Amongst those sideshows were those for M83 who had sold out two shows at the Prince Bandroom. Supporting the french electro outfit were local Melbourne band Teenage Mothers who are well known in the local music community for their interesting on stage antics.

But apparently those antics went too far for Anthony Gonzalez, frontman for M83, who unceremoniously kicked them off the sideshow tour after the first Melbourne show because their lead singer James ‘JK’ Kennedy ‘looked like a junkie’ after inhaling nitrous oxide onstage.

Kennedy regularly includes the skit into the band’s set and according to the band using ‘soda bulbs’ is not illegal. Despite this M83′s management were adamant the band not be allowed to play anymore shows, cancelled their guestlist, and barred them from the venue. The band were replaced by a DJ for the rest of the tour.

Now Teenage Mothers guitarist Raph Brous has hit back at Anthony Gonzalez and M83, labelling them hypocrites and claiming on their first meeting Gonzalez tried to recruit Brous to find marijuana and other illicit drugs for himself and his bandmates. Brous has published a full account of what happened in an interview with Mess+Noise and on his Facebook page.

You can read the full account below:

Among other things, I play guitar in Teenage Mothers. It’s post punk. We like stark, meaningful lyrics and abrasive guitar noise. We recently recorded our debut album with Jim Sclavunos from Grinderman / The Bad Seeds. So we were surprised when M83 requested us for main support on their sold-out Australian tour. They’re a French electro-dance band, so we seemed an odd choice. They offered peanuts ($250 per gig), but we said yes because we like their music.

Our lead singer, James ‘JK’ Kennedy, is unusual. He’s a political activist in the Occupy movement. He left school at 15 to be a pro skater, then he quit the Nike team and taught himself to read aged 23. During our gigs, he likes doing backflips and inhaling soda bulbs (nitrous oxide). It’s not a contrived act. It’s simply JK being himself.

On October 10th last year, I emailed Anthony Gonzalez (M83 frontman) and his manager. I told them about our lead singer’s unusual behaviour, including his fondness for soda bulbs. They made no comment.

Last Thursday was the tour’s first show. At soundcheck, Anthony Gonzales met our singer JK. Anthony immediately asked JK to hook up marijuana and other drugs for the members of M83.

That night, our crowd response was great. JK inhaled several soda bulbs onstage. Apparently a few audience members voluntarily took soda bulbs too. That’s not illegal. Soda bulbs are available from supermarkets and catering suppliers. You can buy them over the counter.

After the show, we had a drink with Anthony backstage. He was friendly and I gave him an inscribed copy of my novel. Everyone got on well.

The following afternoon, we soundchecked for the second Melbourne show. Then, thirty minutes before our set, we were suddenly kicked off the entire tour. Under orders from M83’s vindictive tour managers, the venue staff pushed us onto the street. Our guest list was cancelled and our friends were kicked out too (some of them had travelled a long way to the gig). Security guards barred us from entering the building. It cost us hundreds of dollars. It was humiliating and unfair.

I attempted to compromise. I promised that in Sydney, JK would not bring any nitrous oxide onstage. But that wasn’t enough for M83. They wanted to punish us.

So M83 kicked us off the Sydney show too. They knowingly made us waste ten airline tickets (return airfares for five people). We had been advertised on the Laneway Festival website and streetpress. A lot of people were expecting to see us.

Why were we suddenly kicked off and replaced with a crappy DJ?

M83’s tour manager claimed that we were ‘disrespectful’, because our lead singer inhaled a soda bulb onstage. So apparently M83 is a fundamentalist cult that requires abstinence from fun? Before the tour, I clearly informed M83 about our singer’s antics.

Outside his band room, I confronted Anthony Gonzalez and his tour managers. Anthony told me why he shafted us, kicked out our friends and wasted everyone’s time and money. His exact words were:

‘Your singer looks like a junkie. I don’t want people who look like that around me. This is an important time for me’.

Anthony Gonzalez is a hypocrite. He asked our singer to find him illegal drugs, then he kicked us off because he thinks that our singer ‘looks like a junkie’. In fact, James Kennedy is not a heroin addict. He has never been a heroin addict. He’s a fit young man. How many junkies can do backflips off a stage?

Anthony Gonzalez makes stupid assumptions based on appearances. In his arrogant bubble, individuality is condemned as ‘disrespect’. What else can you expect from a guy who hogs the limelight, excluding his long-term band members from all publicity shots?

I don’t enjoy writing this account. I truly respected Anthony Gonzalez. But people are asking why we got kicked off the tour. Why shouldn’t Anthony be exposed for his abusive conduct?

So much for rock n’ roll. M83 should have chosen a boring DJ as their support. Playing with them is our worst experience as a band.

Walls, released in April on Mom+Pop/Shock Records, garnered glowing critical acclaim and saw An Horse continue to keep a relentless pace on the road through Australia, Europe and North America, where they performed at Bamboozle Fest, Osheaga, Lollapalooza, Austin City Limits, Rolling Stone Weekender and CMJ. 2012 will continue to be a busy year for the duo.

TICKETS ON SALE 9AM WEDNESDAY 15TH FEBRUARY, $15+BF!

Wednesday 25th April Rosemount Hotel Perth
www.moshtix.com.au 1300 GET TIX, www.heatseeker.com.au 08 6210 7270, www.oztix.com.au 1300 762 545

Thursday 26th April Jive Adelaide
www.moshtix.com.au 1300 GET TIX

Friday 27th April Corner Hotel Melbourne
www.cornerhotel.com.au 03 9427 9198

Saturday 28th April Oxford Arts Factory Sydney
www.moshtix.com.au 1300 GET TIX

Sunday 29th April The Zoo Brisbane
www.oztix.com.au 1300 762 545

From City and Colour, Kaiser Chiefs to Public Enemy and more, this will be one fun techni-colour spectrum of artist-all-sorts handpicked for GTM fans to enjoy this May.

Now in its eighth percussive year, the GTM tribe of 75,000 strong across the land will hold up the sky for another gathering culminating in a happiness explosion of epic proportions.

Promoter Stephen Halpin relayed in anticipation of the 2012 events saying ”I’m really excited about this lineup. So many fresh locals, festival favourites and breaking internationals to keep the outdoor stages rocking and the Moolin Rouge banging. Looking forward to checking out Chiddy Bang, plus Mutemath and The Maccabees who are making their first tours of Australia. I’m sure everyone will give them a friendly GTM welcome.”

See below for the lineup and ticket sale dates.

Groovin The Moo 2012 Lineup
360, Adrian Lux (SWE), Andrew W.K One-Man-Party Tour (USA), Beni, Big Scary, Bluejuice, Chiddy Bang (UK), City and Colour (CAN), Digitalism (GER), The Getaway Plan, Gold Fields, Hermitude, Hilltop Hoods, Kaiser Chiefs (UK), Kimbra, The Maccabees (UK), Matt Corby, Muscles, Mutemath (USA), Naysayer & Gilsun, Parkway Drive, Public Enemy (USA), Purple Sneakers DJs, San Cisco, Wavves (USA) with more local and triple j unearthed artists to be announced!

The official 2012 Groovin The Moo tour diary:

Saturday 5 May 2012 – Bendigo VIC

Bendigo’s Prince of Wales Showground 42 – 72 Holmes Rd, Bendigo VIC 3550

Sunday 6 May 2012 – Townsville QLD

Murray Sports Complex – Townsville Cricket Grounds Mervyn Crossman Dr & Murray Lyons Cres Idalia QLD 4811

Saturday 12 May 2012 – Maitland NSW

Maitland Showground Blomfield St, Maitland NSW 2320

Sunday 13 May 2012 – Canberra ACT

The Meadows, University of Canberra Kirinari St Bruce ACT 2617

Saturday 19 May 2012 – Bunbury WA

Hay Park (off) Parade Rd Bunbury WA 6230

TICKET PRICE: $99.90+ B/F

GROOVIN THE MOO 2012 TICKET ON SALE DATES:

Tues 14 February (from 9am local time) – Bendigo VIC

Wed 15 February (from 9am local time) – Maitland NSW

Thurs 16 February (from 9am local time) – Townsville QLD, Canberra ACT & Bunbury WA

GTM is a licensed all ages (16 + recommended) event. GTM recommends parents should consider whether the event is appropriate for their child and recommends that any children under 16 years of age who attend the event are accompanied by their parent or guardian. Persons who are 18 years of age or older and wish to purchase alcohol MUST have photographic ID. No pass outs will be issued at any of the five GTM events.

TICKETS AVAILABLE:

By logging onto gtm.net.au or moshtix.com.au | By calling 1300 438 849 (GET TIX) By visiting selected MOSHTIX outlets – check gtm.net.au for an outlet in your local area

The news is bittersweet however as organisers have also broken to sad news that previously announce headliner Fat Freddy’s Drop has been forced to pull out of the festival along with Modeselektor. According to FasterLouder, organisers hope to replace the headliners as soon as possible and are “waiting on a couple of juicy acts to sign on the dotted line” before they can announce them.

They aren’t the only changes being made to the festival. Promoters announced to fans in August that they would be moving from mid-February to early March to help combat the extreme heat experienced by patrons in earlier years. You can see the lineup so far below.

Playground Weekender 2nd lineup:
Shapeshifter
Melbourne Ska Orchestra
Steve Bug
LTJ Bukem
Amirali (LIVE)
Cameras
Pluto Jonze
Paper Scissors
Kirk Degiorgio
Guerre
Lunars
Fait Accompli
March of the Real Fly
The Smith Street Band
Bomb the Music Indus…try!
The Walking Who
Bitrok
The Bennie
Catcall
Milhouse
The Fighting League
Wordlife
Morgda
Brenton Catz
Nic Scali
Brahn
Mia Lucci
Le Brond
Sam Roberts
Murat Killic

Joining:
Chic Feat Nile Rogers
Boy and Bear
Roots Manuva
Unkle Sounds
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

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

In December the festival announced the first round of acts including Justin Townes Earle, Royal Headache, Lanie Lane, King Gizzard and the Lizard Wizard and more. Sadly Pond, who were originally announced as one of the headliners has had to pull out due so they can take advantage of a USA tour opportunity they have been offered.

But their absence is due to be felt by a huge second lineup announcement headed up by The Superholics, a super group of sorts comprising the unquestionable talents of Beau Campbell from Front End Loader, Jamie Cibej from Bluejuice, some chap called Kram and another guy about town called Dan Sultan.

Joining The Superholics on the lineup will be Jim James of My Morning Jacket, psychedelic legends Dead Meadow, western swinger and good time gal Eileen Jewell, Dawes, Pink Mountaintops (the alter ego of Black Mountains’ Stephen McBean), The Rubens, The Gooch Palms, and Sures.

Boogie 6 Full Lineup
THE SUPERHOLICS, JIM JAMES of My Morning Jacket, DEAD MEADOW, EILEEN JEWELL, DAWES, PINK MOUNTAINTOPS, THE RUBENS, THE GOOCH PALMS, SURES, JUSTIN TOWNES EARLE, ROYAL HEADACHE, JAMES REYNE, LANIE LANE, AC/DSHE, SNAKADAKTAL, KING GIZZARD & THE LIZARD WIZZARD, BITTERSWEET KICKS, BAPTISM OF UZI, MERRI CREEK PICKERS and LOVE MIGRATE

BOOGIE 6. APRIL 6,7,8, 2012. BRUZZY’S FARM.
FREE TRAIN TRAVEL FROM MELBOURNE CBD. FREE CAMPING. SAME TICKET PRICE AS LAST YEAR. GOOD TIMES.
TICKETS ON SALE Tuesday DECEMBER 13 FROM www.boogie.net.au and at GREVILLE RECORDS, and POLYESTER in Brunswick and the City.

Facts presales are available NOW and iTunes to follow. All vinyl sales come with a free digital download of the album.

Polish your interpretive dance moves, bust out your mildly inappropriate spandex numbers and come prepared for Aleks and The Ramps’ ecstatic aural delights when they play at a city near you.

Aleks and The Ramps FACTS Tour 2012:

CANBERRA
Thursday 1 March
The ANU Bar
with special guests
Tickets $10 at the door. Doors 8:30pm

WOLLONGONG
Friday 2 March
The Patch – Free Entry!
with special guests

SYDNEY
Saturday 3 March
GoodGod Small Club
with special guests
Tickets

NEWCASTLE
Sunday 4 March
Chinos
with special guests
Tickets $10 at the door. Doors 6:15pm

BYRON BAY
Thursday 8 March
The Rails – Free Entry!
with special guests

TOOWOOMBA
Friday 9 March
The Spotted Cow – Free Entry!
with special guests

BRISBANE
Saturday 10 March
Tym Guitars in store – Free Entry!

BRISBANE
Saturday 10 March
The Waiting Room
with special guests
Tickets $10 at the door. Doors at 8pm.

GEELONG
Thursday 22 March
The National Hotel
with special guests
$10 at the door

MELBOURNE
Friday 23 March
Northcote Social Club
with special guests
Tickets

ADELAIDE
Saturday 24 March
The Hotel Metro
with special guests
Tickets $8 at the door. Doors 8:00pm

HOBART
Saturday 31 March
The Brisbane Hotel
with special guests

For almost two years, Adam and the Ants dominated the charts with their singles and albums earning them a Brit award for their 2nd album, Kings of the Wild Frontier, plus a Grammy nomination.

Adam Ant then took some time out to pursue an acting career after a stint at MTV as their very first VJ in 1983. He appeared in many films and US TV shows before he decided to split his time between acting and music and started recording again.

Adam Ant will release his new album Adam Ant Is The Blueblack Hussar In Marrying The Gunners Daughter in June this year, on Adam’s record label, Blueblack Hussar Records.

The journey now continues with a tour confirmed for Australia in March, and a tour in the US to follow in September. Adam Ant will also be in Australia in mid February for a promotional tour in Sydney and Melbourne.

MARCH
Friday 23                        Enmore Theatre, Sydney. Doors – 8pm
Tickets: $79 GA, $89 Reserved seating, $299 VIP Ticket w/Meet & Greet & Photo Op. Ph: 02 9519 9231 / ticketek
www.ticketek.com.au

Wednesday 28                Metro City, Perth. Doors – 7pm
Tickets: $69 GA, $249 VIP Ticket w/ Meet & Greet & Photo Op. ph: 08 9228 0500
www.ticketek.com.au / www.oztix.com.au

Friday 30                        Palace, Melbourne. Doors – 8pm
Tickets: $79 GA, $299 for VIP ticket w/ Meet & Greet & Photo Op.

Ticketek.com.au, ph 132849, Oztix.com.au, other outlets: Polyester City & Fitzroy, Greville, Espy and National Hotel

APRIL
Thursday 5                     Barton Theatre, Adelaide. Doors – 7pm
Tickets: $79 Floor, $89 Reserved seating, $299 VIP Ticket w/ Meet & Greet & Photo Op.
Ph: (08) 8443 5255 / www.venuetix.com.au

Sunday 8                        Tivoli, Brisbane. Doors – 7pm
Tickets: $79 GA, $299 VIP Tickets w/ Meet & Greet & Photo Op.
Ph: 07) 3852 1711. www.ticketek.com.au / www.oztix.com.au

The hard rock industry is beyond saturation so anything that steers away from the norm seems like a blessing. Their sophomore album ‘Set the World on Fire’ has alternative press declaring it “Anthemic arena metal that draws equally from 80’s (Iron Maiden) and the present day (Avenged Sevenfold)” 

TICKETS ON SALE FRIDAY 3 FEBRUARY, 9AM

TUESDAY 28 FEBRUARY SYDNEY, THE WALL (BALD FACE STAG) - Licensed All Ages
www.oztix.com.au / www.gobookem.com

THURSDAY 1 MARCH MELBOURNE, THE THORNBURY THEATRE - All Ages
www.oztix.com.au

No novice to the stage, James has already captured audiences throughout Europe and USA with his passionate, pop oriented folk, including the UK where his spot on last year’s Glastonbury lineup had many new fans witness his magic. His self-recorded album “Early In The Morning” platforms his musical integrity and genuine talent with hypnotic lyrics inspired by life, love and literature.

JAMES VINCENT MCMORROW
With special guest to be announced

Brisbane – Thursday April 5 – Black Bear Lodge
Tix available from OzTix.com.au, 1300 762 545

Sydney – Wednesday April 11 – The Vanguard
Tix available from thevanguard.com.au

Melbourne – Thursday April 12 – The Toff In Town
Tix available from Moshtix.com.au, 1300 438 849

Tickets On Sale this Monday, February 6th at 9am

The release of ‘This Modern Glitch’ in April 2011 has seen the band take their career to the next level. The album instantly received widespread critical acclaim and was hailed as ‘Album of the Week’ on both Triple J and RADAR Radio.

It was catapulted all the way to the number two position on the ARIA charts, featuring hits such as “Techno Fan”, “Tokyo (Vampires & Wolves)”, “Jump Into the Fog” and “1996”.

After touring Australia last year to sold-out crowds, The Wombats are back for a spate of live shows at Future Music Festival as well as intimate DJ shows.

Catch them on The Espy decks, Sunday March 11 (Labour Day eve). Tickets on sale now through www.espy.com.au and all Oztix outlets.