1. Eternal Soundcheck blog
Every city needs its underground, and every underground needs its documentation, and every documentation needs its people who are totally involved in the entire process. The problem with Brisbane appears to be an overload of the creative process: there are too many folk being creative and not enough people satisfied with being consumers. This is not a bad problem to have, far from it. And yet, does performance exist without an audience to give it validity?

Every country needs its musicians who are unafraid enough, scornful enough or naive enough of the commercial process that they just go ahead and create. It’s a pleasure to realise that Gareth’s album exists, even if I don’t want to listen to it. It was a real treasure to witness kyu perform live at the Old Museum in Brisbane a few months back, and watch them taking risks that only come with youth: the beating of the breasts, the acoustic guitar, the strange trembling noises in between the silence. That they have talent is undeniable: what is more worrying is that they might become successful. My Disco have simply created a monster of a dance record, with one eye on sales. That’s more than enough.

I didn’t see any these reformed ‘bands’ perform live. Why would I want to, when they can’t even be bothered to push at their own meagre boundaries?

Five of my favourite bands from Brisbane: the first three because they’re great live bands and know how to rock in the face of Vampire Weekend and the legions of Smashing Pumpkins fans, the fourth because they”re literate, articulate, sardonic and melodic and remind me of The Cannanes. And the fifth… Bangs wept. Just go and watch their video on YouTube.

He played Melbourne, Sydney early in 2010 – and I supported! We chatted, drove around Brisbane, looked at comic books – and fell out. One day, I will finish the book I’m writing on this supremely talented, troubled singer. It’s only 20 months overdue, at time of writing.

Happy. Almost the only time I venture out in Brisbane these nights is to see these bands, what with the ridiculously late licensing laws (having an early curfew never stopped London from being a major centre of music) and looking after two small kids. The singer, in particular, seems to really understand and (in)articulate the way I feel.

Sad. I moved up to London because of a song on the first Slits album, ‘Shoplifting’. Their singer was younger than me when she died a few months ago. I’d be hard put to find another band that have influenced and directed and cheered me as much as The Slits: their three albums and various singles and live recordings and Peel sessions and bootlegs are still.. damn, I’d be hard put to find another group as much on the side of the angels. Try me.

The first is the best fucken live band in America right now: two ladies with chutzpah, a love for show-tunes and an ability to rock as hard as the Dirtbombs. The second (from Brisbane) is prime Triple J fodder, but y’know… I like pop music. The song ‘Overpass’, in particular, refuses to leave my iPod alone. The third is one of Sydney’s biggest hopes for the future. And yes, I would like to see Kitty, Daisy & Lewis perform live once more. And the fourth (from Melbourne) just rock, pure and simple.

Not all these songs were released during 2010. But why would you feel the need to listen to music tied to a particular year?

Woom. Neverever. La Sera. Miu Mau. Super Wild Horses. We’ll be here all day if I start typing out all my loves. Trash Kit. Pikelet. She And Him. Ill Ease. So. Femme-pop. ‘Nuff said, surely?

1. Angus And Julia Stone – And The Boys

2. anything by Washington… NOT!