MGMT, Tame Impala & Luke Steele @ The Horden Pavilion

My arms pressed firmly against my torso, I gazed from side to side at the mass of sweaty fans rumbling with excitement. My back damp from hundreds pushing, jumping and looking about. Heads bobbed back and forth trying to find the best view of an empty stage. Some squeezed in where there was no space, others politely moved backwards despite themselves. Swaying back and forth at random we all tried our best to remain in the one space we had worked for hours to hold. Waves of screams, jeers and cheers crashed against the stage. The roadie checking the mic was a star for 5 minutes. The stage empty again was about to hold one of the most hotly anticipated and highly criticized bands of the year. In a crowd of teenage girls and girly looking teenage boys I started to question my musical taste. But every other over 18 venue sold out just like this one. Who, after all, can question the force of this crowd.


But before the storm, amidst the drizzle of a small collection of excited punters I stood with great interest awaiting Tame Impala’s opening set. As the four of them awkwardly walked on stage, worn denim hanging about their spindly legs I couldn’t believe how young they were. As a band they are well rehearsed and tight. Their command of each instrument more than commendable. Their age, unbelievable. I wont go as far as to say they are band of prodigies but they are pretty damn good. If you haven’t invested in them yet maybe wait a couple of years. These boys should grow into something special. I admit all five of the songs contained a drawn out and slightly dull jam session that boarded on the passe. But as the song was in full flight the sea of heads around me packed itself closer to the stage and started to bob. As we stood the Horden slowly filled behind us, the once empty hall was now peppered by drinking and dancing revelers. Those packed in front of the stage started to feel the pressure building up behind them.


By the time an oddly oriental but ultimately farcical Luke Steele lumbered onstage there was no escape. I watched with reservation and only applauded because I thought I had to. I’ve never like Luke Steele’s work and I appreciated this performance even less. His music is written for one man, the very same standing on stage blowing his harmonica out of time with the drum machine. The very same beating the strings of his guitar over and over again with discord. Every time I looked behind me I was surprised at how little attention the crowd was paying to the stage. Groups conversed facing each other. It was just self indulgent noise, nothing more.


As soon as as his set was over things changed. Rows and rows of fans suddenly appeared. It was hard not get caught up in the throngs of anticipation. People ready to jump out of their skin and I can understand why. After listening to Oracular Spectacular many times I am well and truly in love with its originality and diversity. If this was the band that brought me all the emotions in that album then hell I’m going to push right to the front myself.

On their entrance the crowd erupted. My ear drums assaulted by screaming fans rather than loud music. MGMT began to play and I was lost in the thick of it. As a completely biased fan the band played to a level that surpassed my expectations. My expectations, however, weren’t very high. I had read on multiple accounts that their live performances were lack luster. The vocals weak the band out of sync. Now they weren’t amazing but something has to be said for their presence. With only a few words spoken throughout the whole concert MGMT had it’s crowd's undivided attention. As we were introduced to a few new tracks things did calm down. But unlike some reviews I have read none of the vibe was lost.


I’m still undecided about MGMT, are they truly the musicians that can produce this kind of intoxicating energy and hype for an extended period? Only a second album will tell and from what I heard it wont be fair to ride them off yet.

When they walked off stage for the first time the crowd was abuzz. Each song had had a choir of thousands singing along with such enthusiasm it was hard not to smile. But something was missing... Kids. Enter the band and the song, an undeniable to hit. The crowd went berserk. A fitting end to a band that performed to the best of its ability but really just needed stand still onstage.

Miami Horror, Bravado E.P

Despite promising full album reviews another E.P has crept under the radar. But, personal criticism aside, this is an E.P I have been dieing to get my hands on.

At the ripe age of 22 Miami Horror has a lot to his name both as a D.J and producer. Just this year things have reached a peak producing the Gameboy/Gamegirl album, The Golden Ghetto Sex E.P, and recording a mix for Ajax’s record label in Sweat It out Volume 1. I’ve been following his Myspace music player for two years now and it has never failed to impress. His style is a mixture of disco, nu disco and 80s synthtastica. It’s great stuff especially when your out clubbing.

Enough with the background info how was the CD?

Well it may be the very thing I’m trying to avoid. It’s good, but not great. Most importantly it’s not Miami Horror, at least as I pictured his music. The synths are there, the influences form the 70s and 80s wander around in the background but that exciting personality is gone. It’s hard to criticise him because I hold his work in such high regard. This is the producer that transformed Gameboy/Gamegirl from quirky to cutting edge. In short I’m looking for Miami Horror and I’m seeing Daft Punk.


The vocal are the main issue. I wasn’t keen on them from the start. They were too clean and very similar to the French robotic duo we know and love. So it may not surprise you that the tracks I enjoyed the most were those without vocals including the two instrumentals. The two tracks Bellevue and Illumination assured me that not all was lost. I sit here with fingers crossed (for my sake at least) that Miami Horror follows the path of these tracks for his next E.P or full length record. There really isn’t anything like dancing to a track that sounds like Sly and the Family Stone, Blade Runner and Phantom of the Opera sliced together.

3 / 5

Mercy Arms, (Self Titled)

The first time I heard about Mercy Arms they were on the cover The Brag dressed in mismatched fencing gear. Since then they have transformed their ‘look’ to one of the most exciting and captivating in Australia. Luckily their music has followed much the same path. If you flip through the sleeve as you listen to their self titled album haunting images of the group illuminated in white compliment the howling guitars and distant bells of their music.

To me, this album was instantly satisfying. I wasn’t tempted to listen to 20 seconds of every track to find something that grabbed me, like most Gen Y’s. Instead I just had to listened all the way through. Twice. The Mercy Arms sound is original, what is more it’s sustained throughout the entire album making it a really strong work. Something that I may argue must be listened to from start to finished each time you put it on.


The album starts off quite mellow as the band lets you get accustomed to their haunting style. The opening track Down here, So Long is nothing short of an amazing opening. Its simplicity and raw emotion had me completely absorbed seconds in. After a few twists and turns the two tracks Kilby and Speed arrive, strung together seamlessly. Just try and stop yourself from tapping the floor or hammering away on your desk. Despite having a similar sound to the rest of the album these two stand out with such ingenuity. And after you think you’ve picked their next move Shine A Light Down has you frothing at the mouth for more surprises.

I would hate to have the task of picking a single to lift from this bunch. Mercy Arms have created an album so original and complete it feels like the work of an older, more experienced band.

4 / 5

Myspace: www.myspace.com/mercyarms

Tame Impala, (Self Titled E.P)

If you worshiped aging rock stars in your teen years then Tame Impala might present you with a little conundrum. They sound exactly the same as your geriatric idols. So here comes the tough question, do we hate them or love them?

As a band they consist of three weedy, long haired guys: Jay Watson Drums / Vocals, Kevin Parker Guitar / Vocals, Dominic Simper Bass Guitar. Their music is in the same taste as many psychedelic rock bands of the 60s and 70s so originality is not their strong point. This may explain why they are signed to the same label (Modular) as the recently disbanded Wolfmother. While these two bands both pulled on my nostalgic heart strings Wolfmother, I can now admit, is simply a pastiche of the past and present. Tame Impala redeem themselves by seeming more genuine... somehow. This isn’t a slightly popy mixture of glam-rock, it’s an homage, a revival of music these three guys obviously love.


Don’t come in search of inspiring lyrics or a new sound they just aren’t there. Instead expect to be sent back in time by the very first note of the very first track Desire Be, Desire Go. The grungy guitar and tinny drums couple seamlessly with mellow, removed vocals. The track Half Full Glass of Wine reeks of Eric Clapton and Cream but boy do they do it well. If you are one of those purists who classify Wolfmother as plagiarism then rest assured Tame Impala finish their E.P with a well orchestrated killer: Wander. The band really shows us their musical talent and although the breakdown and solo are a bit lackluster the rest of the track is flawless.

Tame Impala are definitely worth any hype surrounding them and I look forward to their full length studio album.

3.5 / 5

First Post

Hello and welcome,

Professional Suicide is my personal blog. Named after the Ladyhawke track off her self titled record I will be posting album and gig reviews as well as event news from the Sydney music scene. The title, Professional Suicide, addresses my desires to create a career from writing copy. I hope that in time this blog becomes a sounding board for work submitted to various community magazines and street press. The bi-line "writing's the dream..." encapsulates my everyday hope that in the future writing will be, not only an occupation, but a passion and legacy.

So what can you expect from this blog. I hope to regularly update it with my own written content and interesting links about music in Australia and the rest of the world. From reviews and musings about newly released albums to longer pieces about my experiences at club events and concerts. Eventually practically everything I post here will be submitted to community papers and street press. So your involvement is essential. Please comment (constructively) on things you like, things you hate and how I can improve. Who knows one day I may just get something printed and you can to take honourary responsibility for it.

It wont just be text. I always have my trusty Nikon point-and-shoot wedged into the pocket of my skinny leg jeans so I can take plenty of happy snaps. Although photography wont be the focus of the blog, each live review will have some pictures from the event first hand.

Thanks to everyone who regularly clicks through... time to get writing.