Top Marks Gig Recommendations October 2019

Mark Ireland

Heavy and Hammered V 5.10.19 The Tote Hotel, Collingwood

Every year PBS FM host Heavy and Hammered which showcases the best of Melbourne’s metal scene, I’ve been in the past and it’s a huge day, the Tote is the perfect venue to hold the event, 

Some of the featured bands on the bill are EL Colosso who will break your DNA into small particles, so small that not even CSI could put them back together. 

Fuck The Fitzroy Doom Scene, who have gone from strength to strength over the years, their brutal mix psychedelic metal and stone cold doom will spin your head off it’s axis that not even Google Maps could find It. 

Barbarion 

Barbarion are the ultimate party band, with their viking costumes and pyrotechnics, they never fail to get the crowd smashing beers and deafening each other with their anthemic out of tune singing. 

The 5,6,7,8,S    Globe Alley 6.10.19

The 5,6,7,8’S are best known for the scene in Kill Bill, but they have had an extensive career outside that one appearance, they always manage to bring a bent party vibe with their crazy mix of garage pop, surf rock and retro psych, and they are supported by none other than Melbourne’s premier Quentin Tarintino tribute bandThe Tarrintinos. 

Union Hotel’s Beergarden Bash 26.10.19 

The Union Hotel, Brunswick

The Union in Brunswick is one of Melbourne’s premier pubs for roots, Americana, and rock and roll, the pub itself has been around for 150 years, it's a great space for a Sunday session, the publican is taking full advantage of the space and putting on a mini festival in the beergarden, flying down to Melbourne from NSW  Dashville festival is Johnston City,  also on the bill is incredible Brook Russell, I've seen Brook many times over the years, she never fails to draw me into her trance, she is cyclone mix of Patsy Cline, Loretta Lynn and every other classic country singer you care to name. 

When the sun sets the crowd will move back inside to the band room for floor stomping sweat inducing Three Kings.

RohRaiser - A Benefit for Rohan Brooks, Northcote Social Club

RohRaiser is a benefit for Rohan Brooks to help him with his medical bills, Rohan Brooks has played an incredible part of the Melbourne music scene for over 25 years, in the 90’s he was the drummer for pop rockers The Anyones, he then went onto form Rudely Interrupted, with whom he toured the world over a dozen times, he’s played for the UN, and twice at Ability Fest, Rudely Interrupted have been a great success story of recent years, singer and keyboardist Rory Burnside was the coach for the Rockdogs in 2018, Rohan has gone above and beyond to spread the word inclusiveness of people living with disabilities in the music scene. 

This benefit is what Melbourne does best, get around musicians who are doing it hard and give them a leg up. 

The lineup for the day will be Rocket Science, Snout, Rudely Interrupted, the reformed Anyones, Suzannah Espie, Spoonful, with guest MC’s Myf Wurhurst and Alan Brough.

Ryan Downey  - 24.10.19

Gasometer Hotel, Collingwood

I first saw Ryan at The Old Bar for part of the Changes Music Festival, I was immediately transfixed by him, his incredible baritone voice just thumps you in the chest like a wrecking ball, his sombre tone has a beautiful sense of melcolony and sadness. 

I highly recommend this gig, hopefully Ryan will break your heart just like he broke mine, he will be supported by Anna Cordell and Nat Vazer. 

As always get out and see as much live music as you can, you never know when it will change your life.