Max at a massive demonstration against Australia’s Abbott Federal Government on Sunday in Melbourne. Whenever people get out en masse to express concern about the direction of government policy, they’re often subject to a wave of criticism from conservative voices in our society – and mainly those who didn’t attend.

Public rallies & demonstrations are also important ways to learn about hidden activities in our country. Stuff our insightful main-stream commercial media deem unfit for broadcast or publication. Little things like violating the human rights of refugees and indigenous people, corporate economic savagery & environmental destruction, the subjugation of women and so on. If you’re getting your news from Channel 7 or 3AW, sorry but they don’t want you thinking or talking about all that uncomfortable stuff.

For mine, the People’s right to express concern isn’t and shouldn’t be about barracking for your favourite political party, rusted on like a football supporter. In my experience demonstrations have overwhelmingly been about truth, honesty, information and appropriate action. The opposite of politics.

Long live democracy and the will of the People, however they are ridiculed or distorted.

Fires out.

It’s been a huge week here at the new venue. We had to have the place ready for it’s first ever event; our house-mate’s birthday bash on Saturday night. With 3 hours to spare, we were done & ready to roll (and freekin’ exhausted). It was all well and truly worth it. We had a fantastic night. Still on a high this morning. Please excuse the lack of website posts during last week. Saturday night was also our first gig here, albeit unannounced. Pulled out a few On Fires tunes along with some classic Beatles, Floyd & Elvis.

The venue room already has a really nice cosy vibe to it in the early stages of construction.

Fires out.

A massive weekend working on the new venue. Very sore today. Max posted this shot on our Facebook page. Funny story – the hole got a lot bigger and the thing I was looking for (sewage pipe) was never found. The original builders had encased the pipe in a solid channel of concrete. Had to give up and start another one out the back. Found the pipe eventually. So now we can install a sink in the bar.

Marty digging out the venue floor.

Between digging & tip runs, brick-by-brick we pulled down an old fireplace and chimney in the rear of the building. An epic undertaking. Working on this place is part archeological. There’s stuff behind the walls & in the ground from a hundred years ago. False teeth, bottles, old pipe, paint tins etc.

Recovering slowly today.
Fires out.

A lovely shot of the new venue floor here at Fire Depot, Collingwood. Those are gas pipes sitting over the hole. Had to join them & tunnel under the floor to that little hole in the bottom corner of the front wall. Dirty work. Stu the plumber had a rough day on the street. While getting something out of the driver’s side of his ute, someone smashed into the open door, narrowly missing him & snapping the door forward into the front of the vehicle. The guy took responsibility at first, then spent the rest of the afternoon sending abusive voice-mail. Idiot.

Then around 4pm a bus-driver barreled up to the ute & slammed on the brakes, horn blaring while Stu was frantically packing the last of his gear to get out of the clearway.

The joys of Johnston St.

Have a great weekend.
Fires out.

Legendary MC5 – Kick Out The Jams. Turn up load, enjoy…

Fires out.

Scary times. This article in today’s Age newspaper Melbourne.

Ukraine puts troops on high alert, threatening war

Soldiers block access to a Ukrainian border guard base near Simferopol. Photo: AFP

Simferopol, Ukraine: Ukraine put its military on high alert on Sunday in response to Russia’s move to seize control of the Crimean peninsula, and it threatened war against Moscow if the Kremlin made further incursions into Ukrainian territory as Western powers scrambled to find a response to the crisis.

“This is the red alert, this is not a threat, this is actually a declaration of war to my country,” Ukraine’s Prime Minister, Arseniy Yatsenyuk, said after Russia’s parliament approved the deployment of troops to any part of Ukraine where Moscow deems Russians are in danger. He warned that Ukraine was on the “brink of disaster” and appealed to the international community to stand by Kiev. Click here to read more

Another weekend working on the new venue. Max already on it, painting the toilet ‘complex’ in the beer garden. Me taking photos. Again, the boys (professionals) arrive at 7am tomorrow for more construction & transformation. Apparently the weather’s looking kick-arse for the weekend.

Max painting in the beer garden a few moments ago.

Have a great weekend.
Fires out.

Last Saturday night was the 4th in a row playing at Stalk & Kim’s place. Kind of a Feb ‘residency’. Been having a ball – great way to wind down after a week working on the new venue. Can’t make it this Saturday due to an important family birthday dinner. Need a fill-in. I’ve left the guitar in open tuning so Stalk can take over this weekend…

Last Saturday night at Stalk & Kim’s, slide-guitar with cigarette lighter.

Fires out.

We’ve probably stooped about as low as we can regarding the treatment of asylum seekers. An international disgrace right under our noses, and a government who would keep us all in the dark. Time for a major change in thinking and approach. This from getup.org.au –

“On Sunday 23 February, more than 20,000 Australians turned out across the country and around the world to spread light during a dark time in Australian history. They gave hope and radiated compassion to asylum seekers suffering under our government’s cruel and punishing policies. Watch this video to see what they made possible.”

Fires out.

This is an incredible photo. Sasha Pipa, injured in the Kiev riots.

Fires out.