Proud moments last night. Kent Aberle on stage with Kristian Bush band at Rod Laver Arena, Melbourne. Went backstage after the show, met everybody, hung out in the band room (and drank their rider). Pretty swish in those back rooms – big leather couches, stocked bar fridges etc. Said a tearful farewell to Kent. The guys will be at the airport as this post goes live. Wondered if we’d ever see Kent down-under, after years of touring with him overseas. The moment arrived & went by in a flash.

Kent Aberle on drums with Kristian Bush band, Rod Laver Arena, 17th March 2015.

Fires out.

Really great night at 208 last night. Kent arrived from Atlanta yesterday. Max showed him around Collingwood & Abbotsford. Went down & kicked the footy on the hallowed turf of Victoria Park. We hung out for the day til everybody came for drinks around 7. I think Kent was stoked so many people came to say hello. Tour video highlights running on stage. Got up & talked a little about how we’d met & the touring we’d done together. 3 tours of the US, 2 of China, 1 of Taiwan. Amazing times to reflect upon. Thanks so much to those who joined us here last night.

Thanks to Deano, yet again, for the pic – Monday 16th March, Kent’s Party @ 208.

Fires out.

Mr Kent Aberle arrived at 208 in chipper style this morning. Great to see the man again – been a while. Last time we saw Kent was mid 2013, playing a show at Ho Hai Yan Festival, Taipei. Surreal to welcome the guy to Collingwood. Thought he might never make it down under. To celebrate, we’re having drinks at 208 tonight. Come along & say hi. We’re kicking off around 6:30, finishing up about 9:30. We’ve put together a video highlights package, finger food & munchies provided (BYO drinks). Kent plays to a sold-out Rod Laver Arena tomorrow night with Kristian Bush, opening for Lady Antebellum. Then, he’s off on tour. Here’s the man in action, on stage in Chengdu, China 2011 –

Fires out.

Looks like we’re throwing a “Meet and Greet” at the new venue for OS tour drummer Kent when he arrives in town Monday. He plays Rod Laver Arena Tuesday night. Probably kick off around 7. It’ll be a cruisy eve at 208 Johnston. Come along for a chat & a few quiet ones with Sugar K (yep, that’s what we call him). More info over the next few days. Here he is in action with TOF, Beijing 2011.

Fire out.

Had a great long weekend in Melbourne town. Sunday, went to see Kingsman: The Secret Service. Loved it. Still processing the movie – a wild blend of action & comedy. Insane fight scene in a church, the likes of which I’ve never seen. Violence & action so vastly over the top throughout the entire film – a 007 parody, shades of Tarantino & the Bourne series. Directed by Matthew Vaughn (X-Men, Kick Ass). A total romp – go see it.

Fires out.

Great Triple R Radio show on Tuesday nights – Superfluity. Cooked dinner listening to the guys – and wanted to hear the whole bizarre song list again (it’s out there). Enter Triple R’s awesome ‘Radio On Demand’ service. Just jumped onto the website & listening again as I write. From the Superfluity show page – “What good’s a desert island if you’re all alone? The Superfluity team and guests share and discuss the music that moves them.”

Superfluity on Melbourne’s Triple R Radio, Tuesday nights 8 til 10pm.

As many Melbourne folk will attest – Triple R is a vital part of our city’s music & culture. A mind-blowingly diverse mix of local & international talent, day in day out. Stream it live wherever you are.

Have a great weekend.

Fires out.

Always been a big fan of legendary comedian Bill Hicks – a man who shattered the art-form’s boundaries with brutal honesty & sociopolitical commentary. Long before, during and a little after Hicks, was this guy, George Carlin. Been getting into his work of late. No one was safe. No bullshit went without scrutiny. Conspiracy theories abound over Carlin’s death in 2008 at the age of 71. Did the government assassinate him? Was it the CIA? He made a lot of enemies in the halls of power. Here’s why –

Fires out.

Good mate, Steve Lane & his band The Autocrats are on a money-raising drive (for their air fares) to play Canadian Music Week this May. Me and Steve go way back. Went to school together, played in bands together etc. These days he’s got a great outfit, including occasional members of Augie March & Paul Kelly’s band. We’d love to see him get to Toronto. If you feel our way inclined – check the video below & Pledge a few bucks. You’ll get your hands on some great signed memorabilia as the band keeps you especially posted from the road.

Fires out.

The Vagrants having the time of their lives again – right now somewhere on the Austrian Alps. And that’s before they hit the tour circuit in a month or so. Steve and Ren work the snow fields, resort bar & house band each year during European Winter, before touring Germany & surrounds in warmer months. We toured Germany with them in 2013 – it was awesome. This shot below from Steve’s FB, taken yesterday –

Fires out.

The long wait is finally over for AFL tragics. Footy’s back, and how for Bulldog supporters. In front of a sold-out capacity crowd at Whitten Oval on Saturday, the Dogs lead most of the day against a young, gallant Richmond. Things looked dangerous for the Dogs in the final quarter, the game hanging in the balance by a few points before Bontempelli dobbed one in traffic from 35 out. Then the dam broke, Bulldogs winning by 22 points in what was a cliff-hanger for most of the arvo. (Click the pic for video highlights)

Great to be out there watching the Doggies once more at our ‘spiritual home’, the Whitten Oval. Been a long, long while between drinks.

Fires out.