Portland, Oregon has its fair share of amazing bands, but none of them really excite me more than EAT SKULL. So when our good friends at Bedroom Suck Records announced that they are bringing Eat Skull all they way from the US of A to Australia in April. I went fucking bananas. They are touring nationally down the east coast and will be playing in Canberra on the 12th of April at The Phoenix (it stinks I know) for an early(ish) Sunday show. Also playing will be Brisbane’s Slug Guts, who have just released a new record out on US label Sacred Bones, and on Bedroom Suck too, rad! More info at the FACEBOOK EVENT.

If you’re in Canberra this weekend be sure to check out some of the live music, theater and art on show for You Are Here. This Friday night, Assassins/TV Colours will be playing their last set together in Canberra at the old Dick Smith shopfront (in the bus interchange). Its all ages, free, and starts at 8pm. The Fighting League will be playing at the Saturday “Laneway” festival being held in the Melbourne Building near Smiths Bookstore, its also free and all ages. Bands start around 12pm. Check out http://youareherecanberra.com.au for the full program.

King Fisher is the new solo project from Michael Shanahan. He’ll be playing his first show next week at Smiths Alternative Bookstore in Canberra. Civic Suicide is the track and it rules.

Check the Facebook event for more details here

Happy New Year and thanks for a great 2010.

Love Dream Damage.

King Fisher – Civic Suicide

• Release Date: 2010
• Label: Self Released
• Genre: Folk, Rock, Pop

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The Chain Gang Exhibition is set to kick off tomorrow night at 6pm. The work of Canberra’s most talented artists will be on display as well as a bunch of sweet bands so come party. Its happening above King O’Malley’s Bar – go to the left of the bar and then go up the escalator and then follow the signs. Entry by Gold Coin Donation

ALL AGES

Set Times:
REUBEN INGALL – 7.30
SAVAGES – 8
CRASH THE CURB – 8.30
PARTYBUS – 9(??)
HORSE MACGYVER – 9.30
ASSASSINS/TV COLOURS – 10
FIGHTING LEAGUE – 10.30

Last month New Weird Australia, Sydney record label and FBI radio program, put together the compilation “The Sound of Young Canberra”. Curated by Dream Damage Records and hellosQuare recordings, the compilation is “a 12-track frozen moment of new music from Canberra in late 2010″ with some new and unreleased songs from acts including Jonny Telafone, Teddy Trouble, Danger Beach, From The South, Spartak, Assassins 88 and more.

Also included is hellosQuare signees Kasha who have just released a new 7inch. Check the hellosquare website for where you can order it online. Featured for download is “Dot” from “What a Colourful Mouth“.

You can get The Sound of Young Canberra in any format you like for free here

Kasha – Dot

• Release Date: 2010
• Label: Hellosquare Recordings
• Genre: Rock, Experimental, Post Punk,

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Local punk duo Crash the Curb have been turning heads with the release of their debut EP – out now on Birds Love Fighting. After winning an Unearthed place at One Movement Festival in Perth, the band returned to Canberra last week to successfully launch their self-titled EP. Be sure to catch them playing at the Chain Gang Exhibition this coming Thursday (more details soon).

Crash the Curb – Don’t Lock Your Elbows

• Release Date: 2010
• Label: Birds Love Fighting Records
• Genre: Punk, Pop, Punk

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This Sunday, Teddy Trouble will officially launch their debut EP The Great Indoors (and they have been kind enough to give up the first two tracks of the EP for download!) This is a very limited pressing and only 50 copies will be available on the night. It all starts at around 6pm at The Phoenix – FREE ENTRY. Supporting will be Jonny Telafone and Old Ace with more to be announced.

Any copies left can be purchased online or at selected record stores.

Teddy Trouble – The Great Indoors (Sample)

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This Saturday night at Smiths Alternative Bookstore Zack Kouns (US) will be playing his unique brand of avant garde folk. He has been touring the country alongside Alps (Newcastle) and this is the last night of their tour. This is the last official Dream Damage related event for at least four months so come early and celebrate. Local supports are Cat Cat and Brother Gozu.

$5 Entry
Doors 7pm
Bands 7.30pm

Waterford are preparing to launch their new album next month. Mixed by Bruce Callaway (previously of The Saints), the first single London, England is now available for free download via Birds Love Fighting. This is the first of many releases soon to come out on the Canberra label with Killing Birds, From the South and Cat Cat all having new material ready to be pressed over the next few months. The future looks promising for Birds Love Fighting with Electric Lake 2 also going ahead in October.

For now you can now download the fantastic single London, England; the launch party for the single is on the 24 July at The Front Gallery.

Waterford – London England

• Release Date: 2010
• Label: Birds Love Fighting
• Genre: Pop, Rock, Alternative

Download (via www.birdslovefighting.com)

New kids on the block Suica (pronounced soo-ee-ka) have been lurking in the shadows for the better half of the year and have finally released their first demo called Brother. A beautifully haunting track reminiscent of GY!BE and Mogwai. Suica are preparing to play their first show next week at The Front alongside Danger Beach and Readymen for our Dream Damage Fundraiser.

Suica – Brothers

• Release Date: 2010
• Label: Self Released
• Genre: Post Rock, Instrumental, Shoegaze

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