Rocketsmiths announce break-up

What’s in the air up in Brisbane? It seems that following the announcement of Yves Klein Blue’s split, Rocketsmiths, who released their fabulous debut album in 2010, have also decided that it’s time to go their separate ways.

The following statement was made on the band’s website today:

“After almost four years of playing music together, Rocketsmiths have decided to call it a day. This wasn’t an easy decision and it certainly wasn’t because there is any less love between us (we love each other more than most bands should…) or because there were any musical differences. We are just ready to move on and try new things.

We have recorded and released three EPs and an album which we are immensely proud of. We have met some of the most amazing people that we will remember for the rest of our lives, we have played with some of the best bands in the world and we have had experiences we will never forget (both good and bad). We have enjoyed ourselves more than anyone can possibly imagine and playing together has been the happiest time of our lives.

To celebrate our short, yet eventful, career we are having one last show on Friday, March 4th at The Zoo. We’ll be playing some pretty old songs, playing some special covers and who knows, we may even don the old suits we used to wear when we were the quirkiest motherfuckers in town. Get there. Enjoy it. Drink and be merry and help us go out on a high note.

As well as this we should also announce that you can now download our debut album ‘The Bones’ for completely FREE FREE FREE from our website.

At this point we should say a massive thank you so much to every person who has helped us along the way. Friends, family, girlfriends, booking agents, publicists, managers and EVERYONE else who has given us a leg up. Special thanks go out to the people who gave us shit on the internet, you made us feel more famous than we actually were.

The following people need an even bigger thank you from us:

Magoo
Joe Woolley
Luke Kennedy
Joc Curran and all The Zoo staff

You have inspired us, supported us and helped us more than you can imagine. Thank you so much.

SEEYA ROUND Y’ALL. Dom, Ian, Dan, Heff and Brenty.”

Get your arse down to The Zoo on Friday 4^th of March to properly farewell “the quirkiest motherfuckers in town”.

And, if you haven’t already bought the debut album The Bones – grab it here for free.

RIP Rocketsmiths xxx

Yves Klein Blue offically split

It’s official, Yves Klein Blue have parted ways. The Brisbane band, who played their last show at the Go Between Bridge concert in June 2010, posted the following statement on their Facebook page this morning:

“Yves Klein Blue broke up because of creative differences some time in the second half of 2010, after 5 years together. We grew up and apart. We now live in different cities and pursue our respective vocations to our utmost capacity.

We leave behind 1 full length album and 2 EPs in the hope that you will remember us through that body o…f work. Thank you for singing along.

We remain hopeful for the future.”

Though the break up had been rumoured for some time, since front-man Michael Tomlinson moved from hometown Brisbane to uber-chic Melbourne with his now ex-girlfriend Megan Washington during 2010, this is the first official statement from the band.

Does this make Megan the Yoko Ono of Yves Klein Blue?

RIP YKB.

2010 & Beyond: Art Vs. Science

So we’ve used our flippers to get down and we’ve established that no one we know speaks french, but Art Vs. Science‘s Dan Mac (aka McNamee) is still after more! Remember 2010 and step into 2011 with Australia’s favorite electro act!

Lost In Suburbia: Who has been the stand out local artist for you in 2010?

Dan Mac: Jinja Safari came on our Magic Fountain tour in August and for such a new band we thought they were really awesome. Had a very good, positive vibe about them too which I think audiences really appreciated.

LIS: Who has been the stand out International artist for you in 2010?

DM: Janelle Monae. Kicking it with the tightrope. I’ll be honest, I haven’t heard anything else by her but if she had anything to do with the writing or producing of that supremely bouncing funky jungle rhythm then she’s absolutely tops in my books.

LIS: What would you consider the highlight of the Australian musical calendar in 2010?

DM: Splendour in the grass! The Strokes blew my mind. I never knew how good they were because back in their heyday I was still going through my “if it’s popular then it must be crap” stage. But that Julian Casablancas character – he really means what he’s saying! I believe him when he sings about how he’s not happy about been a New York hedonist and really just wants to settle down and be happy. He’s perhaps going about it the wrong way by forming a rock band and touring the world singing about those things which aren’t making him happy.. but still, it was so good that Splendour got them out this year. Definite highlight.

LIS: What’s been the Highlight for Art Vs Science in 2010?

DM: Jamming on the Bacardi express train with Yves Klein Blue and the Miami Horror fellas (and everyone else who picked up an instrument and had a go). Once you’re in a band that starts getting busy you don’t really get to jam with other musos very often and it is simply so much fun. Ah jamming. Best part of music.

LIS: And the lowlight in 2010?

DM: Having Jim (keys) sleep in the bunk above me on the train. He made a terrible, terrible mess.

LIS:  Looking forward to 2011, who is your tip for local artist set to make a huge impact? Why?

DM: Well like I was saying before. Jinja Safari seem to have a really exciting vibe about them and the obvious ability to write good tunes. And Crave You by Flight Facilities is really great too. Just this really cool electric piano chilling things out and the bass is kind of tough but then the drums are really dirty and up front. Then this girl singing sweetly with what seems to be a French accent, about how much see wants some guy who doesn’t seem to notice her. I’m not sure who wrote the song but it’s very, very nice indeed.

LIS: And your tip for International act set to break in 2011? Why?

DM: Well I guess I’m repeating myself now but I hope Janelle Monae comes out with some more gold. I tend to get obsessed with one thing at a time!

LIS:  What do you hope 2011 will have in store for the Australian music scene? Do you see any large changes on the horizon?

DM: I really want someone to make a kickass 50s / 60s rock band which plays in little rooms with no extra amplification except for vocals. So just guitars, bass, drums vocals and maybe some really cool old organ. It probably won’t happen because it has no future except little gigs in little rooms but it’d be awesome to see a band like The Sonics kicking round today. Playing The Doors, The Kinks, Little Richard, Chuck Berry, the older Beatles ones.. Doing those old guitar solos where the guitarist is pretty much just trying to make as much noise as possible to get over the rest of the band. That’d be fun I think.

LIS: What’s your New Year’s resolution?

DM: To make the above band so that when I’m not touring I can keep playing music!

The Go-Between Bridge Concert brings all the boys to the yard

Come Friday June 25th, Brisbane will not only have a new bridge to entertain their feet, but they will also have a humdinger of a live show to entertain the rest of their body.

The Go-Between Bridge Concert will see national and local bands take the stage, right on top of the new Go Between Bridge to celebrate the structures launch.

Joining in the Bridge over not-so-troubled water festivities, will be Angus & Julia Stone, Robert Forster (The Go-Betweens), Josh Pyke , Bob Evans, Yves Klein Blue & John Steel Singers.

The Go-Betweens are considered one of Australia’s most artistically successful and influential rock groups of the ’80s and Forster has let slip that he will be inviting friends to join him on stage to play and celebrate some of the classic Go-Between’s tracks.

“The naming of this magnificent new bridge in connection to The Go-Betweens is an honour for the group, and something I am personally very proud of,” explains Forster.

All proceeds from the sale of the tickets will go to two charities selected by Brisbane City Council; The Kim Walters Choices Programme from the Wesley Hospital and the Mater Foundation Prostrate Cancer Research Centre.

Tickets On Sale 9am Friday 21 May via www.qtix.com.au or 136 246

This all ages, licensed event will take place Friday June 25 at 4pm on the Go Between Bridge, Southern Entrance via Montague Rd, West End.

Yves Klein Blue get naked About The Future

One of Two official clips for Yves Klein Blue’s new single ‘About The Future’ will have the ladies all aflutter as singer Michael Tomlinson gets his kit off.

Says Michael of his decision to strip off, “Making this video was an attempt to convey what it was like to write the song: a process of grief that forced me to strip away everything, be completely honest with myself. To be naked was the only way I felt I could visually represent the inspiration for this song. Tom Slater directed it. I called him at midnight and we did it the next day. It was quite surreal, all of us standing around naked.”

Gotta love a man who will strip for his art.

A second clip will be released next week, just before YKB hit the road on their national tour.