Set List rock: Gerald and the Monkey Wrenchers
For the last Set List of Melbourne Fringe 2008, Gerald and the Monkey Wrenchers graced the stage of the Old Council Chambers, with front man Gerald Anxiety pumping out some of the band's best-known hits including metal anthem "Gorgon", tribute to a lost childhood "Wonderland", and the obscure historical indie-rock single "American Civil War Hot Cakes". His offsider and rythym guitarist, Phil Innuendo, also sang the haunting "Don't End Our Love (creepy things you say)" as well as the band's 1989 track, "Safety Clips", which was stolen by...well, another band whose lead singer is no longer with us. Let's leave it at that. Keyboardist Clarisse Glitter and special guest Hepsebah "Nobility" Jones shared the ballad "Plage de nudistes français (oh yeah)", and then joined in for a special finale: a reprise of the classic benefit song for the silent killer, Feline AIDS, "Get Spayed - Not Kitty AIDS".
Thanks to everyone who enjoyed the eclectic mix of bands featured at Set List's first Melbourne Fringe season; we may well bring Set List back in future, but until then, enjoy the music and rock on!
Set List jazz: The Dancin’ Pandas
Set List returned on Saturday with a set from jazz legends the Dancin' Pandas, featuring the smooth musical stylings of Brent Strahan, Matt Mulcahy and Emma Muiznieks, directed by band leader "Marching Band" McKenzie, and starring the vocal, guitar, harmonica and keyboard talents of "Guava" Muiznieks, "Smooth Dan" Walmsley and "Moldova" McClelland. They played hits from their forty year history including the unforgettable ensemble numbers "The River" - a gospel song in which the protagonists took a cheese plate, a fishing rod, a riubber duck and a pantomime horse down to the river - and "Travellin' Strange", a blues number describing the joys of travelling via Segway, llama, lava flow and TARDIS.
Set List returns for one final show this Saturday afternoon, 4:30 in the Old Council Chambers, when an as yet unannounced rock band will take the stage and blow your mind. Be there!
Set List: Folk
Well, tomorrow is the first performance for the full premiere season of ! Now, we know that a certain semi-popular sporting event may also be occurring at the same time as Set List: Folk; so if you're not keen on the "Grand" Final, grab your best cardigan and flat cap, warm up your pan pipes, and head on down to Trades Hall for a good ol' dose of storytellin' music written on the spot by the Set List band!
Remember, the show starts at 4:30 PM and tickets are available online from melbournefringe.com.au or at the door from the Trades box office in the Bella Union bar. Note that we have moved from performing in the bar itself to the much more intimate surroundings of the Old Council Chambers - and also note that, though it's listed in the printed programme guide, there is no performance on Sunday September 28!
But should the lure of the ball game prevent you from attending, have no fear: Set List caters for you too! All three principle Set List performers - Karin Muiznieks, Dan Walmsley and Ben McKenzie - will be performing at the (unofficial) 2008 AFL Season Review at Trades Hall on Tuesday night! And yes, there will be a special Set List surprise...
See you over the weekend!