The Big Kahuna Burger feat. THE MONSTER MASH

There are only so many occasions in one persons relationship with nightlife where events, set in motion for reasons beyond our control (fate?) have a way of representing so much more than they set out to.When we realized that 100 posts was fast approaching we thought, for the sake of enacting the longstanding ethos by which we write and report on this blog, that we would get out there and celebrate with some festivities. Along this path of destructive and delightful musical bonds we were left stunned and awed by the likes of Bloc Party, Bag Raiders, the Bang Gang Dejays, Van She Tech, Phoenix and by the presence of guests such as Cassian / CSK OK, Deckland and Ajax. There were biffs, stare offs, dance offs, friendly neighborly hugs, build-ups, white rabbits, photographs, Cd's, stickers, beers, RSL's and light shows that were just outta this world. Fair enough to say that all these events culminated in concerts, nights out and more, as a subtle yet immensely gratifying way to celebrate 100 posts, the TVITC way.

So let Us Begin.

After 5 months.

Our 100th Post.

Our MONSTER MASH

We traversed the MCA on a bitter tuesday night, secret tickets in hand, to a special event concert Mastercard Debit held for its patrons (or so I read). We were greeted with a hushed line of band a like die hards who seemed to be united in humming and buzzing about the nights act. Escorted by a whim of security and air tight, low key event parlor, the foundation hall of the MCA was tonight's host to the recently billed "silent alarms" Bloc PArty to take to the temporarily erected stage. A dream come true for Ollie who has had such a poor record on being able to catch them live recently, was able to not only see them at Splendour, but now at an intimate gathering in the depths of the MCA. The concert began after an hours wait that cuminated in the befriending of a fellow Canadian who payed 200 bucks to have his last night in Australia, at the hands of the party-rocking band. Kele is a musical being. We rocked to the enigmatic and electriyifing showmanship as he crowd surfed and shared the limelight with his almsot disninterested cohorts on stage. There were highlights but it became a blur as drunk employees (of Mastercard?) filled the villainous void and were the least respectable patrons of such an event. All we can remember is that the lightshow and Kele's red tight tee was a standalone show stoppper and winner. What shame they couldnt replicate the sincerity of their recently billed "Silent Alrams" performance. We were still psyched about the night however, It was a rare glipse to catch them so close up, in such a setting. We really wanted to meet the guys to top it all off (a la M83) but alas after a few circuits round the bend, we thought it best to skip the hours wait.

Regrouping on Friday, this was truly the Party night that came to rep the TVITC crew gettin loose and having our 'good times' - The get low, down and dirty, crunk out, drunk out, mish mash of characters, music and enough booze to sooth any louse as we went out in style, to Oxford Art Factory, to celebrate to pounding pounding techno music!

Bag Raiders 'Shooting Stars' single launch was the perfect platform for some Dejay's dropping tracks that we both knew and enjoyed. We were entertained by numerous familiar faced guests, Van She dudes Nick and Mike were in control as we arrived and were soon taken over by The Bang Gang bois, Doom cranking the better beats just before the titular act came on board. Jumping like a jiggling jug of jellybeans, Bag Raiders brought out their canons, the place swelling to the peaks of K2 as teaser beats of Shooting stars slithered their way into the set. Then it happened. Everyone in the bunker was alive, focussed forward - on stage or on someone's shoulders even. Shooting Stars hurled out the beatbox speakers and the floor erupted, the stage, with their good friends of the Mod Dejay crew like Cassian etc dancing with them as the chorus vocals were in harmony with the entire moving being that appeared to shake the floor. It was there among smiles we saluted 100 posts of this, that and to the continuos flow of more to come. The night descended to odd and rambunctious from that climax. Ollie got cosy with a bear hug from Ajax (apparently they're both from the north coast of NSW?) Someone smacked Doom and Cassian erupted in fierce defense chasing the drunkard to the dancefloor to "smack his ass". Doom sniffed and snorted as he handed the reigns from Raiders to Hoodrat. And the floor leveled out, filtering out to the neons of oxford street as the echos of the Bang Gang beats rung in our ears as we stooped back to our resting place.

Night accomplished. Good times for a celebration.

The Weekend passed with our accomplishments secured, however we though we'd extend the excitement of the past week into another. After all, 100 posts dont come around that often.

Enmore Theatre. After a quick usurping of the local RSL, we entered the front and centre standing area, awaiting the next and probably most anticipated concert we had held tickets to these past wintery months. The draped wall tapestry read - with logo and homemade artwork - Wolfgang Amadeus Phoenix.

Part of the collective that seams the stitching of this blog, the Versailles rockers, parisian turnabouts and the ultra chic, tres cool band of french touch rock, was in the house. We were witnessing one of the canon artists that has been at the very concept of this blog. Phoenix ran out. Drums at the ready. Thomas at the mic. The foursome lined up across the length of the stage, with touring keyboard friend and drum for hire striking the first beat of Lisztomania. The night erupted. The floor bounced. The rest is history. I caught myself in a trance, eclipsed by the uniquely Phoenix and tunnel like light show of flashing globes, block trawling contrails and colourful hues that instructed the mood and atmosphere of every track. Captured by the sequence of Rome's strobing, enlivened by Too young's blue collage of light and the visor like scenario of Love like a sunset, a track that gains a whole new appreciation for when played live.

And just like the Phoenix drape is hoisted at the end of the show, and the neon pins the outline of the stage, the drums and the amps before they rushed to their posts, the post comes to an eventful end.

The whole night ranks as a highlight as I couldn't stop feeling like the past 2 weeks and the notion of this MONSTER MASH post, something we had discussed though had no idea of what it would really amount to, would coincide with each other. It really did quantify and qualify our experience s this year and of course, why we have this blog. To share, inform and objectify. Can't wait to see what we'll do next!

For something that was with us fro the beginning makes a whole lot of sense now.

"Decoding Toxic Tea and Cola: Parisian Style"

FROM the crew at TVITC,
Keep it Tres Cool.

P.S - Some musical MONSTER MASH love.

Yuksek - Tonight.

Adios!