Melbourne’s FLYNN EFFECT are back in 2021! They return from a 2020-sized absence from the scene with the first taste of the record they wrote and recorded last year, a planet-sized song called ‘Andromeda’. The track will be released on Friday February 19 – available at https://ditto.fm/andromeda-flynn-effect.

Vocalist, Tomina Vincent, said that “We wrote Andromeda in 2020, while the whole world was in chaos. Amid the fear of what was to come and the social unrest, we wanted to imagine a world where solidarity and togetherness are commonplace and the bedrock of our human experience. We are in the midst of a transformation – our way of life and the structures designed to operate in our world are evolving for the first time in this generation, as it finds its voice and what it stands for. Fighting for change and breaking down the divides that separate us is the most important thing for us as a species, as we try to rebuild and create a future we can be proud of.”

Continuing about the single’s intentions and themes, Vincent said that “We wanted to bring a sense of hope and focus on the realisation that even if we are frightened of this change, even if the fight is difficult and never-ending, and the prospect of reimagining our way of life is intimidating, many voices are rising, and we are not alone. Andromeda is that alternative world, where we forget countries and borders, and we come together as one entity, whose mission is to create a world of balance and peace.”

Flynn Effect are celebrating the release of the new single with a launch show at Forge Metal Nightclub on Saturday March 13 – which is held at Melbourne’s STAY GOLD. Joining them for the night is Treebeard and Colour & Shade. Tickets are $25 and are available now at EVENTBRITE.

Drowning in LED’s and wielding glowing instruments, Flynn Effect’s ambitious live performances have seen the band share the stage with rock and metal royalty, including The Tea Party, Lacuna Coil, Seether, Lindsay Schoolcraft (of Cradle of Filth), Wednesday 13, and Davey Suicide, local heavyweights Orpheus Omega and Osaka Punch, as well as take the stage at the 10th anniversary edition of Progfest in 2019.

Drawing influences from Coldplay to Birds of Tokyo, via Devin Townsend and Karnivool, the band concocted a blend of seemingly incompatible elements into a whimsical music burrito. In the six years since their inception, self-managed and self-produced (in a bedroom), Flynn Effect have released two studio albums – Skin in 2015 and Obsidian in 2017, followed by the 2018 release of their EP Monument and the 2019 Covers EP Giants, making the latter their 4th release in 6 years.

Flynn Effect’s new single ‘Andromeda’ will be released on Friday February 19 on all digital stores and streaming platforms and can be found at https://ditto.fm/andromeda-flynn-effect.Tickets are available now for their Single launch show at Forge Metal Nightclub Saturday March 13 at EVENTBRITE.

Live Review: Gordi at Forum Melbourne 18/2/21

Supported by Mimi Gilbert

Mimi Gilbert’s tells us it’s her first live show in a year and many in the audience tonight can relate. Originally from the United States, Gilbert is glad to be currently living on Australian shores right now. She shares a very emotional song that was written at the start of the pandemic called ‘Dark Storm’. After pouring her heart out for the track, she tells us that she’s feeling a bit less scared now that she’s on the other side of the tunnel.

The crowd listens intently to Gilbert’s soft harmonies and vulnerable story telling through song. The room is at a standstill and only her acoustic guitar and indie-folk tunes fill the air. She draws a comparison of our intent listening to the recent bird watching hobby she’s recently taken up.

Vintage light globes hang from the ceiling and placed on stands resembling floating orbs to illuminate the stage in a warm glow. Gordi appears behind a keyboard to begin with ‘Aeroplane Bathroom,’ which is the opener for her recently released album ‘Our Two Skins.’ She immediately captures our attention and draws us in to her ethereal soundscape.

“Tonight’s show almost didn’t happen,” she tells us nervously after Melbourne was only released from a lockdown less than 24 hours ago. As a result, there’s an early and a late show to accommodate the capacity limits and the audience is happy to have more than enough personal space to enjoy the show.

Alex Lahey joins Gordi for a surprise song the duo just released a week ago called ‘Dino’s.’ It’s a real treat to hear the song played by both artists together live for the first time. Inspired by a Nashville dive bar where they ate a lot of hot chicken and cold beers, the duo shares a laugh about making the video clip involving a Dolly Parton cardboard cut-out. Lahey stays on to continue playing bass guitar and Gordi then keeps the mood lifted as she sings the self-confessed one happy song (‘Extraordinary Life’) off her latest record.

She reminiscences the last time playing at The Forum she supported Icelandic singer Asgeir. It’s a dream come true for her to be headlining show here tonight and she makes sure she gets the vocal loop for ‘Heaven I know’ right this time minus any unwanted crowd woos. The song is built up beautifully before us and she makes a powerful connection as her immersive electro-acoustic blended sound washes over the audience.

Gordi explains the process of making her recent album in a cottage at her parent’s farm, ironically in isolation pre-COVID. The unique organic soundscape she used to record the songs includes a harmonica and a wasp’s nest she found in a sheep yard shed that she used to run the piano recording through to add warmth. She admits she’s glad to be back on stage in front of people in Melbourne and recreates the sounds as best she can in a live setting.

After a quick encore charade, she has two more songs prepared for us including ‘Radiator’ and her recent Triple J Like A Version cover of Miley Cyrus’ ‘Wrecking Ball’. Gordi’s version is a bit more alternate with a guitar-heavy instrumentation and plenty of synth to give it a whole new feel and she absolutely knocks it out of the park.

Words by Michael Prebeg

HE OKLAHOMA KID stands for breathtaking modern metal that bridges the gap between technical intricacy and energizing rhythms. Since their formation in 2012 the band – consisting of David J. Burtscher, Fred Stölzel, Robert Elfenbein, Tomm Brümmer and Andreas Reinhard – has consistently pushed the envelope and have established their foundation in the German metal scene.

Their 2014 debut EP Fortuneteller impressed the scene with their very own blending of genres:
“Fortuneteller encapsulates the very essence of the post-hardcore and metalcore genres, but effectively intertwines tech metal and crushing djent riffs into a very solid effort.” – Kenny McGalem, Bandcamp

Already one year later the band added a second EP »Doppelganger« to their catalogue for which they hired acknowledged producer Aljoscha Sieg (ESKIMO CALLBOY, BUTTER THE BREAD WITH BUTTER, NASTY) and solidified their sonic vision. The band’s signature bouncing grooves and futuristic synthesizers were completed by catchy hooks and sing-alongs.

The band teamed up with visionary director Pavel Trebukhin (ALAZKA, STICK TO YOUR GUNS, ANNISOKAY) to create a unique music video for their hit-single ‘Scharlatan’, for which they would receive the national PopFish Music Video Award.

THE OKLAHOMA KID toured the country with renowned acts such as STICK TO YOUR GUNS, CARNIFEX, EVERGREEN TERRACE and HATEBREED and electrified crowds with their passionate, relentless performance.

They are no longer an insider tip and a force to be reckoned with. No matter if live at a festival or on the record player in the living room; THE OKLAHOMA KID will change your perception of what metal is capable of.

It was January 17^th 1981 when Nikki Sixx first jammed with Tommy Lee and vocalist/guitarist Greg Leon. Leon left, Mick Mars and Vince Neil were recruited. The rest, as they say, is history…

Sunday January 17, 2021 will mark the 40^th Anniversary of this momentous occasion in the history of Rock ‘N’ Roll and will mark the beginning of a year of celebration of the World’s Most Notorious Rock Band
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Fans are invited to sign Mötley Crüe’s birthday card before Sunday on Facebook HERE and return to the site on Sunday, January 17 for more announcements. Sunday would also be the perfect time for music and movie fans alike to watch the band’s hit movie, “The Dirt” on Netflix and stream “The Dirt” soundtrack, as well as the band’s iconic debut album “Too Fast For Love” which will celebrate its 40th birthday later this year, on November 10, 2021.

Any posts about the band are invited to add the hashtag #HappyBirthdayToCrüe

“In “Kickstart My Heart” the lyrics say, “When we started this band / All we needed, needed was a laugh / Years gone by, I’d say we’ve kicked some ass.”

It’s always been about great songs and over-the-top live shows for us. The fans were always right by our side. I don’t know where all of the years went. It went by in a flash. What I can’t forget, are the 4 decades of fans who have counted themselves as CRÜEHEADS from day one, supporting us through thick and thin. To them we are in debt and thank you from the bottom of our hearts.
Happy 40th Birthday to us all.” – Nikki Sixx

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Vince Neil, Nikki Sixx, Mick Mars and Tommy Lee are firmly ingrained in the fabric of rock history. Mötley Crüe have sold over 100 million albums worldwide, achieving 7 USA platinum and multi-platinum albums, 22 Top 40 mainstream rock hits, 6 Top 20 pop singles and 3 GRAMMY nominations.

The band have had 1.6 billion streams across digital providers and have over 8 million social media followers. In 2006 the band were inducted into The Hollywood Walk Of Fame.

A stunning live act, Mötley Crüe have taken their incendiary show across the world, selling over 100 million tickets globally.

The bands biography “The Dirt: Confessions of the World’s Most Notorious Rock Band”, first published in 2001, became a New York Times best-seller and has sold over 1 million copies worldwide. In addition, the band members have authored three other New York Times best-sellers.

2019 saw “The Dirt” released as a feature length biopic. The film became one of the biggest releases of that year and scored a 94% positive audience score on Rotten Tomatoes.

The band remain a huge global draw – Mötley Crüe are set to co-headline a nearly sold out North American stadium tour with Def Leppard, Poison and Joan Jett in June, July, August and September 2021. Information HERE.

Mötley Crüe’s legacy and influence in the global music scene cannot be underestimated. 2021 is the year to celebrate the achievements of this extraordinary band. Go to the band’s Facebook page now and check back on Sunday January 17^th 2021 for the Rock ‘n’ Roll Anniversary of the year.

#HappyBirthdayToCrüe