Legend has it that long ago there emerged one of the more entertaining underground bands to emerge in Australia in a long time- PROBLEM- who came together early in 2001.
They could of sunk without a trace like so many bands do only for the fact that there was bugger all to do in this dump than to amuse themselves with raw songs with crazy lyrics and ridiculous stage costumes. After 3 CD releases, songs on Aussie & overseas compilations, heaps of gigs, vidoes screened on Rage and C31 and they're still LIVING THE ROCK 'N ROLL DREAM.
(BELOW) Perry Problem meets the luscious Madame Naja Scorponic
The hard working people at CUMBERSOME RECORDS put a PROBLEM song on one of their samplers in 2002 and in October 2007 the band's SPOOKY ROCK cover of Syd Barrett's VEGETABLE MAN made it onto THE VEGETABLE MAN PROJECT VOL 5 CD. In 2008 the Perry Problem Fan Site on myspace was created by an anonymous fan. Check it & show the man some lurve.
But backwind to 1998. Mr Problem had been drumming in a succession of crap bands for years decided to have his own crap band. He bought a 4 track, guitar, bass and a drum machine (and with help from Andre "The Axe" Zondler, Heath MacNally and Dave DK) created the seminal CD, THE SWEET SMELL OF SUCCESS.
Copies were left in random places and given to passers by. The Village Idiot song received airplay on JJJ and 3CRs' Punk Show and The Dr Grouse at The Mouse show also gave the CD a regular spin. The band played its debut gig at Melbourne University in 2003 with Perry Problem on bass and vocals, Harry Vaz on guitar and Will Guthrie (ANTBOY) on drums.
"Success", as Winston Churchill once said, "is going from one disaster to another and not losing enthusiasm." To PROBLEM its all about LIVING THE ROCK 'N' ROLL DREAM, the DREAM OF ROCK IMMORTALITY that one day some smelly writer from a second rate street press rag will go to a PROBLEM gig and write a brief piece on this weird band that made a racket and went beserk. That's THE DREAM, OUR DREAM, YOUR DREAM. We're still waiting. Guess we'll have to cross their palms with silver. As the Spanish proverb goes, el dinero va a donde está el dinero. But it wouldn't be the same............
"It is no use saying, 'We are doing our best.' You have got to succeed in doing what is necessary." So said Churchill another time. We're not sure if that was before or after he helped mastermind the slaughter of thousands of our blokes at Gallipoli, but it is the thought that counts. Australian soldiers fought so well there that they had a biscuit named after them. Anyway back to the ouevre: PROBLEM have played Adelaide, Warrnambool, Ballarat, Bendigo, Campbell's Creek, Geelong, Shepparton and many Melbourne metropolitan shows.
The band has a cult following of some of the most strangest, wonderful people in Melbourne, Ballarat, Bendigo, Adelaide, NZ and Portugal. In March 2008 PROBLEM toured New Zealand playing an athletic 8 gigs in 10 days from Auckland to Invercargill.
(BELOW) Danny McNasty
The band have released 3 CDs. THE SWEET SMELL OF SUCCESS- 2001,
HOT LOAD- 2004 and the OUTBREAK EP- 2008. If you would like to purchase any CDs, t shirts, stickers & badges, you can direct from us. T shirts are available from- PERIL UNDERGROUND Basement 17- 19 Elizabeth St, Melbourne (03) 9614- 0155 (for overseas customers 613 9614 0155) or if you are in Europe, buy a CD from http://www.louielouie.biz in Porto, Portugal (just ask for Rui) or better still come to one of our gigs. Dreams can come true.
Now for some name dropping in the remote possibility that someone will read this. Past and present members have played or play in bands such as
DIED PRETTY, ONE INCH PUNCH, THE TOMMYS, LONGPIG, WAXING THE SUN, RYAN FERRY, THE ECCLESIASTICAL CYCLE SLUTS, MOUTHFUL, SECONDS, HUMAN GENOME PROJECT, FLAT MAGGOT, PEOPLE ON A PLANET.....................
(BELOW) Pill Problem in action
..........................PRESS: PROBLEM LIVE @ Old Bar Fitzroy by Dave DK.
There's something going on but you don't know what it is, do you Melbourne? Perry Problem seems to know something we don't and ably backed by his horrid band, he's already dished out some hilarious culture lessons to Melbourne and is shortly about to make his assault on Adelaide. Part gruesome cabaret part edgy punk, Problem is one band that is really bringing entertainment back into Melbourne pubs. There's not a lot of pretence and certainly no Australian Idol vocal gymnastics, but you will see a visually exciting arthouse show with quality musicianship, even if it is provided by a fiendish peasant, a ghoul in denim and Chickenman.
Perry himself is not afraid to take a few risks as he strides through the crowd, impeccably dressed in a V-Line jacket, candelabra in hand, serenading his courtesans. His quirky (and often macabre) humor always shines though. With songs from the slick back streets of Collingwood, (Trust Me, I'm A Junkie) to dark tales from European history (The Blood Countess) Last Friday's show at The Old Bar had some unpredictable moments and those popping their heads in stayed for more. Problem are about to take their horrorshow theatre on the road and won't be back until later this year but they will be back, Problems like this just don't go away.
Cover of THE SWEET SMELL OF SUCCESS CD
REVIEWS:
"Better than horse porn", Chris UK backpacker 2008
"Get off!!", New Plymouth NZ
"Some fine punk rock moments", Nigel from Horror Story NZ
"Why do Aussie bands always climb up on the bar?", staff at Jetset Lounge NZ
Blodwyn (BELOW)
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Oi pessoal... As "Sementes da Desordem" estão em contagem decrescente para a propagação oficial e desvendamos mais um tema do EP, "Escravo do Prazer".
Estamos a chegar ao fim de mais um ano e a época natalicia vai promovendo o capitalismo e o consumismo, pelo menos para os que vão podendo. Altura de lavar consciencias e de "ajudar o proximo"... E é no ambito do espirito de natal que os Ervas Daninhas irão ter durante todo o mês de Dezembro e até ao fim do ano mais um tema que faz parte do EP que está para sair brevemente, o tema tem por titulo "Escravo do Prazer" e apela ao prazer, ao sexo e ao amor. Explodão de prazer e façam-se viver!!
Aproveitamos também para deixar agradecimentos especiais a todos os que nos têm ajudado e apoiado neste e noutros anos. Agradecimentos ainda ao Paulão (Decreto 77) que gravou, produziu e foi o 6º elemento da banda no EP - "Sementes da Desordem"; João (Decreto 77) pela grande participação no tema "Guitarras de Guerra"; ao Arroja e ao Igor no "filme" criado para o tema "Bar da GNR". Desejos a todos de um próximo ano melhor, mais justo, mais feliz e com muita atitude.
Ervas Daninhas - Sementes da Desordem" Punk's Unidos - Revolução!
Sensational gig at the Old Colonoscopy the other night. Loved the keyboards. Loved the theatrics. Loved the cameo appearances of the legendary Dave Vroland. Loved the Johnny-Be-Good arrangement of "Felch Me". Excellent choice of covers ... "White Rabbit" "Hot Stuff" "TV Eye".
Only criticism ... no "Resentment Song". That would be like a Rolling Stones gig without "Satisfaction".
Comé maltinha, prontos para mais um tema do nosso 1º EP "SEMENTES DA DESORDEM"?
Já podem escutar o revisitado tema "BAR DA GNR", tema nº 2 do EP e que precede às "GUITARRAS DE GUERRA". Este tema já com alguns anitos lavou a cara e foi gravado no inicio de 2009 com novos arranjos, mantendo no entanto todo o carisma que vez dele um dos hinos dos ERVAS DANINHAS. Durante 20 dias, mais ou menos, vão poder entrar no "BAR DA GNR" e buer uma cervejola e morfar uma entremeada e até mesmo apanhar uma carraspana sem ficarem de cana... Dêm gás no volume e acordem os vizinhos... pelo menos aqueles que dormem a sesta ao Domingo à tarde. O "BAR DA GNR" contou com a presença de dois convidados muito especiais, foram eles o Igor e o Arroja dos SHIVERS, que por entre copos de binho e assaltos à sacristia ainda tiveram tempo para uma ida à Sela... ops, desculpem o erro... uma ida à cela.
Um grande abraço para eles e um grande abraço para todos vocês!
FANZINE #3 - EVAS DANINHAS "VOZES DE BURRO NÃO CHEGAM AO CÉU" JÁ SAIU(inclui compilação punk)
Após largos meses de espera, como já vai sendo habitual com os Ervas Daninhas, eis que saiu finalmente a Fazine dos Ervas Danihas #3 - "Vozes de burro não chegam ao céu". Com entrevistas, histórias do punk português e dos Ervas Daninhas, artigos de opinião e um CD compilação com alguns dos projectos punk que vazem a história actual do movimento. Um ensaio sobre a mentalidade alternativa, problemas sociais, ambientais e politicos e a posição que devemos assumir perante o nosso mundo e perante nós mesmos. Dessas mesmas questões se fala nas letras e nas músicas das bandas que compoem a colectânia que acompanha a Zine. Uma colectânia com 21 temas a bombar genuino punk/hc, com músicas cedidas gentilmente pelas bandas intervenientes. Deste CDr Colectânia diy inclui-se: - Barafunda Total - Canhões de Guerra - R12 - Resposta Simples - Cabeça de Martelo - Mancha Negra - Sopas de Cavalo Cançado - Tiro no Escuro - Ervas Daninhas - X-Katedra - Eskisofrénicos - Albert Fish - Crise Total - Coluna de Ferro - Mais uma Queda - Konad - Artigo 19 - Azia - Raios Parta - Payasos Dopados - Gatos Pingados
Esta Fanzine, completamente DIY está disponivel para todos os que a queiram por apenas 3.50€ + portes de envio, caso seja enviada vi correio.
That was me you saw Herr Problem. Just resting my weary bones between gigs. How are things with you? Playing the Noise Bar I see. At least your bones are still rattling!
OZRadioMAG is a FREE Street press magazine available in shops, libraries, community centres around Australia (and now also in parts of Europe). It's an Australian Entertainment magazine with a strong focus on the 'Up and Coming' music scene in Australia. The magazine features reviews and interviews in Australian Entertainment, as well as a variety of Australian related articles. As our popularity grows, the Magazine continues to grow as well. Starting off as a small online Magazine in late 08, the magazine quickly took off in popularity in Australia (as well as the United Kingdom) especially after the first free printed street press.
