stubbadub

Ladies and Gents, boys and girls, people of Melbourne! Round up the masses for a superb night of musical intrigue, delectable ditties and sheer swinging fun that is bound to have you grooving like some sort of dysfunctional dashboard hula doll.

Sex on Toast have a gig coming up at The Evelyn, May 27th and I defy you to go and not enjoy the living bejesus out of it. Seriously, these are some really talented guys, and it will certainly be an evening well spent.

The official word:

Sex on Toast
The Clintonicas (ex-Bärhugs, USA, Mr. B)
Fabio Umberto (Italy)

The illustrious gents in Sex on Toast cordially invite you to an evening of pleasure and finery, on Thursday 27th of May at The Evelyn. Joining them is Fabio Umberto, all the way from Rimini, Italy. This 1980’s Ital-disco legend will put pep in your step and the bump in your rump. After a considerable hiatus, California legends The Clintonica’s (ex-Bärhugs, USA, Mr. B) bring their signature brand of windswept dude-rock to Melbourne for one show only.

Sex on Toast requests your presence for this sensational night of pure entertainment. Doors at 9pm. $7 entry.

Now, I’m not usually one to speculate but The Clintonicas?! Ahem, “Bärhugs“, “Mr B.”… is this ringing bells with anyone? For those who maybe aren’t aware of the musical ties here, Sex on Toast‘s guitarist, one Angus Leslie and the man behind the keys, Mr Olaf  Scott, feature in another of stubbadub’s much loved bands: Umlaut.

I’m wondering what the chef’s got cooking here. As I’m a west coast lady and dear Gronk is a Sydney boy, I need you stubbers to get down there and find out what the hell is going on.

I want full reports! A show not to be missed.

Tickets through moshtix or on the door

Recently I had the pleasure of chatting to Bär McKinnon. The interview covers everything from where Kitty Puppy got its title, to Umlaut’s origins and Bär’s thoughts on a Mr Bungle reunion and their unreleased music; along with some great insights into the Bungle dynamic.

If you’re yet to hear the Umlaut album, you’re about to be converted. Atlas Face, Kitty Puppy and Work Truck all feature in this comprehensive interview. A word of warning, there is 29 minutes of audio here, so settle in and get comfy!

The interview is available for download here (megaupload: RAW WAV: 164.12 MB) (mp3 version on rapidshare here)

A shorter version was aired on my radio show but this is the full interview, so enjoy – another Stubbadub exclusive!

Exclusive to stubbadub! A short Q&A with Bar McKinnon:

What music had you been listening to while putting together Umlaut?

I was listening to Jennifer Gentle, Animal Collective, Dillinger Escape plan, The Blood Brothers, Cocteau Twins, Aphex Twin, Deerhoof, and Fleet Foxes

Are you ever suprised by the people who show up to your gigs? What kinds of people do you think Umlaut would appeal to?

No, not really surprised. They’re usually kinda nerdy types, (kinda like myself..!)but i am surprised when females are in attendance (..should i admit this..??!?)I think Umlaut should appeal to anybody with hungry ears, an open mind and a love of melody.

Your ideal gig would consist of which band mates? (dead or alive)

My ideal gig would be a goddamn Bungle reunion! 

Do you ever miss Mr Bungle? What were the dynamics of a band of musical geniuses?

Obviously i miss that band because it was the single most visionary, talented group of musicians i’ve ever been lucky enough to play with..

The dynamic was pretty simple. Everbody wrote tunes and brought them to the table. Ideas were thrown around freely, suggestions, improvements made with no ego interference..
Then there were also roles specific to our instruments. Patton was usually the alpha male but Trey could hold his own and throw his weight around as well too. So there was a bit of head-butting but the best interests of the music were always served.

I guess i have my doubts about as to whether it would ever happen or not. This might just be self-preservation so i don’t waste time hoping for the impossible. And no, i haven’t brought it up when last speaking with those guys recently. Everybody just seems to have too many other things going on at the moment to be bothered. But i wouldn’t necessarily rule it out either. (It’s too easy to be a naysayer).

Thanks heaps to Gerry for her work putting this interview together and of course thanks to Bar for taking the time to answer the questions.

The artwork for the upcoming Umlaut debut album, due to hit aussie stores February 14 and worldwide in March. Yay!

So it’s not going to be a November 08 release

“Uh….the Album’s done….MMMMKay..?

Should be out early February. Sorry about the early misinformation (!) My distributor thinks the album will have a better chance if released at this later date, plus something to do with the prospects of radio-play here in Australia. If we put it out early November we’d stand little chance of it making any kind of splash at that point on radio…

I’m really excited for those who care to hear this thing since it’s my first ‘solo’ album and it’s so long overdue. So hang in there all y’all and thanks for reading…”

Just came across this footage, sorry it’s a bit old. bar adds a cool dynamic to the song though

Headline: UMLAUT – Mr Bungle’s Bar McKinnon returns with a new band!

Go grab a copy

………and should be out November 9.

A couple of pics of Bär in the studio working on the new Umläut album due out later this year.

Bär McKinnon has taken up residency at the Brunswick Hotel for the month of August. The first in a series of four solo shows kicked off last night at 5 pm (sorry I’m late).

Experience a smattering of Bär’s solo work in an intimate and chilled environment every Saturday through the month of August.

Where?

The Brunswick Hotel
140 Sydney Rd, Brunswick, Melbourne
5-7pm
August 9th, 16th, 23rd, 30th.

Should be sexy, get down to the show if you can.