Chris Cornell To Tour

Soundgarden singer Chris Cornell, a Grammy award winner and rock legend, is bringing his solo acoustic “Songbook” tour to Australian theatres in October after a big run of sold out dates in the United States.

With 21 million album sales under his belt, Cornell has received both critical and commercial success as a singer/songwriter for the bands Soundgarden, Audioslave and Temple of the Dog, as well as his own solo efforts.

Performing in true solo fashion, by himself on stage, Cornell will treat fans to an unplugged selection from all his various band guises, his solo works and he’ll also be pulling out a few surprise covers.

These shows, similar in style to Eddie’s Vedder’s recent triumphant tour, should prove to be some of the most interesting to come to Australia this year.

Dates

Canberra, Canberra Theatre – Friday Oct 7

Perth, Concert Hall – Monday Oct 10

Adelaide, Festival Theatre – Thursday Oct 13

Brisbane, QPAC Concert Hall – Saturday Oct 15

Melbourne, Palais Theatre – Wednesday Oct 19

 

Also playing the Sydney Opera House Concert Hall – Saturday Oct 22 – presented by Sydney Opera House.

 

Tickets on sale 9am, Friday June 10.

 

Violent Soho

Brisbane four piece Violent Soho are making a big splash internationally being signed to the label run by Thurston Moore of Sonic Youth. Their self titled album is out on Moore’s Ecstatic Peace label in the US and they have been touring there strongly since the release.

The band line-up is  Luke Boerdam on guitar/vocals, James Tidswell on guitar/vocals, Luke Henery on bass and Michael Richards on drums.

There’s been much made of the fact that the band wear flannel shirts and many commentators have labelled them the first band in the second coming of grunge but to me they sound a lot more like Smashing Pumpkins than Nirvana, Soundgarden or Mudhoney. Some may argue that that’s not a huge distinction but to these ears the structure of the songs and Boerdam’s vocal style scream Billy Corgan.

But the bottom line  – regardless who they sound like – is that they are a really good heavy rock band. The rhythm section drives with the power of a sledgehammer, the guitars snarl and Boerdam’s lyrics are an authentic statement of  suburban white boy angst. The album was produced by the venerable Gil Norton who has the band sounding great (no surprises there) and all in all they have offered up a superior album.

Highlights of the disc include the attention grabbing opener Here Be Dragons, the single Jesus Stole My Girlfriend, Generation, Muscle Junkie (with the obligatory “fuck you” refrain) and the very punk rock Love Is A Heavy Word. The more reflective Outsider shows a different side to the band and especially to Boerdam’s vocal.

Violent Soho may not be the most original sounding band but they are a welcome addition to a family of bands that produced some pretty essential music in their day. There could be a lot worse influences to have. I like ‘em.

To celebrate the release in Australia, the boys will embark on an East Coast tour during July, which will also coincide with their appearance at this year’s Splendour In The Grass.

Thursday, July 22: Northcote Social Club, Melbourne
Friday, July 23: Annandale Hotel, Sydney
Saturday, July 24: The Zoo, Brisbane