Sabbatical Blog

UPDATED Dead Boomers US tour and album launch

2012-01-18T10:22:00.004+11:00

To launch their new album 'The Pig In The Python' (and Sabbatical's first vinyl release), Dead Boomers are touring the United States, starting in late January.

30.1.12 Davis CA Davis Bike Collective w/Walls +

31.1.12 Portland OR The Know w/Walls, Banishing and Das Butcher

7.2.12 Providence RI AS220 w/Sharpwaist, The Vomit Arsonist, Work/Death

8.2.12 Boston MA Starlab w/Vehement Caress, Amobriax +

9.2.12 Far Rockaway NY Red Light District w/Neckhold, Sewn leather and Buddy Bag

11.2.12 Richmond VA Strange Matter w/Frailty of Angels +

14.2.12 New York NY Zebulon w/Maggoted +

More dates and further details TBC. Check back here for the most up to date information on the tour and 12" release.

The Pig In The Python is the debut album from Dead Boomers, following short run cassette and compact disc recordable releases on Sabbatical. The prospect of an aging population dominates these ominous narratives, exploring anxious visions of a seemingly inevitable future. Divided into two distinct segments, the lurid forecasts of the album A side are comprised of rhythm and vocal led blasts that have defined recent live performances - while the B side features a series of heavy electronic themes. Familiar elements within the duo's arsenal remain in these pieces, augmented by gestures new to the project. The Pig In The Python was recorded to 1/4" tape with Neil Thomason at Head Gap, and mastered by Kris Lapke.

The 12" will be available at all the dates on the US tour and by mailorder in late February.

Sabbatical presents: Labour Day Weekend

2012-01-16T23:42:00.003+11:00

TWO DAYS OF RARE PERFORMANCES AT KIPL
136 RODEN STREET, WEST MELBOURNE
10 - 11 MARCH 2012

Sabbatical presents two days of rare performances by a range of Melbourne, interstate and international artists. Full line-up and details to be announced soon.

Radio Valerie Podcast from Mark Groves of Sabbatical

2012-01-11T17:44:00.005+11:00

Saturday Pot Luck with Mark Groves (December 17th 2011) by Radio Valerie on Mixcloud

Documentation: Nomex, live at INC

2011-12-08T12:18:00.006+11:00

Shot at the Melbourne edition of the International Noise Conference on 21 May 2011.

Copies of the limited edition cassette, Nomex - Live at KIPL (taken from an earlier performance are still available.

$8 + postage

Available at sbbtcl.com.

New release: S.T. Lore with Mark Groves 'The Five Surfaces'

2011-12-04T14:42:00.005+11:00

Inspired by Polanski's take on The Tenant, The Five Surfaces is a collaboration between S.T. Lore (text/voice) and Mark Groves (sound/voice). Generated for State of Decay, a 2011 exhibition curated by Helen Hughes and Harriet Morgan.

Edition of 25

AUD$8 plus postage, available from www.sbbtcl.com.

KIPL fundraising party this Saturday

2011-11-25T17:03:00.005+11:00

We're big supporters of KIPL – it's where we host most of our events, like the International Noise Conference and the Knife Culture launch. They're having a fundraising party this Saturday which features, amongst others, Dead Boomers and Bachelor Kitchen DJs.

9pm start. $10 entry.

KIPL, 136 Roden Street, West Melbourne

Details below:

KIPL Projects is an Artist Run Initiative in West Melbourne.

If you don't know us KIPL provide artist studios and workshop, and curate exhibition programs which encourage collaboration, extended/ experimental performance, sound and music.

As KIPL has been predominantly used as a live performance space in the past, as of 2012, we will be opening our doors to a consistent exhibition program. with no extortionate fees, and no bullshit.

BUT TO DO THIS WE NEED YOUR DANCING FEET!!!

So please come down and support a real ARI

$10 entry gets you live performances by

DEAD BOOMERS
http://youtu.be/c9Nj-52tMBg

FATTI FRANCES
http://www.fattifrances.com/

BACHELOR KITCHEN DJs
http://bachelorkitchendjs.wordpress.com/tag/bachelor-kitchen-djs/

and still more TBA

as well as smoke machines, lasers,

Bring ya friends and bring there friends.. but don't bring bogans from the burbs bearing eskys... they're weird.

Cured Pink, live in Marrickville, NSW

2011-11-24T14:51:00.001+11:00

CURED PINK @ MARRICKVILLE 12/11/11 from Bulk Potatosnatch on Vimeo.

PIVIXKI and Marco Fusinato European tour

2011-10-12T10:57:00.003+11:00

PIVIXKI / MARCO FUSINATO: European Tour 2011

19/10 Wed: FR - Poitiers @ Le Confort Moderne

20/10 Thu: FR - Le Havre @ PiedNu

21/10 Fri: BE - Bruxelles @ Ancienne Belgique

22/10 Sat: CH - Lausanne @ Lausanne Underground Film Festival

23/10 Sun: FR - Fresnes-en-Woevre @ Festival Densites

24/10 Mon: FR - Marseille @ L’Embobineuse

25/10 Tue: FR - Lyon @ Ground Zero

26/10 Wed: FR - Montreuil @ Les Instants Chavires

27/10 Thu: IT - Milano @ Leoncavallo

28/10 Fri: IT - Massa @ Tago Mago

31/10 Mon: CH - Geneva @ L’Usine

02/11 Wed: DE - Berlin @ Ausland

03/11 Thu: AT - Vienna @ Shelter

04/11 Fri: SK - Kosice @ Tabacka

06/11 Sun: SK - Bratislava @ Melos-Ethos Festival

We have a few copies left of PIVIXKI's debut self-titled album (SBB014).

Marco Fusinato contributed the track Knife to the Knife Culture: Buried Melbourne compilation (SBB016).

Juarez on New Weird Australia

2011-09-21T12:21:00.003+10:00

The Juarez track 'Favourite' is featured on the latest New Weird Australia compilation, Vox. The track is from the 2008 release Revontulet (SBB012).

You can download the New Weird Australia compilation on Bandcamp, or purchase the Revonlutle EP at the Sabbatical webstore.

&amp;amp;amp;lt;a href="http://newweirdaustralia.bandcamp.com/track/favourite"&amp;amp;amp;gt;Favourite by Juarez&amp;amp;amp;lt;/a&amp;amp;amp;gt;

Documentation: Dick Threats at the Knife Culture launch

2011-07-12T16:47:00.000+10:00

Dead Boomers under a bridge in Brisbane this Saturday

2011-07-01T10:36:00.004+10:00

Dead Boomers will be performing at City and the City IX, under the William Jolly Bridge in Brisbane this Saturday. Here are all the details:

ANOTHER GUERILLA TACTICAL EXERCISE / VENUE WITHOUT A VENUE
POWERED BY GENERATOR
UNDERNEATH WILLIAM JOLLY BRIDGE, SOUTHBANK.

>>>CITY AND THE CITY IX<<<

+++DEAD BOOMERS (VIC)
Sabbatical co-founders / True Radical Miracle Exponents
A noise with conviction.

+++THE PERFECT LOVERS
Long time, long time. Headwigs and staples.
6, 7, 8 members running? Jamie?

+++MEAT THUMP
Spews onto my chest from his mouth.
Brendon, Brendon.

+++CANNIBAL
Three piece with less.
It hurts, but it's over fast.

===EMMA RYAN (SPOKEN WORD)
===STEFANIE PETRIK (SPOKEN WORD)
===MARISSA ALLEN (SPOKEN WORD)
===GERALD KEANEY (SPOKEN WORD)

AND OPEN MIKE FOR MORE EXPERIMENTAL POETRY

JULY 2ND, SATURDAY, 7PM.
FREE OF COURSE.

Video: Dead Boomers at the International Noise Conference

2011-06-28T18:58:00.003+10:00

The Dead Boomers set from the Melbourne edition of the International Noise Conference in five parts. Filmed by Omad, whose YouTube channel documents many fine examples of buried Melbourne sound.

Documentation: Cured Pink

2011-06-22T10:45:00.004+10:00

Angel Eyes

Juarez (featuring Mark Groves)

Free Choice Duo

Cured Pink

Documentation: Knife Culture launch

2011-06-19T16:37:00.007+10:00

Dotåbåtå

cleaninglady

Bleach Boys

Sean Baxter

Ebola Disco

Rod Cooper

Galactagogue

Wife

FTRG

Mitchell Brennan & Fjorn Butler

Dick Threats

Default Jamerson

Justin K Fuller

James Rushford & Joe Talia

Dead Boomers

Matthew Brown

Knife Culture: Buried Melbourne 2xCD box set is available through the Sabbatical website

Cured Pink live under a bridge video

2011-06-17T12:19:00.001+10:00

Cured Pink Live 23-12-2010 Underneath the William Jolly Bridge, Brisbane. Live Footage Shot by Katie Martin, Audio Recording by Joel Stern.

Dead Boomers on latest New Weird Australia compilation

2011-06-17T12:05:00.003+10:00

Dead Boomers have contributed a wall to the latest New Weird Australia compilation, Bleak Metal. The piece is called Superannuation Deficit. The collection was put together by Ian Rodgers and Stu Buchanan and can either be streamed or downloaded below.

<a href="http://newweirdaustralia.bandcamp.com/album/new-weird-australia-bleak-metal">New Weird Australia, Bleak Metal by New Weird Australia</a>

Sabbatical presents: Cured Pink (QLD)

2011-06-14T19:29:00.004+10:00

Sabbatical presents the return to Melbourne of Andrew McLellan's Cured Pink project, joined on this occasion by Free Choice Duo, Juarez and Angel Eyes. Show starts at 8pm Saturday, 18 June. The final remaining copies of the Cured Pink self-titled cassette released on Sabbatical in 2010 will be available at the show.

8pm

Saturday, 18 June 2011

KIPL, 136 Roden Street, West Melbourne

Cured Pink (QLD)

Free Choice Duo

Juarez

Angel Eyes

Ten dollars entry

Sabbatical presents: Knife Culture launch festival

2011-06-01T18:27:00.005+10:00

Sabbatical is proud to present Knife Culture: Buried Melbourne, a double disc compilation housing 29 examples of buried Melbourne sound.

Our intention with Knife Culture is to profile Melbourne-based artists and projects we are collectively enthused with, and whom we feel are not being adequately recognised or documented elsewhere.

The launch features 16 artists from the compilation: Sean Baxter / Bleach Boys / Mitchell Brennan & Fjorn Butler / Matthew Brown / cleaninglady / Rod Cooper / Dead Boomers / Default Jamerson / Dick Threats / Dotåbåtå / Ebola Disco / JK Fuller / FTRG / Galactagogue / James Rushford & Joe Talia / Wife

$15 entry or $40 with the compilation.

Saturday, 4 June 2011

4pm to midnight

KIPL

136 Roden Street, West Melbourne

Documentation: International Noise Conference - Melbourne edition

2011-05-28T17:55:00.012+10:00

The rundown

The No PA stage empty

The no PA stage crowd

The PA stage empty

The PA stage with crowd

Chaos Warrior

Reunion Sacred Ibis

Dotåbåtå

FTRG

Cult of the Placenta Head

Social Climber

Poison Sockets

Military Position

Undecisive God

Psychward

Radical Creation

Aktion Unit

cleaninglady

Furchick

Susie's Lite

Gauntlet

Oranj Punjabi

Bleach Boys

Rod Cooper

Incompetent Cervix

Marco Fusinato

Wife

Occult Blood

Heil Spirits

Leslie Keffer

Ebola Disco

Graham Moore

Nomex

Laundry Room Squelchers

And then it was over

With many thanks to KIPL, without whom INC wouldn't have gone as well as it did. Thanks also to all the artists who performed - killers sets all round. Finally, thanks to Rat Bastard, Leslie Keffer and Graham Moore for making the trip out to Australia.

Documentation: Dick Threats 'Meat Cash' launch

2011-05-26T13:08:00.005+10:00

The Fulton Bequest

Worng

Dick Threats

Sabbatical Presents: The International Noise Conference

2011-05-20T09:00:00.000+10:00

Sabbatical is proud to present the Melbourne leg of the International Noise Conference on its first appearance on Australian shores.

Since 2004 Rat Bastard's INC festival in Miami has become an institution for the USA noise underground. It's no laptop / no droning / no money / no bullshit / 15 minute sets approach and levels of inclusion has set it apart from any normal noise festival to become the most invigorating 3 days on the USA festival calendar. In recent times Rat has been taking the concept on the road and this year Australia gets its first taste in Sydney on the 20th of May and Melbourne on the 21st.

UPDATE

The full list of artists performing at the Melbourne INC are: Aktion Unit / Sean Baxter / Bleach Boys / Chaos Warrior / Rod Cooper / Cult of the Placenta Head / Dead Boomers / Dotåbåtå / Ebola Disco / FTRG / Furchick / Marco Fusinato / Gauntlet / Heil Spirits / Incompetent Cervix / Juarez / Leslie Keffer (USA) / Laundry Room Squelchers (USA) / Military Position / Graham Moore (USA) / Nomex (NZ) / Occult Blood / Oranj Punjabi / Poison Sockets / Psychward / Radical Creation / Reunion Sacred Ibis / Social Climber / Susie's Lite / Undecisive God / Wife.

Saturday, 21 May 2011
3pm to midnight
KIPL
136 Roden Street, West Melbourne

Free entry

Coming Soon

2011-05-02T23:06:00.000+10:00

Dick Threats 'Meat Cash' available now

2011-04-29T10:48:00.013+10:00

SBBCS007
Dick Threats
Meat Cash
Edition of 100

Meat Cash is built from a series of quick cut movements, each hinged on overdriven and abused rhythms. Pounding industrial noise filth and simple analogue electronics colour movement throughout, though often these gestures are pushed into a sweaty alliance with an ecstatic pulse seeking physical interpretation. The Dick Threats modus operandi: low fidelity dance noise - another beer bong for Daphne Oram please.

Dick Threats 'Meat Cash' cassette $8

Domestic postage - $2

International postage - $5

Sabbatical Presents: Dick Threats MEAT CASH cassette launch

2011-04-07T11:54:00.013+10:00

Dick Threats are STOKED! MATE! to launch their first cassette 'Meat Cash' through Sabbatical. Come down and congratulate us for taking about 3 months longer than we planned. Dick Threats are Mark and Sharryn Groves: Overdriven sampled rhythms, oscillations, cassette tape, voice, trumpet and analogue electronics. Earbleedarseshakeexperience: http://soundcloud.com/dickthreats

WORNG makes hypnotic spatial noise. You might find it hard to concentrate, just go with it: http://soundcloud.com/worng

Fulton Bequest - Matt and Scott from Sunglass dust off the pedals, synths and amps to make their semi-annual appearance in the Fulton Bequest guise and soothe the audience to sleep with their distorted/phased/delayed space lullabies.

Mondo Loco's vinyl sets stretch from Turkish Psychedelic Rock to Middle Eastern Jazz. Expect a journey of heavy Anatolian psych funk, jazz and the rare sounds of Turkish garage, protest folk and fuzzy disco!

Saturday, 23 April 2011
The Gasometer, 484 Smith Street, Collingwood
Doors at 8pm
$10

Dick Threats
Worng
Fullton Bequest

With DJs Mono Loco

Meat Cash will be available at the show, then via the Sabbatical store from Sunday. All your local favourites around town will have it in stock from next week, and we'll get any remaining copies out to interstate stores after that.

Documentation: Aux Assembly 5 March 2011

2011-04-01T14:43:00.004+11:00

Mad Nanna

DEAD

Aux Assembly

Full Fucking Moon

Sabbatical presents: Justice Yeldham

2011-03-21T11:20:00.008+11:00

Globe-trotting glass eater Lucas Abela has made a career out of exploring the extreme side of sound. First it was with turntables attached to saw horses with sewing machine motors, briefly Freddy Krugger-styled record needle gloves, then it was a contact mic'd trampoline. For the last few years, under the guise of Justice Yeldham, it's been glass.

Starting each performance with a large sheet of glass, a contact mic and an array of effect pedals. Performances last as long as the glass can withstand the pressure of Mr Abela's face.

Sabbatical is proud to present this rare Justice Yeldham performance as Mr Abela stops over in Melbourne on his way to who knows where.

KIPL custodians and all-round excellent gents Wife will kick off proceedings, followed by the interminable noise assault of Fucked. Offering a welcome respite, Miles Brown & Shags Chamberlain will cleanse the aural palette with their theremin and synth explorations.

Finally, Justice Yeldham will perform on a couch. Seriously, that was his only rider request - a couch to perform on.

It's an early start for an early end. It is a Monday night after all.

Monday, 28 March 2011
7.30pm

Justice Yeldham
Miles Brown & Shags Chamberlain
Fucked
Wife

Seven dollars entry

KIPL, 136 Roden Street, West Melbourne

Documentation: Aux Assembly live video

2011-03-02T12:19:00.001+11:00

Aux Assembly from Matthew Ellery on Vimeo.

Aux Assembly performing live at Irene's Warehouse.

Sababtical presents: Aux Assembly

2011-02-28T10:44:00.003+11:00

For one night only Sabbatical is proud to present the welcome return of Aux Assembly. It has been almost a year since the last performance by the duo - a pairing of Elise Bishop and Dimitra Bucolo - one of the first and most popular artists to be released on Sabbatical.

The show is the fortuitous result of Elise briefly returning to Australia coinciding with significant progress in Dimitra's recovery, which was ably assisted by contributions from the recent benefit show at the Corner. Seeing the group back in action is a truly exciting prospect.

The inviting surrounds and friendly folk of KIPL will play host to event that includes a range of local noise makers and one Kiwi guest.

Saturday, 5 March 2011
5pm

Aux Assembly
Dead Boomers
Full Fucking Moon (NZ)
DEAD
Mad Nanna

Seven dollars entry

KIPL, 136 Roden Street, West Melbourne

Documentation: Nomex, 29 January 2011

2011-02-22T10:18:00.005+11:00

Last month's Nomex show we put on was one of the finest we've had the pleasure of being involved in. Every set was the best we've seen from each of the artists involved and our hats go off to them all. Many thanks to all who performed and to the folk at KIPL, who have continually supported our efforts here at Sabbatical.

The excellent photos below were taken by Grandpa Shea. Check out his illustration work at www.grandpastudios.com.

MV

Default Jamerson

Marco Fusinato

Nomex

There is video documentation of the night that will hopefully surface soon, along with a possible cassette release of Nomex's stunning live set.

Sabbatical presents: Nomex (NZ)

2011-01-17T15:41:00.003+11:00

Concrete Sound: Nomex is the pseudonym of Paul Kidd, under which he has been performing and releasing audio and video works for many years. Nomex has performed in many diverse locations around the world, from the ICA in London to the squatted galleries of East Berlin, from huge outdoor festivals in France to the trash bars of Milwaukee, from the Red Factory in Switzerland to the Link in Bologna, from the Parisian catacombs to the established art spaces of Holland.

Saturday, 29 January 2011
KIPL
136 Roden Street, West Melbourne

Nomex
Marco Fusinato
Default Jamerson
MV

Doors at 7.30pm. Seven dollars entry.

Documentation: Default Jamerson cassette launch

2010-12-13T12:24:00.006+11:00

Mitchell Brennan

MV

Dick Threats

Default Jamerson

Thanks to the folk at KIPL for hosting.

Sabbatical Presents: DEFAULT JAMERSON CS+launch

2010-11-18T11:48:00.002+11:00

Recuerdos de 3232: a short run double A side cassette of 2008 material from Marcus Cook's Default Jamerson project. This release bookends the considered processes Marcus was employing during 2007-08, seen often in the live setting during this period.

Sabbatical Presents
Default Jamerson: Recuerdos De 3232 Launch
Saturday 27 November 2010
Featuring:
Default Jamerson
Dick Threats
Bleach Boys (Maya Victoria solo)

Mitchell Brennan
Live at KIPL
136 Roden Street
West Melbourne
From 3pm
Six dollars

Sabbatical Presents 241010

2010-10-11T23:06:00.004+11:00

Sunday 24 October, Melbourne based advocates of buried sound Sabbatical present a fascinating lineup of local explorers at The Workers Club (Cnr Brunswick and Gertrude Streets Fitzroy). Opening the evening is the duo of Mitchell Brennan and Fjorn Butler, pursued for a Melbourne outing after an excellent set centred on junk instrumentation and digital signal processing at Vox Cyclops in Newcastle over the TINA weekend recently. Judith Hamann follows with a solo cello performance, exploring the timbral and sonic possibilities of the instrument through preparations, alterations and alternative methods of physical engagement. The duo of James Rushford and Joe Talia then offer works that are part instrumental concréte, part ambient drone. This accomplished duo uses prepared viola and tabletop percussion to create sounds more akin to a modular synthesiser than acoustic instruments. Closing the evening is the Dead Boomers industrial harsh noise duo of Mark Groves and Leith Thomas, accompanied in this instance by Dan Crow of local grindcore unit Odiusembowel on drums. A virulent close to proceedings is assured, ideal when bracing for an impending Monday morning. 7pm / $6.50

Sabbatical Presents: SCUM NIGHT IV

2010-07-16T23:25:00.008+10:00

Saturday 24 July Sabbatical presents our fourth ‘Scum Night’, bringing together local groups with a common thread of seductive filth and nasty sonics. Previous Scum Night alumni include Kristkrvstoffiston, Pissbolt, Collapsed Toilet Vietnam, Pathetic Human,Odiusembowel, Fuck, The Retarded Girl, Occult Blood, John Butler Fucks Kids, Screwtape, Ebola Disco, Super Fun Happy Slide and Cult of the Placenta Head. An arousing selection of disgusting projects awaits you on this occasion: Flesh World,Pneumatic Slaughter, The Psychward Cult and Dead Boomers. Hosted by the enablers resident at 717a High Street Thornbury, with doors opening at 7:00pm. A golden coin to enter.

Sabbatical Presents: 3X2

2010-06-18T14:05:00.002+10:00

Sabbatical Presents: CURED PINK

2010-05-30T20:13:00.003+10:00

“Cured Pink is a discomposed mess of underdeveloped ideas, glorifying civil sickness before finding anything that actually sounds good. Self-releasing hand-made material out of Brisbane for the last few years, the mess, usually summed as ''psychotic performance art'', ''post-industrial noise bliss'' or ''bored at 3am'', appears to have its strengths in the alienation of pub owners, the forcing of early closures and alienation of most band members. Maybe it is just irritating”.

Sabbatical presents the first release by this constantly evolving Brisbane based project overseen by Andrew McLellan. To launch this self-titled limited run cassette release Sabbatical provides three opportunities for Melbourne residents to witness Cured Pink live.

Friday 25 June 2010 at The Empress Hotel
714 Nicholson Street Fitzroy North

Tuesday 29 June 2010 Makeitupclub at Bar Open
317 Brunswick Street Fitzroy
[McLellan/Groves/Thomas trio]

Wednesday 30 June 2010 Stutter at Horse Bazaar
397 Little Lonsdale Street Melbourne

Full lineups for these shows will be announced shortly.

Also during this visit to Victoria:
Saturday 26 and Sunday 27 June 2010 Psycho-Subtropics at Gertrude Contemporary Art Spaces
Part of the 'Always Moving' event series.
Information at www.gertrude.org.au and www.otherfilm.org

Sabbatical Presents: ISOMER 230610

2010-05-27T22:39:00.004+10:00

Wednesday 23 June at Horse Bazaar (397 Little Lonsdale Street Melbourne) Sabbatical presents a rare live performance by South Australian resident Dave Tonkin’s long running Isomer dark ambient project as a part of the weekly exploratory music series Stutter. This show comes almost exactly a year after Sabbatical’s first attempt at hosting an Isomer performance, which resulted in a disastrous evening marked by a blown PA, an evacuated venue and aborted performances. Within a discography spanning a decade, Isomer material has surfaced on iconic industrial imprints such as Tesco Organisation and Cold Meat Industry, as well as local labels such as Cipher Productions, Shame File and Smell the Stench. An infrequent live performer, Isomer has supported such legends as Merzbow and Death In June. Sabbatical is proud to present this rare live opportunity in Melbourne. Also performing on this occasion are Dead Boomers (the vicious electronics duo of Mark Groves and Leith Thomas of True Radical Miracle), Ebola Disco (the long running industrial noise mission of Ben Taylor and Mathew Casey) and the severe electronics of Andrew McIntosh’s formidable Screwtape. Action starts at 8:30pm, 5/10 bones entry.

True Radical Miracle at the Melbourne International Jazz Festival

2010-04-28T22:20:00.005+10:00

As part of this year's Melbourne International Jazz Festival, the creative minds behind the Make It Up Club and Stutter have curated a festival within a festival. Overground is a one day event held in the many nooks and crannies of the Melbourne Town Hall.

"Overground celebrates the rich diversity of the underground music culture in Melbourne in a day long event set in the many lost spaces of Melbourne Town Hall. It will be an event where new sounds can be made and heard as the outer limits of jazz and improvisation are explored, incorporating avante garde, grindcore, big band, expanded cinema, contemporary classical and performance art installation."

In what is possibly the largest stage the group will ever play, True Radical Miracle will perform a special one-off collaboration with contemporary classical/noise trio, Golden Fur. It's happening on the big stage in the main room - you know, the one where they do the Comedy Festival Gala thing.

It's happening this Sunday. Tickets are $30. Kick off is 2pm sharp. The full, ridiculous line-up is available here. It is advisable not to miss this event, it's unlikely they'll let anything like this happen again.

Sabbatical 2010

2010-04-22T11:18:00.013+10:00

Distant Horizon / Formative Stages:
__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

Matthew Brown 2xCS
Cured Pink CS
Dead Boomers CS
Knife Culture: Buried Melbourne 2010 2xCD

__________________________________________________

We have been taking a break from organising live actions since the end of our tenure at The Old Bar, but there should be some more shows within the next couple of months. These include a second attempt at launching the Dead Boomers label release (venue suggestions are more than welcome at this point), and a number of shows surrounding our Cured Pink cassette release.

That said, artists and projects with past Sabbatical label releases continue to perform live in a range of contexts: Absoluten Calfeutrail is kicking around as a two piece for the moment, Pikelet is launching a new album on Chapter/Love & Mercy across Australia, James Rushford and Joe Talia are off to Europe shortly, and True Radical Miracle is again lurching into life.

__________________________________________________

Dead Boomers launch shut down, new show coming soon

2010-03-01T10:52:00.002+11:00

Unfortunately, the attempted launch of Dead Boomers' Family Money got shut down by the police last Thursday. A new launch show will be announced soon.

Dead Boomers launch 'Family Money'

2010-02-22T22:20:00.003+11:00

This Thursday, 25 February 2010, Dead Boomers launch Family Money, the latest Sababtical series release. Cut from an extended live session recorded for Paul Kidney's Ear of the Behearer show on PBS FM, Family Money is the first full length recording of the recording duo of Mark Groves and Leith Thomas.

Sabbatical will be launching this gloriously low-brow release at the new (as yet unnamed) gallery from the former operators of Gulag Projects, one of our favourite former DIY gallery spaces. The show is part of a series of No PA shows the boys are doing in the lead up to the spaces' opening.

Dead Boomers Family Money album launch
No PA Show
136 Roden Street, West Melbourne
with Snuff Budgies, Ian Wadley and Yev Kasem
Doors at 7pm, six dollars gets you in

New release: Dead Boomers 'Family Money'

2010-02-07T13:24:00.004+11:00

The fifteenth release in the Sabbatical CD-R series is out now.

Dead Boomers is a duo comprised of Mark Groves and Leith Thomas, both members of True Radical Miracle and operators of the Sabbatical label. Conceived initially as an easy outlet for the duos interest in contemporary nasty noise and binge drinking, recent activity has expanded the sound palette to take in additional repulsive capabilities of the selected instrumentation. This instrumentation is essentially comprised of accumulated analogue junk and garden variety rock apparatus. The resultant smut is centred squarely on metal abuse and screaming distortion, with cruelly minimal compositional ideas employed to establish structure. Family Money follows a short run, no sold out double cassette on Sabbatical from 2009, titled Sharon Stone/Michael Douglas. Expanding on ideas from this earlier release, Family Money is comprised of edited live takes recorded at Melbourne’s PBS Studio 5 for broadcast on the program Ear of the Behearer. Recurrent throughout these pieces is a sinister narrative concerning a boomer seachange, and the abuse of privilege.

Available now on the Sabbatical website or via the PayPal button below.

Available in shops around Australia in coming weeks.

You can listen to the track 'Tight and Fearful' on the Sabbatical Myspace page.

Documentation: 21 January 2010

2010-02-04T13:28:00.007+11:00

Some shots form our last monthly show at the Old Bar.

Recent UK import MV brought the beautiful analogue sounds of the cassette. The buzz and hiss of the multiple walkmans was woven together beautifully.

Sean Baxter schooled everyone in the possibilities of the drum kit. The master extended technique percussionist highlighted you don't need big amps or manic flailing to create intense sounds, bending enamel plates and creating tuned rumble from the skins of the drums.

Ethic Cleansing, the first time collaboration between Screwtape and Ebola Disco, brought an angry, confrontational edge to the evening with their painfully descriptive explanation of the horrors of dementia.

Watch the video here.

Rounding out our final night at the Old Bar was the now iconic Australian grind trio, Agents of Abhorrence. Flat out grind for 15 minutes. Nothing more to say.

A big thanks to all the folk at the Old Bar for the last year and bit. The boys have been huge supporters of what we do at Sabbatical, first hosting our monthly shows at their previous venue, The Afterdark, giving Sabbatical a monthly platform to present the various musical happenings we were interested in. Thanks for everything.

We will continue to present shows at various spaces around town and will soon find a new home for regular nights. Watch this space for all the news.

Absoluten Calfeutrail / Dead Boomers 16/17.01.10

2010-01-13T11:41:00.001+11:00

Dead Boomers new release: FAMILY MONEY

2010-01-13T11:36:00.006+11:00

Dead Boomers Family Money (SBB015)

Dead Boomers is a duo comprised of Mark Groves and Leith Thomas, both members of True Radical Miracle and operators of the Sabbatical label. Conceived initially as an easy outlet for the duos interest in contemporary nasty noise and binge drinking, recent activity has expanded the sound palette to take in additional repulsive capabilities of the selected instrumentation. This instrumentation is essentially comprised of accumulated analogue junk and garden variety rock apparatus. The resultant smut is centred squarely on metal abuse and screaming distortion, with cruelly minimal compositional ideas employed to establish structure. Family Money follows a short run double cassette on the Sabbatical label from 2009 titled Sharon Stone/Michael Douglas. Expanding on ideas from this earlier release, Family Money is comprised of edited live takes recorded at Melbourne’s PBS Studio 5 for broadcast on the program Ear of the Behearer. Recurrent throughout these pieces is a sinister narrative concerning a boomer seachange, and the abuse of privilege.

Available from Sabbatical.

What Is Music Festival: 50/50 Documentation

2009-12-22T21:13:00.004+11:00

19 December 2009

Iwaki Auditorium
ABC Southbank Centre, Southbank Blvd, Melbourne

50/50
Fifty artists in fifty minutes

This performance is now available to stream from the ABC Classic FM website (Real Player or Windows Media). 50/50 featured involvement from all three members of the Sabbatical team, as well as a range of artists from the label.

The rules of 50/50 are thus: 50 bands playing in 50 minutes. One minute per group, no breaks.

Think of the 50/50 project as a living, breathing mixtape, with everything from experimental to jazz to noise to metal to minimalist improv to rock to pop to hiphop to spoken diatribes. Something for everyone, and if you don't like a band then there's less than 60 seconds left until the next one! An event that won't likely be seen ever again, you won't want to miss this speedy sonic degustation.

Participating artists:
Carolyn Connors, Breathing Shrine, DJ 2, Francis Plagne Band, Clare Cooper, Curse ov Dialect, Robin Fox, Tim O'Dwyer Trio, pig&machine, Candlesnuffer+Son, Fabio Umberto, Jon Rose, Shit to the Spirit, Mim Kyhr, Brad Smith, Dead Ants Rainbow, Poletopra, Maya Victoria, Erick Mitsak, Nomex, Sex On Toast, Robert Piotrowicz+Lloyd Honeybrook, DJ Arsecrack, Anna Zaradny, hercel, Rank Sinatra, Charles Ives Singers, Greg Kingston and Robbie Avenaim, Julian Culpan, Bum Creek, Wasted Truth, Occult Blood, Hotel Wrecking City Traders, The Bat Device, Ivens, Mark Lossier, Grytviken (Dav Byrne and Matt "Skitz" Sanders), Scratchplate, elise&jem, Steve Law+Scott Hamilton, Mechanical Performers, Adam Simmons, Vijay Thillaimuthu, Absoluten Calfeutrail, DJ3, Golden Fur Trio.

Final Sabbatical Presents 21.01.10

2009-12-22T20:59:00.005+11:00

Thursday 21 January 2010 Sabbatical presents our final ever regular monthly night at the Old Bar (74-76 Johnston Street Fitzroy). To mark this occasion we have assembled a lineup perfectly suited to a balmy evening of beer swilling and shit talk. Opening is MV (Maya Victoria) a London - Melbourne transplant and recent collaborator with local scum clan Occult Blood. Low end / low life tape junk. Melbourne improvisation advocate and percussion legend Sean Baxter follows with his extensive arsenal of metallic junk and other percussive detritus. Ethic Cleansing is a new collaboration between two of Melbourne’s genuinely nasty sonic entities: Screwtape and Ebola Disco. This debut death industrial-inspired live outing promises to be an ideal accompaniment to the copious consumption of alcohol and an indulgence in black humour. Closing the night will be the almighty violent Melbourne grind trio Agents of Abhorrence. These gentlemen are true masters of concision and batter - a perfect end to our tenure at the Old Bar. Cheers. 8:30pm / SIX BUCKS

Sabbatical presents: The What Is Music? Festival

2009-12-09T14:25:00.005+11:00

Sabbatical is proud to be presenting one of the Melbourne events at this year's What Is Music? Festival. This Monday, 14 December we will be presenting a showcase of some of the label's finest talents as well as a special once off collaboration between Japanese noisemakers Shayne Bowden (from the group hercel) and our very own, Rob Mayson (Grey Daturas, Breathing Shrine, Bone Sheriff).

The complete line-up is:

Shayne Bowden (Japan) & Rob Mayson - a trans-national aural sparing match
Dead Boomers with Lloyd Honeybrook - the wall of noise just got bigger
Green Beret - an incredible combination of talent in a rare live outing
Aux Assembly - one the last shows of this fine duo before an international relocation

As well as these performances we will be screening new film works from Christina Tester (Gold Tango) and Eli Partridge (Heil Spirits).

This show will start a little earlier than usual, with the first act kicking off at 8pm. Cost is $10 at the door.

This will be our last show for the year, so come down and have a drink, take in the sights and sounds and celebrate what has been a great year for Sabbatical.

Sabbatical presents: The Emergency

2009-11-11T09:45:00.004+11:00

Beats. Noise. Beats. Noise. It's hard to choose so we've put together four of our favourites to create a delicious and diverse night out.

The Emergency - first-time percussion set and a new album about to drop on eXO
Nomex - one NZ's finest aural export (read: brutal)
Super Star - space loops to infinity
Anon - one of the best things about Sydney

Six dollars entry, doors at 8.30pm.

As always, Sabbatical items will be available to purchase on the night.

091107 Documentation

2009-11-11T09:23:00.003+11:00

Scratchplate

Mitchell Brennan & Lachlan Gale

James Rushford & Joe Talia

Abela/Baxter/Grabowsky Trio

Lucas Abela

Paul Grabowsky

Sabbatical presents: Abela/Baxter/Grabowsky

2009-10-26T09:29:00.004+11:00

Sabbatical presents another 'evening of excellence'. Globe-trotting glass abuser Lucas Abela is making a brief stop-off in Melbourne for a collaboration with percussionist Sean Baxter and feted pianist and composer Paul Grabowsky. The set brings the three disparate musicians together for a one-time meeting of their musical minds.

Rounding out the night will be performances from the incredible James Rushford & Joe Talia, the dream-like tones of Scratchplate and the interwoven duo of Mitchell Brennan & Lachlan Gale.

Seven dollars gets you in. Show starts at 8.30pm, sharp.

Documentation: 22 October 2009

2009-10-23T10:01:00.003+11:00

Eko Eko Azarak

Matthew Brown

Galactagogue

Bonnie Mercer

Sabbatical presents: Bonnie Mercer

2009-10-13T18:17:00.004+11:00

Coming up this month at our regular Old Bar show is a stellar line-up of individual artists.

Bonnie Mercer - Grey Daturas powerhouse freed from the shackles of a band
Galactagogue - solo outing for the incredible Mark Skelton
Matthew Brown - synth warrior extraordinaire
Eko Eko Azarak - sounds like the opening to the best Goblin song you've never heard

22 October 2009
8.30pm

The Old Bar, 74-76 Johnston Street, Fitzroy

Six dollars entry

Reviews for PIVIXKI and James Rushford & Joe Talia

2009-10-10T15:49:00.006+11:00

A couple of new reviews have surfaced recently for our last two releases.

Firstly, PIVIXKI's explosive self-title debut gets a rave write-up from Bob Baker Fish in Cyclic Defrost:

"fascinating, frenetic, and really something unique. The duo fuses together effortlessly, constantly moving, not afraid to startle and get a little musical alongside their naughty beds of atonal discordance." - Bob Baker Fish, Cyclic Defrost

Read the full interview here.

Secondly, James Rushford & Joe Talia's stunning release, Palisades, gets some love from Foxy Digitalis:

"This is a solid release, but I feel the last track makes this essential. 8/10" - Andrew Murdock Livingston, Foxy Digitalis

Read the full review here.

Tour tapes now available online

2009-10-06T22:39:00.004+11:00

Absoluten Calfeutail and Dead Boomers have returned from an east coast tour and still have some copies of the cassettes made especially for that trip.

The cassettes are also available in the following stores in Australia:

Missing Link - Melbourne
Round & Round - Brunswick
Sunshine & Grease - Melbourne
Repressed Records - Newtown
Rockinghorse Records - Brisbane
The Outpost - Fortitude Valley
Vox Cyclops - Newcastle

Neckhold rule

2009-09-30T13:43:00.000+10:00

Absoluten Calfeutrail/Dead Boomers east coast tour

2009-09-16T16:57:00.005+10:00

Late September/early October Leith Thomas and Mark Groves will be heading up the coast for a number of shows as Absoluten Calfeutrail/Dead Boomers.

Details confirmed so far are below. If anyone is interested in hosting a show in or around Sydney or Canberra on Friday 24 September, or Newcastle on Friday 2 October email us here. We don't require a PA, just a power point.

We will have the Sabbatical catalogue with us for purchase at all dates, along with a couple of tour items: Dead Boomers Sharon Stone/Michael Douglas 2xCassette Box (C20 + C10) and Absoluten Calfeutrail Braybrook C20.

Thursday 24 September 
Sandringham Hotel , 387 King Street, Newtown 
Sydney NSW 
8pm / $10 
w/ Go Genre Everything , Crab Smasher,  Sticky Angels and  Yellow Fever

Saturday 26 September 
Repressed Records , 356 King Street, Newtown 
Sydney NSW 
5.30pm / Free
w/ Jon Hunter

Sunday 27 September 
Disembraining Machine at The Tidy , 29a Logan Road, Woolloongabba 
Brisbane QLD
 7pm / Entry TBC
 w/ Gilles Aubrey (France),  Lost Domain and  Neckhold

Tuesday 29 September 
Audio Pollen at The Book Nook , Suite 10, 173 Boundary Street, West End
 Brisbane QLD 
Time / Lineup TBC

Thursday 1 October
 The Arcadian 
Carrington Street entrance of the Starcourt Arcade 
Lismore NSW 
Time / Entry TBC
 w/ Prof. Blix and  Film Spirits (films by Heil Spirits)

Saturday 3 October
 Croatian Club,  Albert Street, Wickham 
Newcastle NSW
 1pm / Entry TBC
 w/ Heil Spirits,  None Music,  Alzheimer Blanks,  Mitchell Brennan/Lachlan Gale and  Philippa O'shea

Facebook event link here - tell your friends.

PIVIXKI European tour dates

2009-09-11T10:14:00.012+10:00

Next month Anthony Pateras, Max Kohane and Robin Fox are leaving our fair shores for a month-long tour of Europe. The massive line-up will include the blistering piano grind of PIVIXKI, the electro-acoustic violence of the Pateras/Fox duo, and the Robin Fox laser show. Rounding out this mega-bill is European native Antoine Chessex. Catch it if you can.

1 October - Cable - Nantes, France
2 October – IGNM – Basel, Switzerland
3 October – Soundhund – Chur, Switzerland
4 October - L’Usine – Geneve, Switzerland
6 October - Le 102 – Grenoble, France
7 October - Les Trinitaires – Metz, France
8 October - Instants Chavires (*benefit gig*) – Paris, France
9 October - Confort Moderne – Poitiers, France
10 October - La Malterie – Lille, France
11 October – Netzwerk – Aalst, Belgium
12 October – DNK – Amsterdam, The Netherlands
13 October – Worm – Rotterdam, The Netherlands
15 October – KNTM – Kopenhagen, Denmark
16 October – Bla – Oslo, Norway

PIVIXKI's debut self-titled release is available now through Sabbatical.

Call out for What Is Music? Festival 50/50 project

2009-09-08T14:32:00.005+10:00

As part of this year's What Is Music? Festival the organisers are attempting a pretty huge undertaking. It's called 50/50 and will be a live performance of 50 acts in 50 minutes. They're pulling together acts from across genres are have put the call out.

Read on for the all the info:

Whatismusic festival is presenting a very special large scale event for the 2009 festival - the project is called 50/50. 50 bands in 50 minutes, all set up simultaneously in a single room. Ambitious - yes, crazy - well...yes as well. At the moment we're looking for keen young (and old) go-getters who would like to be a part of the event - if you have gear and a minute's worth of creativity, or even pure derivative hilarity, then we'd like to hear from you!

The event will be taking place at the ABC's Iwaki Auditorium Southbank on the 19th of December, and will be recorded and broadcast by Radio National an hour following the gig. A project of such absurd and amusing magnitude has never been attempted on Australian shores, and should prove to be an amazing experience for anyone involved.

If you would like to be on the bill, send through a short description of who you are, what you do, and preferably a link to a short soundclip of your work to lloydhoneybrook@gmail.com and we will endeavour to get back to you ASAP with some more details about locking your group in for the project.

Looking very much forward to hearing from you all, and making some ludicrous large-scale history!

Now stocked at Round & Round

2009-09-06T10:49:00.004+10:00

Sabbatical's catalogue is now stocked at the excellent Round & Round on Sydney Road in Brunswick. If you haven't been to this delightful little record store then you should. It's just a short ride on the No. 19 tram from the city and has a tidy lounge room feel to it. Neat record racks cover the walls, while a few bookshelves contain a modest yet interesting collection of secondhand reading material. Titles are painstakingly divided in sub-genres that wil keep you contained in the Tardis-like shop for longer than you expect.

Sabbatical presents: Heil Spirits

2009-09-02T08:56:00.006+10:00

Earlier this year, on tour as a guest member of Aktion Unit, the standout was undoubtedly Heil Spirits, the one-man audio storm of Eli Partridge (formerly of hardcore act The Stockholm Syndrome). Based in Lismore, northern NSW and the power behind the CD-R label Glacial Avatar, Partridge creates shuddering, visceral aural nightmares that deliver a punch straight to the solar plexus.

As such, it is with great anticipation that Sabbatical presents Heil Spirits this month at the Old Bar:

17 September 2009
The Old Bar - 74-76 Johnston Street, Fitzroy

Heil Spirits - turbulent waves of sound
James Rushford & Joe Talia - labyrinthine aural pieces from this incredible duo
Anekantavada - abrasions form new Melbourne resident Mitchell Brennan (Brassskulls)
Laral - despondent sounds for the low-spirited

Doors at 8.30pm, six dollars gets you in.

While down south Heil Spirits will be doing a bunch of shows across Melbourne. Click the flier for details.

PIVIXKI reviews

2009-08-25T00:10:00.003+10:00

The first reviews of PIVIXKI's debut release are coming in. First up we've got a live review from the launch at the Empress.

We've also got some great reviews on both Mess + Noise and the always awesome Lexicon Devil blog.

PIVIXKI launch photos and video

2009-08-18T23:00:00.007+10:00

Robbie Avenaim & Lloyd Honeybrook

Blarke Bayer

Shit to the Spirit

PIVIXKI - Anthony Pateras

PIVIXKI - Max Kohane

PIVIXKI's debut release is available from www.sbbtcl.com.

Sabbatical presents: Dead Boomers

2009-08-09T22:47:00.006+10:00

This August, Sabbatical presents:

Dead Boomers
Sean Baxter & Rod Cooper
Golden Fur

Thursday, 20 August 2009

The Old Bar, 74-76 Johnston Street, Fitzroy

As always, six dollars gets you in.

Sabbatical presents: PIVIXKI

2009-08-07T14:17:00.005+10:00

It is with much pride that Sabbatical presents the launch of PIVIXKI's highly anticipated debut release. The fourteenth release in the Sabbatical series, the self-titled work will be launched at the Empress Hotel on Saturday, 15 August.

PIVIXKI
Blarke Bayer
Robbie Avenaim/Lloyd Honeybrook
Shit to the Spirit

The Empress Hotel, 714 Nicholson Street, North Fitzroy

Show starts at 8.30pm sharp, six dollars gets you entry

About PIVIXKI:

PIVIXKI is a world-first melding of physical pianistic acrobatics and blitzing grind drumming, courtesy of musical chameleon Anthony Pateras (Tzadik, Editions Mego) and Max Kohane (punk/grind royalty from Agents of Abhorence, Cut Sick, George W Bush and Far Left Limit). From spacious doomscapes to blasting textures, this disc presents a unique take on the jump-cut duo format, exploding with ear-wrenching intensity and classy performances. Recorded at the Australian Broadcasting Corporation’s studios in Melbourne by master Melbourne avant-engineer Chris Lawson, and mixed by Chicago legend Casey Rice, this is a must for those who love their music fun, confronting and slightly insane.

PIVIXKI's self-titled release is available from the Sabbatical web store.

Stutter this week

2009-07-20T11:19:00.004+10:00

Ahead of their headline slot at this week's Sabbatical show, Canberra's Spartak are performing in improv duos at Stutter. Sabbatical's own Leith Thomas will perform with Spartak's Shoeb Ahmad.

From the folks at Stutter:

his Wednesday the 22nd of July @ Stutter...

@ Horse Bazaar
397 Little Lonsdale Street
Melbourne

8:30pm start.
$10 (full) + $5 (conc)

Click here for Stutter Myspazz

Sabbatical presents: Spartak

2009-07-08T09:41:00.004+10:00

Canberra's own Spartak return south for the second time in as many months. Sabbatical is presenting the final show on their Lost Signal EP launch tour. The group will be fighting fit from shows across Australia, as well as Kuala Lumpur and Singapore.

On this occasion Spartak will also perform seperately, in duos with two icons of Melbourne improvisation. Shoeb Ahmad will take on Dave Brown's mighty Candlesnuffer in a wave of guitars, while drummer Evan Dorrian partners with the esteemed Adam Simmons. Opening the night will be the kraut-jams of Snawklor, in full swing with the extended 'big band' line-up.

As always, it's happening at the Old Bar (74-76 Johnston Street, Fitzroy), doors at 8.30pm, first group on at 9pm.

Spartak (ACT)
Candlesnuffer vs Shoeb Ahmad
Adam Simmons & Evan Dorrian
Snawklor

Copies of Spartak's Lost Signal wil be available on the night, along with the Sabbatical catalogue. Or, if you can't wait, pick a copy via the hellosQuare website.

Vital Weekly review 'Palisades'

2009-07-01T11:26:00.005+10:00

The European-based review staple, Vital Weekly, has reviewed Sabbatical's latest release, Palisades, from James Rushford & Joe Talia.

JAMES RUSHFORD & JOE TALIA - PALISADES
(CDR by Sabbatical Records)

From downunder, Melbourne to be precise are James Rushford and Joe Talia. Together they play prepared viola (Rushford) and spring tank, beatsink, cymbals, woodblock, floor tom (Talia). That I would have never guessed. The four pieces here are highly drone based and work extensively in the field of overtones. Lengthy sustaining music of long held tones, and with a strict minimum of changing the menu of sounds. Only in the third track things are stretched apart and we can note the scraping of viola. The fourth piece (all untitled) sees them exploring this further with sounds that swirl loosely in a mass of natural reverb. The music below sounds like it has been made with sine waves, but I guess it isn't. Highly refined music this is. No doubt created through improvisation, but then I guess this is not their first result in doing so. I think after hefty experimentation they came to these results. An excellent release at that. Great music at work here. (FdW)

Sign up to Vital Weekly here.

Palisades is available from Australian independent record stores or direct from us here.

Absoluten Calfeutrail at Tape Projects

2009-06-24T21:59:00.004+10:00

Last weekend Absoluten Calfeutrail performed an amazing set at the wonderful Tape Projects space in Melbourne. Here's a photo and an audio sample from the proceedings.

Stream or download the brief audio clip here.

Sabbatical presents: Naked on the Vague

2009-06-22T17:02:00.002+10:00

Sabbatical is proud to present a special early evening show for Sydney’s Naked on the Vague while they’re in Melbourne launching their new 7”. Sporting a newly expanding line-up the now four-piece will grace the Horse Bazaar stage with a cast Melbourne musical misfits. The vocal ferocity and assault of Kusum will be tempered with the intertwining voices of Gugg, while Eastern Grey open proceedings.

The last copies of Naked on the Vague’s almost sold out ‘Sad Sun’ EP will be available at the show.

First band on at 6pm sharp, six dollars entry.

Sabbatical presents: Isomer

2009-06-19T11:57:00.003+10:00

Isomer is the moniker adopted by South Australian native David Tonkin for his one-man sound explorations. After quietly tinkering away in Adelaide for the last decade Tonkin has built up an international following for his dark and ambient soundscapes and earned the respect of artists such as the legendary Merzbow and Death In June.

An infrequent live performer, Isomer has supported such legends as Merzbow and Death In June. Sabbatical is proud to present this rare live opportunity in Melbourne.

Supports on the night come from new classical reconstruction trio Golden Fur, harsh noise unit Absoluten Calfeutrail, and the powerful collaboration of Anthony Pateras and Marco Fusinato’s Poletopra.

Six dollars entry, 9pm start

Sabbatical presents: Aux Assembly

2009-06-06T12:25:00.006+10:00

This month's show sees the welcome return of one of Sabbatical's groups, Aux Assembly. Dimitra and Elise will bring their beautiful, haunting soundscapes to the Old Bar as headliners of a diverse night including Kristian Roberts (harsh solo noise), A. Wallace & Tom Hall (found sound experiments) and J.L. Dimmick (endless saxophone excursions).

Sabbatical presents:

Aux Assembly
Kristian Roberts
A. Wallace & Tom Hall
J.L. Dimmick

The Old Bar - 76-78 Johnston Street, 76-78 Johnston Street, Fitzroy

Doors at 8.30pm, first act on at 9pm.

$6

Dead Boomers at Pony

2009-06-01T12:11:00.004+10:00

This long-weekend Dead Boomers perform as part of a line-up on Sunday night at Pony.

Sunday, 7 June 2009
Pony, 68 Lt Collins Street, Melbourne

Holy Boner
Pathetic Human
Dead Boomers
Pig & Machine

$8

Documentation: James Rushford & Joe Talia launch

2009-05-25T13:07:00.004+10:00

Witness Girl

Fourth Impact

Anthea Caddy & Thembi Soddell

Jame Rushford & Joe Talia

Pushing play as performance

2009-05-25T12:58:00.002+10:00

This Wednesday we have been asked to DJ between the acts at Stutter at Horse Bazaar. Come on down. Here are the details:

This Wednesday the 27th of May @ Stutter...

DALE NASON / DALE GORFINKLE / DALE CHAPMAN - minimal vibraphonics, electronics and visual stimulation
MICHAEL GRAEVE - multi turnable performance piece
SPLITFOOT - duo - drums, guitar and vocals
SABBATICAL crew dj'ing in between the sets!

@ Horse Bazaar
397 Little Lonsdale Street
Melbourne

8:30pm start
$10 (full) + $5 (conc)

Sabbatical presents: James Rushford & Joe Talia 'Palisades' launch

2009-05-12T22:33:00.007+10:00

Thursday, 21 May Sabbatical presents the launch of our thirteenth series release, Palisades by Melbourne based duo James Rushford & Joe Talia (SBB013). This cavernous electroacoustic fabrication finds its heart in exploration of the unforeseen voices of their selected instrumentation and devices. These include prepared violas, autoharp, spring reverb tank, and various metal objects. The ensuing extended compositions incorporate elements of ethereal drone and instrumental concrète, with stasis as a recurring theme. James and Joe will be joined on this occasion by a series of duo performances from Thembi Soddell & Anthea Caddy, Forth Impact! and Witness Girl. Hosted by the Old Bar (74-76 Johnston Street Fitzroy Victoria), with doors opening at 8:30pm, action from 9pm, and six dollars in.

Palisades is released through Sabbatical on Monday, 18 May 2009 and will be available through the webstore on that day and in Australian independent record stores shortly thereafter.

Documentation: Juarez launch

2009-05-12T12:56:00.007+10:00

Better late than never, here are some shots from the awesome Juarez Revontulet show at Gulag Projects last month. It was fantastic show with excellent performances from artists representing the past, present and future of the label.

Thanks to Jess for finding the time to launch her record during her brief return to Australia, thanks to all the artists for performing, and finally, thanks to the folk at Gulag Projects for hosting the show and continuing to run one of Melbourne's best performance spaces.

Dead Boomers - the Marco Fusinato curated 'Grappa Shots Set'

James Rushford & Joe Talia - their debut release Palisades is coming out next week on Sabbatical

Aux Assembly - a truly engaging performance from a group that were with us at the start

Juarez - Ms Pinney performed the kind of set that had the audience both on edge and completely in the palm of her hand

For a better understanding of the inspiration and processes behind her work as Juarez, read an interview with Jess on Mess + Noise.

Revontulet is available now through the webstore or at your local independent record store.

Sabbatical Presents 23.04.09: SCUM NIGHT III

2009-04-07T15:08:00.001+10:00

Thursday 23 April Sabbatical presents our third ‘Scum Night’, bringing together local groups with a common thread of seductive filth and nasty sonics. Previous Scum Night alumni include Kristkrvstoffiston, Pissbolt, Collapsed Toilet Vietnam, Pathetic Human, Odiusembowel, Fuck, The Retarded Girl, Occult Blood, John Butler Fucks Kids and Cult of the Placenta Head. For this occasion we have meticulously selected an exceptional assortment of volume dealers: expansive junk collective The Psychward Cult, lurid noise broker Screwtape, industrial/noise duo Ebola Disco, and grind fiends Super Fun Happy Slide. Hosted by the Old Bar (74-76 Johnston Street Fitzroy Victoria), with doors opening at 8:30pm, action from 9pm, and six bones to get you in.

Sabbatical Presents 16.04.09: JUAREZ

2009-04-07T15:05:00.003+10:00

Thursday 16 April Sabbatical presents the launch of our twelfth series release, Revontulet by Juarez (SBB012). Although available since late 2008, until now we have been unable to secure a performance by Jessica Pinney to launch this release as she has been studying in the United Kingdom. This launch show may well be the only opportunity to catch Juarez live for an extended period, as she will again depart overseas soon afterward. Jessica will be joined on this occasion by a range of varied of supports: Dead Boomers (Leith Thomas and Mark Groves), James Rushford and Joe Talia (a new duo with a release forthcoming shortly on Sabbatical), and Aux Assembly (Dimitra Stankovic and Elise Bishop). This show takes place at Gulag Projects, located at 6 Jenkin Street East Brunswick Victoria, and begins at 8pm sharp. Entry is a very reasonable five of your Australian dollars.

Sabbatical presents: Heirs, 19 March 2009

2009-03-10T23:33:00.003+11:00

Thursday 19 March Sabbatical presents a diverse collection of performances at The Old Bar, including the rich analogue electronics of Matthew Brown, the anxious noise of Absoluten Calfeutrail, the feedback worship of The Carrier (a solo project of Ben Yardley of Laura) and new four piece Heirs, offering up sledgehammer riffs, industrial pummel, and incense shrouded low-end incantations. Doors open at 8:30pm, with the first performance beginning at 9pm.

Cyclic Defrost reviews Juarez's 'Revontulet'

2009-02-24T17:01:00.004+11:00

Cyclic Defrost has reviewed the debut Juarez release, Revontulet. Here's what they had to say:

The opening piece Favourite purposely pisses you off, a low repetitive cyclical drone begins, forcing you to adjust the volume and then a short abrupt aggressive jolt comes unexpectedly at a ridiculously higher volume. It’s music that doesn’t want to be friends with you, and it’s a highly provocative act that is a sledgehammer technique devised to make you uneasy.

To read the full review and many others go here.

Revontulet is out now in indie stores across Australia and via the Sabbatical online shop.

Absoluten Calfeutrail and Default Jamerson to support France's Monarch

2009-02-24T16:51:00.004+11:00

Both Absoluten Calfeutrail and Default Jamerson will be supporting France's doom lords, Monarch this Wednesday night for their second Melbourne show at Horse Bazaar. It's presented by Heathen Skulls and the wonderful Stutter. The two are on second and first respectively. $10/5 at the door.

MONARCH (France)

Female fronted, funeral doom lords Monarch are set to embark on their maiden voyage of Australia. It's been a long time coming but the wait is over! Hailing from the south of France, since 2004 Monarch have been creating ear bleeding walls of feedback via the slowest riffs. Their music ventures on drone as the tempo is slow and throbbing. Think Sunn O)) meets early Melvins and Black Sabbath.

In the middle of doing two Melbourne club shows Monarch have graciously chosen to play a special low key show for Stutter, much like Pig Destroyer did a few months back. Monarch are presenting something special that's strictly a one off.

CANDLESNUFFER / BLACK WIDOW
Candle Snuffer (Dave Brown of Embers, Pateras/Baxter/Brown, etc.) and Black Widow (Robert MacManus of Grey Daturas) have been projecting their improvised twin guitar attack on the Australian public for some time now. They recently open for, and played in Guru Guru (Germany) on their Australian Tour and are currently looking forward to their debut release.

BONNIE MERCER (Melb) / TOM HALL (Bris)
Grey Daturas' main Wah Wah axe master Bonnie Mercer and Brisbane sound artist Tom Hall have been dueling it out on an irregular basis these past months. Given the distance between these two artists when timing permits they unleash a collaboration worth documenting. Lets hope they finally do, at some point.

ABSOLUTEN CALFEUTRAIL
One man power electronics artist Mark Groves (White Horse, Collapsed Toilet Vietnam) has been creating seriously confronting noise for some time now. Every show is like a punch to the skull, totally uncompromising extreme noise through the aid of manipulated vocals, pedals and contact mics. Awesome!

DEFAULT JAMERSON
Industrial, Goth, drone, noise, sound artist Marcus Cook is for the lack of a better work, a lord in the world of analogue technology, creating mind altering sonorous brutality.

090217 Documentation: TRM at hellosQuare Showcase

2009-02-24T16:24:00.010+11:00

Here are some shots from the hellosQuare Recordings showcase at the East Brunswick Club last week. It was a great night or really interesting piano-based music. Many thanks to Shoeb from hellosQuare for inviting True Radical Miracle to perform.

True Radical Miracle
In the absence of guitarist Scott O'Hara the group performed using samples of his guitar work in an improvised set based around the building piano wanderings of Evelyn Morris. Crashing key work met high-pitched oscillations and low end rumble for a set inspired by their Roaches EP on Sabbatical.

Austin Benjamin Trio
Semi-structured modern jazz compositions met with extreme musicianship in this tight set. Clearly a musical forced to be reckoned with the trio would routinely snap from moody solo pieces into cacophonous, bass-driven riffs accompanied by virtuosic percussion work.

Klumpes Ahmed
Bringing things back into the 'noise' realm, hellosQuare label boss Shoeb Ahmed and pianist Adrian Klumpes stuck a perfect balance between melody and terxture, tone and dischord. Recreating their debut release, In Bed We Trust, the duo performed a set rich in both texture and depth. A real treat for the brave Tuesday night audience.

Video documentation from 6/7 February shows

2009-02-15T13:40:00.004+11:00

Over the course of last weekend's Brassskulls and Chrysalis shows, Andrew of Screwtape fame captured sections of these incredible shows on camera. They are presented below for your viewing pleasure.

Marco Fustinato from Friday night at Pony.

Ebola Disco at the Gulag Projects warehouse.

Chrysalis vs Absoluten Calfeutrail cage match.

An interview with the incredible Brassskulls inter-cut with footage from their Gulag Projects set.

To view all of Andrew's videos check out his YouTube Channel, Lamronormal.

Sabbatical presents: Crab Smasher

2009-02-12T23:04:00.004+11:00

Thursday 19 February at the Old Bar Sabbatical Presents welcomes a number of interstate artists, and a couple of familiar locals. Opening the show is Automating, the solo project of Sasha Margolis (of Y35.3). Second up is a solo performance from JK Fuller (of Zond and Mum Smokes among others), followed by Scissor Lock, a Sydney based project of one Marcus Whale. Closing the evening is Newcastle based ensemble Crab Smasher. Doors are at 8:30pm, with the first performance kicking off shortly after 9pm. Entry is $6.

True Radical Miracle piano-based improvised set

2009-02-11T23:24:00.008+11:00

Next Tuesday, 17 February True Radical Miracle will perform a rare, striped back improvised set at the hellosQuare Recordings showcase at the East Brunswick Club. The show is part of a national tour being undertaken by the label. For the evening True Radical Miracle will base their improvisations around drummer Evelyn Morris' piano work in the vein of the Roaches Parts 1 & 2 Sabbatical release. It will be a beautiful night of avant and improvised piano (and noise) music.

Here's what hellosQuare have to say about the performance:

hellosQuare recordings in association with Sound Travelers and the Australia Council is proud to present Klumpes Ahmad and Austin Benjamin Trio on tour throughout February and March, showcasing their new releases ‘In Bed We Trust’ and ‘Unraveled, Rewoven’.

Using electronics, jazz improvisation and modern classical technique, the improvising duo of pianist Adrian Klumpes (ex-Triosk, Pivot) and guitarist Shoeb Ahmad stand live beside the young Canberra trio of Austin Benjamin, Chris Pound and Evan Dorrian in a series of performances that typify the hellosQuare sound.

Supporting them will be one of Melbourne's favourite R-A-W-K institution True Radical Miracle, performing a special piano based free noise set in the vein of their awesome release 'Roaches' so it should not be a night to be missed!

Doors 7:30pm :: $10 entry

090207 Documntation: 46 degrees heat

2009-02-10T15:05:00.006+11:00

Brassskulls

Chrysalis vs Absoluten Calfeutrail

Ebola Disco

Screwtape

Thanks to all who braved the heat and came down to this show, it was a great afternoon.

Mof Far Far Rah reviewed at Aquarius

2009-02-08T12:45:00.006+11:00

Almost two years after it landed on the shelves of San Francisco's premiere music establishment, Aquarius Records, Mof Far Far Rah's Sabbatical album Little More has been given the famous review treatment. Here's what they had to say:

"We only have 5 or 6 of these which is probably enough, cuz boy is this a weird one. We've had these for a really long time, so can't remember the story about who this guy is or what else he's done, but this record, well, it starts out with SEVENTY FIVE super short vocal experiments, as in 6 seconds to 29 seconds, running the gamut from animal like growls, wild hysterical shrieks, disembodied humming, percussive experiments, heavily effected beat box, sort of throat singing, growly death metal grunts, operatic howling, and pretty much all manner of fucked up vocalizations. Think an audio test record featuring nothing but Eye from the Boredoms doing vocal exercises. Fucked up, weird, a novelty, totally cracked and demented. Definitely worth it to disrupt your next party or to torture your downstairs neighbors, but hold on, there's a nearly hour long final track, also seemingly constructed from vocals (?) and it's gorgeous, an extended soundscape of layered hum, of shimmering drones, distant click and skitter, deep bell like tones, murky floorcore, looped stuttering rumbles, moaning and groaning warbles, all drifting beneath a thick fuzzy haze. Almost sounds like it could be the first 75 fragments combined into one thick swirling morass. Definitely cool And quite weird. We only have a tiny handful, so act fast if you want one of these..."

Great to see one of our earliest releases (the second, to be precise) get some recognition. Little More is available from the Sabbatical online shop, at most independent record stores around Australia, and of course from the good folks at Aquarius.

Absoluten Calfeutrail on YouTube

2009-02-06T10:09:00.003+11:00

A two-part video interview with Absoluten Calfeutrail is up on YouTube. We present it below for your viewing pleasure.

Part One

Part Two

The interview is part of a series. You can view all the artists, including Clinton Green, at the YouTube channel Lamronormal here.

Sabbatical presents: Brassskulls (NSW) and Chrysalis (TAS)

2009-02-05T10:09:00.004+11:00

These shows centre on return visits to Victoria from Brassskulls and Chrysalis after brilliant sets in Melbourne during 2008. Please note the early start time for the second show on Saturday 7 February.

Live at Pony (68 Little Collins Street City)
at 9pm on Friday 6 February
Sabbatical presents:
Brassskulls (from Newcastle NSW)
Chrysalis (from Hobart TAS)
Marco Fusinato
Absoluten Calfeutrail
Microvom (formerly Sonand)

Live at Gulag Projects (6 Jenkin Street East Brunswick)
at 3pm on Saturday 7 February / six dollars entry
Sabbatical Presents:
Brassskulls (from Newcastle NSW)
Chrysalis (from Hobart TAS)
vs. Absoluten Calfeutrail
Ebola Disco
Oranj Punjabi
Screwtape

090122 Documentation: A view from the mixing desk

2009-02-03T10:51:00.016+11:00

Dead Boomers
This wall of noise's length was on this occasion determined by double vodka and sodas, no fruit.

Ev & Shags
Performing outside of the Pikelet Big Band the duo performed an incredible set of semi-improvised keyboard intricacy and bliss.

Chrome Dome
Part Joy Division, part Suicide, synth/pop/no wave tunes filtered through two over the top minds.

Paeces
The free-folk/pyche implosion on this occasion and the collective sounding more cohesive than ever. Fantastic stuff.

Sabbatical presents: Paeces

2009-01-02T17:47:00.002+11:00

Thursday 22 January at the Old Bar Sabbatical Presents our first show for 2009. Opening the show is the brutal wall of Dead Boomers, featuring Mark Groves and Leith Thomas of Sabbatical. Second up is the duo of Evelyn Morris & Shags from Pikelet, exploring new-age-kraut synth jams, followed by Chrome Dome, a new duo (featuring one Shaun South) offering up ugly hypnotic pop music. Closing the evening is Paeces, on this occasion consisting of Sean Bailey, Chris Hill and Bianca Hester with a recorded component from the absent Joshua Petherick. Doors are at 8:30pm, with the first performance kicking off shortly after 9pm. Entry is $6.

Juarez 'Revontulet' out now

2008-12-31T10:19:00.006+11:00

Jess Pinney's incredible solo debut, Revontulet, is out now.

Juarez is the solo project of Jessica Pinney, and Revontulet (SBB012) is her debut release for the Sabbatical label. This is a dark electroacoustic work centred on processed analogue electronics and the layering of rich vocal lines, generating an eerie intimacy that is equally inviting and unsettling. The four extended pieces comprising Revontulet were tracked and mixed by Marcus Cook at Head Gap in Preston, Victoria during July 2008.

Available from www.sbbtcl.com and Australian independent record stores. If you local doesn't have it ask them to order it in through Missing Link Distribution.

2008 Christmas party documentation

2008-12-30T18:14:00.008+11:00

Sabbatical set

Cumsquad

Absoluten Calfeutrail

Handover

Default Jamerson

Imminent Dead Boomers start

Dead Boomers

Sweat Lung

Blarke Bayer

Collapsed Toilet Vietnam

Stutter

Sean Baxter / Joe Talia / Anthea Caddy / James Rushford / Alex Garsden / Fjorn Butler / JK Fuller / Christopher LG Hill / Alex Vivian / Emma Albury/ Sophie Brous

Thanks to all who came out to celebrate what has been a great year. Thanks to Annalee and Stutter for providing a live outlet for this sort of music and to our brother in arms Pete Hyde (Sweat Lung).

Combined Christmas party - harsh noise Santa party

2008-12-16T08:24:00.002+11:00

With the year drawing to a close Stutter, Sweat Lung and Sabbatical have combined forces to throw the largest noise party in town. Nineteen musicians, three sets. Better than your work Christmas party.

Photographic documentation: last Old Bar show of 2008

2008-12-16T08:16:00.006+11:00

Aktion Unit

Rod Cooper

Wasted Truth

Collapsed Toilet Vietnam

Sabbatical presents: Collapsed Toilet Vietnam

2008-11-28T18:23:00.002+11:00

Thursday, 11 December Sabbatical hosts our final show for 2008 at the Old Bar. Headlining this show is broken scum rock/grind unit Collapsed Toilet Vietnam, in one of their final performances prior to a three month break. A new release from the group (a split cassette with Pathetic Human) should be available at this show. Also performing are Wasted Truth (an awesome new duo featuring Sean Bailey of Lakes and Harriet Morgan of Downtown), Rod Cooper (legendary instrument builder obsessed with the qualities of metal) and Aktion Unit (featuring Rene Schaefer (Hand Hell) and Dan Lewis (Mirror Farm) with guest Liam Matthews on percussion). The show kicks off at 8:30pm, and entry is a mere six of your worthless Australian dollars.

Dead Boomers at Stutter

2008-11-26T16:58:00.004+11:00

Two shots from the Dead Boomers performance at Stutter a few weeks back. Thanks to Pat O'Brien from the wonderful Sunshine & Grease for capturing these special moments.

Grover with Tsingtao

Leith with industrial fan power.

Sabbatical presents: The Old Bar 231008

2008-10-14T15:52:00.007+11:00

Following the recent closure of the Afterdark in Northcote, Sabbatical is proud to announce that our monthly shows have now relocated to the Old Bar (74-76 Johnston Street Fitzroy). The first of these new series of shows falls on Thursday, 23 October 2008 and features a couple of largely dormant gems from the early Sabbatical catalogue.

Bone Sheriff (a duo consisting of active local heads Rob Mayson and Simon Taylor) makes a welcome return to live performance after a lengthy hiatus, as does the almighty Aux Assembly duo of Dimitra and Elise Bishop. Also appearing is the fascinating Oranj Punjabi project of Fjorn Butler and Dead Boomers, a duo consisting of 2/3 of the Sabbatical crew, Mark Groves and Leith Thomas.

Entry for this show is $6, and the door shall open at 8:30pm. The Sabbatical catalogue (including our releases from Bone Sheriff and Aux Assembly) along with a number of related works will be available for sale on the evening.

Sabbatical and Melbourne Fringe Festival present: CTV vs Embers 101008

2008-10-09T10:13:00.002+11:00

10.10.08Pony

68 Little Collins St Melbourne

9.30pm / $8

Collapsed Toilet Vietnam is a quartet comprised of local volume dealers Robert Mayson, Simon Taylor, Mark Groves and Pete Hyde. The group deals in ultra-primitive scum rock moves, improvisation utilising low-life Saturday night clichés, and decaying equipment held together with swathes of gaffa tape. A reconfigured drum kit, willing throat abuse and a severe general reduction in approach have all figured heavily in past live performances. Embers is a brutal free-jazz/grind-noise quartet. The group is made up of Bucketrider members, Adam Simmons (various saxophones), Dave Brown (electric microtonal bass) and Sean Baxter (drum kit and junk) with Globe Unity Orchestra alumni, Kris Wanders (tenor saxophone). This collaborative performance is the kind of hell that induces a heavy panic attack. Supporting is Poletopra (Marco Fusinato/Anthony Pateras duo).