John Coghil – Powderfinger
After their sold out run across Australia earlier in the year with Silverchair, Powderfinger have recently embarked on another string of sold out shows. They recently performed 3, sold out nights at Melbourne’s ‘Forum Theatre’. With a new 2 part show, combining both a more laid back acoustic set with a rock set - audiences have been enjoying seeing every aspect of the bands style along with a great selection from the bands entire catalogue.
Tom Larkin – Shihad
Shihad hold their spot at the top of the New Zealand Top 40 Chart for a second week as their second single ‘Vampires’ continues to grow on both Pop and Rock stations. Shihad have this week, equal the record for the ‘Most Singles Chart Appearances’ by a New Zealand act, (previously held by ‘The Exponents’), as ‘Vampires’ becomes Shihad’s 19th chart hit. The single is also in the ‘Most Added Single’ chart on New Zealand radio - it replaces Popshop’s ‘One Day’.
Shihad will be filming their new 'Beautiful Machine' film clip this Tuesday in Auckland - the boys then head to Brisbane to start the Australian Tour.
Locus Borich - COG
Hot off a massive Australian Tour, Lucius Borich and Cog are enjoying the success of their recently released new album. Cog will be guest programming Rage on Sat 28th June @ 12.10am on ABC TV. Tune in to see all of Cog's clips as well as a huge selection of the bands personal favourite songs and videos, and a commentary on why the band have selected these tracks.
Also coming up on the guys schedule is the ‘Triple J One Night Stand’
Triple J's ‘One Night Stand’ event for 2008 featuring Cog will be in Collie, WA and will also feature Faker & Pane.
As well as a string of dates coming up throughout Australia, Cog will be heading over to London to do a few dates with the mighty Shihad.
Michael Barker - John Butler Trio
Having recently had a short break, after a relentless 12 months of international touring, Michael Barker and ‘The John Butler Trio’ are about to begin a string of dates including charity events throughout Australia, and then a European tour. Over the next 12 months the band will tour Europe, Japan and the United States.
Michael will be doing a much anticipated performance at the upcoming Australian Ultimate Drummers Weekend in Melbourne in July.
Andy Strachan – The Living End
Having just returned from New Jersey where they recorded their latest album, The Living End have now finished the final production and are performing the first of what will be a big years touring. They recently played an invite only show in Melbourne’s ACDC lane for Triple J radio, showcasing tracks from their new album. The album, ‘White Noise’, which is, according to the guys, a very different approach, is already receiving high rotation airplay on Australian radio.
The first single, also called White Noise, was the # 1 ‘most added single’ in Australian radio this week and will be in Australian stores July 5. The album was produced by John Agnello and mixed by Brendan O'Brien and is also released July 23 in Japan, to coincide with the Summer Sonic Festival.
Rob Nassif - Gyroscope
Gyroscope enjoyed a second week in the top ten most added at radio this week with a # 4 spot for third single ‘Australia’ thanks to major support both their loyal fan base and Australian radio. They've just announced a massive 36 date tour across the country with melodic rock powerhouse ‘Shihad’ and fellow Western Australian band ‘Sugar Army’. Whilst Shihad were unable to commit to a couple of the dates, the Gyro lads were extremely happy to get Perth legends ‘Jedediah’ joining them at Metro city in Perth for a massive celebration of Western Australian music.
Steve Judd - Karnivool
Perth’s Steve Judd and ‘Karnivool’ have recently been over in the States for an East Coast tour. Once they return, it will be back into the studio for them to begin work on their new album.
Ben Gordon – Parkway Drive
This month sees ‘Parkway Drive’ return from Europe and the UK where they toured
with the likes of ‘Bury Your Dead’ and ‘Suicide Silence’. ‘To Kill’ opened the European dates with ‘Shaped By Fate’ opening the UK dates. The tour finished up at the ‘Groezrock Festival’ where they shared the stage with ‘Bad Religion’, ‘Sick Of It All’, ‘Face To Face’, ‘Story Of The Year’ and ‘Good Charlotte’ amongst many others. After a short break - Ben and ‘Parkway Drive’ are currently mid way through a sold out Australian tour.
Grant Collins
After a very successful, recent clinic run through Tasmania and South Australia, Grant Collins is preparing to embark on an extensive School tour of Queensland, Western Australia and the Northern Territory. Grant has also recently been asked to perform clinics and workshops at the ‘Conservatorium for Drummers Week of Perpignan’ in France.
Paul Berryman
Paul Berryman has decided recently to leave ‘Faker’ and has relocated to the United States to pursue other musical endeavours. As well as focusing his playing on the American market, he is engaged to be married to his fiancé. We wish Paul the best of luck!
Jackie Barnes – Jimmy Barnes / Independent
Having recently returned from studying at the Berklee College of Music in New York - Jackie is about to embark on a national tour with his father, Jimmy Barnes. They will be performing on ‘The Football Show’ as part of a string of Australian East Coast dates, before heading over to Europe to perform at festivals in London, Ireland, Scotland, Germany and Spain.
