Performance Guide

Join the crew at Toff for Friday favorites with Dr Phil Smith playing no brainers and guilty pleasures from 60s / 70s /80s / 90s / today and tomorrow.

The sounds of pop, disco, rock, R&B, MOR, AOR, funk, soul, Motown, Latin, Reggaeton, oddball covers, foreign language versions, Ska, Rocksteady, soundtracks, Hip Hop and then some, with more twists and turns than a busload of contortionists driving around Bathurst in an episode of 'Murder She Wrote' and an emphasis on great music as fun! The party starts at 9.00pm and entry is always free!

Fresh from major summer support slots for Sharon Jones & the Dap Kings, Jamie Lidell, slots at Peats Ridge Festival, The Playground Weekender and sold out Melbourne residencies; Sydney neo soulsters The Ray Mann Three are proud to announce the “Opa Opa” tour to coincide with the release their EP of the same name hitting the Toff on Saturday 4th July. Ray Mann is the former lead guitarist with Kid Confucius, now out doing his own thing with last years acclaimed self titled debut album to his new outfit’s credit. Over the first 6 months of 2009 The Ray Mann Three has released three EP’s (each with three tracks) exclusively through iTunes to much acclaim.

“The Ray Mann Three fuse D’Angelo’s sex appeal with the grit of Tom Waits” - Sydney Morning Herald

“If you ever needed proof that soul wasn’t dead, you just found it…” - Indie Album of The Week: The Brag, Sydney  ( link: www.myspace.com/raymann3 )

Brought to you by the DJ's behind Witness Protection Program & Trough Faggot Party comes an evening of pure modernity erstwhile known as the House DeFrost, A new weekly home for the legendary children, A ballroom where the young bucks of Melbourne have the room to do all they intend, classic disco for a new generation presented like no other, shows, walks & a mirror ball! music selectors Andee Frost & legendary guests every week. So either you got a nice body or your very fashionable or your very pretty from butch queens to Banjee girls every bodys welcome. The Realness begins from midnight till very late every saturday night free entry chantez, chantez, chantez chantez, chantez!

After a sold out show and over 150 people turned away at the door, Sarah Lea Cheesecake is putting on a second show, an encore performance or a sequel if you will. GRINDHOUSE: THE SEQUEL. Including new acts and a revised format for your better viewing pleasure... Melbourne's own bombshells of burlesque have come together to pay tribute to the innovative and risque cinema of film makers such as David Lynch, Russ Meyer, Quentin Tarantino, Russ Meyer & John Waters. Bookended by trailers for upcoming attractions, advertisements, and in-theater announcements and featuring a soundtrack from THE BROTHERS GRIM making the sequel to GRINDHOUSE'S sold out June show a blockbuster success.

Burlesque acts by...

SARAH LEA CHEESECAKE
KELLY ANN DOLL
GIDDY SPARKS
KAY RISQUE
SIMONE PAGE JONES
ROSY RABBIT
MISS L'AMOUR
& SAMANTHA DIAMOND

Soundtrack by...
THE BROTHERS GRIM

Doors at 8pm, shows from 9.00pm.

Dress to thrill! Warning, may feature suggestive or explicit sexual references, sensational violence, nudity, rebellion, titallation and mayhem. RATED R.

Every Monday night:

6.00pm - Doors open.
6.30pm - Level 1, beginner class: an absolute beginner class!
7.30pm - Level 2, intermediate class: requires a knowledge of 8-beat, 6-beat, charleston and can do a swing out.
8.30pm - Social dancing.

Cost: $14 at the door per class / $21 for 2 classes.

  ( link: www.swingpatrol.com )

"A stunning album of home-grown country storytelling" The Dwarf.

"The Wildes have hit the ground running, rolling, bouncing and twisting, releasing a debut album worthy of some serious praise" Rhythms.

"An eclectic, eccentric and exceptional collection of songs" Country Update.

Released in April this year, The Wildes' debut Ballad of a Young Married Man has received much praise and support in both country and alternative circles Australia-wide. Now, finally, the band are officially launching the record in their home-town Melbourne - performing the album in full (with 8 piece line-up) and previewing tracks from its follow-up at The Toff on Wednesday 8th July.

Drawing comparisons to artists from Gram Parsons to Tom Waits to The Waterboys, The Wildes, with their gospel-tinged cosmic-Americana, are "a musical diamond in the rough" (Inpress) and the perfect antidote to a cold Melbourne evening. The stunning Krista Polvere will open the show.
  ( link: www.thewildesonline.com )

Award-winning folk-comedy maverick The Bedroom Philosopher ('Syd Barrett meets Tripod') launches the shit out of his critically acclaimed difficult second album 'Brown & Orange' with a national tour. This is his Melbourne leg, and what a sexy leg it is too. After a gangbuster launch at the Corner, Melbourne can get reacquainted with the puzzlingly gorgeous five-piece The Awkwardstra ('a rock eisteddfod for home school children,'), while Brisbane's delightfully absurd folk festival legend Merri-May Gill makes a guest appearance. The night will be MC'd by BP's best friend, comedy-slayer-indie-wizard Josh Earl. Fresh from winning the Director's Choice award for his Melbourne Comedy Festival Show 'Songs From The 86 Tram' this promises to be a sitar/flute explosion of alt-mod-super-irony and stage theatrics not seen since Jarvis Cocker joined Ween. The first show since breaking his humerus in a hilarious bike accident!
  ( link: www.bedroomphilosopher.com )

Join the crew at Toff for Friday favorites with Dr Phil Smith playing no brainers and guilty pleasures from 60s / 70s /80s / 90s / today and tomorrow.

The sounds of pop, disco, rock, R&B, MOR, AOR, funk, soul, Motown, Latin, Reggaeton, oddball covers, foreign language versions, Ska, Rocksteady, soundtracks, Hip Hop and then some, with more twists and turns than a busload of contortionists driving around Bathurst in an episode of 'Murder She Wrote' and an emphasis on great music as fun! The party starts at 9.00pm and entry is always free!

"Cloher has assembled the most impressive debut of the year." - Sydney Morning Herald

“Praise the lord, from the quagmire of mediocre wannabes also glows the invincible musicianship of Jen Cloher! ”- Inpress

ARIA award nominated musician Jen Cloher is pleased to announce the launch of her sophomore album Hidden Hands, on Saturday 11th July at The Toff. Reading through the lyrics to Jen Cloher’s second album Hidden Hands is like being handed a confidential diary. That may come as a surprise to those who fell in love with the dark narratives of her 2006 ARIA nominated debut Dead Wood Falls, but accept Cloher’s invitation to get musically intimate and you’re in for a treat.

The services of ARIA winning producer Paul McKercher (Augie March, Sarah Blasko) and creative genius Laura Jean were enlisted to join Cloher in recording and producing the album. Time was booked at Woodstock studios and at the end of seven days, Cloher and her band emerged with Hidden Hands. Consisting of Jen Cloher (vocals, guitar), Geoff Dunbar (bass), Jen Sholakis (drums), Biddy Connor (viola, musical saw), and Michael Hubbard (guitar) Jen Cloher and The Endless Sea are pleased to make a return to the live circuit in 2009.  ( link: www.myspace.com/jencloherandtheendlesssea )

Horse Meat Disco's founding daddy's Jim Stanton & James Hillard will be gracing the decks for The House de Frost's 1st birthday party on Saturday the 11th of July. Over the last few years Horse Meat Disco has been involved with exciting projects such as The NYC Downlow which took The Glastonbury Festival and Lovebox Weekender by storm in 2007/8. The recreation of a bombed out New York street scene with a gay club tucked down one of its alleys filled with trannies, hookers and leather boys coupled with the best music heard and performances by the London's cream of alternative gay performers consolidated HMD's reputation for creating one of the most unique and underground parties around.

Now in it's 5th year, Horse Meat Disco has consolidated its disco credentials by inviting some of the best DJ talent to grace the decks at the club. Past guests have included Dimitri From Paris, Derrick Carter, Daniele Baldelli, James Murphy, Prins Thomas, Todd Terje, Tim Sweeney, Lady Miss Kier, Luke Unabomber, Maurice Fulton, Rub 'n' Tug, Cosmo, Daniel Wang, Gerry Rooney, Andy Butler (Hercules & Love Affair), Honey Dijon, Greg Wilson, DJ Spun, Mungolian Jetset, I-F, Loud-E, Steve Kotey, The Idjut Boys, Permanent Vacation, Victor Rosado, Felix Dickinson, Lowlife and Diesel to name but a few. Thanks to appearances by these guys Horse Meat Disco is firmly on the map and its attendance by DJs and dancers alike has become a badge of honour with which to be worn with pride. Come & find out what all the fuss is about!  ( link: www.myspace.com/horsemeatdiscolondon )

Every Monday night:

6.00pm - Doors open.
6.30pm - Level 1, beginner class: an absolute beginner class!
7.30pm - Level 2, intermediate class: requires a knowledge of 8-beat, 6-beat, charleston and can do a swing out.
8.30pm - Social dancing.

Cost: $14 at the door per class / $21 for 2 classes.
  ( link: www.swingpatrol.com )

Pecha Kucha Night is a place for designers to meet, network and show their work in public. But as we all know, give a microphone to a designer and you’ll be trapped for hours. The key to Pecha Kucha Night is its patented system for avoiding this fate. Pecha Kucha consists of a diverse bunch of Melbourne's creative community showing 20 images, each for 20 seconds. This keeps presentations concise, the interest level up, and gives more people the chance to present.

Pecha Kucha (which is Japanese for the sound of conversation) has tapped into a demand for a forum in which creative work can be easily and informally shown, without having to rent a gallery. This is a demand that seems to be global, as Pecha Kucha Night has spread to over 195 cities across the world. You can check it out at www.pecha-kucha.org

Pecha Kucha is an event for anyone involved in, or interested in, architecture, design, fashion, art, craft, multi media or any creative field. It’s intended to inspire a broad mix of participants - from emerging to established practitioners - anyone with interesting work to show and talk about. It can be a new project of any kind - real or imagined. It may be a building, a piece of furniture, an event, a film, an idea, an art piece, an invention or something unexpected and untried that you want to share with everyone.

Doors open at 6, presentations start at 8pm.  ( link: www.pecha-kucha.org/cities/melbourne )

Newly formed musical outfit Jattaque bring their unique range of ditties and dirges to the Toff on Wednesday 15 July. Jattaque can be described as the strangest melting pot of popular, rock, folk, alternative, eastern, jazz and country influences. They're really not sure what they're about but they know they love to play high energy sets of original music. Featuring the music of singer/songwriter Hannah Crofts, brother/sister writing team Will and Louise Cuming and the incomparable playing of bassist Dave Crotty, drummer Hugh Rabinovici and singer Anna Caulder this is surely a night not to be missed! Come down and hear the band support by the talents of Francolin and Cadium Waking.  ( link: www.myspace.com/jattaque )

Geisha was one of the major musical acts to emerge in Australia during the mid-1980s. Conceived by founding member Chris Doheny, the band went on to enjoy substantial success between the years 1984 and 1987, scoring eight Top 10 hits on the Australian music charts which included the songs "Fool’s Way", "Girl Like You" and the number one hit, "Kabuki". Chris along with guitarist Joe Matera have now brought Geisha back together and the band are recording all new material for an upcoming new album produced by the legendary Tom Werman (Cheap Trick, Motley Crue, Ted Nugent, Twisted Sister). First single off the new album is titled "Birthday" and it is currently garnering major radio airplay across Australia. After having performed their last live band shows back in 1998, Geisha makes a welcome return to the Australian live scene by performing a special CD launch show for "Birthday". Rounding out the current Geisha live line-up are drummer Jeremy Watt and bassist/keyboardist Alby Steffani. This is one show not to be missed this year, so book early!  ( link: www.geishatheband.com )

Join the crew at Toff for Friday favorites with Dr Phil Smith playing no brainers and guilty pleasures from 60s / 70s /80s / 90s / today and tomorrow.

The sounds of pop, disco, rock, R&B, MOR, AOR, funk, soul, Motown, Latin, Reggaeton, oddball covers, foreign language versions, Ska, Rocksteady, soundtracks, Hip Hop and then some, with more twists and turns than a busload of contortionists driving around Bathurst in an episode of 'Murder She Wrote' and an emphasis on great music as fun! The party starts at 9.00pm and entry is always free!

Fresh from recording their new EP with Steven Schram (Little Birdy, Little Red), Ryan Meeking and The Few are a group of hyper-active musicians and a singer-songwriter with plenty to say and plenty of ways to say it. They have a live set designed to tear you apart with soaring vocals, howling guitars, driving bass and rolling drums, only to put you back together again with touching lyrics riding on flowing melodies. Their loyal following have seen them share the stage with Chris Isaak, Phrase, Mark Seymour and The Verses.

The Hello Morning are six motley musicians seeking refuge from a trend ridden music scene and taking sanctuary in their parents' record collections. The Hello Morning's brand of psychedelic country rock makes them a tour de force live - like a young Johnny Cash backed by The Band riding a Wilson Pickett tune down E street. The band have earned a reputation for eclectic and ever-changing live shows, sharing stages with the likes of Epicure, Dan Sultan, 67 Special, Skipping Girl Vinegar, The Verses and Plastic Palace Alice.

Leena's debut set of songs on the Mean Old Clock EP introduces a singer, songwriter, and multi-instrumentalist (guitar, piano, mandolin, ukulele) with a sunny exterior, and, upon closer listen, a darker core. She's played supports slots for artists including Rufus Wainwright, Bob Evans, Skipping Girl Vinegar, and Andrew Morris. Leena's songs show us she's a hopeful observer and a thoughtful old soul, and on this night she performs for the first time with her full band.  ( link: www.myspace.com/ryanmeeking )

The Toff in the Town, Swing Patrol and the Esstee Big Band have been scheming to put more swing into your weekend. To recreate the dancehalls of Harlem, the band will be swinging it old school and going acoustic for the dancers with two sets of fabulous swing music. Just like the music of Duke Ellington, it will be entertaining, elegant and a lovely escape from the winter chills. The bar will be open so you can enjoy a sneaky martini when you aren’t swinging out. Dress: smart casual (no denim).  ( link: www.myspace.com/essteebigband )

Every Monday night:

6.00pm - Doors open.
6.30pm - Level 1, beginner class: an absolute beginner class!
7.30pm - Level 2, intermediate class: requires a knowledge of 8-beat, 6-beat, charleston and can do a swing out.
8.30pm - Social dancing.

Cost: $14 at the door per class / $21 for 2 classes.
  ( link: www.swingpatrol.com )

You may have seen Felicity Ward on The Ronnie Johns Half Hour, Spicks and Specks, Thank God You're Here or Good News Week. Now is your chance to see her award winning comedy show Felicity Ward’s Ugly As A Child Variety Show, and be a part of the filming for the Live DVD, before she jets off to the Edinburgh Fringe Festival 2009.

Felicity was ugly as a child. She had a pan toilet until she was eleven. She had a BETA video player until 1993. Her mum gave her carob instead of chocolate at Easter (Dirty hippy!). She pretended to have cerebral palsy in front of her Prime Minister. Through standup, characters, songs and electrocution-style trivia games watch her give new meaning to car-accident comedy.

Felicity Ward’s Ugly As A Child Variety Show is directed by Spicks & Specks' Alan Brough. This may be your last chance to see Felicity Ward’s Ugly As A Child Variety Show live in Australia. Don’t miss out. Book now!  ( link: www.laughingstock.com.au )

You may have seen Felicity Ward on The Ronnie Johns Half Hour, Spicks and Specks, Thank God You're Here or Good News Week. Now is your chance to see her award winning comedy show Felicity Ward’s Ugly As A Child Variety Show, and be a part of the filming for the Live DVD, before she jets off to the Edinburgh Fringe Festival 2009.

Felicity was ugly as a child. She had a pan toilet until she was eleven. She had a BETA video player until 1993. Her mum gave her carob instead of chocolate at Easter (Dirty hippy!). She pretended to have cerebral palsy in front of her Prime Minister. Through standup, characters, songs and electrocution-style trivia games watch her give new meaning to car-accident comedy.

Felicity Ward’s Ugly As A Child Variety Show is directed by Spicks & Specks' Alan Brough. This may be your last chance to see Felicity Ward’s Ugly As A Child Variety Show live in Australia. Don’t miss out. Book now!  ( link: www.laughingstock.com.au )

My Pal Foot Foot are one of Tokyo's well-guarded psychedelic treasures, an always shifting, exploratory lineup centred around partners Yuko Kono and Kei Takeshita. They are part of Tokyo's revered "Majikick "folk-psych scene that also includes Tenniscoats, Andersens and other bands featured on Chapter Music's acclaimed compilation Songs For Nao - 14 Bands From Japan. Yuko toured as a solo artist in 2007, but this is your first chance to catch the My Pal Foot Foot band in action. They are joined by Kes Band and Fabulous Diamonds at The Toff on Wednesday 22nd July.  ( link: www.myspace.com/footfootfoot )

The Beautiful Bivalve return to the stage for their debut EP launch at The Toff on Thursday 23 July. Recorded in country Victoria and engineered in Sydney by audio guru Steve Francis; this is a colourful and rich recording synonymous with The Beautiful Bivalve’s sonic style. With special guests The Grace Makers and The Nymphs, prepare yourselves for a spectacular night of crafty harmonies, sumptuous melodies and dazzling performances that will keep you singing into the night. Have a lavish bite, an opulent cocktail and then climb the magnificent stairs to the best venue on the menu...  ( link: www.myspace.com/thebeautifulbivalve )

Join the crew at Toff for Friday favorites with Dr Phil Smith playing no brainers and guilty pleasures from 60s / 70s /80s / 90s / today and tomorrow.

The sounds of pop, disco, rock, R&B, MOR, AOR, funk, soul, Motown, Latin, Reggaeton, oddball covers, foreign language versions, Ska, Rocksteady, soundtracks, Hip Hop and then some, with more twists and turns than a busload of contortionists driving around Bathurst in an episode of 'Murder She Wrote' and an emphasis on great music as fun! The party starts at 9.00pm and entry is always free!

With Lamplight’s last outing across Australia and Europe last year, some purveyors of post-rock, campfire-folk and alt-pop, pricked their ears up and found a band that does it all, and what is more, they do it live.

Triple J picked up on Lamplight’s first single off this self-titled album and unearthed them. There were accolades of #1 album, #1 gig and #2 artists of 2008 from Drum Mag (Sydney) and #2 best gig of 2008 in Beat Mag (Melbourne).

This July, Lamplight are hitting the road in support of their next single ‘A sun that will not rise’. They will be wrapping the tour up at The Toff in Town on Saturday the 25th of July with very special guests Kid Sam and Eva Popov.  ( link: www.lamplight.com.au )

Devilishly handsome, musically brilliant, audaciously entertaining. Mikelangelo and the Black Sea Gentlemen embark on a national tour to launch their new album and show - Dead Men Tell A Thousand Tales including 2 shows at The Toff on Saunday 26th July.

Let the charming crooner Mikelangelo take you deep into a netherworld of intrigue and desire. Swoon to the songs of Rufino the Catalan Casanova, thrill to the tales of The Great Muldavio, follow Guido Libido on a wild Balkan Western adventure and delight toLittle Ivan the song and dance man. A deliciously dark cabaret! Mikelangelo has toured the world starring in the Olivier award winning production La Clique and with the Black Sea Gentlemen has packed houses from the Sydney Opera House to Budapest.

"Riotous fun, frankly unforgettable" ***** List

"Performers at the top of their game" ***** The Scotsman

"Death-tinged ballads of lust and Balkan madness. Exuberant and extremely funny" **** The Independent  ( link: www.oninvisiblewings.com )

Devilishly handsome, musically brilliant, audaciously entertaining. Mikelangelo and the Black Sea Gentlemen embark on a national tour to launch their new album and show - Dead Men Tell A Thousand Tales including 2 shows at The Toff on Saunday 26th July.

Let the charming crooner Mikelangelo take you deep into a netherworld of intrigue and desire. Swoon to the songs of Rufino the Catalan Casanova, thrill to the tales of The Great Muldavio, follow Guido Libido on a wild Balkan Western adventure and delight toLittle Ivan the song and dance man. A deliciously dark cabaret! Mikelangelo has toured the world starring in the Olivier award winning production La Clique and with the Black Sea Gentlemen has packed houses from the Sydney Opera House to Budapest.

"Riotous fun, frankly unforgettable" ***** List

"Performers at the top of their game" ***** The Scotsman

"Death-tinged ballads of lust and Balkan madness. Exuberant and extremely funny" **** The Independent   ( link: www.oninvisiblewings.com )

Every Monday night:

6.00pm - Doors open.
6.30pm - Level 1, beginner class: an absolute beginner class!
7.30pm - Level 2, intermediate class: requires a knowledge of 8-beat, 6-beat, charleston and can do a swing out.
8.30pm - Social dancing.

Cost: $14 at the door per class / $21 for 2 classes.
  ( link: www.swingpatrol.com )

Triple J Next Crop artist ELANA STONE (also Jackson Jackson, Hermitude), returns from a victory at Rockwiz to launch her new album Your Anniversary at The Toff on Wednesday 29th July!

Three years in the making, 'Your Anniversary' explores a huge range of genres and emotional dynamics but is essentially Elana Stone's pop debut. It is self funded and self produced. Elanas songwriting centres around her powerful, flexible voice, which ranges from blazing, Janis Joplin style soul, rock and roll, and Joni Mitchell-esque piano balladry. The band are ferociously capable and endlessly creative.

"...Stone has let out her inner rock banshee" - Drum Media.

"Fascinating. Like a pretty in pink female Thor with her musical hammer and beautiful roar" - Aaron.  ( link: www.myspace.com/elanastoneband )

Join the crew at Toff for Friday favorites with Dr Phil Smith playing no brainers and guilty pleasures from 60s / 70s /80s / 90s / today and tomorrow.

The sounds of pop, disco, rock, R&B, MOR, AOR, funk, soul, Motown, Latin, Reggaeton, oddball covers, foreign language versions, Ska, Rocksteady, soundtracks, Hip Hop and then some, with more twists and turns than a busload of contortionists driving around Bathurst in an episode of 'Murder She Wrote' and an emphasis on great music as fun! The party starts at 9.00pm and entry is always free!

'An intelligent group with a fantastic sense of humour to compliment their creativity, Art vs. Science are an absolute storm....audiences and musicians alike are downright hooked on this feel-good breed of stomp.' – Fasterlouder.

Following the announcement that festival favourites ART vs SCIENCE have been added to the Splendour in The Grass and Parklife line-ups, the Sydney trio are set to embark on an extensive national tour of their own in August.

The triple j Unearthed winners have built up an impressive fanbase over the past year, thanks in no small part to the stomping, party-starting tracks Flippers and Parlez-Vous Francais? and their show-stopping live act, which has seen them play to capacity crowds at gigs and festivals around the country (including Splendour, Good Vibes, Groovin the Moo and Come Together), earn laudatory reviews and debut in the top 10 of the iTunes album chart with their self-titled debut EP (out now through MGM).

Supporting the band at The Toff on Saturday 8th August will be Melbourne’s rather good electronic pop outfit HERCULES IN NY. ART vs SCIENCE's last tour completely sold out so grab your tix early. Presented by triple j, triple j tv, Fasterlouder and SPA.
  ( link: www.myspace.com/artvsscience )

Long described as one of Australia’s best kept musical secrets, The Sand Pebbles blow their cover and take it international with the release of “A Thousand Wild Flowers” – a compilation of highlights of the past five years – on Dean Wareham’s (Galaxie 500/Luna/Dean&Britta) New York label, Double Feature.

Mojo magazine lauded its ‘snaking guitar lines’, ‘sand blasted snarl’ and ‘folk-drone comedowns’. The Times hears ‘Byrds-like cascades’ and ‘Television in an echo chamber’. Don’t miss The Sand Pebbles when they launch “A Thousand Wild Flowers” at The Toff on Saturday 15 August with special guests to be announced!  ( link: www.sandpebbles.com.au )

Georgia Fields is celebrating the launch of the first single from her forthcoming album, with a very special performance at The Toff on Sunday 23 August.

For this early-evening soiree, Georgia will be accompanied by her incredible mini-indie-orchestra: a 15-piece ensemble including brass, strings, woodwind, harp, vibraphone, and full rhythm section… as well as children’s toys and a cordless drill. 60s-inspired orchestral arrangements are combined with the childlike naivety of experimental sounds. Georgia’s music is brimming with sonic wonderment.

Her song, ‘One Finger’, tells the cheeky tale of a fight for the upper hand in a passive-aggressive friendship. Bonus material on the single includes (amongst other goodies) an unlikely stadium glock version of the Gunners classic ‘Sweet Child Of Mine’. Tying in with the house of cards artwork, each limited edition ‘One Finger’ single will come with a unique collectable vintage playing card.  ( link: www.myspace.com/georgiafields )