The Thousands

Thursday August 26

This week we are really excited, and sad, all at the same time. Paperhorse Studios is closing. Boo. But we're excited because their finale is going to be huge. It's called Pipe Up - Just another skateboard show, featuring some damn great artists, and we had a chat to Lisa King, curator and creator of that fine gallery.

But that's not all. Yes, there's more to get excited about. Lakes are playing with Dud Pills and Bad Habit, we have tons of vintage threads, you can shwank it up with the suits, maybe even infiltrate them. Oh, and by the way, the 'Ride Slowly' thing is probably more of a guideline than a rule. Do what you want. 

Issue 041 - on track

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Cover photo by Stephanie Lyall. If you would like to submit a cover shot email daniel@rightanglestudio.com.au

What:
FASHION - Australian & New Zealand Designers

Who:
By Mitchell Oakley Smith

Where:
Good bookstores

How much:
RRP $79.95

The lack of fashion journalism in Australia (and by that I mean good fashion journalism) can be put down to several things. One of them being that fashion seems unable to qualify for the in-depth journalistic review given to other topics. Sure, fashion should and does take its place in the context of world issues but I don't agree that it can't enter the realm of 'topics for good discussion'. I think lately it is being dismissed in favour of more seemingly high brow subjects like art, design and philosophy.

I guess fashion is no longer fashionable because it's just fashion. But art is just art. Danish furniture is just Danish furniture. And pingers are just pingers.
 
Well, this book is titled FASHION. And Mitchell Oakley Smith has spent two years researching, interviewing and assembling a catalogue of the main players in Australian and New Zealand fashion. He's produced a collection of 70 profiles including Akira, Arnsdorf, Josh Goot, PAM, Scanlan & Theodore, Romance was Born and so many more. It is nicely printed, weighty, and the visuals are good. The profiles are perhaps too short to get beyond the 'introduction' stage for each designer, But I like that Smith has asked them the questions you would ask artists - because that's what they are.

By Marissa Shirbin

What:
Solar Flecks

Who:
Lakes

On:
Inverted Crux

Show:
The Metro Hotel, 46 Grote St, City. Fri Aug 27, 9pm. With Bad Habit and Dud Pills.

Solar Flecks is possibly the most unified collection of pieces yet assembled by Sean Bailey. As Lakes, his music is relentlessly challenging, using analogue keyboards, tape recordings and weird percussion to make undeniably creative constructions.

First track 'Energy Garden' baits listeners with an intriguingly layered orchestration. The harsh screech of metal colliding with metal emanates from deep in the background, while a murmuring synthesiser and the primitive thud of a drum machine create the type of beat suitable for a doomed procession. The mantra-like repetition of Bailey's voice resonates with enough despondency to lull you into stalled catatonia for the duration of the song. It's almost like the Stooges' 'We Will Fall' being reinterpreted for the bleak tones of primitive electronic circuitry.

The songs on this record often crawl with funereal solemnity, but are structured in a way that makes them hypnotic and absorbing throughout. Solar Flecks makes for a good introduction point for newcomers curious about Lakes' work.

By Lee Parker

What:
Interview with Lisa King, curator and creator of Paperhorse Studios

Who:
Daniel Gladys speaks to Lisa King

Why:
PipeUp - Just another skateboard show opens 6pm Thurs Aug 26, Paperhorse Studios, Suite 1, Level 2, 93 RundleMall (Lindes Lane), City. Re-opens Mon Aug 30 - Sat Sep 4

Lisa King. You probably know her, or know her name at the very least. (In no particular order) Curator, artist, designer, photographer, lover of hospitality and lover of art, she sits high in a list of doers in this city. After 2 years or so of creating, running, and curating Paperhorse Studios it's time for the finale. It's called 'Pipe Up - Just another skateboard show', but let's hope she really does go all John Farnham on us and just keeps on finaleing, over and over.

(mic goes on)

Daniel Gladys - Just pretend it's not there, I can't.

Lisa King- It's almost like it's an extra little man in the room. Not interacting. It'd be cool if you could get an application, put like a little face on it.

DG - Yeah that ad was weird huh. Then they wanted people to send in photos of their favourite places in South Australia and it came across pretty awkward. There was this guy, and I'm pretty sure he was making a joke, but they used it anyway and they totally lost the joke.

LK - Yeah yeah, it was lost.

DG- Some dude got a picture of himself holding a frog cake, staring at the camera looking really despondent, and depressed going "it's just a fucking frog cake".

LK - I didn't understand the idea behind it either. Just to promote that South Australia's cool.

DG - Yeah, I think it was sanctioned by SA Great, or the Government, or something.

LK- Oh, you having starving artists there that are really talented and amazing but no no no here have a million dollars. They give away so much money.

DG - So it's all looking good for the show?.. Read the rest here

By Daniel Gladys

What:
Any Street Stoop or Block

Where:
302 Military Road, Grange
When:
Wed- Sat 10.30am-4pm

Contact:
Facebook

View map

Boom boxes, records, palm trees on the walls, musty books and a "buns of steel" video? It's just what you would find at Any Street Stoop or Block. With fresh stock coming in every fortnight, it is worth cruising down to the beach, even in winter,  to find some nice threads.

Specialising in retro and vintage pieces, the store has that '80s feel to it with shoulder pads, sparkles, big clip on earrings and bright colours adorning its racks.

ASSoB always have a really great shoe range, think boots, sandals and ultra cute crushed velvet converses. It is clear owner Stacey Tonkes draws inspiration from cult icons such as David Bowie, Blondie and, more recently, Chloe Sevigny and Lady Gaga when choosing individual and eclectic pieces to showcase.

So what better way to spend an afternoon than straying down to the beach and then going on a shopping spree? Summer, here I come!

By Jenna Hawkins

What:
Boy

Where:
In cinemas from Aug 26

Watch the trailer:
Here

Win:
Thanks to Transmission Films, we have 2 dbls to give away! To enter, email win@fivethousand.com.au with the subject 'your did's not overseas...he's in the same cill block as my did'

Everyone's had the moment when they realise their dad's not all that. For Luke Skywalker, it was shortly after having his hand cut off on Cloud City, for me it was the day I watched Dad, resplendent in a pair of red Speedos, challenge my cousin to a race across the backyard pool at a barbecue in Wodonga circa 1987.

Beneath the '80s nostalgia and New Zealand jokes, Taika Waititi's Boy is a similar tale of father/son misunderstanding. Left to look after a small army of cousins, Boy dreams of the day his father, Alamein, will return from jail and take him to a Michael Jackson concert. Unfortunately on his return, it's unclear whether Alamein is a lovable manchild, perfectly happy pretending his umbrella is a machine gun, or an abusive alcoholic. Waititi seems to a have had a bet both ways, and as a result Boy is less successful when it tries to inject some serious drama into the final act.

Minor hiccups aside, anyone who has spent their youth throwing eggs at cars or grown up in New Zealand with only Country Calendar or Tux Wonder Dogs to watch on a Sunday night will find a lot to like about this film. Don't be an egg, go see it.

By Gram Morris

What:
Zero Selon's Fadwatch #2: Crazybandz

Where:
Freedom House, Chiang Mai, Thailand. Or at the Crazybandz store online here.

When:
Today!

How much:
US $5.29 + shipping

Related links:
Zero stars in Water Town

I got my hands on some Crazybandz today! These are so popular in NYC right now; public schools are working on a district-wide ban. I have been hunting these puppies all over Asia, like grenades hunt the cast of Jersey Shore. I finally found them at Freedom House in Chiang Mai, a school for orphans and hill tribe kids from around the Northern Thai region. As soon as they had their backs turned, I cribbed em!

What the hell are Crazybandz, anyway? Imagine the hype on Avatar. Now imagine you can floss that hype on your wrist and trade it with your friends. That's Crazybandz. So, the big question on everyone's mind: Are Crazybandz any good? Or are they the wristwear-fad equivalent of the flaming-zeppelin-of-juvenilia that was Avatar?

I realise the onus rests on me alone to decide if it's cool. That's what I have been faced with. It has been a horrible burden. Ladies and gentleman I'm pleased to say, this shit is hotter than Beyonce's steam room. Crazybandz are rubber bands that are shaped like animals and sports equipment and stuff. You have to have them. I already do. Here is a list of just a few of the Crazybandz that I have and you don't: Rabbit, Turkey drumstick (I think), Cheerleader, Cowboy boot, Vampire teeth, Sheep, Hippo. Jealous much?

By Zero Selon

What:
Gallery on Waymouth

Where:
30 Waymouth St, City

When:
Mon-Sat 9am-late

Contact:
(08) 8211 8820

View map

Every morning on the bus I'm surrounded by men and women dressed in expensive suits. I imagine they go on power meetings with business partners from Japan, are junior vice presidents at big firms in the city and don't take shit from anyone. Sometimes they meet up with friends and colleagues for a meal and a glass of wine but can't be seen at one of the establishments we frequent because it would do irreparable damage to their profiles. They need somewhere swanky with a restaurant, expensive art for their private collections, a rooftop bar (in case they decide to do a little partying after hours) and tunes by the likes of Fela Kuti because they like feeling worldly.

So where does the corporate world go to relax after a day of crunching numbers and finalising business deals? They go to Gallery on Waymouth where they can have a tandoori (or vegetarian) bruschetta on the first floor before heading up to the rooftop for moonlight ales and discussions on fluctuating stock prices with friends... and a little co-inhabiting with the fix gearing, Ian Curtis worshipping likes of us.

By Mugagga Kaggwa

What:
Private Investigator Training Courses

Where:
Australian School of Security and Investigations

When:
Strike while the iron is hot

Contact:
1300 656 735

Every now and then I get a little misty eyed and wish I'd devoted my life to solving crimes rather than office admin. Telling the chief to shuttup and look at the results I was bringing in rather than the number of innocents I had shot dead would be waaaay more interesting than memorising excel formulas.
 
But maybe it ain't too late. Private eyes still exist and, while they don't really solve crimes, they do 'investigate'.
 
Basically some rich broad pays you to go sit in a car and spy on her husband while he has it off with the new secretary from his work. You get paid to sit in a car, eat burgers and take pictures of people doing it. That means paid to watch reality porn and eat burgers! And even though it will most likely be one of the most horrific sights you've seen, you can always return to the delicious greasy burgers for comfort.
 
And then you put the burgers on your expenses account! So give these guys a yell and tell em I sent ya! Actually don't do that cause they won't know who I am. I make most of this stuff up.

By Matt Banham

What:
Harbinger by Matthew Whittet

Where:
Space Theatre, Adelaide Festival Centre, City

When:
Aug 31 - Sept 11 (previews from 27 Aug)

How Much:
From $32 at BASS

Win:
Thanks to Brink, we have 4 dbls to the Fri Aug 27 show. To enter, email win@fivethousand.com.au with subject 'What are you Harbingering on about?'

When was the last time you went to the theatre? It was an amateur production of Pygmalion for Year 11 English, wasn't it? And you swore never to bother with stage shows again, instead turning your attention to shoegaze and graphic novels. Well maybe it's time to give good ol' theatre another whirl, and Brink Productions' Harbinger (hahr-bin-jer) wouldn't be a bad place to start. The writer, Matthew Whittet, is a guy from Sydney who wanted the play to begin like early 70s David Bowie and end more like Joy Division'. Intrigued? With a David Lynch/Flight of the Conchords/Hitchcock/True Blood aesthetic, Harbinger is a 90 minute, hilariously unsettling pop-culture filled ride. - DG

What:
The Way We Wear Vintage Fashion Fair

Where:
Burnside Ballroom, cnr Portrush & Greenhill Rd, Burnside

When:
Fri Aug 27 6pm-9pm, Sat Aug 28 10am-5pm, Sun Aug 29 10am-4pm

This will be a lot like stepping back in time 200 years. Or maybe just like visiting your stylish great Granny on a Sunday afternoon for tea and scones. Either way, nice. Think antiques, vintage fashion, textiles and accessories. Classic fashion photographs. French linens. Antique jewels. Umbrellas and parosols. Even, walking sticks. You could totally work a walking stick. -DG

What:
6s & 7s album launch

Where:
Grace Emily Hotel, 232 Waymouth St, City

When:
Sun Aug 29, 8pm

How Much:
Free

Listening to 6s & 7s has been described as going on a far out, sun-soaked adventure with the Dulux Dog. This means super happy and fun charged, and, with possible saliva. Sounding somewhere between a foreboding David Lynch soundtrack and the Polyphonic Spree. Joy. There's 11 of them so hopefully it doesn't get too messy.  - DG

This Tom Guerin dude is a doer. While searching around for clothes he wanted to wear and coming up with mixed results, he didn't just sit around bemoaning his local retailer, or getting mad at the world. He just figured, 'why not make it myself'? And he did.

Morning Theft is his creation, and from the tees to the shirts, to the slacks and even shoes, it's all spectacular. It's simple, no graphics, just well tailored and solid neutral tones. It's by no means 'safe' though. Check out these, er, Black Window shirts  and trackpants aptly named 'relief'. Will you take a look at that rise!

Thanks to Tom from Morning Theft, we have one of his excellent tees to give away. You can even pick the colour. To enter, just answer the following question.

This week's question:

When Tom Guerin isn't making tees, he's..

a) bemoaning his local store

b) looking damn dapper

c) working on his juggling

d) helping build houses in South-East Asia. No kidding.

To be in the running, send your answer AND postal address to win@fivethousand.com.au, winners will be notified by email. Subscriber only entry. Not a subscriber? Noes! It's free. Sign up here