Too many to mention. We are obviously influenced by surf and rock 'n' roll instrumentals, but, as we have all been in other bands playing different styles, other influences can creep in at times. We try to keep an open mind. Hope you do too!
Sounds Like
3 guys playing instro/surf music. Sometimes sounds like 4 guys 'cause we dub on a second guitar track when we record.
Space Party is a 3-piece instrumental/surf band based in Canberra, Australia.
Kevin and Alex have known each other since about 2003 and started jamming on surf tunes together with the aim of having some fun, getting back their playing chops and maybe doing a recording sometime. We became a band in February 2006 with the addition of Darren on drums. We are all old geezers and between us have a bit of musical history:
Alex Plegt - Guitar, songs. Started off in 1980 in Brisbane in a band called President's Eleven. They got quite well-known after, or maybe because, he left. Played in punk band Politburo in 1982. After he left they changed their name to Vicious Circle and got quite well-known. (Notice a pattern here?) Finally joined/formed the Arctic Circles in 1984, they were around for 3 1/2 years and got quite well-known despite him NOT leaving. After that played with a band called Fiendish Glee for about 2 years. Then formed Forbidden Planet with Steve Agar (ex Shindiggers) and Michael (Kaos) Glenn, who has been in countless bands, most well known of which was Hoss. Did not play in any bands from 1992 to 2006.
Darren Atkinson - Drums, knobs. Also started in Brisbane in the early
'80s, with his brother Greg in moody paisley poppers Ups and Downs and
actually recalls playing the odd gig with President's Eleven (though
they waited until Alex had left). Ups and Downs went on to achieve loads
of indie chart success with singles like The Living Kind and Perfect
Crime and their EP Sleepless, and later briefly dented the mainstream
charts and even appeared on Hey Hey It's Saturday (!) before breaking up
in the early '90s.
Darren went on to form the grungier, though still hugely melodic, Big
Heavy Stuff, again with his brother, though this time Darren only played
with them during their early, 'unpopular' years (I'm sure Alex can
relate to this). He kept the connection alive however, becoming their
live sound engineer and occasional fill-in drummer. And here's where it
gets incestuous: their full-time drummer Nick Kennedy had previously
played in Sydney band The Templebears, so when Darren left Big Heavy
Stuff, he nabbed fellow Templebear Josh Morris to help form Atticus in
the mid '90s. Atticus had some JJJ and Rage success in the early
noughties with their album Looks Money Talent.
Darren still plays with Atticus who will release their 3rd album Great
Big World shortly and notes an impending Ups and Downs compilation with
the accompanying threat of live shows in 2008! You have been warned.
Kevin Lauro - bass, dancing. Kevin's from the U.S. and played with a band called The Defenders over there who did a nifty surf version of "Sleigh Ride" on a Christmas surf compilation, called "The Tarquin Records All Star Holiday Extravaganza".
You look as though you wanna know about a bunch of gigs, yeah? Well, here you go then! First off, we’re bringing the scene back to the Southside (which is without a doubt the best side) PJ O’Reilly’s is the setting for Mudd Nights, a gig held 2 out of three Wednesday’s. Check out the line-up for the first 2 below, or go to www.myspace.com/muddnights
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Next stop, PJ O’Reilly’s again! Capital Alternative see’s our finest in Alternative/Rock join the stage with our guests from Sydney, Aktor. Check out the line-up and get excited Southsiders!
So if you are hankering for a live music spankering, and are sick of having to head to Civic or Belco, come join us at PJ’s and rock out with your…well…better leave it there.
NICK OLIVERI Touring Australia and New Zealand in solo mode this October. Tickets on sale now, for full ticketing info click here
Wed Oct 7th - Brass Monkey, Cronulla Thu Oct 8th - Del Plaza, Gold Coast Fri Oct 9th - Step Inn, Brisbane Sat Oct 10th - Hopetoun, Sydney Sun Oct 11th - Heritage Hotel, Bulli Mon Oct 12th - Mona Vale Hotel, Mona Vale Tue Oct 13th - Kings Arms, Auckland Wed Oct 14th - Bodega, Wellington Mon Oct 19th - National Hotel, Geelong Tue Oct 20th - Republic Bar, Hobart Wed Oct 21st - Northcote SC, Melbourne Thu Oct 22nd - Jive, Adelaide Fri Oct 23rd - Settlers Tavern, Margaret River Sat Oct 24th - Norfolk Basement, Fremantle
Thanks for the kind words. I'm actually thinking of putting together a surf rock band.......love the music, & hearing yours only makes me want to do it more! Cheers,
ASHRA tribute by HENSEL 3000 on Hawke Chill Out Sessions
Me thinks that the ASHRA album 'Blackouts' from 1977 is one of the greatest albums ever produced on planet Earth. I pay tribute to this hugely important musical influence with a long track called 'Les vacances de Monsieur Hensel'.
Online Now!
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HOPE ACT's TREATIN' YOU LADS WELL!!! 
