FOR LUCK’S SAKE
 Russell Crawford’s new EP is called Bad Luck (on Popboomerang Records). It features a cover of Patrick Swayze’s She’s Like The Wind. A few days after it was released, the Dirty Dancing star died. Bad luck, indeed. But Bad Luck is more the story of Russell’s life. “I came close to winning a bike when I was nine,” he tells Howzat! “It was at my baseball presentation day. We had to sell raffle tickets all year. I really wanted the second prize, which was a mountain bike, so mum let me buy a few tickets for myself. Presentation day came and the MC announced: ‘Second prize goes to Russell Crawford.’ I couldn’t believe it. I began walking up the front with a big smile on my face. I’d never been so happy. But then the MC said, ‘Whoops, sorry – Russell is the person that sold the ticket, the real winner is Joel Dixon. Come on up, Joel. Sorry, Russell.’ They made me stand up the front anyway. I thought I was at least gonna get a basket of chocolates or something. I got nothing. Bad luck for me again, I guess.” Musically, Russell started out as a drummer, and he’s picked up sticks for Josh Pyke, Perry Keyes, Richard Clapton, Mark Seymour and Cotton, Keays and Morris. As he gets set to launch Bad Luck in Melbourne (he’s playing at 303 on October 9), we put Russell in the Howzat! hot seat:
Have you got any superstitions?
“I don’t believe in your classic superstitions like black cats and walking under ladders. I tend to come up with my own meaningless superstitions in my everyday life, like making sure I eat my toast before Weet-Bix, or parking in the same spot when I go to the shops. I don’t know what I think is gonna happen if I don’t do these things but I feel I need to do them for some reason.”
Does being a drummer influence your songwriting?
“Yes, absolutely. I always come from a drummer’s point of view, as that feels most natural to me. My songs often grow from a rhythmic or drum idea. Bad Luck is a perfect example of that. The opening drum section was definitely the first idea that kick-started that song. Drums really shape a song more than most people imagine. They can take the song anywhere and really dictate the overall feel, texture and attitude.”
Who is your favourite drummer-turned-frontman?
“Ah, good question. Probably a little cliché but Dave Grohl is pretty awesome, isn’t he? I think we’ll be talking of him in legendary terms in years to come, if we’re not already. I also have a soft spot for Ringo.”
Were you a Dirty Dancing fan?
“I don’t think I was; I think my two older sisters were. We were probably at the video store arguing whether to get Dirty Dancing or Bill and Ted’s Excellent Adventure. Being the youngest, I most probably lost. A few months back, I was watching Bert Newton’s 20 to 1 show. They were counting down the worst songs of all time and She’s Like The Wind came in at number five and I thought, hey that’s not fair, I kinda like that song. So I decided to do a cover version.”
GAFFSTOCK!
 As Woodstock celebrates its 40th anniversary, the wonderful Gaffstock is turning three. And this year’s Event is huge, with 27 bands spread over four days, starting Thursday. Each night is a killer, and Saturday’s lineup features two Howzat! faves – Tijuana Souvenirs and Dave Graney and The Lurid Yellow Mist. It’s all happening at IDGAFF, 160 Hoddle Street, Abbotsford. More info at myspace.com/idgaff.
AT LAST SIGHT
Perth’s finest garage rock band The Stems broke up in the ’80s after just one album. Their second album, 2007’s Heads Up, came 20 years later. Alas, The Stems are breaking up again. “This is it,” singer Dom Mariani says. The band’s final Melbourne show will be at the Corner on October 9, with the Huxton Creepers. But the good news is The Stems are recording the Perth shows, so a live album is tipped; Dom is also working on a Liberation Blue album; and he has a new band, The DomNicks, with Nick Sheppard, who was briefly in The Clash, before moving to Perth. The Stems count Bruce Springsteen’s guitarist Little StEven Van Zandt among their biggest fans, and they were part of Australian rock history when they appeared on the final studio edition of Countdown on July 12, 1987. “The Village People were also on the show,” Dom recalls, “and it was hosted by Kylie Minogue. It was quite an eclectic lineup.”
CHART WATCH
 Guy Sebastian is knocked off after spending two weeks on top. And Grinspoon return to the Top 50, with Comeback landing at 48.
Like It Like That GUY SEBASTIAN (number two)
The Last Day On Earth Kate Miller-Heidke (three)
Up/Down JESSICA MAUBOY (11)
She’s A Genius JET (20)
Do It Again CASSIE DAVIS (33)
Barnesy slips to three after two weeks on top. And Grinspoon arrive at number six.
The Rhythm and The Blues JIMMY BARNES (number three)
Curiouser Kate Miller-Heidke (four)
Six To Midnight GRINSPOON (six, debut)
The Essential 3.0 JOHN FARNHAM (19)
State Of The Art HILLTOP HOODS (23)
Wonder LISA MITCHELL (25)
Shaka Rock JET (27)
Been Waiting JESSICA MAUBOY (31)
My Dream – Mio Visione MARK VINCENT (32)
As Day Follows Night SARAH BLASKO (37)
Everything Is True PAUL DEMPSEY (40)
GIGS
Thursday The Hello Morning, Northcote Social Club.
Thursday – Sunday Gaffstock 09, IDGAFF.
Friday The Badloves, NSC.
Friday Tijuana Souvenirs, The Black Hills, Kids In Cults, Espy Basement.
Saturday 6pm Dave Larkin, Pure Pop.
HOWZAT! PLAYLIST
Ordinary Life SPECIAL PATROL
Bad Luck Russell Crawford
Black Water NICK BARKER
Exegesis Tobias Cummings
Surround Me THE STEMS
|
