BLOGS
11.11.11
It was a whirlwind tour of Australia for their first trip down under, but Montreal's Planet Smashers made their mark on ska fans in the "lucky country" by hitting all the major east coast cities, Brisbane, Sydney, Melbourne, and Adelaide with 5 dates spread across Melbourne Cup Day Weekend. The band landed in Brisbane and had a day off, so they took that time to see some off our distinctive wildlife, and singer/guitarist Matt Collyer had one of his highlights of the trip when he saw "a wallaby lick a kangaroo's nuts".
Well-rested after that first day off the band launched into their first show at Jubilee Hotel in Brisbane's Fortitude Valley. Supported by the punk reggae upstarts Kingston Stomper's, the big 10 piece second wavers and 30 year veterans The FunAddicts, and Stomp records labelmates The Resignators, the night was a great success, partly due to $2 Coronas and the presence of Anarchist Ducks, Jules and Flawless who jumped up with the Resignators on "Emotional". Thanks to the Jamies for putting up a bunch of folks before and after the show!
On to Sydney, at the legendary Annandale Hotel, still holding court despite threats of closing due to neighbours complaints (they need to read a brief history of The Tote to learn how to stay afloat). This room had the best production of the tour, resulting in a great show for Planet Smashers and Resignators, as well as Pete Porker (backed by Los Capitanes) and Chris Royal and the Dukes. Unfortunately that many ska musicians went through the rider too quickly and the upstairs bar got raided by the bands resulting in a $600 tab that had to be paid. The house was a bit quick to cut things off (I guess due to neighbour's complaints) and The Planet Smashers could not do the encore that the crowd called for....cue house music, turn on lights, go sleep on bench at airport. (Who ever heard of a major international airport closing at midnight?)
Melbourne was next, with a saturday All Ages family style show in a warehouse in Clayton South behind the very hospitable Fairbanks Cafe, who kept everyone fed with their tasty and reasonably priced wares. Area 7, Kujo Kings, The Bennies and FunAddicts joined The Smashers and Resignators here, and a great time was had by all (even in a no-alcohol environment!) There is something very special about families that skank together, and the giant Panda and Hippo were a great hit with the kids!
The Ska Nation event at The Corner Hotel on sunday was next with Pete Porker, Los Capitanes, and Kujo Kings back on the bill with fresh faces Jobstopper from Queensland and the Resignators and Planet Smashers. Kujos started with a spoof of The Resignators "See you in Hell", altered to "get off the unicorn, get on the bong". Due to a late arriving Resignator, Los Caps did their own set first, then Resignators, then Los Caps/Pete Porker's "I Can't believe it's not The Porkers" set. I think Pete was glad to be back in Melbourne for a show, cause he really came into his groove here. The Resignators set was fast and furious and short but sweet to make up for their lateness, then The Planet Smashers pounded out hit after hit, culminating in the oft-requested "Super Orgy Porno Party" during which the entire crowd spilled onto the stage in mayhem. The conjunction of Skalloween and the Melbourne Zombie Walk made for interesting costumes in the house. The Corner's excellent sound system in the hands of Jacob Munnery made all the bands shine!
After several days of recovery over Cup Day monday and tuesday, the Smashers road the train to the final wednesday show in lovely Adelaide at Enigma Bar with locals Son of Dad, who opened the show well for The Resignators and Planet Smashers. Matt opened the floor for requests at the end of the night and played my favourite punk anthem "DeathThreat" and Son of Dad's request "Girlfriend" (for the first time this tour). A smaller but dedicated weekday crowd dominated the dance floor, moshing, skanking, and even stage diving. It is always a bittersweet moment at the end of a tour, but despite farewell tears and beers, we all had a great time!
Various Smashers went off to stay with various Resignators to wind out their time down under, scattering around Sydney, Melbourne, Dandenongs, Daylesford (where Alex Smasher sat in with myself and Stacy in a Radio Springs "Family Farm" set). We will miss the zany Canadians, and can't wait to get back over to their fine country for more touring, maple syrup and poutine!
If you missed this legendary tour, you can still get a taste of The Planet Smashers, as Care Factor Records has released their newest CD "Descent into "The Valley of The Planet Smashers" in Australia, with 12 bonus tracks from previous releases. Thanks to Francis, Cassie, Stephanie, Jacob (sound) and crew for putting this whole event together, and a big "good on ya" to all the bands that made this such a fun week!
Cheers!
Steve Douglas
It was a whirlwind tour of Australia for their first trip down under, but Montreal's Planet Smashers made their mark on ska fans in the "lucky country" by hitting all the major east coast cities, Brisbane, Sydney, Melbourne, and Adelaide with 5 dates spread across Melbourne Cup Day Weekend. The band landed in Brisbane and had a day off, so they took that time to see some off our distinctive wildlife, and singer/guitarist Matt Collyer had one of his highlights of the trip when he saw "a wallaby lick a kangaroo's nuts".
Well-rested after that first day off the band launched into their first show at Jubilee Hotel in Brisbane's Fortitude Valley. Supported by the punk reggae upstarts Kingston Stomper's, the big 10 piece second wavers and 30 year veterans The FunAddicts, and Stomp records labelmates The Resignators, the night was a great success, partly due to $2 Coronas and the presence of Anarchist Ducks, Jules and Flawless who jumped up with the Resignators on "Emotional". Thanks to the Jamies for putting up a bunch of folks before and after the show!
On to Sydney, at the legendary Annandale Hotel, still holding court despite threats of closing due to neighbours complaints (they need to read a brief history of The Tote to learn how to stay afloat). This room had the best production of the tour, resulting in a great show for Planet Smashers and Resignators, as well as Pete Porker (backed by Los Capitanes) and Chris Royal and the Dukes. Unfortunately that many ska musicians went through the rider too quickly and the upstairs bar got raided by the bands resulting in a $600 tab that had to be paid. The house was a bit quick to cut things off (I guess due to neighbour's complaints) and The Planet Smashers could not do the encore that the crowd called for....cue house music, turn on lights, go sleep on bench at airport. (Who ever heard of a major international airport closing at midnight?)
Melbourne was next, with a saturday All Ages family style show in a warehouse in Clayton South behind the very hospitable Fairbanks Cafe, who kept everyone fed with their tasty and reasonably priced wares. Area 7, Kujo Kings, The Bennies and FunAddicts joined The Smashers and Resignators here, and a great time was had by all (even in a no-alcohol environment!) There is something very special about families that skank together, and the giant Panda and Hippo were a great hit with the kids!
The Ska Nation event at The Corner Hotel on sunday was next with Pete Porker, Los Capitanes, and Kujo Kings back on the bill with fresh faces Jobstopper from Queensland and the Resignators and Planet Smashers. Kujos started with a spoof of The Resignators "See you in Hell", altered to "get off the unicorn, get on the bong". Due to a late arriving Resignator, Los Caps did their own set first, then Resignators, then Los Caps/Pete Porker's "I Can't believe it's not The Porkers" set. I think Pete was glad to be back in Melbourne for a show, cause he really came into his groove here. The Resignators set was fast and furious and short but sweet to make up for their lateness, then The Planet Smashers pounded out hit after hit, culminating in the oft-requested "Super Orgy Porno Party" during which the entire crowd spilled onto the stage in mayhem. The conjunction of Skalloween and the Melbourne Zombie Walk made for interesting costumes in the house. The Corner's excellent sound system in the hands of Jacob Munnery made all the bands shine!
After several days of recovery over Cup Day monday and tuesday, the Smashers road the train to the final wednesday show in lovely Adelaide at Enigma Bar with locals Son of Dad, who opened the show well for The Resignators and Planet Smashers. Matt opened the floor for requests at the end of the night and played my favourite punk anthem "DeathThreat" and Son of Dad's request "Girlfriend" (for the first time this tour). A smaller but dedicated weekday crowd dominated the dance floor, moshing, skanking, and even stage diving. It is always a bittersweet moment at the end of a tour, but despite farewell tears and beers, we all had a great time!
Various Smashers went off to stay with various Resignators to wind out their time down under, scattering around Sydney, Melbourne, Dandenongs, Daylesford (where Alex Smasher sat in with myself and Stacy in a Radio Springs "Family Farm" set). We will miss the zany Canadians, and can't wait to get back over to their fine country for more touring, maple syrup and poutine!
If you missed this legendary tour, you can still get a taste of The Planet Smashers, as Care Factor Records has released their newest CD "Descent into "The Valley of The Planet Smashers" in Australia, with 12 bonus tracks from previous releases. Thanks to Francis, Cassie, Stephanie, Jacob (sound) and crew for putting this whole event together, and a big "good on ya" to all the bands that made this such a fun week!
Cheers!
Steve Douglas