The Blackeyed Susans Christmas Shows
30 October
2011
The Blackeyed Susans have announced two special Christmas shows for this December. These events have become something of a tradition over the past few years, and this time around the band are promising their biggest shows yet - stellar line-ups, sad sad Christmas songs, coloured party lights - the works.
After celebrating their 20th anniversary in 2009 with the release of the box set retrospective ‘Reveal Yourself’ and subsequent tour, The Susans have spent much of this year bunkered down working on new material. Rob Snarski and Dan Luscombe have been putting the finishing touches to their new long player, while the rest of the band have been busy with various side projects and collaborations.
Lest you can’t wait until December, The Blackeyed Susans will also be performing around the country in November as special guests of The Triffids, most notably at the Queenscliff Music Festival, Victoria and the Brisbane Powerhouse.
Friday 16 December
The Blackeyed Susans
The Thornbury Theatre, Melbourne, VIC
www.thethornburytheatre.com
Very special guests: Ron S. Peno & Cam Butler + The Rebelles
Tickets: $25+bf pre-sales from www.oztix.com.au & outlets
Indian Banquet & Show tickets also available
Doors: 8:00pm (Dinner doors 7:00pm)
Presented by Triple R
Saturday 17 December
The Blackeyed Susans
The Vanguard, Sydney, NSW
www.thevanguard.com.au
Very special guest: Holiday Sidewinder
Tickets: $25+bf pre-sales from www.thevanguard.com.au
Christmas Dinner & Show tickets also available
Doors: 6:30pm
Tickets on sale from Monday 31 October
Christmas Is Coming Soon
29 September
2011
Our annual Blackeyed Susans Christmas Shows will return once again in 2011. Please keep these dates free if you're in Melbourne or Sydney:
Friday 16 December - Melbourne
Saturday 17 December - Sydney
Full details of the Christmas Shows will be revealed very soon.
Rob Snarski at the Velvet Lounge
21 September
2011
Rob returns to Perth for one WA show at the Velvet Lounge. This will be the only chance to see Rob in WA before he heads off for a run of festival dates as part of The Triffids collective, but not before treating Perth to an intimate show through his extensive catalogue.
"The Velvet Lounge (formerly The Cat and Fiddle) was the very first venue I saw The Triffids circa early '80s, members of The Scientists, Brian Hooper and a whole bunch of fellow musicians cut their teeth. Back in the day it was one of a few "alternative" venues, where bands performed original songs. Strange to think that now but the venue holds a lot of great musical memories for me. On Sunday September 25, I will perform a solo set of old and new - Blackeyed Susans, Chad's Tree and Dan Luscombe co-writes. Old pal Nigel Harford from The Stray Tapes/German Humour/White Cross opens the evening with his new band The Coburn Sound and one of my favourite WA artists Felicity Groom (who snuck into the studio to do some recording with Dan Luscombe and I when last in Melb) hops on board too. Come along." - Rob.
The late afternoon show runs 4-7pm and tickets are $15 +bf available from www.heatseeker.com.au, Planet Video, 78 Records, Mills Records and Star Surf outlets. Rob's show at the Velvet Lounge last year sold out, so get in quick!
Sunday 25 September 2011
From 4pm
The Union Hotel in June
11 April
2011
The Blackeyed Susans Trio will return to the Union Hotel in Brunswick for a 4 week residency, playing on Saturday afternoons throughout June. Come along and see various combinations of the Susans Trio performing 2 sets each evening from 5pm. There is no cover charge and the place is always packed, so you'll need to get there early to grab a table. Apart from the wonderful music on offer, The Union is a great place for a pub meal on a cold winter's night.
www.unionhotelbrunswick.com.au
Caravan Music Club
27 February
2011
Coming up very soon we have a show at the Caravan Music Club at the Oakleigh RSL. The full Blackeyed Susans lineup will be taking to the stage and kicking off Victoria's Labour Day long weekend in style.
Our special guests on the night will be the Darling Downs, featuring Kim Salmon and Ron S. Peno. It promises to be a top night’s entertainment. Tickets can be purchased via the website, or give Pete a call on 0411 569 180. Dinner + show tickets are also available. Get a group of friends together and make a night of it. We’d love to see you all there.
Friday 11 March 2011
Doors open at 8pm.
Carnival of Suburbia
Our show on Friday 11 March forms part of a week of festivities at the Caravan Music Club. Other acts performing throughout the week include: My Friend The Chocolate Cake, Tinpan Orange, Tim Rogers, Adalita and Mick Thomas. Full details for the Carnival of Suburbia can be found here.
The Blackeyed Susans Online Shop
7 December
2010
It's time to take another look at our online shop – as we have some exciting new items for sale.
We have been questioned for years about how to find a couple of our mid-90s rarities.
Good news!
We have just pressed up some copies of 1994's 'Hard Liquor…Soft Music' and 1996's 'Live: Some Night, Somewhere'.
Hard Liquor...Soft Music' $19.95
- Recorded in late 1993 by Rob Snarski, Phil Kakulas and Graham Lee as The Blackeyed Susans Trio.
- Newly remastered and available for the first time in its entirety on CD (it was originally released only on cassette).
- Tracklisting: 1. Bird On A Wire 2. Happiness 3. Trouble 4. Delta Dawn 5. Summer Leaves 6. Lost Highway 7. Life's Little Ups & Downs 8. Ocean Of You 9. One Day At A Time 10. In The Pines 11. 20/20 Vision 12. Lonesome Town
Live: Some Night, Somewhere' $19.95
- Recorded at the Continental Cafe in Melbourne during Easter 1996.
- Newly remastered and available for the first time in many many years.
- Tracklisting: 1. Sheets Of Rain 2. Let's Live 3. Mary Mac 4. I Can't Find Your Pulse 5. I Need You 6. Glory Glory 7. She Breathes In (She Breathes Out) 8. A Curse On You
You can purchase them for $19.95 each – or at the special price of $30 for both.
2010
Christmas Cards & 'Reveal Yourself 1989-2009'
7 December 2010
Another new addition to our shop is a limited run of Christmas Cards featuring the beautiful angel illustration by Madeleine Stamer. The cards are A6 size, printed on 300gsm recycled stock, with the inside of the card blank. They are sold in packs of 5 for $14.95. Perfect for this time of year.
Also, just to mention that the deluxe version of 'Reveal Yourself 1989-2009' (which includes 3CDs + DVD) has now been discontinued by the manufacturer. We have stocked up before Liberation ran out, so please bear in mind that this could be your last chance to purchase a copy - they're not going to last forever. Liberation have just released a revised standard edition of 'Reveal Yourself' which only includes discs 1 & 2 from the box set. The 2CD version can now be purchased from the online shop too.
The Blackeyed Susans return to play a series of very special Christmas shows this December. The shows cap off a particularly fine year for The Susans, who are celebrating over 20 years of strange and beautiful music together. 2010 saw them tour the country promoting their box set retrospective 'Reveal Yourself' before heading off to Europe to tour with The Triffids.
Since returning home the band has been attending to forthcoming solo albums, side projects and songwriting as well as overseeing the re-release of several choice back-catalogue items – all of which means we may well be seeing plenty more of them in the new year.
In the meantime come celebrate the birth of little baby Jesus in style this Christmas with The Blackeyed Susans. There'll be Christmas songs and joy aplenty.
MELBOURNE
Saturday 11th December
The Thornbury Theatre
with special guests: Lisa Miller & The Spoils (Duo), with greetings from The Salvos in the foyer
www.thethornburytheatre.com
SYDNEY
Friday 17th December & Saturday 18th December
The Vanguard
with special guest Christa Hughes
www.thevanguard.com.au
24 October
2010
ROB SNARSKI, frontman of The Blackeyed Susans, returns to Perth for two intimate shows in late November. Last seen in Perth with The Blackeyed Susans in November 2009, he has since toured Europe with the Susans and also as part as The Triffids' Secret In The Shape Of A Song tribute to David McComb, released a double-CD retrospective from his earlier band Chad's Tree, and performed some Australian shows with his brother Mark (playing under the moniker of Snarski vs Snarski).
One of the original WAMi winners in the early days of the awards, Rob Snarksi will soon be beginning another album with Dan Luscombe (guitarist with The Blackeyed Susans and The Drones), but not before treating WA to a couple of trips through his extensive catalogue.
Rob hits The Velvet Lounge on Friday, November 26, along with special guests Felicity Groom (solo) and The Jayco Brothers (in duo mode). Doors open 8pm – as a point of interest, The Velvet Lounge was formerly The Cat and Fiddle, where a young Rob Snarski first saw The Triffids play!
The more Freo-inclined folk can catch Rob at Mojos Bar on Sunday, November 28 for a special arvo show from 1-4pm. This will be a kid-friendly affair (as long as they're with the parents, of course) and also features a very rare performance from Jill & Alsy (The Triffids) along with The Morning Night frontman Adrian Hoffman. Tickets for both are $15 at the door – no presales.
Just arrived in the online shop, three new colours of our beautiful A Skulk Of Foxes brooches. Having sold out of the original black brooches, we decided to broaden our palette with some new colours - Azure Blue, Ivory and Scarlet Red.
The Skulk brooches are designed and hand crafted locally in Melbourne and feature the 'Reveal Yourself' bird from Madeleine Stamer's beautiful artwork. And they come beautfully packaged in a stylish black box - all for $49.95.
2009 was the tenth anniversary of the death of one of Australia's most admired songwriters, David McComb.
In 2008, Melbourne writer/broadcaster Jonathan Alley joined forces with producer Danielle Karalus with a common goal – to tell David McComb's remarkable life story and illustrate the ongoing influence of his spellbinding canon of work. They began work on a documentary: Love In Bright Landscapes.
To raise initial funds for the project they staged a live concert at Melbourne's Corner Hotel featuring The Blackeyed Susans (with guest Triffids Graham Lee & Rob McComb), Charles Jenkins, Mick Thomas and Shackleton, and Diving Bell all performing from McComb's incredible songbook. Spoken word performer Sean Whelan also read McComb's poetry with collaborators The Mime Set.
The gig was an overwhelming success, closing with one of McComb's last major compositions, 'The Good Life Never Ends', performed by The Blackeyed Susans, available for the first time on this album. Plus, it was the first (and possibly last) time The Blackeyed Susans performed their namesake song, 'Blackeyed Susan'.
Deep In A Dream is the recording of that incredible gig - a live tribute to the late David McComb. It is available to order now via our on-line store for the special introductory price of $14.95.
Sales from the CD will help fund the documentary Love in Bright Landscapes.
Tracklisting:
1. The Blackeyed Susans - Ocean of You
2. The Blackeyed Susans - A Curse on You
3. Charles Jenkins - Raining Pleasure
4. Shackelton - Spanish Blue
5. Shackelton - 25 to 5
6. Diving Bell - Red Pony
7. Diving Bell - Tender is the Night (The Long Fidelity)
8. Sean M Whelan/The Mime Set - Behind the Garages of this Country
9. The Mime Set - Lonely Stretch
10. The Blackeyed Susans - In the Pines
11. The Blackeyed Susans - Blackeyed Susan
12. The Blackeyed Susans - Jimmy
13. The Blackeyed Susans - The Good Life Never Ends
After a long wait, the CD of the recording of Linda Gebar's tribute concert is now available. It features 20 tracks, including two from The Blackeyed Susans – 'Ocean Of You' and 'Blue Skies, Blue Sea'. Plus there are many one off performances and reunions from The Fish, The Somerfields, The Widdershins, Barb and the Roughies, The Hollowmen in acoustic mode and Not Drowning Waving.
The tracklisting is below and all the performances are fantastic. There are a limited number of copies available at $30 (incl postage) and they can be purchased in the following manner:
Sending a cheque for $30 made out to:
Linda Gebar Tribute Fund, 249 Sydney Rd, Coburg Vic 3058
or you can direct debit to:
Linda Gebar Tribute Fund:
BSB: 633-000
Account No: 135842508
and email craig@audreystudios.com with a copy of the transfer receipt and your postal address.
The concert was a great success and raised $14,611 for a trust fund for Linda's daughters Susie and Annaliesse. All of the proceeds of the CD sales will be passed on to the girls' guardians in about six weeks and the trust fund account wound up so please get in early. You get a great hour and twenty of unique performances and you're helping support the girls in the memory of Linda. Linda Gebar was The Blackeyed Susans' manager for a time as well as a close friend of the band. Please support this worthy cause.
Now that we are back home in Melbourne, it seems like a good time to clear out the cupboards and entice you to take a look at our on-line shop. And paying tribute to Eyjafjallajokull...
We are proud to announce The Blackeyed Susans Volcanic Sale
Prices on many of our merch items have been slashed. The 'Reveal Yourself 1989-2009' box set has been reduced and for a limited time comes with a free Susans tea towel. And as we have only limited supplies of our t-shirts, all remaining stock is now $19.95 each – that's a saving of $15!
'Reveal Yourself 1989-2009' box set, with free tea towel (for a limited time) $34.95
Reveal Yourself T-shirts – red, white or grey – limited sizes only $19.95
Reveal Yourself Tea Towels $14.95
Snarski vs Snarski Tea Towels $14.95
Also available in the Susans on-line store:
Rob Snarski and Dan Luscombe 'There Is Nothing Here That Belongs To You' $19.95
Originally released in 2002, this album is now thankfully re-issued on CD. It is an exquisite album, quite stripped back from the thunderous sounds of The Blackeyed Susans, allowing a greater focus on dynamics and subtleties.
Chad's Tree 'Crossing Off The Miles' 2CD $29.95
This recently released compilation of Rob and Mark Snarski's mid-80's band has been receiving impressive reviews. Take a look at one from the Sydney Morning Herald here.
Apologies to our friends in Vienna - our show at Fluc has unfortunately had to be cancelled. Due to airport closures across Europe, the logistics of getting to Vienna have proved insurmountable. We are very VERY disappointed to have to cancel the show at Fluc.
We're now in London and just about to begin rehearsing for the shows that kick off later this week. We're really looking forward to playing to all of our friends and supporters in this part of the world. It really has taken way too long...
Our show at The Borderline in London is on this coming Saturday night, April 10. We will be playing a selection of tracks from our retrospective box set 'Reveal Yourself 1989-2009' (which will also be available to purchase on the night). Part-time Blackeyed Susan and pedal steel ace, 'Evil' Graham Lee, will be joining us on stage, with Chris Abrahams and Melanie Oxley providing sterling support, plus the night also promises a number of special guest appearances, Can't say much more than that, but it's going to be a very special evening. Tickets are selling fast so make sure you've secured yours.
On Monday April 19 we fly to Vienna for our show at Fluc. Chris Abrahams will be joining The Susans for this show, adding his exemplary keyboard skills. Thanks to our friends in Vienna who have played a big part in bringing this show to fruition. Ticket information can be found here.
The Triffids' 'A Secret In The Shape Of A Song' which pays tribute to the remarkable songwriting of the late David McComb is a show that's not to be missed. The response has been quite extraordinary whenever this show has been performed over the past couple of years. The Barbican in London is the first Triffids show on Friday 9 April, with further shows in Hasselt in Belgium and Athens, Greece. Members of The Blackeyed Susans will be accompanying The Triffids on stage, and Rob will be singing lead vocal on a number of songs.
See you at the shows.
Londoners will get their first opportunity to see Australia’s Blackeyed Susans live when they play the Barbican on April 9th as part of The Triffids’ ‘A Secret in the Shape of a Song’ show. The Susans will also play one headline show of their own the following night at The Borderline on Saturday 10th April with friends and special guests including Melanie Oxley and Chris Abrahams.
The Blackeyed Susans and The Triffids have a long and intertwined history. The Susans started as a side project for members of The Triffids and Chad’s Tree in the late eighties before growing into the legendary collective that has over the years boasted members of the Dirty Three, The Drones, The Bad Seeds and many other luminaries of the Australian alternative music scene. They have also released six albums across this time, marking their twentieth anniversary last year with the release of the four disc retrospective box set, ‘Reveal Yourself 1989-2009’.
Lush, dark and romantic, The Blackeyed Susans twist their op-shop stylings into something uniquely their own.
Featuring with The Blackeyed Susans will be a number of special guests including pedal steel ace "Evil" Graham Lee of The Triffids.
We can only wonder what David McComb would have made of the current resurgence of interest in The Triffids, the most potent vehicle for his enduring body of work. David's loss, tragically early in 1999, was felt keenly not only by his friends and brother in the band, but by fans around the world who had been touched by his music. It was in Hasselt, Belgium in 2006 that the remaining Triffids were persuaded to play the songs of David McComb for the first time in 17 years. Standing on stage and hearing those songs roll out one after the other like a perfect set of waves they realised that the best way to remember and celebrate their friend was through his music.
The three hour long show 'A Secret In The Shape Of A Song', first performed as part of the Sydney Festival 2008 now comes back to Hasselt where it began, and to London and Athens. Robert McComb, Alsy Macdonald, Jill Birt, Martyn P Casey and Graham Lee will join with friends including Rob Snarski, Phil Kakulas, JP Shilo and Mark Dawson of The Blackeyed Susans, Chris Abrahams of The Necks, Mick Harvey ex-Bad Seeds and David's elder brother John to perform the songs of and pay tribute to their friend and brother David McComb.
It will be a long, long night of song that no-one wants to end.
Dates:
9th April at The Barbican in London
16th and 17th April at Kunstencentrum Belgie in Hasselt, Belgium
23rd April at Gagarin 205 in Athens
2009
Oct 20 2009
This beautifully packaged 4-disc deluxe box set includes an informative 34-page booklet, featuring band photos and liner notes by Michael Dwyer and the Susans' Phil Kakulas.
Volumes 1 & 2 include 36 Susans favourites; from their early EPs, through to the landmark album releases in the '90s and tracks from their last release Shangri-La.
Volume 3 is a disc of b-sides, rarities and alternate versions, including 8 previously unreleased tracks.
Volume 4 is a DVD containing all of the band's 10 music videos.
Released Friday 30 October 2009
Great value at $39.95
Pre-order now from The Blackeyed Susans on-line store, or pick up a copy from the merchandise desk at the forthcoming Blackeyed Susans shows.
For those who prefer their music to be delivered digitally, the Reveal Yourself 1989-2009 retrospective (as well as the entire Blackeyed Susans album back catalogue) will be available to purchase via digital download at the iTunes store from 30 October 2009.