Mathew Packer

Hansel bring the awesome

matpacker — Thu, 16 Jul 2009 12:32:27 +0000

So tonight at the 1233 ABC Newcastle Music Awards we got to listen to a whole bunch of new Newcastle rock music. One of the bands I heard tonight completely and utterly caught me by surprise……in a good way.

I’d like to present to you my new favourite awesome hair metal glam rock band, Hansel and their track Murder 101. Check out after the break…..

And if you feel so inclined you can visit their website, and you can also buy their ep on iTunes.

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If you’re reading this on Facebook…….

matpacker — Thu, 16 Jul 2009 01:52:55 +0000

If you’re reading this on Facebook you might not be getting the full picture, errr article even. Click on the ‘View original post’ link and you will be able to read the full article on my blog.

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Screaming Assault Sirens vs Sydney CBD’viants – 15th August

matpacker — Thu, 16 Jul 2009 01:33:04 +0000

After a successful launch in March 2009, the Newcastle Roller Derby League has the pleasure of hosting a bout between Sydney’s two top roller derby teams, the Screaming Assault Sirens and the Sydney City CBD ‘viants.

This all female gang of fearless athletes offer more than your average sporting event. This is a full-contact aggressive and hyper-competitive sport, on roller skates. Fresh from the season Grand Final, this rematch is sure to be some of the best roller derby action that Australia has to offer.

The afternoon will also feature a half time show, put on by Newcastle’s Kavon Theatre and NRDL’s very own fear leaders which is guaranteed to be jam packed full of excitement . There will also be a demonstration scrimmage between NRDL’s Members, face painting and plenty of prizes to be won.

The pre-season bout between the Raven Beauties and the Full Bodied Reds, was a sell out event, so grab your tickets fast.

The Newcastle Roller Derby League is a not-for-profit organisation, run by the skaters for the skaters. It is dedicated to promoting the sport of Women’s Flat Track Roller Derby by facilitating the development of athletic ability, sportsmanship and goodwill among league members.

Event Details
When: 15th August doors open at 1pm
Where: Gateshead Sporting Centre
Tickets: $15 available through Big Tix at www.bigtix.com.au

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The Horrors: Primary Colours

matpacker — Wed, 15 Jul 2009 03:42:43 +0000

The Horrors have proven smarter than we may have thought. Their sophomore album retires the goth hipsterisms, and tackles the sound of 1950s sci-fi instead. With laser beam keyboards and time-warped guitars, Primary Colours channels the darker side of Post Punk and the metronomic pulse of Krautrock to great effect.

Production duties were smartly placed in the hands of Portishead’s Geoff Barrow who gives the album a shoegazing wash that mesmerises and haunts. The Horrors continue to rock out on tracks like ‘New Ice Age’ and ‘I Can’t Control Myself’, but it’s the restrained moments like ‘Scarlet Fields’ and the creepy pulse of ‘Sea Within a Sea’ that prove most compelling.

Primary Colours is a mature and personal record promising a longevity that The Horrors’ debut lacked.

For fans of: The Cure, Siouxsie and the Banshees and My Bloody Valentine.

4/5 by Ingmar Apinis

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Let the judging begin!

matpacker — Wed, 15 Jul 2009 02:02:01 +0000

For the last couple of years I’ve been involved with the ABC Music Awards here in Newcastle as a judge. I’ve heard some awesome music, I’ve heard some spectacular failures, I’ve heard some songs that by rights should’ve been top 10 hits on Billboard (maybe I’m exaggerating a tad, they were cracking tracks nevertheless).

Well it’s that time of year again when myself and some other dedicated souls pack ourselves into the cool / crisp ABC Newcastle studios and begin the process of culling the masses of entries down to a dozen or so lucky bands to make it through to the finals CD, all the while enjoying the tasty snack assortment that Auntie kindly provides for us.

First up I’m judging the Rock category, which kicks into high gear tomorrow night, and then next week is Pop. And depending on the number of entries to each category it’ll be a case of rinse and repeat until we’re down to a dozen.

I wonder where the stand outs will come from this year?

Note: If you’d like to preview some of the entries, then go have a listen here Rock | Pop

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Poll: Music news, yes or no?

matpacker — Tue, 14 Jul 2009 23:51:24 +0000

Of late it’s become a bit of a pain for me to come up with new articles for my I’m With The Band blog, and with Reverb Magazine all but pulling out so that they can concentrate on their new distribution model, I’ve all but come to the conclusion that it’s time to either scrap or sell the website…..

However, I get sent loads of press releases, CDs, and other music related bits and pieces so I’m thinking that I might publish the pressers and stuff here, and give away some CDs every now and then. And hey, who doesn’t like free stuff?

So what do you all think, are you ok with me publishing music news and what not on the blog here?

Just answer yes, no, I don’t care, etc. in the comments area below, thanks!

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Teasers from Sunday

matpacker — Tue, 14 Jul 2009 05:31:39 +0000

After the shoot on Saturday with Joellen I had to quickly recharge batteries, clean lenses, etc. and get everything ready for my shoot on Sunday with a local Newcastle band called Candy & The Full Moons – myspace | facebook

More photos, plus some music, after the ‘click to continue’

The boys were good fun to photograph, laughing lots, joking around, and all that.. Definitely makes it a lot easier to work than with a band that takes themselves a little too seriously and are all hard faced and impossible to pose.

Stay tuned for more news about Candy & The Full Moons, they’ve got a cool sound and I reckon a fairly bright future, for now here’s a stream of Candy & The Full Moons debut track, Julia. It’s really poppy, and really catchy. I’m a fan for sure!

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Teasers from Saturday

matpacker — Mon, 13 Jul 2009 03:18:04 +0000

So I had my shoot with Joellen on Saturday and we got some great results, here’s a couple of teaser images from the shoot.

Enjoy them all after the ‘click to continue’

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Photo weekend ahoy

matpacker — Fri, 10 Jul 2009 02:49:19 +0000

It’s looking like a bust weekend ahead with two photo shoots booked into the studio. On Saturday I’m shooting with a model and we’re going to be doing some fashion type stuff, and Sunday is with a local band who are after some publicity photos to use on their myspace / facebook / website.

Both shoots should be fun, and to prepare I’ve been scouring the interwebs the last couple of nights looking for some inspiration. I’ve got a few ideas for both shoots that I’m hoping come off, fingers crossed.

Apart from that we had our latest ultrasound earlier this week and bubs is looking good. We’ve also been going to ante-natal classes and that’s been quite interesting to say the least. I think Cath and I are well prepared, at least as prepared as anyone would be when they’re expecting their first child……

Work’s fairly busy at the moment, hence the lack of daily blogging, twittering, etc. I’m definitely not going to complain about that though as now that I’m back doing sales work for the Medilog Holter product range I’m getting paid commission on top of my wage, and with Cath going on maternity leave shortly I guess it’s a good thing work’s keeping me busy.

Anyway, that’s about it for now. If I get time, and get a little bit of editing done, I’ll post a few photos from the shoots.

Take it easy, Mat.

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Reverb, July 09 Fashion

matpacker — Sun, 05 Jul 2009 01:06:46 +0000

The latest issue of Reverb is out now and my fashion shoot I did for Ramjet made it into the issue. It’s titled Rags to Riches, and here’s the double page spread.

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