 Hydrofunk launched their online store at the Northern on Jan 22. Our guest reviewer is Bay FM's Olylama. This Hydrofunk label is pretty cool. I got the sticker from the merch desk and checked out their Myspace site. I love Myspace music, it is like a bands CV. I dug the tracks on there. You can even check out their video clips. Omni Anti Oops I missed this first act. They would have been cool I’m sure (Dude... they were awesome. I can't believe you missed them. Slick MCing accompanied by a classically trained female vocalist who can really wail. They have a violinist and flautist - not your average hip hop. Very funky and very LOUD. Ed). Red Bantoo Another groovy band set up their instruments - in this case a keyboard, sax and a little electronic box of beats and bops (It's called a MPC Oly! Ed). They were only 4 piece outfit on this night, but if I closed my eyes it sounded like a 12 piece. I’m making a new genre here but I would say it was Soulie jazzie hip hoppie. A bit of style was happening with the three guys wearing white shirts with small black ties and the girl in a classic little black number. The crowd liked what they heard. Red Bantoo are similar to Nightmares on Wax. Well entertaining. Resin Dogs The Resin Dogs are Hydrofunk's flagship band. We witnessed a pared down version of the Dogs with some band members away on their side projects. Dave Atkins (Percussion) is drumming for Wolfmother in London at the moment. With the various guesting MCs the Dog's shows can differ slightly but the Formula remains the same: The Resin Dogs are on = its time to party. The MC encouraged the crowd to shake it and they did. I respect the independence this crew have kept with their core label Hydrofunk. Hydrofunk have signed some amazing talent. Check out their online store. View photos from the night here. Editor: Kate Newton Add Comment The Women and the Waves 01/23/2010
 By Laura Guthrie Images by Vitoria Spofforth Where was the place to be in Byron Bay last Friday night? Well if you’re interested in surfing (or just interested in all things awesome) you were probably at The Women and the Waves. Held at the Byron Community Centre, the night featured a surf movie screening, live music, art, fashion, food and drink. Tracy Mae and Vanessa Thompson presented The Women and the Waves to a rapt audience. After years of watching movies that feature men’s surfing, with only brief glimpses into the world of women in the water, it was wicked to finally see a surf film that documents the female surf experience. Filmmakers Heather Hudson and Peck Euwer wanted to explore what it means to surf like a girl. As well as professional surfers, they covered women who have been surfing for decades without pay or fame; women who have incorporated surfing into their lifestyle. Showcasing legends like Linda Benson (the first woman to surf Waimea Bay, Hawaii), Kim Mearig (one of the first women to be sponsored by shaper Al Merrick), Lisa Andersen (who put women’s surfing on the radar), Ashley Lloyd (one of the first females shapers), and many more. All of these surfer chicas are worth Googling as they should be a part of any surfing buff's repertoire. These women are inspiration for all surfers who cannot expect to make a living from surfing but want to find a way to surf forever while still having a life. After the screening of the film there was an open forum discussing experiences we have had in the water- from both women and men. Everything from snaking in to how to get the best wave at The Pass was discussed (general consensus was to stay away from The Pass). The discussion was led by phD student Rebecca Olive who is doing her thesis on women’s surfing. How cool is that? Also showcased were local Byron women kicking arse in the water and in the worlds of art, music, and fashion. While Tracy Mae and Jess Trebalco strummed out toe-tapping tunes, the movie-goers viewed paintings, photography, and surfboards by artists Tracy Mae, James McMillan, and Deborah Tinker. On display were fashion designs by Lyloh and Misfit, who co-run Eco-Mama. Kath, Eco-Mama's yoga class instructor*, sold delicious home-made chili, and lemon drink It was an awesome night. The atmosphere was casual and relaxed, the local talent was rocking, and it was super-inspiring to see such dedicated women who not only rip on the water but eloquently describe their love of the waves and experiences with surfing. Thanks again to everyone who put together such a fantastic night! *Eco-Mama ladies yoga classes, Tuesdays 6-8pm, 7 Marvel St. Editor: Kate Newton Lyrics Born @ The Beach Hotel 01/07/2010
 People are crowd surfing at the Beach Hotel. Need I say any more to describe how much this Lyrics Born gig rocks? I’m trying to remember the last time I saw people crowd surf here and I’ve got nothing. I don’t think I’ve ever seen it. Tonight, two people appear on their backs above the audience before security calm them down. It’s like a festival. Short girls are sitting on shoulders, one guy is swinging underwear over his head, another guy rushes the stage… and everyone is dripping in sweat. Lyrics Born has worked us into a frenzy. “If I don’t lose my voice and my hearing, I’m not doing my job,” LB tells us. Before the show he had sat quietly in the fenced off green room tweeting about DJ Goodie spinning Chali 2na. Onstage, LB barely pauses for breath. His backing vocalist, Joyo Velarde, belts out her tunes while busting non-stop funky-ass dance moves. Lyrics Born and his live band don’t just perform, they engage the crowd. Both the keys and bass player make eye contact with me and grin. They pose for photos. LB tries to show us pics of his newborn baby on his mobile. He tells us we’re the best audience he’s seen on tour yet. He tells us we can download his music for free on his website. He pushes Velarde’s debut album. He freestyles; rapid-fire name checking O’Sushi, buying weed in Nimbin and getting the plane out of Ballina. But mostly, Lyrics Born delivers the beats and rhymes we are all here for. Click here to see photos from the gig. From the set list: Turn it up Hello Pack Up Knock Knock Phreak I Like It Differences Hot 2 Deff (Michael Jackson tribute) Stop Complaining Aim (Daft Punk) It’s Like That PDT Oh Baby Callin Out Coulda Woulda (encore) I Changed My Mind Lies Take you Home Shake it off Bad Dreams Stanton Warriors @ The Northern, November 26 12/05/2009
 I'll be honest. I had no idea who Stanton Warriors were. I mentioned them to some mates and one admitted he gone to work in Europe just so he could follow their European tour. Another mate said breakbeat was her favourite type of music and these guys were the best at it. When I heard breakbeat I pictured people in sneakers busting some serious moves in an American-style danceoff. Sometimes I wish I paid more attention to dance music because Stanton Warriors were awesome. As in, where-have-you-been-all-my-life kind of awesome.Their breakbeat would have to be the easiest dance music to move to. Forget the gym, Stanton Warriors inspired the best workout I've had in a long time. I don't think I saw a still pair of feet at the Northern that night. There was a fair turnout, but thankfully still enough room to move. Skuff TV were filming the event, so check in with them, you might be famous on the interweb. We've got some photos here, and taggable versions on Facebook. The Original Wailers @ The Beachie, Nov 23 11/26/2009
 I'm watching the sweat shine on Al Anderson's arms as he plays guitar. He moves fingers over frets as naturally as breathing. Vocalist Erica Newell is delivering a soft Redemption Song. I look around the crowd and realise I'm the centrepiece for a couple of schoolie groups. They are more interested in photographing themselves with the band in the background than actually watching the band. Other people lean in to touch Anderson and frontman Junior Marvin. Neither of them seem to mind. There's no barrier separating the stage from the crowd. From sidestage, security observe the audience. Occasionally they struggle in and remove someone. No fights, you understand, this is a reggae gig. But there's a certain smell in the air. A friend later told me "I was standing right at the front and some girl passed me this huge spliff! I'm not going to say no while Bob Marley's music is playing live. It's sacreligious!" As far as their live performance goes, The Original Wailers move smoothly through their set list in a manner and quality you would expect from people who could do this in their sleep. There are no showy tricks or excessive audience interaction. They let the music speak for itself. Three Little Birds puts smiles on faces and has everyone singing along. Things pretty much stay this way up until the last song of the encore, One Love. See photos from the gig here. Splendid! 10/01/2009
 Men in blue and their pooches are outside the entrance to Splendour. This could be interesting. My mate Hunter separates from our group. I reach down and pat an approaching labrador. "Don't touch," says the dog's handler. Over Splendour weekend the police net about 200 people with illicits. Compared to last year there is a noticeable reduction in munters. Sniffer dogs, plus the $11 price tag on a single Smirnoff, equals a Splendour where the only people to get totally wasted are either minted or in The Happy Mondays. The rest of us are pleased to learn the price of booze is partly refundable: VIPs get a dollar back when they return their can. The hoi polloi can exchange empty cans for drink tickets - which explains why I see a couple of well dressed women retrieving empties from bins.  Fashion this year is laddered black hose under high-waisted shorts, sparkly tops and Ray-Bans for the girls. Batman, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles and other superhero outifts make an appearance. Guys sport tight jeans or short shorts and, despite fine weather, keep their shirts on. Gumboots are ubiquitous, but welly-sellers fail to profit this year. Although a downpour worries campers on Friday, it's not until Sunday night in the Tipi Forest that I feel raindrops on my face. Tipi Forest maintains a feelgood atmosphere throughout the festival. I overhear a couple at Si Clone's set expressing surprise at finding someone so good playing so early. Gravy has the crowd going crazy, as does Captain Kaine (of course). People lose it to Deegs and his go go dancers. Beside Deegs bounces Daniel Webber, fresh from filling the Mix-Up tent, with a beer in one hand and handicam in the other. Yuksek is my favourite from Mix-Up, but I spend most time at Supertop. I don’t have to fight my way through the crowd. Splendour built a clever passageway beside the Supertop sound stage which channels punters direct to the front. From there, I see the The Living End. They’re joined by Grinspoon's Phil Jamieson to cover the absent Jane's Addiction's Jane Says. TLE turn Supertop into one big proud Aussie bogan singalong. It's great.  The standout act from Supertop is MGMT. They have no stage presence. They don't interact with the audience. But their harmonies, and lyrics like 'this is our decision / to live fast and die young / we've got the vision / now let's have some fun / yeah it's overwhelming / but what else can we do?/ get jobs in offices and / wake up for the morning commute?' speak directly to my heart. I don't care that one dude wears a bathrobe and another looks fourteen. I am euphoric. In stark contrast, The Flaming Lips emerge from the pulsating pussy of a 30ft woman dancing on an LED display. Frontman Wayne Coyne rises through the floor sealed within a plastic ball, waves his arms demanding more cheering, and crawls over the audience. Confetti is shot out and balloons fall from the stage. Dancing frogs and cats flank the musicians, but even my starry-eyed mate Hunter can tell the music is no match for the spectacle. The Flaming Lips are all show and the crowd love it.  People who don't make it to Splendour are treated to secret shows and sideshows in the local clubs and pubs. Even Powderfinger busk on Jonson street, testing songs from their next album (I heard they made $85). Byron Bay's Splendour Bender lasts an entire week. I can't wait for next year. See photos of the rockstars in this Flickr set by Josh Feltham.  Reggie Watts is a man, a loop machine, ten octaves and 300 characters. He is a radio on auto-tune, switching channels mid-concept. He makes sense from nonsense. He makes sounds, from a thigh-melting baritone to an ear-plugging soprano, bass beats layer into a loop machine backing lyrics that highlight the ridiculous in the mundane. He is American, he is English, he is fluent French. His voice isn't his only weapon; the sheer visual pleasure of his afro nodding below downlights depicts a cross between Sideshow Bob and the drummer from The Roots. His dancing exploits stereotypes from female music video dancers to white guys who think no-one is looking. There is no comedic rhythm or pausing for punchlines, he does not indicate when you are supposed to laugh. Watts simply does not stop. He delivers an incessant barrage of concepts and comments, take your pick from what tickles you or revel in the freakish originality of what you're witnessing.  I've got no idea what anyone is saying but I can tell from the smiles on their faces I don't need to. My head is filled with thumping bass. The vibrations from the beat and hundreds of dancing feet move through my body like a 6 hour earth tremor. Girls are raiding the bathroom for paper towels to wipe sweat from their faces and bodies, guys are losing it on the dancefloor. Jackson Jackson @ Beach Hotel, January 8 01/12/2009
Sweat pours off Jackson Jackson frontman Harry James Angus as he stands centrestage like a zealous preacher - head bowed, arm outstretched, captivating the masses with drama and prose. The entire Melbourne-based seasonal population of Byron Bay have crammed into the Beach Hotel for this very special gig. Locals who have never heard of Jackson Jackson are converted after a moment's confusion. The Sunshine Brothers have done a great job of warming the crowd up for Morcheeba. Unfortunately, I walk in to hear their last song. Judging from the happy faces in the crowd, I have missed a good performance. | Contributors:
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