Friday night Phoenix Public House hosted the second single launch for Melbourne band The Demon Parade. After launching a single earlier in the year they’re back again with new song and video “All the Cool Kids.”

There were some great supports on the night, first up were The Ovals. The lead singer has a Pink Floyd tattoo on his forearm, which was a good sign immediately and the influence was obvious.

Second support Buried Feather further impressed, with their warped guitar sounds and echoing vocals reminiscent of a haunted house. Some talented musicians obviously make up this band with the drummer shaking a tambourine and banging his drums in tandem with raucous effort. The circuit bending was most impressive as it strangely went quite well with the slow guitar which also meant the band didn’t have that cliché ‘psychedelic’ sound which seems to be all the rage. Speaking of rage, the band’s finale had enough flashing lights to cause a seizure.

Witch Hats were the last support. Man, this band is good, their super slow guitars felt like witnessing a long and sleazy tango. They sound like all the great ska punk bands and even better, they are unpretentious onstage; everything a band should be. Playing songs from their new album Pleasure Syndrome, Witch Hats perfected the dreamy guitar sound on songs like ‘In the Mortuary’ but then easily switched back to that snot nosed British sound for songs like ‘Pissing in the Snow’ and ‘Hear Martin.’

Finally, The Demon Parade took the stage, after messing about setting up the smoke machine for a moment, they seemed happy and got right into it. The eclectic musical influence is heavy on this band, psychedelic and folk music of course but the structured vocals added another layer. They give off a ‘local band’ kind of vibe and even had the lead singer from The Ovals up to shake a tambourine around to a song. New single ‘All the Cool Kids,’ was performed solidly: it is tricky to pull off that kind of rebel yell but a very admirable performance.

- Hannah Joyner

Check out “All The Cool Kids” with or without the film clip.

Partial demolition of an existing building, the development of a multi-storey building (five storeys plus basement) for shop and dwellings, use of the land for the purposes of dwellings, the continued use of part of the land for the purpose of an hotel and office space, waiver of loading bay requirements associated with the shop use and reduction in car parking requirements for the dwellings and shop

We’ve been reaching out the multiple people at the venue but no one is willing to talk on the record. The bookers however did make a statement to Mess+Noise and indicated that they have also been left in the dark regarding to application.

“It was as much of a surprise to us as everybody else,” said a spokesperson. “We’re in the process of trying to find out exactly what’s going on. All we know is that no shows are being cancelled. We’ve actually got a bunch of amazing Laneway stuff coming up. We’ve got Fucked Up, Jim Ward and a bunch of other amazing gigs.”

This wasn’t the news many fans of the venue would be looking for and further adds to the mystery surrounding the planning application. Looking at the Victorian Heritage Database we can see that the original public bar is under a heritage overlay by the Moreland City Council, but it is unlikely the owners will see an issue demolishing the band room which was added to the venue after they purchased an adjoining shopfront.

We’ve heard whispers that the although no immediate shows would be cancelled not to expect any shows after the first few months of 2012. We’ll let you know if we hear anything more.

Fans in both Sydney and Melbourne will be delighted by the dates, but unfortunately for fans in Brisbane there are slim pickings with only a sideshow for My Chemical Romance announced.

Fans in Adelaide and Perth have also been shortchanged with not a single sideshow announced. However this isn’t surprising given that tickets sales in those two cities have clearly not been strong for the main Big Day Out event as headliners Kanye West and Mariachi El Bronx were both pulled from the lineup as the two dates of the festival we’re downsized to match demand.

Also missing from the sideshows is the hotly anticipated Soundgarden sideshows, although we’ve heard rumours that you may see them announced in the coming weeks.

Check out the full list of sideshows below.

KASABIAN
with special guests THE VACCINES

SYDNEY: THE HORDERN PAVILION – TUESDAY, 24 JANUARY, 2012
Tickets available from: www.ticketek.com.au Ph: 132 849 & www.bigdayout.com

MELBOURNE: FESTIVAL HALL – SATURDAY, 28 JANUARY, 2012
Tickets available from: www.ticketmaster.com.au Ph 136 100 & www.bigdayout.com

MY CHEMICAL ROMANCE
and special guests CLOSURE IN MOSCOW

BRISBANE: EATONS HILL HOTEL – TUESDAY, 24 JANUARY, 2012
Tickets available from: www.oztix.com.au Ph: 1300 762 545 & www.bigdayout.com

SYDNEY: HORDERN PAVILION – FRIDAY, 27 JANUARY, 2012
Tickets available from: www.ticketek.com.au Ph: 132 849 & www.bigdayout.com

MELBOURNE: FESTIVAL HALL – TUESDAY 31 JANUARY, 2012
Tickets available from: www.ticketmaster.com.au Ph 136 100 & www.bigdayout.com

NOEL GALLAGHER’S HIGH FLYING BIRDS
and special guests to be announced

SYDNEY: ENMORE THEATRE  - MONDAY, 23 JANUARY, 2012
Tickets available from: www.ticketek.com.au Ph: 132 849 & Enmore Theatre Box Office Ph 02 9550 3666 & www.bigdayout.com

MELBOURNE: THE PALAIS – TUESDAY,  31 JANUARY, 2012
Tickets available from: www.ticketmaster.com.au Ph 136 100 & www.bigdayout.com

RÖYKSOPP
and special guests to be announced

SYDNEY: ENMORE THEATRE – FRIDAY, 27 JANUARY, 2012
Tickets available from: www.ticketek.com.au Ph: 132 849 & Enmore Theatre Box Office Ph 02 9550 3666 & www.bigdayout.com

MELBOURNE: THE PALACE – THURSDAY 2, FEBRUARY, 2012
Tickets available from: www.oztix.com.au Ph 1300 762 545  & www.palace.com.au

ODD FUTURE
and special guests to be announced

SYDNEY: ENMORE THEATRE – TUESDAY, 24 JANUARY, 2012
Tickets available from: www.ticketek.com.au Ph: 132 849 & Enmore Theatre Box Office Ph 02 9550 3666 & www.bigdayout.com

MELBOURNE: THE PALACE – WEDNESDAY, 1 FEBRUARY, 2012
Tickets available from: www.oztix.com.au Ph 1300 762 545  & www.palace.com.au & www.bigdayout.com

CAGE THE ELEPHANT
and special guests to be announced

SYDNEY: OXFORD ART FACTORY – SATURDAY 28 JANUARY 2012
Tickets available from: www.moshtix.com.au Ph 1300 438 849 & www.bigdayout.com

MELBOURNE: THE NORTHCOTE SOCIAL CLUB – TUESDAY 31 JANUARY 2012
Tickets available from: Northcote Social Club Ph: (03) 9486 1677 or www.cornerhotel.com Ph 03 9427 9198 & www.bigdayout.com

A second announcement of acts was made a few weeks ago adding Bad Religion, Tonight Alive, Strung Out and more. Today Soundwave announced that the Melbourne date had already sold out, issuing a statement that read: “Thank you Victoria! The Melbourne leg of Soundwave 2012 has sold out…and in record time! The remaining states are not far behind with Brisbane and Sydney expected to sell out shortly as well!”

Bush
In Flames
The Black Dahlia Murder
Holy Grail
Hyro Da Hero
These Kids Wear Crowns
In This Moment
Black Tide
Kids In Glass Houses
Fireworks
Conditions
Cherri Bomb

Even though the festival is yet to commence that hasn’t stopped controversy from circling the organisers. A while back Courtney Love cancelled her band Hole’s appearance at the festival after a war of words with promoter AJ Maddah over their billing under Limp Bizkit. However the hissy fit hasn’t appeared to have dapended demand for tickets as an extremely hungry audience have continued to buy tickets at a record rate.

The rest of the Soundwave 2012 Lineup

SYSTEM OF A DOWN
SLIPKNOT
LIMP BIZKIT / MARILYN MANSON / A DAY TO REMEMBER / MACHINE HEAD / LAMB OF GOD / BAD RELIGION / TRIVIUM / ALTER BRIDGE / LOSTPROPHETS / STAIND / ANGELS & AIRWAVES / COBRA STARSHIP / THE USED / WEDNESDAY 13 / YOU ME AT SIX / DEVIN TOWNSEND PROJECT / UNEARTH / UNWRITTEN LAW / COAL CHAMBER / STRUNG OUT / DASHBOARD CONFESSIONAL / THURSDAY / FOREVER THE SICKEST KIDS / RAISED FIST / DILLINGER ESCAPE PLAN / ZAKK WYLDE’S BLACK LABEL SOCIETY / MASTODON / UNDEROATH / SAVES THE DAY / CIRCA SURVIVE / STEEL PANTHER /THE PRETTY RECKLESS / CATHEDRAL / SHADOWS FALL / TONIGHT ALIVE / JACK’S MANNEQUIN / MESHUGGAH / THE SISTERS OF MERCY / ENTER SHIKARI / FOUR YEAR STRONG / BLACK VEIL BRIDES / MADINA LAKE / ZEBRAHEAD / HATEBREED / BIOHAZARD / MOTIONLESS IN WHITE / BREAK EVEN / HEAVEN SHALL BURN / TIMES OF GRACE / CKY / STREET DOGS / DRAGONFORCE / GOJIRA / KVELERTAK / LETLIVE / HELLYEAH / CRO-MAGS / YOUR DEMISE / KITTIE / A ROCKET TO THE MOON / THE READY SET / THE MENZINGERS / DREAM ON, DREAMER /ATTACK! ATTACK! / DREDG / THE SMOKING HEARTS / THE SUMMER SET / THE CAB / RELIENT K / VERSA EMERGE / HEROES FOR HIRE / KILL HANNAH / THE DANGEROUS SUMMER / CHIMAIRA / FRAMING HANLEY / WATAIN / ROYAL REPUBLIC / I AM THE AVALANCHE / TURISAS / RIVER CITY EXTENSION

SOUNDWAVE FESTIVAL VENUES AND DATES
FEBRUARY/MARCH 2012
SATURDAY 25 BRISBANE, RNA SHOWGROUNDS
SUNDAY 26 SYDNEY, SHOWGROUND
FRIDAY 2 MELBOURNE, SHOWGROUNDS – SOLD OUT!
SATURDAY 3 ADELAIDE, BONYTHON PARK
MONDAY 5 PERTH, CLAREMONT SHOWGROUNDS

General Public tickets on sale now through www.soundwavefestival.com www.oztix.com.au & Oztix outlets & www.ticketek.com.au 132 849

A press conference was held at iconic LA venue Whisky A Go-Go where the band made their American debut 41 years ago on the same day. The event was hosted by former Black Flag frontman Henry Rollins who has said that “Any band worth their weight in napalm wishes they had written War Pigs.”

The band have also inked a new worldwide record deal with Vertigo, their original label and are said to be in the studio penning new material for a as-yet-untitled new album due around this time next year. It will mark their ninth studio album together and their first since 1978’s Never Say Die.

The new album will then be supported with a worldwide headline arena tour including some festival appearances in the UK. No word yet on where they may perform in Australia and whether it will be a headline tour or festival appearance.

Rumours of the reunion started in August when Iommi was quoted in an British newspaper saying “We’re really looking forward to it and I think the stuff we’ve been writing is really good, it’s more back to the old original stuff.” However when Iommi caught wind of the statement, which he made off the record, he was furious telling reporters “I hope he’s enjoyed his moment of glory, he won’t have another at my expense.”

But many we’re quick to point out that Iommi didn’t actually deny that Sabbath were getting back together, a rumour made stronger when bandmate Ozzy Osbourne got a little too excited in an interview blurting out “It’s in the very early stages, so we haven’t recorded anything yet. If it works out, it’ll work out.”

You can watch the official announcement video below.

The reason given was that there was one act still holding out confirmation and that was holding up the rest of the lineup. Fans expressed their disappointment but optimism for the announcement tomorrow. But a technical glitch and some eagle eye detective work accidentally leaked the lineup on the official website earlier this afternoon.

So here’s the lineup that was on the website. We’ll still wait for an official announcement, but there is no reason to question the accuracy given it was on the official site.

UPDATE: The lineup has now been confirmed, with the addition of Black Lips, Nantes, Elisabeth Rose and more.

Playground Weekender 2012 Lineup

Chic Feat Nile Rogers
Fat Freddys Drop
Boy and Bear
Roots Manuva
Unkle Sounds
Modeselektor Live
Manchester Orchestra
Black Lips
Ariel Pinks Haunted Graffiti
Bonobo Live
Neon Indian
Lanie Lane
The Orb
Bomb The Bass
Seekae
Greg Wilson
Damian Lazarus
Cuban Brothers
Canyons
Hudson Mohawke
Lee Burridge
Art Department
Rustie
Danny Daze
Kirk Degorgio
Northeast Party House
Toucan
Millions
Nantes
Elizabeth Rose
plus more to be announced

Playground Weekender 2012
2nd March 2012 – 4th March 2012
Del Rio Riverside Resort
Webbs Creek, Wisemans Ferry, NSW Australia

So what happened? According to Big Day Out promoter Ken West who did a radio interview with Triple J’s hack program last night there were a number of factors involved in the decision making but the catalyst was what he called a necessary venue change in Perth due to new onerous conditions placed on the event regarding sound restrictions. West decided that the new conditions were unworkable forcing the event to find a new home at Brownes Stadium.

At the same time West needed to make a decision on whether to import a third stage from the UK, something that was made difficult due to the uncertain nature of air freight at the time due to the rolling Qantas airline strikes. Confused yet? So are we, but West alleges this triggered a domino effect that coupled with the smaller venue in Perth meant that it was no longer viable to run the same number of stages in Adelaide too.

West says he tried to shuffle the timetable to allow both Kanye West and Soundgarden to perform but this proved impossible due to length of both acts sets and the estimated hour long changeover that would be required between acts. This meant that Soundgarden would have to perform at 6pm in Perth and Adelaide, something the band said would not be possible.

So West did the last thing he wanted to do, he pulled Kanye and Mariachi El Bronx off both Perth and Adelaide to free up time on the stages so that the rest of the lineup would fit. Triple J’s hack reporter repeatedly quizzed West on his claims, pointing out that ticket sales must have been a factor. West denied they were a major factor but eventually conceded that the sales did contribute to his ultimate decision.

Problems for the beleaguered Big Day Out won’t stop there though with a report this morning in The West Australian that local mayor Trevor Vaughan had doubts that Big Day Out’s proposed new venue in Perth will get approval from his council.

“This is the first I’ve heard of it,” he said to the paper. “It’s not the right spot for it. I would find it difficult having it there considering it’s so close to the residents. Basically Brownes Stadium is surrounded by residential homes. If it’s low scale and low noise and not going to disrupt our residents then we may look at it, but if it’s going to be at night like the Big Day Out usually is then it would be difficult.”

Western Australia Premier Colin Barret also weighed in on the issue saying “There have been problems from time to time about excessive noise – at one stage there were problems about the language used in some of the songs. I think the event over recent years, however, has been managed a lot better and I think it could be done at Lathlain quite well.”

“But it will certainly have an impact on those residents close by, and I hope the organisers of the event take into account their potential disruption and their consideration. I like to see entertainment for young people to go out and enjoy themselves, hopefully behave well and enjoy the music.”

We’ll continue to follow the story and bring you any news about Big Day Out Perth. In the meantime you can listen to Ken West’s interview on Triple J in full below.

We take a look at the most memorable, both great and sad, moments in the 20 year history of Big Day Out. Check it out here.

There were hardly any metal or heavy rock adds added to the bill which is sure to disappoint many fans across the country. But the biggest changes announced today was the downsizing of events in Perth, Adelaide, and Auckland.

Perth has moved from Claremont Showgrounds to Brownes Stadium although the permit is still pending. The number of stages has also been reduced and Hilltop Hoods, Mariachi El Bronx and Kanye West will not be performing.

Adelaide will also have the number of stages reduced and a number of acts including The Living End, Mariachi El Bronx and Kanye West will no longer be performing.

Auckland has also gone through some dramatic changes. The number of stages have been cut including the Lilyworld and Local Produce stages. Kanye and Odd Future have also been dropped from the festival which will only see one main stage. It was reported earlier that Odd Future was removed due to lobbying by gay activists to the local council over the groups homophobic lyrics.

If you’ve already purchased tickets to Perth, Adelaide, or Auckland, and it would seem not many have, then you have 3 options. You can receive a full refund if you apply before 30th November, exchange your ticket for one in another city, or receive a $20 merch voucher.

Big Day Out 2012 2nd Lineup Announcement
Noel Gallagher
Nero
The Vaccines
Kimbra
Art Vs Science
Regurgitator
Das Racist*
Bassnectar
CavaleraConspiracy
Miss Kittin*
Abbe May,
Kitty, Daisy & Lewis*
Bluejuice
Drapht
Papa Vs Pretty*
Amity Affliction*
King Cannons*
Faker*
Calling All Cars*
Stonefield*
Tonite Only
Shock One
T-Rek*.

*East Cost only

Unearthed bands:
Dune Rats – Gold Coast
Underlights – Sydney
King Gizzard and The Lizard Wizard – Melbourne
Honey Pies – Adelaide
The Growl – Perth

Click here for the first lineup announcement

We take a look at the most memorable, both great and sad, moments in the 20 year history of Big Day Out. Check it out here.

Murray agreed to become Jackson’s personal physician in 2009 as the singer planned a huge comeback tour after years of ridicule after Jackson lost face despite successfully beating charges brought against him of molesting minors. The doctor gave the singer surgical anesthetic propofol to Jackson so he could sleep. It was administered every night for the last two months of his life according to testimony.

The coroner ruled on 25th June 2009 that Jackson’s death was caused by ”acute propofol intoxication” in combination with two sedatives.

The trial was an ongoing saga that took over six-weeks that had a number of expert witnesses who lambasted Dr Murray as reckless. Prosecutors were particularly critical of the doctors decision to abandon Jackson whilst he was doped up on anesthetic propofol on June 25, 2009, the day he died. The also questioned Murray on his personal ethics painting a picture that the doctor would do anything Jackson demanded in order to maintain his employment which paid a comfortable $150,000-a-month salary.

“He is an employee who is saying yes to what is asked instead of saying yes to what is best for Michael Jackson’s health as any competent, ethical doctor would do,” prosecutor David Walgren said.

Attorneys for the Houston-based Dr Murray argued that in was Jackson who was addicted to the drug and had self-administered the fatal dose when Murray had left his bedroom. “They want you to convict Dr Murray for the actions of Michael Jackson,” defence lawyer Edward Chernoff said in closing arguments last week. The doctor refused to testify during the trial but did acknowledge that he had administered propofol and other sedatives to Jackson on the morning he died.

Fans gathered outside of the courthouse ahead of the verdict with many sported signs and placards reading  ”We miss Michael”, ‘Send Him To Jail’, with many chanting “Guilty!” leading up to the verdict. There were cheers of joy heard when the verdict was handed down.

The jury consisted of seven men and five women from a broad and diverse cross-section of those that live in Los Angeles including a professor, postman, bus driver, actor and movie animation supervisor. It took the jury nine hours of  deliberations to reach the verdict which began Friday morning.

Members of Jackson’s family were present at the courthouse to hear the verdict, with many of them expressing their opinions that Dr Murray had killed their brother in the months after his death.

A sentencing hearing will be scheduled in approximately six to eight weeks.

According to Harris who issued a statement on her blog, she filed charges on Friday after receiving death threats from an anonymous source. “It is my understanding that a police report I filed in New Orleans on Friday has now become public knowledge and is being reported on various websites,” she wrote.

“At this time, I do not wish to discuss the filing of the police report other than to say that, upon further reflection of events of the past week, it is something I needed to do.”

She continued “The week’s events have been extremely upsetting and culminated with an email from an unidentified person threatening to kill me and rape me and my family. While it is certainly possible that the email came from an overzealous fan of Odd Future, and not from the group itself, it has become clear to me that this is a matter for the police.”

According to Venues Today, who Harris was shooting for at the concert, the Louisiana criminal code says that simple battery is a misdemeanor offense and carries up to 6 months in jail and fines of up to $1,000.

Odd Future’s publicist issued a statement after the incident was made public last week denying the accusations and saying “there simply is no truth to the accusation floating around the internet”.

Surprised by the response from Odd Future’s representatives Harris wrote “I was very disheartened to learn yesterday that Odd Future is denying that one of its members, Vyron Turner (“Left Brain”), engaged in the violent conduct that so many people witnessed and even photographed or videotaped. After he so publicly attacked me, I truly believed that an apology would be immediately forthcoming, which is why I declined to press charges at that time.”

She continued “The unexpected turn of events, including an attack by Odd Future on my credibility and motives for discussing the incident, have caused me to re-evaluate my initial decision. I’ve contacted an attorney – Amy Borlund with Doll Amir & Eley in Los Angeles – and am pursuing my options. At a minimum, I am seeking a public apology from Vyron Turner. Ultimately, I want a resolution in which Turner is held accountable for his actions.”

Odd Future were recently pulled from the Auckland date of the Big Day Out festival due to complaints to the local council about their homophobic lyrics.