DEATHPROOF PR PRESENTS – AUSTRALIA DAY AT THE TOTE – January 26, 2012
Entering its second year as a non-profit fundraiser for The Refugee Council of Australia, over 20 bands from all over the country will come together at Melbourne’s live music hub, The Tote, for another year of heat, noise, friends and good times!
Running from midday to midnight on Thursday January 26, the event returns in triumphant fashion after last year’s inaugural Australia Day event raised more than $3000 for the Refugee Council of Australia.
Event organizer Tom Jenkins explains the impetus behind the cause;
“The idea first started a few years ago, after seeing things like the Cronulla riots happen, and a general decline in positive activities surrounding Australia Day and The Big Day Out. It seemed like more people felt it was necessary to focus on being a drunken, racist asshole rather than acknowledge the horrible conditions asylum seekers are put through and what immigrants have contributed to ‘Australian culture’ let alone our own indigenous heritage.
My friend Luke and myself were discussing how there could be a way counteract all this, raise a bit of money and generally have a bit of fun, after a few variations I finally settled on an all-day “mini fest” at The Tote in Collingwood, I called a few favours in from friends bands, and from there it grew into the very first Australia Day at The Tote.
The day exceeded any expectations I could have ever had, The Nation Blue and Arrows headlined, 6 interstate bands played, it sold out by 4pm and we raised more than $3000 for The Refugee Council of Australia.
This year I’m stepping everything up, 2 stages, 23 bands, 9 who are making the interstate trip, larger capacity and you can now buy pre-sale tickets (inkandlead.bigcartel.com). Everything over the last couple of years has run so smoothly, everyone I’ve dealt with has been helpful and supportive – The Tote let us have the venue for basically nothing, not one of the bands ask for payment, people come from all ends of Australia, and I couldn’t be more grateful.
Sure, it’s not as good as seeing Soundgarden play from a huge barrier while you drink $7 water, but there is no place I’d rather be.”
This year the event welcomes headliners ARROWS for the second year on the now historic Tote stage. Melbourne’s folk rock legends FEAR LIKE US have also been confirmed as headliners. Joining them, are two of Melbourne’s most beloved up and comers, invigorating rock quintet THE SMITH STREET BAND and hardcore heroes, ANCHORS. All this plus a further sixteen local and interstate bands are donating their talents to this fantastic cause.
Tickets available now from inkandlead.bigcartel.com for just $15.
http://www.refugeecouncil.org.au
We tracked down the above mentioned bands for a quick chat about their involvement in “Australia Day At The Tote” and importantly the cause it represents…
JAMIE HAY FROM FEAR LIKE US
On Australia Day at The Tote, you are contributing your fine musical talents towards a fundraiser for The Refugee Council of Australia. What does it mean for your band to be involved and the cause that it represents?
To be involved in this Australia Day show and to help raise money to support the Refugee Council of Australia is really important to us. The people involved in this event and the RCOA are doing great things for the community, we are stoked to be involved!
If you weren’t playing at The Tote on Australia Day, what do you think you would be doing to celebrate?
Hiding at home with some friends, having some beers but most importantly steering well clear of the city.
Music plays a massive part in Australia’s heritage…name 3 Aussie music artists that have had the biggest influence on your band?
Mutiny, Redgum & Midnight Oil
Revered Australia wide as one of Melbourne’s most iconic live music venues, it’s great to see The Tote going strong once again! Whether you have played there before, got drunk there, been a punter, or heard about…what does The Tote mean to you?
I have always enjoyed playing at, drinking at or punting at the Tote. Lovely people & true believer’s that rock n roll can change the world. It’s the perfect venue for this show.
2011 sees another year over…what were the biggest 3 highlights for the band last year?
Playing Mutiny’s 20th Anniversary show at the East Brunswick Club. It was such an honour.
Looking forward, give us 3 things you plan or hope the band to have achieved during 2012?
Writing new music, releasing a 7” & touring more.
CARL BURNETT- ARROWS
What does it mean for your band to be involved and the cause that it represents?
We think it’s important to steer away from the narrow-minded bigotry Australia Day has come to represent more and more over the past few years. With so many people and bands travelling from interstate it’s a great way to spend the day with friends we’d otherwise not get to see. It’s even better doing so while working together toward something positive and a very worthy cause.
If you weren’t playing at The Tote on Australia Day, what do you think you would be doing to celebrate?
You could probably find us drinking beers in a park, kicking a ball and listening to The Gifthorse.
Music plays a massive part in Australia’s heritage…name 3 Aussie music artists that have had the biggest influence on your band?
It’s hard to name just three but the bands we look up to most, on and off the stage, would have to be Blueline Medic, The Nation Blue and A Death In the Family.
Revered Australia wide as one of Melbourne’s most iconic live music venues, it’s great to see The Tote going strong once again! Whether you have played there before, got drunk there, been a punter, or heard about…what does The Tote mean to you?
We’ve played at the Tote a few times now. Being from Brisbane we’re more attached to venues up that way but it’s easily one of our favourite venues in Melbourne. There always seems to be such a good vibe whether you’re there to play or hang out.
2011 sees another year over…what were the biggest 3 highlights for the band last year?
Last year’s Australia Day show being the first held was definitely something special. Tom did such a great job putting it together. This year will be just as good if not better! We did a run of shows down the East Coast with Jamie Hay which were a lot of fun and of course, Poison City Weekender would have to be the highlight.
Looking forward, give us 3 things you plan or hope the band to have achieved during 2012?
We’ve just finished recording a couple of songs. One for a split 7″ with a band from the US called Empire! Empire! and another for a compilation coming out on Poison City Records. Other than that we’d really like to get out and play some more shows. We’d love to get over to Perth this year, hopefully that will happen!
WIL WAGNER FROM THE SMITH STREET BAND
On Australia Day at The Tote, you are contributing your fine musical talents towards a fundraiser for The Refugee Council of Australia. What does it mean for your band to be involved and the cause that it represents?
It means a lot, especially given the entirely deserved negative connotations that come with Australia Day. Not only is it a great excuse to get together and catch some of the best music Australia has to offer, but it’s all for an amazing cause. And far better than getting beaten up at St Kilda Beach by a guy with a southern cross tattoo.
If you weren’t playing at The Tote on Australia Day, what do you think you would be doing to celebrate?
Probably getting beaten up by a guy with a Southern Cross tattoo.
Music plays a massive part in Australia’s heritage…name 3 Aussie music artists that have had the biggest influence on your band?
Pretty obvious choice, but Paul Kelly has always been a huge influence on us. The way he sings about Australia, especially Melbourne, is really inspiring. Another is a friend of ours from Melbourne called Tom Denton who plays in a band called Sweet Teens. He writes about the best lyrics you’ll ever hear. Also Rowland S. Howard is pretty incredible. Dark and twisted, very Melbourne centric. Simple songs with good melodies and great lyrics! What it’s all about!
Revered Australia wide as one of Melbourne’s most iconic live music venues, it’s great to see The Tote going strong once again! Whether you have played there before, got drunk there, been a punter, or heard about…what does The Tote mean to you?
The Tote has always been a stalwart of the Melbourne music scene for years and years and it was fantastic to see the response after it was closed down. The last few times we’ve played there have been some pretty special shows and the staff there really know how to look after bands.
2011 sees another year over…what were the biggest 3 highlights for the band last year?
This whole year has been pretty amazing!!! The biggest highlights were touring with Defiance, Ohio, releasing our first album and playing the Poison City Weekender!
Looking forward, give us 3 things you plan or hope the band to have achieved during 2012?
We are going to record and release a new album, tour all over Australia and hopefully internationally and play some shows with some sick bands before the end of the world!
PAT FROM ANCHORS
On Australia Day at The Tote, you are contributing your fine musical talents towards a fundraiser for The Refugee Council of Australia. What does it mean for your band to be involved and the cause that it represents?
Even though I had a go at the Refugee Council on stage last year, I am so glad to be a part of this, I think it’s a very important cause and issue in Australia. That said, people who come to this show shouldn’t think that their work is done. There are plenty of ways that people could help further, in terms of donating time and money. A good place to start is The River Nile Project – http://www.rnlc.org.au/index.php?id=howtohelp – a group who operate in North Melbourne and provide education for young refugees. /preach
If you weren’t playing at The Tote on Australia Day, what do you think you would be doing to celebrate?
Nothing, I can’t remember a time that I celebrated Australia Day, the whole thing stinks of jingoism/boganism. It’s never been a real reflection of Australian history, and I think Aussie’s spend the other 364 days of the year patting themselves on the back anyway.
Music plays a massive part in Australia’s heritage…name 3 Aussie music artists that have had the biggest influence on your band?
Bodyjar – everyone in Anchors grew up listening to Bodyjar…
The Angels – when Tony was in highschool his band got to tour Tassie with The Angels and I think that’s why he’s such a degenerate.
Awayfromnow – most early Anchors riffs were ripped off Awayfromnow and they are one of the most underrated punk bands Australia has produced
Revered Australia wide as one of Melbourne’s most iconic live music venues, it’s great to see The Tote going strong once again! Whether you have played there before, got drunk there, been a punter, or heard about…what does The Tote mean to you?
Honestly The Tote really didn’t mean much to me previously, most punk bands I liked didn’t play there much, and when they did it was a pretty poor turnout. It was more of a garage/metal place for me. Only really good show I remember seeing there was the Sommerset reunion. That said, since The Arthouse closed it’s been fucking fantastic for punk bands and is probably one of the closest things we’ll get to the Arty from now on in terms of capacity/vibe…
2011 sees another year over…what were the biggest 3 highlights for the band last year?
Japan, which was probably the highlight for my life, with amazing shows and the most fantastic bunch of people I’ve ever met. And playing Pushover and Soundwave, which was a ton of fun. We discovered that getting big riders and hob-nobbing with somebodies is the real reason most people are in bands.
Looking forward, give us 3 things you plan or hope the band to have achieved during 2012?
We’ll have a new album out, and a US tour and hopefully a Euro tour. But staying together would be an achievement in itself, so I’ll say staying together…
TOM JENKINS – ORGANISER
If you weren’t playing at The Tote on Australia Day, what do you think you would be doing to celebrate?
I’d probably go to my parents and spend all day in their pool listening to Chisel and drinking margaritas, either that, or go to a beach far, far away from people. Just avoid people in general I think.
Revered Australia wide as one of Melbourne’s most iconic live music venues, it’s great to see The Tote going strong once again! Whether you have played there before, got drunk there, been a punter, or heard about…what does The Tote mean to you?
The Tote was one of the first music venues I ever went to, it was for a Tiltmeter / Sounds Like Chicken under 18’s show in about 2002. It always been a great place to see bands, the staff there are always lovely and the management are always helpful. We are constantly losing good venues in Melbourne these days, so it’s important that we support The Tote and every other venue as much as possible.
Tickets available now from inkandlead.bigcartel.com for just $15.
http://www.refugeecouncil.org.au
Featuring: Fear Like Us | Arrows | The Smith Street Band | Anchors
Darren Gibson | Quiet Steps | Lincoln Le Fevre | Foxtrot | Daybreak | The Union Pacific | Palisades | Toy Boats | Milestones | Nuclear Summer | Make More | Mr DNA | Cavalcade | Waiting Room | Luke Smith| Urns
