Gig Guide

*TIX ON SALE NOW!

GET OUT YOUR NUMEROLOGY CHARTS, PRIMITIVE CALCULATORS AND OUIJA BOARDS, 'COS COINCIDENCES LIKE THIS DON'T HAPPEN EVERY DAY

23rd Feb is the anniversary of the making of AC/DC's "It's a Long Way to the Top" film clip. It's the day of the SLAM Rally. It's the birth date of the SLAM Rally organizers first born son. It's also the date that Quincy McLean (SLAM co-organizer) had his first band Scrap Museum play at the Tote for the first time in 1982. This year it will be the date of the inaugural National SLAM Day - this means that this SLAM Day is the 30th anniversary of that Scrap Museum show.

Primitive Calculators
Ground breaking early 80's Melbourne post punk experimental noise outfit play one of their rare performances This band threw out the rule book and invented a sound that was too ahead of its time so they went into hiatus until the rest of the world could catch up, their sound has recently inspired a generation of noise makers.

Scrap Museum
The band that evolved into Blue Ruin, 30 years to the day since their first show at the Tote and only their show in the last 27 years. With a raw Melbourne post punk thump Scrap Museum have been described in their day as "Johnny Cash on acid" with a call of "move over Cramps". Their ranks have included Conway Savage of the Bad Seeds and Phil Calvert of the Birthday Party. Playing with special guests!

BJ Morrizonkle
One man musical octopus, half man half keyboard / drum kit, circus sideshow, samples, sound effects and weird magic. Nobody can work out how he does it . . . . . NOBODY!

Beat Disease
Noise, attitude & more noise, this three piece kill! Described by Bakehouse heir apparent Angus McLean as "the greatest band in Melbourne at the present time".

Teenage Libido
All teenage garage noise and hair!
http://www.facebook.com/events/362986100398056/
Tickets $15 (pre-sale tix available from 14.02.2012)
Doors open 7pm
Plus legendary Tote BBQ

inches of sleek black vinyl, the ICW EP offers seven of Mesa Cosa's most enigmatic fist-pumping garage songs from their huge ouvre.
Featuring the sing-a-long garage anthem Shoplifter, noise punk orgy Los Perros (The Dogs) and the 6(66) minute opus of fuzz, demonic chants and free saxophone bedlam boogie Diablo.
Recorded in their dingy Brunswick living room by Nao Anzai (Rat vs. Possum/Nunchukka Superfly) and packaged in a lush sleeve designed by CM Ruiz (Dead Ghosts, Davila 666, Tacocat). The Infernal Cakewalk EP captures Mesa Cosa's "the Stooges walk into a Tequila bar" live attitude in a "hey, we put out a record!" kind of way.
Mesa Cosa are a six piece from everywhere between Mexico City and Melbourne, Australia, that play an aggressive blend of noisy punk, garage rock and Mexican folk tunes. Mesa Cosa (only) play fun, energetic shows filled with dancing, mayhem, things breaking, people falling down, glasses smashing, amps failing and tambourine sacrifices to the party gods. Recently they finished a successful residency at the Workers Club and have previously played in just about every venue in Melbourne, often supporting such kindred spirits as The Puta Madre Brothers, Baptism of Uzi, Money For Rope, The Toot Toot Toots and King Gizzard & The Lizard Wizard.
Punters can experience their frantic live show at the Tote this Februrary 24, for Mesa Cosa's official 10" vinyl launch.
The Infernal Cakewalk EP will be available from February 24 at selected record stores, from the band at one of their many live rituals, and via mail order.

Sat 11 with guests: High Times
Sat 18 with guests: Constant Killer
Sat 25 with guests: Manners

Gearing up for a big Saturday night? Finding that a few quiet drinks down the road just doesn't cut it? Well, ladies and gentlemen, now there's a solution. The Morrisons! Appearing every Saturday in February at 5pm they'll start your night with something fast and loud. They'll raise your blood pressure, get your feet dancing and get you pumped for a night of boozing, moshing and stealing people's mail. So get down to the Tote and get stupid with a bunch of lying, cheating, stealing, no good miscreants commonly referred to as The Morrisons.

FEZURRECTION BLUES

After 9 long years, Melbourne's notorious rock'n'roll grease punks Fez Perez are back for a special one-night only 'Fezurrection' show.

It's been a while but Mick Beard, Matt Black, James Coghill Jr. and Screaming Stu are firing up the old rusty pick up truck, pointing it at The Tote and planting the foot for a one-off smash and grab rock'n'roll ram-raid.

And that's not all. Old friends and fellow tyre burners Intoxica will be there, so will cowpunk upstarts Harvest Smoke, riffmeisters Lumber and party starters Dick Finger.

It's all happening on Saturday 25th February, 2012 at The Tote, 71 Johnston St (Cnr Johnston & Wellington), Collingwood 3056. Doors open at 7.30pm and entry is only $10.

Long live the Fez.

http://www.facebook.com/events/214351738657643/

With two LPs and five 7"s packed in the cone, The Bowers bong is ready to pull. And you're gonna have to breathe deeply cos the chamber is so flush with hits your lungs will dance all the way to the emergency room - X-rays proof of youth well spent making the best BowerPower Garage Pop. Their "Odds or Evens" LP had received heaps of sick reviews and has just picked up a Spanish licence with the band to return to European shores in May. Tuesday nights in Feb in The Tote Front Bar The Bowers will play "Buried Treasure", visiting their entire back catalogue over two sets. Smashing b-sides, misses and new jams from their forthcoming third LP all shows are free from 8pm

For 2 1/2 years, Chicken Walk was just Chris, playing solo and electric. Doing this meant he
could travel light and cheap, making a bigger name for himself in Mississippi than he did in
Melbourne.
Learning from living masters and sitting in with local players before becoming established
and playing the Juke Joints with the likes of The Corn Lickers and Cameron Kimbrough.
October 2011 was a break out month. Playing shows with highly regarded American band
Old Gray Mule on their Australian tour and releasing his debut 7inch -"Don't Hook It To The
Mule" on Cobra Snake Necktie Records.
Chris joined by Dean Muller on drums in December 2011 to create a 2 piece that sound like
a full band. With Dean, the Chicken Walk sound fills the room with hypnotic boogie that aims
to bypass the mind and head straight for your ass. Endless, droning, head nodding blues -
North Mississippi Hill Country style.
Before he heads off for his annual pilgrimage to Mississippi, Chris plays four special
Saturday afternoons in the front bar of The Tote Hotel. Some shows will be solo, some will be
duo, some will have special guests. You'll have to come each week to find out!

"ADIOS, BRAT FARRAR!" European Tour Farewell/Fundraiser/Party with Brat Farrar (last show in Australia) + YIS (last show until who knows when) + Digger & The Pussycats (last show for years??) + Kids of Zoo + Bidet Mate.

Sam Agostino's last Australian gig before he goes off to live in Europe, possibly forever, so this is your last chance to see Brat Farrar or Digger on home turf for a long long time. Andre and Simon Fazio are heading over with him to play 40 shows in 40 days across five different countries (and then Andre is hanging around to play until August, unless he gets conscripted by the Italian military), so this is also the last YIS performance for many many months.

This is our going away party, so, come down for a drink and a chat with the occasional band wedged in the middle. Also playing will be Kids of Zoo, who will be playing the hits from their S/T debut album and Bidet Mate, who make their Tote debut. They both rule. $12 to get in to help us out on the trip. Starting up around 5pm, all over before 10.

Blood Sweat & Beers, Poison City Records, and Dying Scene are incredibly proud to bring you New York's Bomb the Music Industry! & The Smith Street Band straight outta Melbourne.

Two party starting (or finishing?) bands firmly entrenched in their respective DIY scenes and joined together by a mutual enjoyment of mock meat and the odd beverage...

BTMI, notorious for raucous shows, supplying paint and stencils for fans to create their own merch, band members spread out all over the continent, and always gathering new ones wherever they go. Blending several musical styles as diverse as ska through to hardcore, songwriter and producer Jeff Rosenstock travels to Australia to join one of Australia's most talked about DIY punk band of the moment The Smith Street Band.

After The Smith Street Band's No One Gets Lost Anymore was voted album of the year by Bombshellzine.com, there's been a flurry of excitement and anticipation around the band. With another album being recorded in early 2012, expect to hear some new stuff on this tour.

Tickets available at the door for each show - $15

Lock up your steaks - The best kept secret in New York's rock scene are heading our way this March for three head-nodding, foot-stomping East Coast gigs featuring amazing psychedelic blues rock of the most shambolic order.

ENDLESS BOOGIE will take you on a journey of what it feels like to live rock'n'roll, rather than just listen to it. With roots in 60s and 70s guitar jamming bliss such as Hendrix, Canned Heat and Cream, ENDLESS BOOGIE transport your brain to a windy outdoor festival of yore - all from the safety of your favourite beer barn. Once ENDLESS BOOGIE get going, there will be no stopping their momentum.

Stephen Malkmus' favourite party band play on their terms only. Those terms being that it has to be sizzling hipster bogan fun! These dealers in manly vibes & tasty action will have you partying like its 1974! (The Pavement main man promoted the first ENDLESS BOOGIE gig and featured the band in the Pavement-curated All Tomorrow's Parties event in 2010.)

Imagine ZZ Top attuned to the motorik Teutonic tendency to drive a nagging groove onwards, with the Rolling Stones' shaggiest guitars freewheeling alongside - that's the appeal of ENDLESS BOOGIE.

ENDLESS BOOGIE won't even play a show unless somebody invites them to... and we've asked them to come and rock out just for you. So come and check out some steaming rock-art noise that's "..good for both the bong-water soaked psych-cognoscenti and the chili cook-off." (Pitchfork)

Saturday 10th March - The Tote, Melbourne - Crank up the Barbie
With Jimmy Lock and the Hands Of Time
thetotehotel.oztix.com.au (ph 1300 762 545) & the venue
http://www.facebook.com/events/246457252097809/

THE TEARAWAYS
Forming in late 2009, The Tearaways have proved themselves as one of Melbourne's hardest working and highly revered bands, leaving a lasting impression on all who encounter their unique brand of punk rock.
Taking influence from rockabilly to rocksteady, the sound of 77 to country, it's this diversity that has seen The Tearaways share the stage with greats such as Aggrolites(usa), D.O.A(canada), ska legends Bad Manners(uk) and on their New Zealand tour in support of Frenzal Rhomb(aus) and The Buisness(uk) .
2011 saw The Tearaways enter New Noise Recording Studios, putting together their long awaited debut album and mixing it at one of Australia's top outfits Sing Sing Recording Studios. "TONES OF DIRT AND BONE" a thirteen track story book of love, loathing and socio-political injustice, will shake the scene from its foundations and make you all stand up and be counted!

THE JACKS
The animalistic pigskin bashing of drummer Tim Dee and the V8 bass rumble of Sammy 7, create an almighty rhythm machine behind the gravel-rough vocals and buzzsaw guitar of frontman JungleJim Smith. Loaded with hooks The Jacks songs are sharp chunks of high-octane rock'n'roll, delivered with passion and a direct honesty that has been impressing both local crowds and critics alike for almost four years.
So if you like your rock'n'roll low down, loud and dirty, get on board or get outta the way... THE JACKS train is on the move!

AUSTRALIAN KINGSWOOD FACTORY
With their live shows they have quickly become the buzz of Melbourne Town's rock scene and for damn good reason. Australian Kingswood Factory leave no barroom dry, no punter unmoved and no ear drum intact. Instead of bowing to standards, they're an act that gets more dirty and explosive with each gig... blowing headliners right outta the water and whipping up good ol' fashioned fun and frenzy in crowds.
Leaving an unforgettable impression blistered upon stages around Australia week in, week out and having already played support to mighty bands such as The Meteors, Airbourne, The Angels, Zombie Ghost Train, Hell City Glamours and The Camels, there's only one place this band's going.... and it might not be such a long way there.

Tuesday night residency at the tote front bar during march... Some guy who used to be in Mclusky is gonna be playing his guitar for the amusement of onlookers... All are welcome... Doors at eight

Tuesday night residency at the tote front bar during march... Some guy who used to be in mclusky is gonna be playing his guitar for the amusement of onlookers... All are welcome... Doors at eight

Tuesday night residency at the tote front bar during march... Some guy who used to be in mclusky is gonna be playing his guitar for the amusement of onlookers... All are welcome... Doors at eight

TICKETS ON SALE: 16.02.2012 FROM OZTIX:
http://thetotehotel.oztix.com.au/
AND THE TOTE HOTEL FRONT BAR

DZ Deathrays are made up of two main components. They were designed to play at house parties in the shady parts of Australia but of more recent times expanded their horizons (and perhaps said "shady parts") to stretch across the globe. Now they're ready to present the world with their debut LP, a 14 track-assault titled 'Bloodstreams' that represents the duo's last four years of hard work and will be released in Australia on the 6th of April (Good Friday).

Since the first house party they ever played, the duo have been noted as a relentless live act, 2011 proved to be no different with the two friends hitting the highways of Australia with many acts including Foo Fighters, Unknown Mortal Orchestra, Fucked Up and Dananananaykroyd. They also made several trips overseas including performances at SXSW and The Great Escape, shows with Band of Skulls, Male Bonding, Unknown Mortal Orchestra and finally full tours of the UK with NYC punk band Cerebral Ballzy and the NME Radar tour.

DZ Deathrays quickly fell into the good graces of highly respected publications NME Magazine and Q Magazine who both placed DZ Deathrays in their "top 10 bands of The Great Escape", while NME took their praise even further and placed them as the 4th most exciting new act of 2012 including a double page spread on the band featuring quotes from Mark Ronson, Unknown Mortal Orchestra and Huw Stephens of the BBC1!

Upon returning to Australia in early November 2011, Shane and Simon finally ventured into the studio to record their highly anticipated debut LP with Richard Pike (of PVT) and Neil Coombe at the White Room Studios in Mt Nebo. The duo spent the best part of two weeks tracking and mixing developing 'Bloodstreams' into the 14 tracks that now show a great development in maturity from the previous release EP's.

Not wanting to take a rest from touring DZ Deathrays then quickly jumped back in the van and completed Australian tours with Crystal Castles, Unknown Mortal Orchestra, Foo Fighters and Laneway Festival over the 2011/2012 summer, picking up positive reviews wherever they played/parties. Quite a year!

Off the back of this exciting news we're thrilled to announce DZ Deathrays' first national headline tour since April 2011, a run of dates around the nation simply and somewhat obviously titled 'The Bloodstreams Tour'.

Hitting the road with DZ Deathrays as main support will be Brisbane based garage party band Velociraptor (who Simon and Shane also play in!). No strangers to the highways of Australia either, the 12-piece (not an error) collective have been winning fans as their catchy singles grace the radio-waves of Triple J and alike. Be sure to get down early!