Jul 23 2010

Five Minutes alone with Umlaut’s Angus

gronk

Angus Leslie is the eclectic and eccentric axe wielder in Bär McKinnon’s Melbourne based band Umlaut.

I managed to “pin him down” for an interestingly brief interview recently and the following is the result:

1. You seem to know your way around a guitar fairly well, at least enough to impress Bar which is no mean feat, how long have you been playing, and are you self taught?

First of all, thanks! It appears I have fooled some people into thinking I can play… Now to answer your question, I have been playing guitar for a little over eight years now, but only had lessons for the first three years. A lot of what I do on the guitar I have learned from listening to lots of different music and attempting to emulate the sounds I hear, so I guess I am kinda self-taught in a way. It isn’t THAT hard to impress Bär I mean, first of all he likes ponies and I’m NOT kidding! (There is no second of all.)

2. Speaking of knowing your way around stuff, does being in a band with Bar help you pull the ladies?

Aside from the odd pair of soiled panties thrown directly into mine or Shane’s face during shows, I wouldn’t say it has made much of a difference. A large percentage of the audience for this kinda music are dudes, so I’d say those panties would probably have been thrown by a pimply, male Mr. Bungle fan anyway…

3. What gear helps you create the Umlaut sound?

Well I play a Paul Reed Smith, and try to use as few pedals as possible, although I should probably invest in a tremolo for some of the tunes… My pride and joy is my Fender Deluxe amp, for it’s clean tone and spring reverb. I try and get a real heavy surf tone for the clean parts, plus the Fender distortion and the occasional brutal stomp-box. I think a band like Umlaut demands the kind of dream-like quality that you can only get from a tonne of reverb, so I like to coat my sound with it…

4. Tell us the story of how you became Umlaut’s main axe-man?

Well I approached Bär to play a show with a couple of my bands in late 2007. It just so happened that his guitar player was about to head over to Europe for a while, so he was in need of a replacement. After he left in disgust during our brief line-check in front of the audience, the aforementioned guitar player and Bär’s soon to be manager watched our set and thoroughly enjoyed it. A few weeks later I got the call to join, and the rest is history…

5. You’re also the creative mind behind Melbourne band Sex on Toast, tell us a bit about them?

Sex on Toast has been around since I was 16 years old and has been my main compositional outlet since then. We try and play a wide variety of music, including soundtrack-influenced instrumental stuff, vocal-harmony drenched pop tunes, and really crazy, high energy jump cut compositions. We try not to limit what we do in terms of genre, but we are also becoming more interested in focusing each individual direction into separate bodies of work. We hope to record an album in the next year, so stay tuned!

6. How did the first Aussie Umlaut tour treat you? Will it happen again in the near future?

Umlaut’s first Australian tour treated us to the white hot excitement of Hindley st. in Adelaide, the sexually charged debauchery of Syrup Nightclub in Hobart and the violent and murderous streets of Newcastle. We hope to tour again in future as we had a blast on the road!

7. I noticed you guys played a couple of new songs, is there a new album in the works?

We have had a few vague plans for an EP and a full-length album in the future. One of these projects may involve a remix by a certain guitar player from a certain HEAVY band… that is all I will say!

Angus’ alternate musical outlet, Sex on Toast take up residencey for the month of August at The Empress, Fitzroy. Check out the FB event for more info.

0ebb2 861852 Five Minutes alone with Umlauts Angus


Jul 10 2010

Umlaut at The Factory Theatre Pics by Chantel

gronk

Chantel Bann recently upped some very nice piccies of Umlaut’s recent show at The Factory in Sydney (26 June 2010).

Check em out at the flickrz

4746047790 162a238889 Umlaut at The Factory Theatre Pics by Chantel


Jul 8 2010

Bär McKinnon Interviewed by Music Vice

gronk

So we have a date :D 2020 is when Bungle return…..at least according to Bar’s tongue-in-cheek response to the question posed to him by Music Vice in a recent interview:

“Yes.  Only after enough time has passed that we have become so senile that the memories of petty resentments and grudges have faded.  We’re looking at 2020.  Just saw Danny today in Sydney, and hope to somehow include him in future recordings.”

Check out the  full interview

BTW I spoke to Bar backstage at the recent Sydney Umlaut show about his thoughts on an eventual Bungle reunion taking place and he is super keen for it to happen, so it still is possible but I wouldn’t be holding my breath for anything in the immediate future…..

4598313856 16fec0ab00 Bär McKinnon Interviewed by Music Vice


Jun 24 2010

Get yr Arse to an Umlaut Show

gronk

If you are able to get down to one of the upcoming aussie Umlaut gigs make sure you do because according to that guy Angus it’s a good show all round. I’ll definitely be at the Factory on Saturday having a few brews and enjoying the show.

UMLAUT / EL SUAVO 2010 TOUR

JUNE

FRI 25 ANU, CANBERRA
SAT 26 THE FACTORY, SYDNEY
SUN 27 THE CROATION CLUB, NEWCASTLE

JULY

THUR 1 KAROVA LOUNGE, BALLARAT
SAT 3 FOWLERS LIVE, ADELAIDE

4729585449 9f5963e372 Get yr Arse to an Umlaut Show


May 25 2010

Umlaut Sydney Factory Ticket Info and Tour Poster

gronk

For all the Sydney punters keen on catching Umlaut at the Factory next month, we now have pre purchased ticketing info. Just head on over to www.factorytheatre.com.au

For other cities and venues, at this stage tickets are only available at the door.

UMLAUT / EL SUAVO 2010 TOUR

JUNE

FRI 11 THE NATIONAL, GEELONG
SAT 12 THE SPANISH CLUB, MELBOURNE
SAT 19 THE BRISBANE HOTEL, HOBART

FRI 25 ANU, CANBERRA
SAT 26 THE FACTORY, SYDNEY
SUN 27 THE CROATION CLUB, NEWCASTLE

JULY

THUR 1 KAROVA LOUNGE, BALLARAT
SAT 3 FOWLERS LIVE, ADELAIDE

4638106049 bf04cec7fd Umlaut Sydney Factory Ticket Info and Tour Poster


May 11 2010

Umlaut Lyrebird Lounge Pics

gronk

Thanks to Callum who managed to attend the gig and get some cool pics:

4598315894 41b53c3ed8 Umlaut Lyrebird Lounge Pics

4597700583 a1a28235de Umlaut Lyrebird Lounge Pics

4597698503 5225f7f147 Umlaut Lyrebird Lounge Pics

4598313856 16fec0ab00 Umlaut Lyrebird Lounge Pics

4598311702 ca4ec531cb Umlaut Lyrebird Lounge Pics

4598310796 44f2b57a66 Umlaut Lyrebird Lounge Pics


May 11 2010

Sex on Toast, The Clintonicas and Fabio Umberto – Melbourne Show

Gezarie

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

Sex on ToastSex on Toast poster


May 11 2010

Umlaut Vs El Suavo. An Australian (mini) Tour

gronk

Finally! An Umlaut Australian Tour! They won’t be hitting every stink hole in oz, but then again who cares? I finally get to see Umlaut! (at their own headline show. That Sydney Les show doesn’t count).

The Dates:

JUNE
FRI          11         THE NATIONAL, GEELONG
SAT        12         THE SPANISH CLUB, MELBOURNE
SAT        19         THE BRISBANE HOTEL, HOBART
FRI         25        ANU, CANBERRA
SAT        26        THE FACTORY, SYDNEY
SUN        27        THE CROATION CLUB, NEWCASTLE

JULY
THUR    1           KAROVA LOUNGE, BALLARAT
SAT        3          FOWLERS LIVE, ADELAIDE

And the official press release:

“Umlaut vs. Dr El Suavo 2010 Tour!

Umlaut, the brainchild of Bär McKinnon (ex-Mr. Bungle, Secret Chiefs 3), have joined forces with the irrepressible, parlour magician extraordinaire, Dr El Suavo, for a rollicking Australian tour this June!

With the release of Umlaut’s debut album late last year, the band is keen to hit the road and bring their whimsical, soundtrack inspired tunes to the stage. The offbeat mix of shimmering keyboards, woodwinds, quirky percussion and surf guitar has garnered international praise from both Bunglelophiles and music critics alike. The band have played some killer shows with Secret Chiefs 3, The Melvins, Tango Saloon and Neil Hamburger and are thrilled to be on tour with the world’s crankiest magician, Dr El Suavo!

Umlaut’s intricate, dark, pop tunes are the perfect compliment to Dr El Suavo’s disgraceful, yet astounding magic tricks. Not to be missed.

www.myspace.com/umlautbarmckinnon

I heard a rumour there may also be a special support act at the upcoming Sex on Toast gig as well….

4557048513 c0474250de Umlaut Vs El Suavo. An Australian (mini) Tour

4595428982 157a122b25 o Umlaut Vs El Suavo. An Australian (mini) Tour


Apr 27 2010

Umlaut at The Lyrebird Lounge, Ripponlea

gronk

Last minute Umlaut gig announcement! They are playing The Lyrebird Lounge this Saturday night, (May 1st). Get down there if you can. (61 Glen Eira rd, Ripponlea, you lucky mofos)

4557048513 c0474250de Umlaut at The Lyrebird Lounge, Ripponlea


Mar 3 2010

Umlaut at The Evelyn, Saturday March 13th, 2010

gronk

And yet another awesome Umlaut gig coming up in Melbourne, damn those guys are spoiled :(

“Aniseed Records present Umlaut at The Evelyn, Saturday March 13th from 8pm with special guests cult doom outfit, Terminal Sound System, the eclectically brilliant Lan Party and somber echo four-piece, Sons.
Doors at 8pm. $12 entry.”

Make sure you get down there if you can. I know I would if I could………

www.myspace.com/umlautbarmckinnon

4402998253 1fede41acf o Umlaut at The Evelyn, Saturday March 13th, 2010