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CORONER

AMERICAN BEAUTY Friday, 9.30pm • ONE

When it was released in 2000, this treatise on middle-aged ennui snared five Academy Awards -best picture, best director, best actor (Kevin Spacey), best original screenplay and best cinematography and it's not hard to see why. The film follows Lester and Carolyn Burnham (Spacey and Annette Benning) who are, on the outside, a perfect husband and wife, in a perfect house, in a perfect neighbour­hood. But things are not as they seem.

JACK RYAN: SHADOW RECRUIT Out Now RATEDM

Based on the character created by bestselling author Tom Clancy, this action-packed flick follows a young

COLDPLAY GHOST STORIES Out Now

Since releasing their runaway smash hit debut, Parachutes, in 2000, Coldplay have been serving up various shades of beige to a bafflingly increasing global audience. Now they've returned with album number six and while I thought a record couldn't bore me more than 2011's Mylo Xyloto, it seems Chris Martin and co have proved me wrong.

Dubbed the Chris Martin and Gwyneth Paltrow breakup album, Ghost Stories is a meandering slab of pretentious and overwrought dreck whose overproduc­tion belies the vapid lack of ambition contained within.

Given that their upcoming promotionial gig at the Metro in Sydney sold out in a mere three minutes, proves that I'm in the minority with this assessment of Coldplay, but if you too are a fan of music I'd give this one a wide berth .

Sunday, June 8 • Manning Bar, University of Sydney Union

Jack (Chris Pine) as he uncovers a financial terrorist plot. The story follows him from 9/11, through his tour of duty in Afghanistan, which scarred him forever, and into his early days in the Financial Intelligence Unit of the modern CIA where he becomes an analyst, under the guardi­anship of his handler, Harper (Kevin Costner). When Ryan believes he's uncovered a Russian plot to collapse the United States economy, he goes from being an analyst to becoming a spy and must fight to save his own life.

Coroner was one of those underrated metal bands, mostly known to hardcore fans. Often labelled a thrash band, their music went far beyond what is usually thought of as thrash metal. Releasing five albums and a semi-compilation in eight years - from the unpolished and technical speed of 1987'S R.I.P., the complexity of 1988's Punishment/or Decadence, the technical quality of 1989'S No More Color and its derivative Mental Vortex from 1991 to the heavier and more laidback style of Grin - the band progressed consistently, without ever losing their identity. Composed of only three members - Tommy Vetterli (guitar), Marky Edelmann (drums) and Ron Broder (bassi vocals) - Coroner stood out of the metal scene with outstanding musicianship, creativity, raw power, technical skills and innovation.

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"It was amazing how he an­swered so many questions be­fore I finished them!" said in­credulous host Tony Barber af­ter Gold Coast clairvoyant Gar­ry Wiseman was crowned "Sale Of The Century" quiz champ on national TV, scooping 2 BMW cars and 20 other prizes from his 1985 triumph. Garry's achieve­ments in the psychic field are un­equalled - over 300 TV appear­ances (Today, Kerri-Anne etc.), radio show syndicated on 43 sta-

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tions, magazine columnist, pro­moter, author and speaker (14 overseas tours). Now Garry comes to Caves Beach to pre­sent his Psychic Fair. He will be available for a limited num­ber of personal readings ap­pointments, spread over four days: the three days of the Fair (Fri 30th, Sat 31st, Sun 1st) plus Toe 3rd. SOmin ••• $80. Garry books out fast, so please pre-book on 0429-644129.

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FIATURISTORY

STEPHEN BISSET

hen three fresh-faced all-American boys from Tulsa Oklahoma released their iropos­sibly catchy slice of

pure pop - MMMBop - in 1997, Isaac, Zac and Taylor Hanson set a million hearts a-flutter and a million girls screaming with their boyish charm and prodigious ability to write saccharine-sweet paeans to life, younglove and positivity.

17 years on and Hanson may be all grown up, but the screaming certainly hasn't stopped.

The band, responsible for a formidable 16 million in global record sales, still command a rabid and intensely loyal fan­base around the world, includingAustralia, where they will touch down in August as part of their current world tour in support of their sixth studio album,Anthem.

"We are so excited to be coming back down to Australia - our fans down there are awesome;' Isaac Hanson told TE down the line from Tulsa

''We were last down there in 2012 on the Slwut it Out tour and it was, like six years before that, so we made a promise on the last tour that we would get back down there

more often so it's good to be able to live up to that promise."

Given Hansen's seemingly "overnight sensation" status following the release of MMMBop and the subsequent multi­million selling album Middle of Nowhere (despite releasing two independent albums previously), they were somewhat unfairly lumbered with the rather disingenuous "boy band" and now "man band" tag. However, one listen to their sixth album Anthem - the fourth on their own label 3CG - and it's obvious that these guys are serious musicians with a well-honed pop sensibility.

Produced by the band, mixed by Tom Lord-Alge (Rolling Stones, Bon Jovi, The Cure) and featuring guest appearances from the likes of Golgol Bordello's Yuri Lemeshev and Michael Fitzpatrick and Joe Karnes from Fitz and the Tantrums, Anthem, like the title would suggest, is a massive album that, while still retaining those ubiquitous flashes of pop brilliance, is tempered with mornents of pure rockand roll, neo-soul and classic R & B although, as Hanson explained, the band has been traversing a wide range of sonic territory for some time.

"The idea when we went in to record the album was to make it sound as big as possible - so I think theAnthem title is very fitting," he said.

''We, as a band, have historically had to !ace the challenge of some people thinking

The idea, when we went into record the album, was to make it sound as big as possible

that we produced just one sound from top to bottom, but, if you listen to Middle of Nowhere, sure, there are those poppy songs on there but there's also a lot ofmoody and groovy things going on and some more aggressive stuff as well, and I thinkAnthem has very sirnilar qualities.

''There's a song on there called Fired Up which is based around a massive ACt DC-inspired guitar riff, another called I Got Soul that has a really intense R & B feel and songs like the single Get The Girl Back which is a really catchy soul-based pop song so, yeah there's definitely quite a lot

going on and definitely alittle more fight in this one."

While it's obvious that Hanson is as passionate about his music as ever, there is another passion that has also been piquing the brothers' interest oflate. Beer.

The boys have recently launched their own beer, the aptly named MMMHops, and Hanson became even more aniroated at the mention of the new venture.

"We are so excited about it - beer is like music, everybody likes it;' he laughed.

"Over the years we've done a lot of tour­ing and sampled many beers from around the world and we were discussing the fact that we were becoming these huge beer snobs and we thought, "wouldn't it be cool to be able to just brew beer all day", so we decided to just do it.

"It's currently for sale in Oklahoma and a few neighbouring states and it's doing very well. We're also actively looking into getting a mail-order thing happening and getting it into countries like Australia - I mean, you guys love your beer."

While the incessant radio airplay the hand enjoyed early in their career may've died down somewhat in the ensuing years, their fanbase certainly hasn't and, while Hanson said it was quite surreal to still receive such a fervent reaction from fans after all these years, it's something he wouldn't change for love nor money.

"Yes I amgoingdeafslowly;' Hansonsaid. "But it really does constantly surprise me

that the reaction we get at shows has been consistently crazy for seventeen years. Alot is said about the screaming and the crazy fans and stuffbut, in reality, it's just really cool to see that people can be so passionate about ourmusic. It's also cool to see crowds singing the words to all of our songs, not just the hits. It's something that we never, ever take for granted."

catch Hanson at the Enmore Theatre on Friday, August 8 (all ages) and the Hi Fi Bar on Wednesday, August 13 (18+). Tickets for both shows are selling fast so, get in quick.

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5 SAWYERS: Friday, OJ Patsan; Saturday, OJ Sean Michael. ABSOLUTE THAI: Saturday, john and Mindy. ADAMSTOWN CLUB: Saturday, At The Hop. ANNA BAY TAVERN: Saturday, Outerphase. AVOCA BEACH BOWLING CLUB: Friday, Shivoo. BAR 121: Friday, Troy Kemp; Saturday, Dai Pritchard Band. BAY HOTEL: Saturday, Black Bird Blue. BEACHCOMBER HOTEL: Friday, Djs. BEAUFORD HOTEL: Saturday, Casho. BELMONT 16s: Wednesday, Paige jeffrey, Milton Ward; Friday, The Rockin Eddie Band; Saturday, Talk of the Town. BELMORE HOTEL: Friday, Black Bird Blue; Saturday, The lillers. BERESFIELD BOWLING CLUB: Friday, Loko; Saturday, The Years. BLACKBUTT HOTEL: Friday/Saturday, Live Entertainment. BRADFORD HOTEL: Saturday, Rock Oz; Sun­day, The Flatrakkers. BREAKERS COUNTRY CLUB:Saturday, Enter­tainment. BUDGEWOI SOCCER CLUB: Saturday, Shivoo. CAMBRIDGE HOTEL: Thursday, The Paper Kites; Saturday, Kim Churchill. CANTON BEACH SPORTS CLUB: Friday, Bras­sick. CARDIFF RSL: Friday, Kadence; Saturday, Adam and the Talents. CATHO PUB: Sunday, Highway to Hell AC/DC Tribute.

CAVES BEACHSIDE HOTEL: Friday, Jamie Martens • CENTRAL HOTEL, Stroud: Saturday, Shawn Lidster. CESSNOCK LEAGUES CLUB: Friday, Gen R 8; Saturday, Soul Station. CHARLESTOWN BOWLING CLUB: Friday, 2 Good Reasons. CLARENDON HOTEL: Friday, Mick jones; Satur­day, Katrina Burgoyne. CLUB AZZURRI: Sunday, Latinova. CLUB LEMON TREE: Friday, Good Grief; Satur­day, Stephen Boyd. COLLIERY INN: Friday, Karaoke; Saturday, Pete Sneddon. COMMERCIAL HOTEL, Boolaroo: Saturday, Lee Rolfe. CROWN AND ANCHOR: Friday, lane Penn. CUSTOMS HOUSE: Wednesday, jon T; Friday, Katrina Burgoyne; Saturday, Perry Carter; Sunday, jerome. DAVISTOWN RSL: Thursday, Scott Donaldson; Saturday, Peter Kinch. DENMAN HOTEL: Friday, Karaoke. DOYALSON RSL: Friday, Live Entertainment. DUKE OF WELLINGTON: Friday, Dave Carter; Saturday, 2 Good Reasons. DUNGOG RSL: Friday, Damien. EAST CESSNOCK BOWLING CLUB: Saturday. Double Impact. EAST MAITLAND BOWLING CLUB: Friday, 4 Letter Word; Saturday, Incognito; Sunday, Talk of the Town.

A wealth 01 experience

At the age of 12, when a guitar was placed in his hands, it wasn't hard to tell that Ben Travis was destined to be a performer. After years of playing in bands, duos and trios fine tuning his performance skills it was time to take the leap and play the way he has always loved. Stripped back and acoustic.

"I live for the moments my guitar is in my hand, for the moments that 1 am singing into a microphone. 1 forget all my troubles, all my prob­lems and everything, for at least those few minutes, feels perfect," he said.

By The age of 20 Ben had already performed with high profile artists such as The Screaming Jets, Anasta­sia, Chris Isaak, James Rayne, Kid Courageous and Grinspoon. Performed at venues such as The Newcastle and Sydney Entertain­ment Centres, recorded an EP and toured Malaysia with his band.

Now at the age of 23, all of those experiences as well as seven years fronting local cover band Sundays Record shine through. The ability to play just about any request you can shout out in a catchy, fun, unique style that will leave you wanting more. He is also known for his quirky abilities in between songs or sets, "seal like" balancing tricks, card tricks and a joke here or there.

From Chuck Berry to Katy Perry and anywhere in between, Ben has what it takes to not only entertain but engage a crowd.

Glendale Stockland, 387 Lake Rd Glendale BOOK MOW Phone 4950 6788 www.outbackjacks.com.au

ENTRANCE BOWLING CLUB: Saturday, Soul Station. ENTRANCE LEAGUES CLUB: Friday, Soul Sta­tion. EXCHANGE HOTEL: Friday, Moonlight Drive; Saturday, Phase III. FAMILY HOTEL: Friday, The Flicks. FIVE ISLANDS REC CLUB, Speers Point: Sun­day, A Touch of Country. GATESHEAD TAVERN: Thursday, Lennie Live; Friday, The litlers; Sunday, Cash and Co. GEORGE TAVERN: Thursday, Thomas Lawson; Friday, Kylie jane; Saturday, Twinsanity. GRAND HOTEL: Saturday, Kenny jewell. GREAT NORTHERN HOTEL: Wednesday, Djs; Tuesday, Open Mic Night. GRAND JUNCTION HOTEL: Thursday, Kevin Bennett; Friday, The Corporate Raiders; Sunday, Leah

GUNYAH HOTEL: Friday, Perry Carter; Satur­day, jack Daniels and Co Duo; Sunday, Troy Kemp. GWANDALAN BOWLING CLUB: Friday, Cover 2 Cover. HALEKULANI BOWLING CLUB: Saturday, Mali­hini's Over 30s Nightspot. HAMILTON STATION HOTEL: Friday/Saturday. Karaoke. HARRIGANS IRISH PUB: Saturday, Gen X; Sunday, Sundays Record Duo. HEXHAM BOWLING CLUB: Saturday. Cool Change. HONEYSUCKLE HOTEL: Saturday/Sunday, Kylie jane. HOTEL DELANY: Wednesday. AdzDrumz;

Friday, OJ Surian, Jon T, Overload; Saturday, Funkapedia. HOTELJESMOND: Friday, Dream Tambourine; Saturday, HP Duo. HOTEL PREMIER: Saturday, Darren; Sunday, Hornet. IMPERIAL HOTEL, Singleton: Friday, Rock Oz. IRON HORSE INN: Saturday, Holly Wilson. JUNCTION HOTEL: Friday, Gian. KENT HOTEL: Friday, KS Band; Saturday, Just Hit Play. KING STREET HOTEL: Friday, Thomas Knight; Saturday, Other Ideas; Sunday, Any Given Sunday Outkast Tribute. KURRI BOWLING CLUB: Friday, Adam Gear. LAKE MACQUARIE TAVERN: Friday, Entertain­ment. LAKE MACQUARIE YACHT CLUB: Sunday, Tim Pringle. LAKESIDE VILLAGE TAVERN: Friday, OJ Rich­ard; Saturday, End of Days. LASS O'GOWRIE HOTEL: Wednesday, The Cupcake Conspiracy, Manana, Grand Master Monk; Thursday, Creative Creatures Open Mic Night; Friday, Galleri, The Mountains, Total Bore; Saturday, The Delta Lions, The Punk Rock Hillbilly, The Cities; Sunday, King Shakey. LIZOTTE'S NEWCASTLE: Wednesday', Hats Bennett, Jack Dawson, Matt Semmens, The Dockadoras; Thursday, Paul Greene and the Other Colours; Friday, Chris Wilson; Saturday, Dave Faulkner & Brad Shepherd. LONG JETTY HOTEL: Saturday, Luke Collins; Sunday, Kate Keighran. MARK HOTEL: Friday, Duelling Pistols; Satur­day, Pete Gelzinnis. MARY ELLEN: Thursday, Lauren Arms; Friday, The Remedy Trio; Saturday, Sundays Record Duo. MATTARA HOTEL: Friday, Dean Dee; Saturday, DJs. MAYFIELD HOTEL: Thursday, Karaoke. MAVERICKS ON THE BAY: Firday, Lauren Arms; Saturday, Dave Owen; Sunday, Troy. METROPOLITAN HOTEL, Maitland: Friday, Trataka. MJ FINNEGANS: Friday/Saturday, DJs. MOONSHADOW CRUISES, Nelson Bay: Satur­day, Deuce. NAG'S HEAD HOTEL: Saturday, Moose Preser­vation. NELSON BAY DIGGERS THE LOUNGE: Friday, Daley Holliday; Saturday, The Big Bang. NEWCASLE HARNESS RACING CLUB: Friday, Mick Freeman. NEWCASTLE UNITED SPORTS CLUB: Friday, Karaoke. NORTHERN STAR HOTEL: Friday, Josh Calla­way; Saturday, Garth Prentice. NORTHUMBERLAND HOTEL: Friday, Jim Overend. OLD PUB, Woy Woy: Saturday, Tres Hombres. ORANA HOTEL: Friday, Full Throttle; Saturday, Krossfyre.

Family values

Versatile and dynamic brother and sister duo Black Bird Blue come together to create the perfect vibe for any event.

The combination of guitars, harmonies, stomp box and looping, with well known tunes (classic and current) covering genres from pop, R & B, soul, rock and blues means Black Bird Blue will captivate any audience. Pete's natural talent as an exceptional guitarist has led him to perform with many of Australia's top recording artists. He has also written and produced music across a spectrum of genres, which has seen him collaborate with well known national and international artists.

Pete is already well known on the local scene as a popular soloist. Renee's song writing, production and performance skills have earnt her recognition by many of Austral­ia's biggest song writing competi­tions and with two commercial album releases of original material, her songs have been featured on a variety of compilations. Renee's vocals are powerful and versatile with a repertoire that will suite any occasion.

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PEDENS, Cessnock: Friday, James Naldo; Saturday, The Lead bellies. PIPPI'S AT THE POINT: Friday, Bobby C, Mard­max; Saturday, KDL; Sunday, Arley Black. PLOUGH INN: Friday, Lennie Live. POTTERS BREWERY: Friday, Jack Daniels. PRINCE OF WALES: Friday, Howie and Alex; Saturday, Tim Rossington; Sunday, Ben Travis. QUEENS WHARF BREWERY: Wednesday, Miss Menace; Friday, AdzDrums; Saturday, Howie and Alex, Matt McLaren, OJ utes; Sunday, Moose Preservation, Jon T, OJ RPM. RACECOURSE HOTEL: Saturday, Damien. REGAL HOTEL, Kurri: Saturday, Secret Society. REGAL HUNTER HOTEL: Saturday, Brooke Harvey. ROYAL CROWN, Dudley: Saturday, Karaoke. ROYAL FEDERAL HOTEL: Saturday, Moonlight Drive Duo.

ROYAL HOTEL, Denamn: Saturday, Revolver. ROYAL HOTEL, Singleton: Sunday, Clockwork. ROYAL INN, Waratah: Saturday, Mick Jones. RUTHERFORD HOTEL: Saturday, lane Penn Duo. SALAMANDER SHORES: Friday, Darren. SEABREEZE HOTEL: Friday, Dave Feint; Satur­day, lac and Ben. SEVEN SEAS: Saturday, Voodoo Express. SHAFT TAVERN: Friday, Glam Slam. SHOAL BAY RESORT: Friday, Casho; Saturday, Uptown, Graeme Mills, Tiali; Sunday, Jim Overend, lac and Ben, The Piranha Brothers. SHORTLAND HOTEL: Friday, Greg Bryce. SOLDIERS POINT BOWLING CLUB: Saturday, Kim and Mik.

STATION HOTEL, Kurri: Friday, James Paul. STOCKTON RSL: Saturday, La Bamba Rock. SYDNEY JUNCTION HOTEL: Friday/Saturday, Entertainment. SWANSEA HOTEL: Thursday, Brooke Harvey. SWANSEA RSL: Saturday, Red Sweat. SWANSEA WORKERS CLUB: Saturday, Mard­max. THE POURHOUSE, Maitland: Saturday, Kazzi Waters. THE SMALL BALLROOM: Wednesday, Closure in Moscow; Thursday, Citizen kay & Tkay Maidza; Friday, Drunk Mums; Saturday, Ar­rester, Bigger Cages, The Processors. TILLIGERRY RSL CLUB: Friday, Spank N The Monkey; Saturday, Dave Feient. TORONTO DIGGERS: Friday, 40 Up Club; Saturday, Russell Hull. TORONTO ROYAL MOTOR YACHT CLUB: Friday, Kelly Hope. TORONTO WORKERS CLUB: Friday, Just Hit Play; Saturday, Cupcakes and Cocktails. TOWN HALL HOTEL: Saturday, Karaoke. VUES ON THE BAY: Friday, OJ Fuel; Saturday, Hey Poncho. WALLARAH BAY REC CLUB: Friday, Shaun Lidster Duo; Saturday, The Shuffle Boys. WALLSEND DIGGERS CLUB: Friday, The Smarts. WANGI WORKERS CLUB: Saturday, Kristy J. WARNERS AT THE BAY: Friday, Punkfish; Saturday, The Rumour. WARNERS BAY HOTEL: Thursday, Karaoke; Friday, DJs; Friday, The Volleys; Saturday, The V Dubs; Sunday, Misbehave. WESTON WORKERS CLUB: Saturday, OJ Brian Bean, The Rattlesnakes. WEST WALLSEND WORKERS CLUB: Friday, Twinsanity. WESTS CARDIFF: Saturday, Total 80s Recall. WESTS NEW LAMBTON PIANO LOUNGE: Wednesday, Frank wakewood; Thursday, Angamus; Friday, Warren Hunter; Saturday, Stuart Hamilton; Monday, Ben Hanley; Tues­day, Terence Koo. WESTS NEW LAMBTON MARBLE BAR: Friday, OJ Matt Meier, Twinsanity; Saturday, Perry Carter, Dream Tambourine. WICKHAM PARK HOTEL: Wednesday, Wicko Jam Night; Friday, Milestones; Saturday, Helen and Friends, Fish Fry. WINDALE GATESHEAD BOWLING CLUB: Friday, Karaoke. WINDSOR CASTLE HOTEL: Friday, SODA; Saturday, Daniel Arvidson. WYONG BOWLING CLUB: Friday, Rebel Rous­ers. WYONG LEAGUES CLUB: Friday, Back to Rock; Saturday, Roll Again.

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W hen the phrase 'country music icons' is uttered, three names almost instantly come to mind

- Johnny Cash, Willie Nelson and Kenny Rogers.

STEPHEN BISSET

The three rougish balladeers have left their indelible mark on not just country but popular music in general with such brilliantly evocative songs as Folsom Prison Blues, I Walk The Line, On The Road Again, You Were Always On My Mind, The Gambler and Ruben James.

Now, Novocastrians have the chance to see the next best thing when an unforget­table tribute to the country masters - The Kings Of Country - makes its way to Wests Leagues next month.

Direct from the good 01' US of A, the show will feature Marion Deaton as Willie Nelson, Phillip Bauer as Johnny Cash and Marty Edwards as Kenny Rogers in doppelganger-like performances that are sure to leave you gobsmacked.

We had an absolute blast last time we were there ,

LrVE MUSrC • • •

FR'DA'I SA TURD A 'I N'GHT S .SuNDA'I ALL DA'I.

Speaking to TE from down the line somewhere on the road in Los Angeles, Kenny R- ahem, Marty Edwards said, after a hugely successful Antipodean run in 2012, the boys couldn't wait to get back to our shores.

"We had an absolute blast last time we were down there - it's such an amazing place and everyone really made us feel welcome;' he said.

Edwards, who was a recording artist in his own right before a record producer convinced him to tryon the guise of Kenny some 15 years ago, said the show would be a catalogue of the best of the best from the three legends as well as a few surprises thrown in for good meas­ure.

"There are certain songs by all three guys that everyone is always going to want to hear which kinda makes choos­ing a set a little easier;' he said,

"We're going to be doing our own thing then there'll be an intermission and we'll all come out and share the stage - it's pretty exciting:'

Edwards, whose time as Kenny has seen him perform on Oprah and The Tonight Show With Jay Leno, said he still had to pinch himself considering the places Kenny has taken him - a highlight being actually meeting his hero in at a concert in Billings, Montana.

"It was great meeting him;' he said. "It was after a show and I was there with

the Govenor of Montana and Kenny came in and shook my hand and we chatted for a bit - it was very surreal for both me and him.

"When he left he actually tuned to me and said "now don't go getting me into any trouble" which is nice:'

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MUSIC

Wagons keep on rolling STEPHEN BISSET

A fter wowing pretty much every­one with his idiosyncratic solo effort, Expecting Company - a

mini album featuring duets with the likes of Alison Mosshart (The Kills), Patience Hodgson (The Grates) and Robert Foster (The Go Betweens), Henry Wagons is back on deck with his long serving and trusty backing band and with a lurching, bombastic and brassy album in Acid Rain and SUgar Cane.

Speaking to TE down the line from Adelaide on the eve of their national album tour, Wagons said, after some time spent breaking into foreign markets, it was great to be traversing Australian roads.

"Yeah we're looking forward to this tOUI1 big time," the Melbourne singer­songwriter enthused.

"We bave been spending quite a bit of time touring over in North America which was just a bit too full ofbad colfee - although, even though we're from Melbourne, we don't think everything should be about lattes - so it's going to be great to get back to some of our favourite haoots."

With smatterings of horns, strings and lush production, Acid Rain and SUgar Cane could well be Wagons most cohe­sive and fully realised album yet - a senti-

ment with which the songwriter agrees. "I'd say I'm more proud of this record than anything else I've ever done," he said.

"There is this eternal struggle that I'm sure a lot of bands go through with the relationship between how you sound live and wbat bappens in the studio.

"I mean, some of my favourite records, like Neil Young's Harvest or Bob Dylan and the Band's Basement Tapes were more about a moment in time where the feel and vibe of wbat was going on was way more important than microphone placement - so we wanted to make this as live as posSIble so you can really hear that

space - and I think we achieved that." To help achieve this live vibe, the band enlisted the services of fonner Bad Seed Mick Harvey, whose previous production credits include the likes of PJ Harvey, to co-produce.

"We basically thought that if we're going to relinquish control to someone, Mick Harvey is definitely a good choice," he said.

"He has such an impressive resume and he really made us want to press our meta­phorical shirts each day - you know, we really wanted to impress him and I think this really helped raise the bar creatively for US."

ela.lecountry onahow DALE HOOPER'S drive, ambition, and stage presence, has gained him the admiration and respect from his many funs and peers alike.

STEPHEN BISSET

Although Dale Hooper has been working as a professional enter­tainer since the mid 1980's, it wasn't until 1993 when he took out the major prize in the inaugural Banjo Paterson Country Music Festival Talent Quest held in Orange that his career in Country Music took a huge leap forward. After his win he was alIorded a number of appearances at the 1994 Tamworth Country Music Festival. This in turn led to extensive touring throughout NSW, Victoria and Tasmania, where he was deented to be an outstanding suocess by both his peers and audi­ences.

The award-winning performer will be hitting town to peIform the classic hits of Willie Nelson, Merle Haggard, Geroge Jones, Dwight Yokarn, Randy Travis, Travis Tritt and many more so, if you're a fan of classic country, this is one show you won't want to miss.

catch Dale Hooper at BeImcmt BowIlDg Club on SUnday, June 8. The show starts at 3.3OJI111 so, JII!1: in early.

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