created a simple, no-frills sound characterised by speed and aggression. Led by vocalist Wattie Buchan, The Exploited is one of the UK’s most politically outspoken thrash bands, who has built a strong and loyal following both at home and abroad for its anti-authoritarian stance and criticism of the government. Forming their own independent record label in 1980, in over two decades The Exploited have enjoyed huge success and immeasurable influence on other bands to follow. Don’t miss The Exploited when they tear it up at this show.

What: BALL PARK MUSIC (album tour) – SELLING FAST!
When: Sunday 29 April 2012 7:30pm
Price: $17.00 ($3.00 bf)

Off the back of not one, but two entries into this year’s triple j Hottest 100, this is the most ambitious national tour for Ball Park Music yet – The 180 Degree Tour. After being officially Unearthed by triple j just over a year ago, they’ve become one of Australia’s must see musical outfits. With widespread airplay the catalyst for a touring regime that doesn’t seem to let up, Ball Park Music are the band the masses are talking about. With hit songs including ‘iFly’, ‘Rich People Are Stupid’, ‘It’s Nice To Be Alive’, ‘All I Want is You’ (reaching #38 on the countdown) and ‘It’s Nice To Be Alive’ (#31), their debut album ‘Happiness and Surrounding Suburbs’ was nominated for Album of the Year in the triple j J Awards and Rolling Stone Awards, was voted 10th Best Album of 2011 in triple j’s listener poll, among other accolades. Ball Park Music have become one of the most cohesive creative units in the country. Now, the bar is set as they embark on their biggest national outing yet.