GiggySound

X-PRESSIONS

Well here we are, 25 years on from the moment Perth created publishing history with a little rag called X-Press Magazine. That magazine was rather different to the one you’re holding here – compact in a fanzine style with a rather arresting green cover – it was the ’80s okay…

Back in 1985 they still used scalpels and glue to cobble the mag together, and it was a fortnightly affair out Fridays. But it would pretty soon move to Thursdays and go weekly, and take the form of what you know as X-Press today – replete with the garish magenta X.

GRINDIN’ DIESEL

Armed with the most extensive and eclectic collection of guitars, Diesel is about to hit the road for his 7 Axes To Grind national tour. Over his many years as a performer, the multi ARIA award winning Diesel has explored loads of string instruments, even co-designing the Diesel Mini for Maton Guitars. Now, for the first time, Diesel will show Australia the origins of these instruments and the unique role they’ve played in his music. Catch Diesel when he plays A Day On The Green at Kings Park & Botanic Gardens on Sunday, November 21.

POTTY MOUTH

The last time Californian rockers Guttermouth visited Australia, they travelled to all the major capital cities with massive sold out shows, far surpassing fans’ expectations. Now they are returning in October for a massive Australasian tour that will see them visit every capitol city, regional areas, South East Asia and New Zealand. All in a day’s work for one of the hardest working punk rock bands in the world. What’s more is this epic journey is being recorded by Brisbane lilmmaker Rhys Day for his upcoming documentary. Guttermouth will be hitting the Rosemount Hotel on Wednesday, October 13.

TOTALLY HYPER

On Sunday, September 5, the Midland Railway Workshops will be converted into a shrine for the worship of music thanks to Hyperfest, Perth’s best all-ages festival. Kicking off at 11am, Hyperfest will feature sets from a slew of awesome bands including Art Vs Science, Calling All Cars, Pez, Tim & Jean, British India, Cowtown, We Are The Emergency, The Brow Horn Orchestra, Voltaire Twins, Art In Algebra, Mandalay Victory, Fools Rush In, Colour The Sky and The Decline. Tickets to this choc-a-block festival are only $16 from Heatseeker, Wendy’s Midland, Frozen Moments Midland, 78 Records, Mills, and Liquid Surf Midland.

THE SOUNDS OF THE SOUTH

Get excited boys and girls because the folks at Sunset Events have just announced the line-up for Southbound 2011… and it’s a ripper! Taking place from Saturday, January 1, ’til Monday, January 3, Southbound will feature sets from over 60 top notch acts including electro rockers Klaxons, Interpol, The National, The Rapture, Hot Hot Heat, Cold War Kids,  Joan Jett And The Blackhearts, Paul Kelly, Public Enemy, Ladyhawke,

PAPA DON’T PREACH

Hot on the heels of the release of their forthcoming album Postcards For A Young Man, which is out on September 24, Manic Street Preachers will hit the touring circuit in November, stopping off at Metropolis Fremantle on Monday, November 22. Featuring collaborations with Ian McCulloch, John Cale and Duff McKagen, Postcards For A Young Man is set to make waves this September, delivering the band’s unique style of alternative rock that fans have come to know and love. Tickets are on sale now Ticketmaster.

DEADLY

On Wednesday, October 13, indie kids and metal heads will come together – not to fight but to share their love of American pysch-rockers Dead Meadow. Known for their reverb drenched guitars and thudding beats, Dead Meadow will touch down in Perth to share their love of ’70s hard rock and ’60s psychedelia at Amplifier. Joining Dead Meadow on the tour will be Nadja, who promise to sonically assault all in attendance, with local acts The Silents and Young Revelry. Tickets are on sale now from Heatseeker, Mills, 78s and Planet.

MY WAVE

All hail the noise – Soundwave is back at Steel Blue Oval on Monday, March 7, 2011. And the powers that be – well, the internet – has announced the massive news that Iron Maiden will be headlining Australia’s greatest metal fest. Coinciding with this tour announcement, Iron Maiden’s highly anticipated new studio album The Final Frontier is released on Friday, August 13. The album features 10 tracks and will be released in a unique limited collector’s edition CD case.

STILL ALIVE

The former lead singer of Live, Edward Kowalczyk will head to the great land down under this October and November for a national tour. With a new band and plenty of fresh tracks from his solo release Alive, Kowalczyk’s last Australian tour sold out quickly so you’ll have to get in fast to nab tickets to his show at Metropolis Fremantle on Monday, November 8. Tickets go on sale at 9am on Thursday, August 19, from Ticketek.