A few months ago I was excited to receive a phone call asking me to come into Fox Studios to do a demo for the film ‘Australia’. Apparently Baz Luhrman and his ‘people’ like King Curly which was good news.

But the little demo which came of that call and which pleased Baz so much at the time, didnt survive his famous throw and stick method of film making. I discover now that it was replaced with the ‘love’ theme music of the film only a few days before the film’s release. GUG-GAH!! You will never hear it now but I can tell you it was good and came at the critical moment when Nicole and Hugh pashed for the first time. And so ends King Curly’s closest brush wiith commercial success yet.

I dont feel quite as bad as I had imagined for this particular disappointment.  In fact a load has been lifted - because for months Ive been harried by thoughts of the riches & power that lay ahead.

I had even dreamt (on a number of occassions) of myself blinking and wet feathered in the open window of a grand looking manor. I was a kind of half crow, half raptor - dripping on the bench as I gawked about in what was clearly the kitchen. A nourishing broth was bubbling on the stove and from the other room (where a fire is crackling), I could hear Nicole Kidman laughing at a hilarious joke Hugh Jackman was telling.

It worried me that these people (my new friends) might not necessarily like me? Afterall, I’ve developed some unsavoury habits - and am a little rain-damaged possibly. What if I leave a wet patch on the couch? My claws gripped still tighter to the sill as I looked over my shoulder at the cold from whence I came: They would have a time of it dragging me out of here I thought. And only God would be able to save those who had crossed me in my scrabble to this point. I would do my best to turn their names into mud. I’d name names at the awards evenings and on the red carpet - just like me and my pals have always boasted we would. Would I have the courage to do it when the time came - my knees knocking at the podium, my bit of paper trembling in my hands? (Answer below)

But it was all a dream and now I find myself now shooed by a broom handle, back out the window. I am flapping in the rain with the jungle before me - full of angry wet creatures.

Yours faithfully KC

                                                                                                                                       (Picture by Chica on Photography Board .net)

Answer: Possibly not: Its hard to be sure in a pressure situation

King Curly are doing one of their famously rare Sydney shows: the last for 2008 at the Vanguard/Newtown, Thursday 11th December 

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In the interests of transparency, I am obliged to disclose as much as possible about personnel employed here at the offices of King Curly. After all, we are only here as a result of the hard earned dollars you good people exchange for King Curly CDs, performances and our popular line of knives. You have the right to know.

Now it goes without saying that Mr Creighton is a genius. We all are here at King Curly Inc. as a basic requirement. But not all geniuses necessarily pull their weight and no doubt some readers may have wondered if Mr Creighton should be kept on given:

(1) He doesn’t tour
(2) or even play a musical instrument (the clarinet is not an instrument),
(3) he gets to be in band photos and yet only OCCASIONALLY contributes anything by jotting down incoherent ramblings, limericks and shopping lists - which he then hands to Steve Appel to miraculously transform into song.
(4) He does make good video clips - but they never get played on TV because no-one likes them.

But silence these grumblings once and for all - Mr Creighton is funny and clever you see. Click the image below to see some cartoons he did some years ago (”…in about 5 minutes” he boasts unattractively).

I especially like the one with the poignant dog, the fey child, the goose on a mysterious quest and the wise old horse!

Best regards

KC

Somehow I’ve managed to avoid the complicated business of learning home recording, having much preferred bossing around a few long-suffering friends and other suckers who were all-the-while wisely investing in their future - learning about stupid Protools, motherboards, Mboxes and Cubase etc.

But now, like so many things in my life, my laziness has come back to savage me with a vengeance and so this blog finds me here in my little back shed looking glumly at an Mbox.

I haven’t actually done anything with it yet as it’s only just arrived. I bought it online about a month ago to save dough and already it is a hateful thing for me after weeks of chasing registered post numbers. I have also been told that it is no longer protected by warranty on account of the shady way it was acquired. Be warned readers - the web is a vortex of deception and you are much better off just going into a shop and buying stuff for a few extra dollars.

But for those who are interested, the release of The Fall & Rise collection was a kind of wrapping up of everything that has gone before with King Curly and with that in mind, I have been writing songs with my friend and collaborator Dan Creighton in preparation for something huge, glorious and new. I must be careful not to give too much away, of course, as loose lips sink ships - as us lonesome heroes at the cutting edge of musical progress know only too well.

But perhaps it’s safe to say that the new songs are designed in such a way that they can be presented in different styles, different time signatures and sometimes with different singers - A kind of Palace Of Mirrors - mainly just as a way of showing off but no doubt for the good of the world too.

But enough of that - I’ve already said too much.

KC

Despite what the music press would have us believe, there is plenty of stuff in the world as interesting, AND OFTEN EVEN MORE INTERESTING than quite alot of music!

For instance, I have a boy named Lem (pictured). He’s a good boy but wants to be famous which will be terrible a curse for him. I know because I would like to be rich - an affliction belonging to the same insidious family.

The photo above tells an exciting story: Yesterday our household awoke to the sound of a couple of guys and a mechanical digger from The Sydney Water Board digging out-the-front. (a slow leak from the water mains had kept our garden nicely watered for some time). When they finally rolled triumphantly away, Lem half turned to me, whistled and headed back into the lean-to saying (over his shoulder) “well I spose that means we’re famous now ….. and if we get famous that’s good for you too right”

He’s right of course. it’s now just a matter of waiting for word of this to get out and about.

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We have been asked to play at Woodford after Xmas which is good - Camilla from The Perch Creek Family is joining us which I’m very much looking forward to. The O.S showcase is now on in feb - but that’s boring industry shit of course.

KC

I have one of those jobs that involves sitting alone in a room. The work is of a mathematical and technical nature, and consequently there’s always another part of the brain using this time to rummage continually through the past, unearthing moments long forgotten, or holding memories whose edges have been sanded smooth from constant handling. One of the memories that often springs unbidden is the time in the late ’90’s I received a postcard from Pikachu.

Many of you will not remember Pikachu. I suppose he was a sort of little yellow demon of largely benevolent mien. Some claimed he caused epilepsy (when upset he would discharge electricity from his cheeks). I was in no position to judge the veracity of these claims, as we had never met. One day I received a postcard. On the front was a picture of Pikachu. On the back it read:

“Dear Daniel,

I hear that I am your favourite Pokemon. This makes me very happy.

Love,

Pikachu”

This is a good memory. I often think of you, little Pikachu. In other news, DJ Mattydog has continued to finesse his exciting dance remixes of  King Curly tracks, which you may download here:

Falling Downstairs (Video Remix) 

I Am Coming Back (In a Revenge Song) Scythe Remix

The National Country Music Muster held in the Amamoor Creek State Forest, Gympie, Queensland, is something to see. It was not the dusty paddock fete I was expecting; it is a very large, well organised country music experience featuring big hats, meat and rum. For Them-in-the-know the Tamworth Festival comes a distant 2nd nowadays. The fact that King Curly (and a few other oddities) were invited to play at Gympie says something positive about the open mindedness of the people involved. I hope they and their whip crackin’ mates feel the choice was justified - King Curly took the task of paying tribute to Country - the highest of all musical genres, with great pride - and had a good time in the process.

Since returning home I have already eaten 2 pieces of fruit (that’s 2 more than normal) - in the hope of re-introducing some essential vitamins to my bloodstream. We ate a great deal of meat you see. Elmo - a troublesome vegetarian - was surviving only on buckets of fried calamari.

It has long been a fantasy of mine to be a big hearty country person - but the mirror in the festival toilet block showed me that sadly that would never be. Proper cowboys/women are often big and red - while the musicians who play to them are skinny and little with fine fingers and sad little mummys-boy eyes. And there’s nowhere to hide like there is in the fancy boutique homo-houses of Sydney and Melbourne. I knew the ruse was over from day one when John and I took our first walk through the festival in our brand-spanking-new cowboy hats. The locals kept saying “nice hats, boys” EVEN THOUGH OUR HATS WERE THE SAME AS THEIRS! Humiliating.

Huddled in our tents at night, we listened nervously to the sound of whips cracking and wanton women shrieking somewhere deep in the forest where thousands of country-music lover’s tents and 4wheel drives lay. As night approached the whips cracked more often and the women cackled louder. One nice little performer we befriended told us that he had met an uncouth woman on a banana chair, who lifted her stocky leg and offered him (and his pal) a “lucky dip”. But it was clear to everyone with ears that marauding amongst the trees beyond the fortified safety of the performers encampment, was one particularly large and frightening woman. We heard a trumpet sound the ‘Last Post’ (quite beautifully) - followed by the sound of something large snatching it away.

Many of the camp sites were elaborate pub/shrines made of corrugated iron and bits of wood and rum was the main thing to drink. There were also a lot of Southern Cross flags.

My one gripe - the same I have at most festivals - is we inevitably discover the one massive stage in the middle is occupied by the worst acts at the festival (with the occasional exception). I dearly love Country music but like with all genres - there is some real shit out there and sadly I think folks just assume that because they are on a big stage they are worth watching. NOT TRUE - (I say to myself as I hungrily eye that mighty stage). And it is
partly the fault of the public that this problem continues. So next time you find yourself at a festival, at the biggest venue, amongst the biggest crowd, take notice of the people around you: If they look like the sort of people who buy one CD a year to put on a coffee table, to play at one of their sallow parties where they talk about real estate - get yourself up off your little camp-chair and move yourself elsewhere to the smaller venues where the real, hungry talent might be waiting.

I discovered a great act called The Gin Club Id never seen before. At least 7 cocky young rockers (from Brisbane I think) playing gutsy,well written songs.

KC

“King Curly” has flown beneath the radar for so long, like one of those exciting stealth planes we admire so much, that we’ve had to time to develop a faintly schizophrenic attitude to plaudits from the media. On those occasions where a laudatory article or review appears we are entirely sanguine, nodding sagely and accepting it entirely as our due. The only thing that makes us REALLY FURIOUS is when an album receives anything less than a Four Star review. Then we wish they hadn’t bothered to not listen to the album in question.

At the same time, we never imagine that our invitation to the ARIA Awards has been lost in the mail; it seems King Curly is destined (and at least partially by his own devising) to be huddled outside in the cold like the Little Match Girl, decoratively consumptive but carrying a switchblade.

So, it was nice to be informed via email that a song of Steve’s has been nominated as one of “The 20 Greatest Australian Songs”. The song is “Curly and Sue”. We didn’t know about it till yesterday, but voting is open to all members of the public till the 5th of September - hie ye hence to The Weekend Australian magazine’s voting page (it’s halfway down the page) and help us out - we’re up against some heavy hitters in proper Rocky fashion.

But the fact is, we’re resentful that only ONE song was nominated.

Mr Creighton

Over the weekend we did a show in Fairlight/Northern Sydney - It’s worth mentioning because it was one of those rare & exceptional ones that leaves the soul replenished in some critical way. It was a local Folk club arrangement - I believe they only put on 4 shows a year. Special mentions must go to organisers Rosie and also Penny who was very kind to us, even taking us into their home across the road for a baked dinner. This doesn’t happen often in the cut throat world of musical entertainment: 3 times ever for King Curly - and it s always a good omen for whats to come.

The venue is a church and the support acts were locals, kicking off with a feisty minor named Zoe Elliott who had the full-house singing along. followed by ‘Tully’ a very talented guitarist /singer and his excellent band.

The night had a remarkably wholesome air about it. Not unlike a set for Home And Away I couldn’t help noting. Everyone looked well-feed and loved, with a large proportion of the audience being smiling teenagers. John was initially suspicious that we had got mixed up with some sort of religious sect but no doubt it was just the pay-off of it being a community run thing. It must be the land of milk and honey up there in Fairlight.

Having made these observations and been fed so generously, I felt pressure to lift my stage craft to new heights (see photo below). I worked the audience, first by attempting to be ADORABLE which is suicide of course in a grown man and then, when that didnt work, I tried for their pity. Of course This audience were too savvy to fall for any of that but by the end of the show (as we abandoned the smoking rubble that was once the stage) - we seemed to have won them over on our own terms. Thankyou Fairlight for a great night

KC

(Photos by Dave Magill )

My elder brother Greg has been writing a musical for theatre for some time now. (Maybe 10 years I reckon). And over that time and many rewrites, it has been steadily transforming into a slick little crowd pleaser named ‘Van Park’. King Curly will be performing the original soundtrack live onstage.

When ‘Van Park’ comes to the stage in November it will probably be publicised as a Contemporary Australian Musical Comedy - Sort of like King Curly being tagged ‘Country-rock’ (same genre as Johnny Cougar Mellencamp) - not that helpful but I guess it says something to the passing punter. No yartist will ever be comfortable with such ugly pigeonholing as inevitably heaps them together with lots of things they hate. But since they are a necessary evil, may I at least suggest a improvement: By adding the words ‘Good’ and ‘Bad’ to any/all of these hybrid genre labels. In which case ‘Van Park’ could be distinguished as GOOD CONTEMPORARY AUSTRALIAN MUSICAL COMEDY. Much better. Of course there would need to be some kind of special board of regulators to give out the Good/Bad tag - people with spotless reputations, beyond reach of industry bribes etc .My hand is up for such a position but I’m not hopeful.

Anyway, the good news is that John Paul Young has taken the lead role in ‘Van Park’, to be shown in early November both in Wollongong and in Sydney. I, like most people am a fan of JPY - ever since I saw him get his t-shirt ripped off on Countdown ages ago. Of course Im a big fan of his songwriters too; Vanda & Young.

At the very least the world will get to see JPY sing ‘Let’s Have An Orgy. This is such a good thing.

KC

It is looking like King Curly will be touring to Europe/U.S not once, but twice in the near future. Like many things in this business nothing is confirmed till the last minute when all the unlikely co-incidences are lined up together but let’s just be glad the astrology (and good will of people) is looking positive as we are eager to go.

While I consider myself to be something of a mid-range greenie, I notice in the paper today (with great foreboding) that because of the fuel prices, the airlines are increasing their ticket prices and are introducing a baggage penalty which will almost certainly capture Zoe’s ridiculously big double-bass. Could it be that what remains of live music is is to die altogether - that would be a bad omen indeed for the world. In the great tradition of King Curly, I had always imagined that the crashing economy, peak oil crisis etc would mean punishment for the greedy/rich only and that struggling cockroaches like myself would be suddenly free to roam freely amongst the corpses - but alas, that is not the case and we must all pay the price. How grave the future looks for the world at present. I look to the upcoming Olympics (in the heart of Mordor itself) for some mighty gesture of good-will and direction change. (No Im not kidding)

Best regards

KC