Shaolin Punk » Dan Walmsley

Set List rock: Gerald and the Monkey Wrenchers

Benjamin — Tue, 14 Oct 2008 03:26:07 +0000

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

Benjamin — Wed, 08 Oct 2008 00:40:54 +0000

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

Benjamin — Fri, 26 Sep 2008 03:38:14 +0000

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!

Set List: Anarchy!

Benjamin — Wed, 17 Sep 2008 01:41:38 +0000

If you’re after a taste of , then you’ll get your chance this Sunday, as Karin Muiznieks, Dan Walmsley and Ben McKenzie appear as a guests for the fourth meeting of the Anarchist Guild Social Committee! Melbourne’s smash hit sketch comedy group – which counts Ben and Set List guest star Andy McClelland among its members – bring you another show full of all-new material!

The AGSC’s fourth meeting is at the Bella Union, Trades Hall, starting at 5:30 on Sunday, September 21; tickets are $15 full/$10 concession or group, and you can get them at the door or via the Bella Union web site.

Set List folk: Absynth

Benjamin — Thu, 21 Aug 2008 23:39:50 +0000

Last night was the first preview season performance of Set List, and taking the stage were Emma Muiznieks, Karin Muiznieks, Dan Walmsley and Ben McKenzie. They formed urban whimsical folk quartet “Absynth”, and the set list for their one and only Melbourne performance included:

“Clinton”, an ode to the sleepy little New Zealand town whose chief attraction was being the only part of the country not featured in Lord of the Rings.
“The Brush Went South”, a tragic tale of two lovers forever separated by the misuse of a toothbrush.
“Reasons to Leave Your Phone On in a Show”, a list of…well, you get the idea.
“Snow Dome” – a terrifying glimpse of the hidden dangers within seemingly innocuous ornaments.
“The Best Nose in the World”, a love song for a man with beautiful nose hair.
“Fight the Faint Smell”, a rousing political anthem espousing the olfactory superiority of communism over capitalism.
“City of Evil”, a chilling expose of the supernatural horrors which lurk in the seemingly cheery home of beer, Prague.
“Life is Like a Rolling Pin”, an allegory for all those times when you’re feeling flat.
“The Band Whose Name Has Been Forgotten”, a spooky story of what happens if you allow creative tension to boil over on stage.
“Cheri”, a love song for a New Zealand roustabout who once dreamed of being a model
“Vodka, Absinthe and Pineapple Juice”, a rousing final chorus to get everyone in the mood for visiting the bar at the Butterfly Club!

Remember the preview season continues tonight, with Dan, Emma and Karin returning, this time joined by Andy McClelland as they form an entirely new jazz band. There are also performances on Saturday and Sunday.