Dizzybeat Down South
The Melbourne trip 2001
The Dizzybeat.com Melbourne tour had been an idea since early 2001, combining a celebration of finishing High School for Val, Streetie and I and Kate taking a well deserved break from the year of Uni and slaving away at some American spare ribs "restaurant". December was the planned time, and as the month drew closer two things were discovered. Firstly, that Cohan would no longer be joining us on the trip - softcock. Secondly, that Sydney bands Riot City and S*K*A*M would be playing in Melbourne while we were there. Good stuff. Off to Melbourne it was then, eight nights of drinking lay ahead and with responsibilities forgotten, we were all pretty chippers. The intention I had was to write an eight day tour diary of the event with photos to go with it, but I lost the disks that held the 200 photos I'd taken, therefore losing the inspiration to write a huge review. Instead, I've included highlights of the trip.
Arriving…
Finally the train arrived at Spencer St Station, and we got in a cab to
go to our digs, The Carlton Hotel. Our initial impression of the Carlton
was a dive, but for the money we were paying it wasn't surprising and
it was right in the middle of the city. Our booking had been stuffed,
which meant we were on different floors. Checking out the facilities,
it was discovered most of the other residents were over 50 and liked a
drink (with breakfast). We weren't there ten minutes when some bloke approaches
me trying to flog me some deodorant. It had obviously fallen off the back
of a truck, but the question remains, why did he pinch it in the first
place?
Val wanted to go to acoustic Tuesday at the Art House and so off we headed. Quite a hike across the main part of Melbourne, but well worth it as Val started chatting to the barman, Adam. You should have stayed here was his summation. Note: we had tried, but no pre-booking was allowed. The idea to stay there still was decided to be tried and so a trek back to our pub occurred, and although we lost our deposit and first night, we knew it was worth it. From the doss house that was the Carlton to the Arthouse, which had a good atmosphere, we were all pretty pleased with the change, well done Val.
Any insecurities
of being away from the family were forgotten as Kate was quickly dubbed
Mum. So we bedded down that night, tired, but happy we'd changed places
and looking forward to the days ahead.
Day 3
Ska Bar with Riot City, S*KA*M and Trojan Horns
The night was upon us and the gig we planned the trip around began. Five
bucks for three bands is a bargain, and as we were staying there, free
entry made it even better value. Trojan Horns were first up, and since
hearing some mp3s over a year ago, I was pretty keen to catch them and
they didn't disappoint. They gave a great performance of straight out
2-tone and had no trouble getting the crowd dancing. Songs such as "Night
Out", "Choices" and their cover of Bluekilla's "Ska-A-Go-Go"
went down a treat. I was already looking forward to if and when they come
up to Sydney. Good folks they are too.
S*K*A*M were next up and even though they were from Sydney, my exposure to them was limited to a few songs in Kiama one day. They play a loose mix of ska, punk and reggae and that night they played a wonderful set. The mix of girl and guy vocals was spot on and for me they were the highlight of the evening. (Note: Unfortunately, as of mid-January 2002 they are no longer together)
Riot City then came on to finish off the night and their set of old school ska and rocksteady covers was well received with songs such as "Johnny too bad", "Got to Get Away", "Skinhead Girl" and "One Step Beyond". Solos a plenty occurred in "Skinhead Moonstomp" including a tambourine solo by King Ruffy.
They finished their set, more beer was had, introductions to Melbourne folk were made - good to put faces to names I'd had some correspondence with, and then it was time to retire. Kate's boyfriend Chris had flown into Melbourne that night, which meant we had five in a three person room for the night, but we managed.
Day 5
Mayfields with Riot City, S*K*A*M, Trojan Horns and Mr. Coffee
Not much really happened on Saturday morning, the only thing that springs
to mind is me apoligising to Val for having a go at him the night before.
I still believe I was right, but good bloke that I am decided to reconcile
with him so the rest of the trip could still be enjoyed.
Moving on, the afternoon came and we sat in the lounge room drinking and watching telly. Well Ruffy just sat there watching Kate, but that's a mere detail. It was time for Riot City and S*K*A*M to go to Mayfields and so all but Ruffy left. Not much later it was decided we should go, Ruffy suggested tram, but as it looked like no tram would come walking was the decided option. It was more like a trek across a few Melbourne suburbs though. Mark H was about to send out a search party for Ruffy when we finally arrived.
Quite a large venue, looked even larger by the lack of people that were in it. Mr. Coffee were up first and unfortunately I was interrupted by a phone call from Sydney town and missed the song Howzat - really the only song of theirs I wanted to see.
They are a pretty energetic, raw ska-punk band whom I think the kids today would enjoy. They finished their set and in no time Trojan Horns were up and entertaining the small, yet enthusiastic crowd. They had their keyboard player for this gig, and Val and I agreed she was a bonus both musically and aesthetically to the lineup, if you know what I mean. Riot City was next up, including a "dedication" to me. Marv was so kind in saying "This one goes out to Glen Dizzybeat because he has a Watermelon head." The song being, you guessed it, "Watermelon Man" originally by Byron Lee. Once again, Riot City didn't disappoint. Note: I've reviewed this band so many times now, only uncommon things can be mentioned without sounding boring. I was well into the beer by this stage - par for the course for this trip.
I watched a couple of S*K*A*M songs, but there just wasn't the same atmosphere as Thursday so I joined Chris, Gus, Alison, Liz, Seb, Ruffy, Emily and a few others downstairs playing pool. Ruffy and Val beat Gus and Seb at State of Origin pool and feeling in the spirit of it I took on Liz, who is a bloody shark. She of course won. This finished and we put ourselves in the hands of the above people, who led us to Funky Kingston. Val and Streetie didn't like the ska and reggae club so they left, but quite a few faces remained, and we danced until the early hours of the morning. Got back to the arthouse, I spewed, then I bought a pie.
Streetie, Val, Kate, Chris and I were in Melbourne another four days and had a decent time, but the anecdotes don't necessarily relate to a ska zine. The hospitality we experienced down their was tops and it really is a nice place to visit - regularly even, but it rains too much to live down there.
Highlights: drinking, Queen Vic markets, good people, the food, the gigs, more scooters than Sydney, dollar pool, the arthouse, everything in close proximity, Funky Kingston, Carlton draught.
Lowlights: Small expensive beers, Carlton Hotel, rain, long train trips, three hours walking around looking for the Victorian Hotel on Sunday night, running out of money, my dancehall name coming from a robot off that show Robot Wars.
Shout Outs: Riot City, S*K*A*M, Adam from the arthouse, Chris, Gus, Liz, Alison, Arthouse landlord, Kelly, Ollie, Hannah, Seb, Val's friend and those I forgot the names because it was three months ago.
Glen Smyth
[email protected]
Riot City - www.geocities.com/sydneyriotcrew
Trojan Horns - www.trojanhorns.live.com.au
Home
Introduction
Mark H interview with Amedeo
Melbourne Tour Diary
Justin Hinds Profile
Homage to ska-punk
Links to remaining articles elsewhere
on web