If you are a young reader or a bit older, stories and eye witness accounts about simple pub bands getting their start to then move to the Big Time has almost reached the status of ' Australian Rock and Roll Urban Legend.'
To name only a few: Cold Chisel, AC DC, The Screaming Jets, Noise Works, INXX, Jet... and the list continues.
Then something occurred in the early nineties with the Liberal government introducing Pokie Machines; suddenly, live music disappeared (almost) or it took a lot of effort to find a venue to catch a good rock band.
Pubs and the government made heaps of money, good for the city, but Melbourne's music scene almost died.
A few venues dug their heels in and remained true to Melbourne's traditional live band scene seeking out new talent – The Esplanade and The Palace, etc.
Those of us in the outer suburbs had to put up with Top Forty cover bands and it seemed true talent had no where else to go – until recently.
One such venue outside the city centre that provides a platform for new talent is the Casablanca Tavern in the Eastern suburb of Ringwood.
To name only a few: Cold Chisel, AC DC, The Screaming Jets, Noise Works, INXX, Jet... and the list continues.
Then something occurred in the early nineties with the Liberal government introducing Pokie Machines; suddenly, live music disappeared (almost) or it took a lot of effort to find a venue to catch a good rock band.
Pubs and the government made heaps of money, good for the city, but Melbourne's music scene almost died.
A few venues dug their heels in and remained true to Melbourne's traditional live band scene seeking out new talent – The Esplanade and The Palace, etc.
Those of us in the outer suburbs had to put up with Top Forty cover bands and it seemed true talent had no where else to go – until recently.
One such venue outside the city centre that provides a platform for new talent is the Casablanca Tavern in the Eastern suburb of Ringwood.
Del Fischer, proprietor and owner, wanted a place where new bands and mucical acts would have the opportunity to perform their music live to audiences.
Open just over two and a half years, Fischer, (coming from a family of entertainers and a musician himself) had the idea to expose new talent and began doing so since Casablanca's opening.
Standing behind the bar in the late afternoon, immersed in a chess game with a customer, Del becomes reticent when my barrage of questions over a lite beer interrupt his game:
What is your view on exposing new music?
“The government almost destroyed live music with the pokies, but my love of music pushed me in this direction, and the Casablanca was born.”
Quite a few venues in the city are offering “Open Mic Nights” giving amature singers and musicians a chance – do you have this type of thing?
“Read the sign outside, mate. Every Wednesday night anybody can stand on that stage a play their stuff. Some acts are a little average but once in a while a great talent appears. And as you know, this business is about word of mouth and followings – popularity can happen almost over night.”
As Del Fischer finishes his answer, he 'check mates' his opponent, who groans, smiles, shakes Del's hand and orders another beer.
As he pours a beer for his lost opponent, I ask, What talent have you helped to promote since opening your doors?
He comes around the bar an leads me to various promotional posters that just about cover every wall of the club.
“Tatto Rose, Riff Raff, Hard Copy, Motion19, Mark Phillips, Alice Platt and Sharon Hawker.”
(This is merely a quarter or less of the bands and performers displayed on the walls.)
There's a hint of pride on Del's face as we walk back to the bar but soon disappears as he silently calculates the night's business and entertainment.
There's more questions I need to ask him though his staff begin to arrive and the hard work begins, expecting a good crowd because a band with a 'big' following is due to arrive by 7:00 to set up and play by 8:30.
A night of blazing, original Rock & Roll in the eastern suburbs.
I decide to stay, notebook in my back pocket as I can already feel the tension mounting, because instinctively, I feel a great night of music to come.
Open just over two and a half years, Fischer, (coming from a family of entertainers and a musician himself) had the idea to expose new talent and began doing so since Casablanca's opening.
Standing behind the bar in the late afternoon, immersed in a chess game with a customer, Del becomes reticent when my barrage of questions over a lite beer interrupt his game:
What is your view on exposing new music?
“The government almost destroyed live music with the pokies, but my love of music pushed me in this direction, and the Casablanca was born.”
Quite a few venues in the city are offering “Open Mic Nights” giving amature singers and musicians a chance – do you have this type of thing?
“Read the sign outside, mate. Every Wednesday night anybody can stand on that stage a play their stuff. Some acts are a little average but once in a while a great talent appears. And as you know, this business is about word of mouth and followings – popularity can happen almost over night.”
As Del Fischer finishes his answer, he 'check mates' his opponent, who groans, smiles, shakes Del's hand and orders another beer.
As he pours a beer for his lost opponent, I ask, What talent have you helped to promote since opening your doors?
He comes around the bar an leads me to various promotional posters that just about cover every wall of the club.
“Tatto Rose, Riff Raff, Hard Copy, Motion19, Mark Phillips, Alice Platt and Sharon Hawker.”
(This is merely a quarter or less of the bands and performers displayed on the walls.)
There's a hint of pride on Del's face as we walk back to the bar but soon disappears as he silently calculates the night's business and entertainment.
There's more questions I need to ask him though his staff begin to arrive and the hard work begins, expecting a good crowd because a band with a 'big' following is due to arrive by 7:00 to set up and play by 8:30.
A night of blazing, original Rock & Roll in the eastern suburbs.
I decide to stay, notebook in my back pocket as I can already feel the tension mounting, because instinctively, I feel a great night of music to come.
2 comments:
Hey Craig
Not many posts lately. How are you?
t.
Been under ground, lately, but have now surfaced.
Fair to partly cloudy...
And you?
Post a Comment