From Norse long ships to Elizabethan galleons, the pictoral histroy of humanity's progress on traveling across the sea is a versatile metaphor, employed here in a musical context, by The Book of Ships, showing how new principles of navigation have been used to improve upon the basic fundamentals of song building.

To be a successful illustrator requires great imagination. The work not only has to be good, but composed within an interesting context, to capture the imagination of both musical and nautical buffs alike.

With a fleet of exciting new songs, and the wind in their sails, The Book of Ships, will make their virgin voyage this Friday 2 November, at The Cambridge, Newcastle. So don't miss the, er, boat!

Guest Post by Jon Marco of The Honey Pies [myspace]

MP3: The Fault - The Memoirs of Dr Mephisto
The Fault myspace - Sidewalks myspace - Fire! Santa Rosa, Fire! myspace

Sydney, Australia
Every now and then an artist comes along that what? Changes my life? Every one of them in a little way. So it happened again the other day. A friend dropped me an EP to check out from John Columbus, a band whom I had written about once before and remember really liking their stuff but just didn't have that 'wow' factor. Well a few months later, some excellent production work and a little more experience in playing together as a band and you have one of the most amazing recordings I have heard this year (and that is a big call).

and I am certainly no lyrics man, but I love the finale in 'The Toll'

'The ostrich didn't ask for any wings
the beast didn't need what high tide brings
the peacock didn't mean to be so bold
the stars didn't ask for a black hole
and I didn't ask for a reason to sing
and I didn't ask for these painful things
I didn't ask for love or the way that it stings
so the world takes its toll'

Not bad for a bunch of science students just wanting to play some decent music...

MP3: John Columbus - The Toll (Highly Recommended)
MP3: John Columbus - Song For The Supermarket (Highly Recommended)
myspace

New Zealand
Take note of her upcoming Australian Tour dates, here!

MP3: Bachelorette - A Lifetime
myspace

Sydney, Australia
Bungalows, yes? New EP on the way? yes... I cannot tell you how much I'm into this band at the moment. It's like Guns 'n Roses turned all indie, picked up some gunja, summoned the spirit of Marley and became The Bungalows... maybe. But damn it's good.
These boys from Gerringong are doing great things at the moment. And although on first listen they may not seem that impressive, give them another go and I assure you you'll be hooked. Catchy riffs, bouncing guitars which is at times reggaeish and a voice that would put Barnsey to shame.
I actually put these guys on for the opening slot at Sandwich Club @ Candy's a few weeks back and was left feeling a tinge of regret for not having them on later. To make amends, I booked them again. This time for Art, Bitch. (yes more blatant self-promotion here!). Get there around 9 and watch these lads rip the art from the walls.

Sydney, Australia
It has been a long break between innings for Peabody, in fact it's been over 2 years since they released their outstanding LP The New Violence gaining them both critics respect and commercial success - a difficult task for any serious musician.
It may be long overdue (and may have something to do with a few changes in the band - a new guitarist and a replacement drummer) but Peabody are back as good as ever having just released their new EP The Devil For Sympathy which is an excellent collection of tracks teetering on the brink of heavy rock yet still accessible to most with their catchy riffs and almost sing-a-long lyrics.. typical Peabody really!
Is there a sniff of a new LP on the way?
Check out 'The Devil For Sympathy'... a clear standout on the EP.

MP3: Peabody - The Devil For Sympathy
myspace - buy the EP

Ballarat, Australia
Alt. Country is starting to spring up everywhere. With the revival of Gram Parsons and with Ryan Adams and Bright Eyes adding cred to the country scene, bands seem to be taking an honest, storytelling approach to their music. This music usually features guitar lines that take you somewhere and are not completely covered in distortion as well as a lack of synth-laden keyboards (a good thing). Matheson are one band that take these elements and combine them in a way that is accessible to all types, from the introverted musician to the dirty drunken punter. I know I'll probably be representative of both these stereotypes when they hit town this weekend.

Friday 19^th October - Hopetoun Hotel - Surry Hills
Saturday 20^th October - The Brass Monkey - Cronulla

MP3: Matheson - Claudia
myspace

Auckland, New Zealand
I can't be sure what the inspiration for today's song is. A dirty old European man holidaying in thailand? Two panda bears struggling to find compliments for eachother? Or 2 pawns perhaps, carelessly courting on the fringe of a chessboard?

It doesnt really matter. No need to complicate a wonderfully sweet song that simply celebrates the small differences between a girl and a boy which so often pave the way for such long and lovely relationships.

MP3: Bear Cat - BW Hair
myspace

Sydney, Australia
Cloud Control really need no introduction to this blog but exciting times are upon us. The band are on the verge of releasing their debut self-titled EP.
Cloud Control set the standard when it comes to alt. sixties styled folk rock. There are few bands that do this well, but those that come to mind are fellow Blue Mountaineers Belles Will Ring and Newcastle lads Seabellies. Cloud Control, however, sit in a class of their own and it's no wonder that every kid in town who 'know their music' are flocking to see them before they hit mainstream. Here is a sneak peak of one of the tracks of their new EP. Titled 'Into The Line', this is one of the floatiest songs you will hear this year. Check out the cruisy bass line, the dreamy vocals and the strings ... ahhh, there must be something in the water over in them hills.

Catch them launching their EP at Art, Bitch. this Saturday...

Art, Bitch.
UTS Loft, opposite The Clare
Broadway
Doors open at 7:30pm

MP3: Cloud Control - Into The Line
myspace

Rummaging through my dusty inbox of 'old neglected mail' I stumbled across one "For the Attention Of" sorely missed sandwich maker, Stuey, who's taken a well deserved sabbatical.

While we still hold hope that Stuey finds himself atop the mountain peaks of Kathmandu and returns to his home between the two warm slices of toasted turkish, for now lets enjoy his parting gift, from Sydney band Leader Cheetah. A song deserving of a attention in its own right, and a reminder of stueys fine and lasting contribution to The Sandwich Club.

Sydney, Australia
It's really easy to write a review for an album of poor quality. One can dismiss it in a few lines. So what do you do when an album that completely includes you from the first listen? You lie down on the floor, in the dark and listen. Listen to the beautifully tragic nature of art. Such an album is Des Miller's debut full-length On The Surface of Solitude.

It is hard to believe this is a debut effort. The sounds and arrangements tend to point to a songwriter with a depth of experience. I feel that a great deal of thought, intent and purpose have gone into the making of this record, and it shows. Care and sincerity seep through the speakers like sun's rays creeping around a corner.

The very opening of the record seems to ooze like slow dripping honey. Borderline On Fire begins with an organ rich in tone and tremolo that sets up the superior quality of the song. The vocals release with a deep beauty and is interweaved by a melodic bass line that plays off both the tone colour and melodic content of Des Miller's baritone vocal. When the band breaks into full swing the track opens up to an indie-pop sensibility that will surely catch the attention of certain radio networks.

There are the tender moments such as 'One and the Same', where voice and guitar intertwine in perfect combination, also of note in this track is the hunting violin drowned in reverb that will send a shiver down the back of those with the coldest of hearts. There are moments of wonderful homage such as Time which owes to the Freewheelin' period of Dylan, right down to its jangly low-fi guitar solo. Then there are minutes of sheer joy for the listener such as the current single 'Knife Edge'. This reminded me of Skeleton Jar period Youth Group but with a more spacious arrangement and production, from the ever brilliant Berkfinger.

The lyrical content of the album revels in romantic imagery. From the naturalistic landscapes in Autumn (I'm Sorry) to the rhythmic rhyming schemes of the title track, Des Miller it would seem, is very well read. The most notable text being my favourite track, Lucy, a meditation on the thoughts of a girl travelling through existence, yields my most loved lyric - time it wounds all heals but the pain remains, close your eyes and make it go away.

So as to sum up I would like to say one thing. It became a real challenge to distil this album into a few simple words. There is simply too much content in this album to write and discuss in this space. You will have to buy it and listen for yourself.

post-script - The album artwork is also worthy of mention. From the fabulous Katherine Brickman at greedy Hen, her canvas' are full of depth, natural beauty and insight. Ohh and one more lyric - the final lines from the closing track 3PM.

'Dreaming of freedom
Screaming for more
Moved by the condition they work on, they work on.'

Sydney, Australia
Fellow Sandwich Clubber and frontman of Sydney's premier folk band Dead Letter Chorus is filling a much needed void in our music scene with the launch of a new folk night down at Candy's Apartment tonight. A stellar lineup of local acts featuring Jamie Hutchings of Blue Bottle Kiss fame, Man Ray, Wahas and Painted Stones.

Check it out tonight at Candy's Apartment, 22 Bayswater rd Kings X
... only $10 on the door. Beats the Basement.

Sydney, Australia
Someone just covered your song. It may not hold true to the original or be any good... BUT somebody just covered your song! Go you good tigers, you softies you...