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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
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Benji from Underbelly (aka Damian Walshe – Howling) and four of his mates have just shot upstairs to the Balcony. I want to follow, I have a massive crush on him, but Shelly is singing at Liquid in a matter of minutes. She won't stay if I follow. We have full bellies and are warm from wine, I cannot think of a plausible reason to stalk him. All along Jonson St, I hope hope hope he will be at The Good Foot party at Liquid later.

Anyone familiar with the infamous DNBBQ parties at the Abercrombie in Sydney will have an inkling of what The Good Foot is all about. (For those who don't, DNBBQ is two floors of drum n bass, live performances, tekken on the big screen, South American bbq, one-in-one-out as soon as night falls). With the popularity of reggae, dancehall and dub in Byron Bay, it’s logical that drum n bass will be welcomed here. Bay FM’s Flow Poetry opens the night, spinning his favourite funk and dancehall. He is followed by the headlining ensemble: Simon (The Bird) mixes digital beats while Dave (Resin Dogs) hits the skins, Stu (Fyah Walk) and Alex (King Tide) are a trombone-tastic duo, and Shelly (CBD Dub Project) provides vocal highlights. The end result is frenetic drum n bass; not a still pair of feet in the house. I get the distinct impression this is only the first night of what will become a regular event.

After that set, I wash the sweat from my forehead and take Shelly on a (fruitless) Benji-hunt. At the Hotel Great Northern, Magic Dirt’s Adalita bursts out the back door and begins climbing a nearby fence. Her amused bandmates watch from the doorway. Behind them I can hear their audience cheering and stamping for more. The last time I saw Magic Dirt, I was pinned against the barrier at the Fierce Festival in London, in 2002. 6 years later, Adalita is still one hot goddess of rock. And she won’t let us backstage. The front doors have been opened so we wander in for the encore, a powerful cover of The Scientists’ We have Love. The drums and the bass are here too, heavy and sharp like a slap to the face.

Back at Liquid, the Good Foot drum n bass goodness continues til 3am for everyone who doesn’t have to work Fridays (or doesn’t care about their job).
I cannot wait for the next one.



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