New Venue Update: Well into the process, dealing with local council & associated rules and regulations. This week, a new obstacle – they want a ‘demolition plan’, which we don’t have. And we don’t have one because… there will be no demolition. We’re fitting out a venue, not pulling the building down. Apparently we need to write a document explaining why demolition is not required (again) & requesting an exemption from providing said ‘demolition plan’. Stay tuned for more red tape.

Fires out.

Delighted with Kegasaurus Wrecks’ debut album, ‘Swamp Gas Beer‘. As posted yesterday, we just received a promo pack complete with CDs, t-shirts, caps etc – also reminded us how much we miss the guys. We met these fine Floridian gents on a US tour in 2010. I must say, bias aside, it’s a great sounding record. Well crafted rock/metal, deep pounding drums, in-your-face guitars – and gutsy yet melodic vocals.

The songs bring a party-vibe while maintaining a soulful substance. And the production (courtesy Dewayne Hart) sounds amazing – it’s solid & precise without losing the band’s organic rock feel. A big thumbs up to Kegasaurus Wrecks for a fine debut release. Get yourself a copy. And check out the band’s Reverb Nation page.

Fires out.

Great start to the week. Package arrived from West Palm, Florida. Ian Scott, guitarist & vocalist with Kegasaurus Wrecks, mailed us their brand-spankin’ new album complete with t-shirts, stubbie-holders, caps & posters.

Florida’s Kegasaurus Wrecks – new ablum, t-shirt & cap.

We first met Ian at a show in Lake Worth, Florida. Completely by chance, we were playing at a bar about an hour from his place & didn’t realise he was the son of a friend of a friend of my mother’s (4 degrees of separation?). Went to a great party at Ian’s place a couple weeks later. Then later in the year, we added his place as an official US tour date. Their street is party-central. Ian’s home has a stage, bar & band room (you need never leave the neighbourhood).

All the best with the release, guys! Listening to the album now…

Fires out.

Spent most of yesterday frantically researching info for local council. To change the use of our building to a licensed premises, we need to prove what it actually was in the first place. Even though council rates records show exactly what it was, they don’t care. Rates notices are apparently ‘insufficient information’. So our local council have been deliberately billing people for living here (for decades), knowing full well they’ve had ‘insufficient information’ to do so. The idiocy of bureaucracy.

State Library Melbourne.

Back to the State Library this arvo to dig through archives & public records to prove what we’ve known all along – that someone had been living here before we arrived. Our application to have a live music venue stops dead in it’s tracks, until we can do so.

The shit-fight is now well underway…

Fires out.

Got back with the dog this morning & one of the guys from next door asked me to come over & test the new coffee machine (bit wired as I write). They’re practicing making coffee prior to opening the bar sometime in the next month or two. Some point in the not-too-distant future, we’ll be two licensed venues next to each other on this little part of Johnston St Collingwood. 208 & 210.

Off to council meeting today, town planner tomorrow. Getting the license and permit stuff underway. We’re told it’ll be a somewhat meticulous process.

Fires out.

Archival footage of Ukraine tour October 2008. 3 weeks on a tour bus around the country. You can see the sleep deprivation kicking in. Romania & Turkey followed.

Fires out.

Enthralling weekend of AFL football, starting with Carlton’s thrashing at the hands of West Coast, Friday night. Saturday, in the round’s 2nd biggest upset, Western Bulldogs beat the Tigers at The G. And it got weirder. Yesterday the Bombers (leading all afternoon) accounted for white-hot favourites & reining premiers Hawthorn. Collingwood & Geelong were surprisingly well beaten. And the hapless Saints thumped predicted finals-contenders Gold Coast in enemy territory. (Bulldog v Tiger’s highlights below)

Round 2 done & tipping winners for next weekend couldn’t be tougher. Fantastic start to another AFL season.

Fires out.

On a somewhat lighter note this Friday afternoon, our pooch Mojo just smashed the cat litter tray. Unthinkable things he does in there when we’re not looking. Apparently, Max caught him with stuff all over his back. He wouldn’t sit for the pic through. Next best thing was the aftermath.

Mojo’s handy-work.

Off to work at the Speigeltent Bar tonight in Collingwood. Practice for when we open the new venue. Using the experience to design the bar layout here too. Love the job. Scary at first, but into the swing now. Have a great weekend & GO DOGS – playing the formidable Tigers tomorrow at MCG. No love lost.

Fires out.

Good mates, The Vagrants just released their latest video ‘Can’t Take Anymore’. They’re on the road through Germany this month.

Go guys.
Fires out.

Backstage at Rod Laver arena last month courtesy Kent Arberle. Kent’s band Kristian Bush opened for the band below, Lady Antebellum. Great to see the man, his first time in Australia after years touring with us overseas.

Our first time backstage at Rod Laver too. Took an overseas buddy to get us there.

Fires out.