One of the most famous phrases on the planet might be given a little Rock n Roll makeover  when McDonalds makes their debut on the big stage. But rather than having employees don the big hair and makeup themselves the  folks at King St McDonalds, Newcastle have decided to contribute to the city’s Rock and Roll pedigree and support the next generation of Rock and Roll talent.

With multi-platinum  selling bands such as Silverchair and The Screaming Jets born and bred in the city it makes sense that that an organisation that prides itself on “giving back to the community that supports it” does so in the most appropriate manner. Read the rest of this entry »

Posted by on March 9th, 2009
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Posted under: Announcements | Art | Community | Music

rosie

Q. What do a Neo Fauvist artist and a Rockstar have in common ?

A. The Archibald Prize

No, this is not some attempt at highbrow humour but the latest project for Hunter Valley based artist Peter Sesselmann. The Archibald Prize is regarded as the most important portraiture prize and is  the most prominent of all arts prizes in Australia. The Archibald is unique in that the subject should be considered to be someone “distinguished in art, science or politics”. So what subject would be best to compliment an artist such as Peter who is known for his loud vivid  colourful  style ?

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Posted by on February 5th, 2009
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Posted under: Announcements | Art | Music

Source: Kathy McCabe, Daily Telegraph

 

THE bold creative vision of Daniel Johns
was finally recognised with Silverchair’s astonishing comeback album
Young Modern sweeping the ARIA awards last night.

Propelled by Straight Lines – the Single Of The Year – Silverchair’s fifth record Young Modern also claimed the band’s first Album Of The Year gong and three other awards including Best Group and Best Rock Album.

Their
five trophies takes their ARIA haul to a total of 19 since they burst
onto the scene as 14-year-olds, making them the most successful act in
the 21-year history of the awards.

While Johns’ wife Natalie
Imbruglia wasn’t on hand to cheer her husband on as she is on a feature
film shoot in South Australia, Nicole Kidman beamed when husband Keith
Urban again won Best Country Album.

His album Love Pain and the Whole Crazy Thing was mostly inspired by falling in love with the Hollywood leading lady.

"She is very prevalent in most of the songs," he said, before adding fans shouldn’t expect a duet from the pair any time soon.

"I promise not to act as well, so it’s a fair deal."

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Posted by on October 29th, 2007
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Posted under: Music

Source: Iain Shedden, The Australian

"LAST time we played here, no one liked us very much," joked Silverchair frontman Daniel Johns.

The singer had no such concerns when Silverchair made a triumphant return to their native Newcastle last night.

The Newcastle rockers rarely take second place to anyone, particularly in their home town, but they bowed to age, rather than experience as their older collaborators, Powderfinger, closed the show at the beginning of their joint tour last night.

The crowd of more than 7000 at Newcastle Entertainment Centre was more concerned with the quality of this rare double bill than its running order.

In fact, the Newcastle trio will spend the next nine weeks opening for their Brisbane colleagues on the Across the Great Divide tour, the biggest run of concerts either band has undertaken in Australia.

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Posted by on August 30th, 2007
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Posted under: Music

Source: ABC Online, Carol Duncan and Jeannette McMahon

When Newcastle-based jazz clarinet player Andy Firth received an invitation from the Carnegie Corporation to perform at New York’s famed Carnegie Hall, he was stunned.

After all, for most musicians the idea of playing Carnegie is just a dream.

"I had to read it a couple of times to realise it wasn’t a hoax," Andy says. "It’s very exciting. I still can’t quite believe it’s happening to me, and that I’ll be performing in the same hall where people like (cellist) Yo Yo Ma performed."

Andy Firth is rapidly becoming recognised as one of the world’s best jazz clarinet players, so you might assume that packing his bags and heading overseas would be the smartest way to advance his career.

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Posted by on August 10th, 2007
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Posted under: Music

Cd_cover_2World Premiere

Hunter Region bands together for storm tribute.

Craig "Rosie" Rosevear and Grant Walmsley of Screaming Jets fame plus Mark Tinson and leading home grown talent have collabarated as The Newie Allstars for the charitable release of "We Can’t Be Beaten single and video clip… a tribute to thank the heroes and volunteers who came to the region’s aid during the "storm".

The CD single is available for sale from 18 July from Companion Credit Union branches, with other venues to be announced.

A free concert and family day is to be held on 22 July from 12 noon on the Newcastle forsehore featuring The Heroes, Grant Walmsley, The Retro Rockets, Benjalu, Vince Martinelli, The Physical Funkettes, Rosie’s School of Rock, The Balance Health Kanga Kids, Hunter School of Performing Arts, Powerage, Jason Lowe, Dan Granero plus The Newie Allstars and special guests.

All monies raised form the sale of the single will be donated to the State Emergency Service (SES) or you can make a donation at the concert.

The concert, single and video have been proudly supported by Companion Credit Union and made with the assistance of NBN, ONE80 Digital Post, Newcastle TAFE, Rosie’s School of Rock, Hunters Best, Sticky Advertising and Stuart Glover.

Posted by on July 11th, 2007
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Posted under: Announcements | Hunter Valley News | Music

Cd_coverThe Newie Allstars will release the ‘We Can’t Be Beaten’ CD single in Australia on July 18, 2007. The single will also contain a volunteers version of the legendary Rose Tattoo’s "We Can’t Be Beaten" song (and that is a cracker).

The single will be made available in Companion Credit Union branches or you can pre-order by just emailing gordon at info@huntersbest.com.au

We are also looking for socially aware corporations to help distribute this tribute song and fundraiser.

Copies of the single will be going for $5.00…cheap as chips!

All monies raised will be going directly to the State Emergency Service (SES).

Posted by on July 9th, 2007
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Posted under: Music