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OLE, IT'S MILLER TIME!
As the Birmingham Hotel sadly exits the live scene, a band
that did its first gig at the venue is launching its debut
album. Dr Mexico - who debuted in February 2009 - launch
Techno Ono at the Great Britain on Saturday. It's an intriguing
title. Singer Eddie Miller says, "You can take it a couple
of ways: I can't stand dance music, so you can read it as
'Techno Oh, No', and it's also a Yoko Ono reference. Now,
I like Yoko, but a lot of people reckon she caused the break-up
of The Beatles, so we're drawing a parallel - that techno
is ruining music."
Techno One is a wildly diverse record, kind of Melbourne
meets Mexico, with the classic dirty blues influences (Nick
Cave/Wreckery) mixed with some Latino sounds. The band was
inspired by 90s grunge, and Eddie lists his favourite acts
as Nirvana, The Beatles and "everything that Josh Homme
touches". The album opens with a rollicking track called
Jaws Of Life (We're Gonna Need A Bigger Boat). One of Eddie's
mates was actually bitten by a shark and Eddie hopes he's
not offended by the title. "I'm a bit of a Jaws nerd," he
confirms, "I even own the soundtrack."
Despite the name, none of the Dr Mexico members has ever
actually been to Mexico. "We just thought it was a good
name for the band," Eddie explains. "We're not really doing
the whole Mexican thing, we just wanted to include some
Latino grooves. Though we do like to sometimes put on Mexican
cowboy hats." Is tequila their drink of choice? "Only in
margaritas; not straight - I've had too many bad experiences."
Techno Ono is very much a family affair. Eddie's dad, Billy
Miller (of Ferrets fame), provides backing vocals, Eddie's
sister, Isabella, adds some tasteful keys to Wrong Turn,
and the drums were recorded at "Kenny Miller's Party Lodge"
- Kenny is Eddie's uncle. Eddie says his dad is his best
mate. What has Eddie learned from Billy, who was also in
Buster Brown and The Spaniards? "So many things. He always
stresses the importance of hooks in music - if you haven't
got a hook, you haven't got a song." Was music always going
to be Eddie's career choice? "Yep, as soon as I realised
I wasn't good enough to play football." Is he as mad a Saints
fan as his dad? "I think I'm worse." Eddie is not the only
member of the family to do an album this year - his cousin
Georgia Fields recently released her self-titled debut.
Eddie is a big fan, saying, "She's one of the best singers
I know." Georgia often has a sing with Eddie and Billy when
they do their regular Sunday gig at the George in St Kilda.
SPREADING THE BOBBY LOVE
Bobby Flynn is hard at work on his second album. "It's very
energetic," Bobby says, "more inner-city tales and more
bounce to the ounce." Next week's Howzat! will feature an
interview with Bobby, who's playing next Wednesday at the
Northcote Social Club.
MEMORIES OF A MUG PUNTER
Back in the mid-90s, Howzat! was trying to date a girl who
was a big Blackeyed Susans fan. They were doing a gig at
the Punters Club. Only problem was our favourite band, Horsehead,
was playing across the road at the Evelyn. I was torn, but
the girl was impressed that I took her to the Punters to
see the Susans. But then a strange thing happened - there
was a bomb scare at the Punters and everyone was evacuated.
Howzat! certainly wasn't behind the bomb threat, but it
all worked out well - we got the girl and we got to see
Horsehead. Sometimes life works out. The Punters Club saw
the start of many things, including Frente, who are playing
at one of this weekend's reunion shows at the Corner.
ROCK THE VOTE
Michael Parisi was the keynote speaker at last week's Face
The Music conference. The record executive - and former
Inpress staffer - was asked how we could maintain Melbourne
as the music capital. "Make sure the Labor Government gets
back in," Michael replied.
CHART WATCH
Jessica Mauboy's new single, featuring Ludacris, debuts
at 13, while Boy & Bear's Crowded House cover lands at 34.
Saturday Night JESSICA MAUBOY (number 13, debut)
Plans BIRDS OF TOKYO (19)
Planets SHORT STACK (23)
Freefallin' ZOE BADWI (25)
Big Jet Plane ANGUS & JULIA STONE (29)
Clap Your Hands SIA (33)
Fall At Your Feet BOY & BEAR (34, debut)
The Finn tribute arrives at five. Rolling Stone cover stars
Short Stack also have a Top 10 debut. But Jessica Mauboy
slips from six to 20.
He Will Have His Way VARIOUS (number five, debut)
This Is Bat Country SHORT STACK (six, debut)
Down The Way ANGUS & JULIA STONE (10)
Get Closer KEITH URBAN (11, debut)
iTunes Live - Sunsets Farewell Tour POWDERFINGER (15, debut)
Birds Of Tokyo BIRDS OF TOKYO (16)
I Believe You Liar WASHINGTON (19)
Get 'Em Girls JESSICA MAUBOY (20)
Gilgamesh GYPSY & THE CAT (24, debut)
Jack JOHN FARNHAM (25)
Vegas Songs From Sin City HUMAN NATURE (27, debut)
We Are Born SIA (32)
HOWZAT! PLAYLIST
I'm A Lesser Man DR MEXICO
Seven Years GEORGIA FIELDS
Everything You Need NICK BATTERHAM
Cold Change GUN STREET GIRLS
Montana To Mexico PENNY IKINGER
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