The Sophisticants came to be in 2006, when lead guitarist Dougle Cants infamously made a promise to a Channel 31 TV show that he was the production designer for. The promise... that he could get a punk rock band to play in the background of a scene. Ultimately Dougle couldn't convince a real band to do the show, so he decided to put one together. The first three people he asked, [Scumbag] Scott, [TwoTake] Yates, and Nemo, all agreed to help out. Surpisingly, the band was good, really good. A few weeks later the band played it's first real gig in a real bar, and The Sophisticants were born.
In 2008 the band actually got it together and released a six track EP. They also recorded two additional tracks that were featured on a US sampler. In 2009 they have released another EP, that has been well received by radio and streetpress, and has received distribution nationwide.
The band has developed a killer live show, and after a number of raucous performances over the past three years from a laneway, to a living room, to the back of a truck, to a festival stage, they have forged a reputation as one of the most exciting and entertaining live bands on the Melbourne underground rock scene.
The Sophisticants deliver an all out assault on your ears and the airwaves, and are staking their claim as one of Melbourne's best proponents of punk inspired, seamy rock n roll.
Hey hey monsters...... Cayn Borthwick Band are playing a very intimate and very free show this friday at Grumpy's Green on Smith st with support from Ten Pound Henry (Miles O'Neil of Suitcase Royale). Music starts at 8 and goes till late....
Brisbane outfit Toy Balloon will release their debut album Toy Division on November 8 through Lofly Records, and to celebrate will perform an east coast launch tour throughout November.
Formed in 2007, Toy Balloon was originally a fledgling two-piece made up by Nimai Etheridge’s uniquely melodic wall-of-sound guitar and Greg Cooper’s beautiful sequenced electronic compositions. The band have since matured into a four piece featuring Chloe Cooper (Mr Maps) on key boards and Ben Green on drums.
The album was recorded and mixed at the Lofly Hangar in Brisbane, a DIY performance space that Toy Balloon has been an integral part of creating. Fostering emerging artists and left-of-centre music, the Hangar acts as a performance space, recording studio, and meeting place; and has resulted in a record with a rich, layered sound reminiscent of New Order, Mogwai, Boards of Canada, and LCD Soundsystem.
Catch Toy Balloon launch Toy Division at a venue near you this Oct/ November.
TOY BALLOON TOUR DATES:
Brisbane- Thursday 29 October- The Zoo, Fortitude Valley w/ Moon Jog, Tin Can Radio and Doom Doom.
Sydney- Wednesday 4 November- ‘Upstarts’ at Spectrum, Darlinghurst w/ Convaire and Black Bear Brown Bear
Sydney- Thursday 5 November- Oxford Arts Factory, Darlinghurst w/ World Champion and others
Melbourne- Saturday 7 November- Pony, Melbourne w/ Love Connection and Aoi
Melbourne- Sunday 8 November- El Joyero, Melbourne
Toy Division is released November 6 on Lofly Records, with distribution through MGM.
We have a show coming up supporting Ghostwood (Syd). Hope you can make it...This coming Thursday 1st Oct, 8:30pm, The Workers Club (The Old Rob Roy cnr Brunswick St & Gertrude St)
We're coming to Melbourne from WA for a few shows in support of our new album FLOOD SONGS / JUNE SONGS. If you're free, come have a pint. Good times indeed.
THUR 1 OCT – Brunswick Hotel (Brunswick) with Wilfred Jackal, Corporation Clink, Lincoln MacKinnon (Dead River Deeps) Free. Doors open 8pm
FRI 2 OCT – Revolver Upstairs (Prahran) with Black Cab, Goodbye Motel, The Dowlings Doors open 8.30pm. Tix $12 at door. Presales $12 + bf through www.moshtix.com.au
SUN 4 OCT – John Curtin Hotel (Carlton) with The Priory Dolls, The Dowlings Doors open 6pm. Tix $8 at door.
THURSDAY NIGHT Open Mic Blues Jam Session at 8:30 PM. No cover. Everyone is welcome to come out and jam. The Thursday Night happening in Arkansas – Blues Jam Session. . www.bluesguitarnews.com
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