Update: Unfortunately, this will be pushed back to October, so ignore the previous information I'd posted here. Will provide more info as it comes to hand.

For the pub-based gigs (Evelyn, Cherry Bar and Corner Hotel) in Melbourne, Saturday 30 Oct til Monday 1 Nov. Just $50

https://www.cornerhotel.com/?gig=1288398600&venue=SN

More info and lineup: http://www.facebook.com/?ref=home#!/event.php?eid=109626155759925&ref=ts

You can buy cruise tickets separately:

https://www.cornerhotel.com/?gig=1288485000&venue=CD

31 October · 11:30 - 15:00

The lineup for the cruise is:

Dan Potthast (USA)
Madonna
The Real Deal (Canada)

It's been a long time between drinks, but I thought I should let everyone know of a couple of the bigger thinks approaching. On August 28th the annual Revolution Rock returns to Sydney with a lineup that won't disappoint:

The Domnicks (WA) (featuring Nick Sheppard from The Clash)
The Rumjacks,
The CityLights,
Madonna (VIC)
The Tearaways (VIC)

This year the Sydney event will be held at the Annandale and there will also be a gig in Melbourne on September 4 @ the Birmingham Hotel.

Later in the year Melbourne will play host to Ska Nation again, and Dizzybeat will be there to cover it again. Last year was awesome, with the One Night Band from Canada topping a great weekend of music. This year the event will be on October 30, 31 and November 1. Be there!

There are a couple of things worth checking out in Sydney this weekend. The first is Steppin' Razor's CD launch at the Annandale on Friday night and the second is Uptown Top Ranking at the Hollywood on the Saturday. Full details of each are below:

Steppin' Razor CD Launch (CDs given away) @ the Lansdowne
Friday May 28 with:
Steppin' Razor
Rocksteady Dub Militia
Capo Capo
The Disadvantaged
The Snoozefests
9 pm start - Free entry

Uptown Top Ranking @ the Hollywood Hotel
Saturday May 29
DJs spinning ska, punk, mod, 2-tone, reggae etc
830 pm start Free entry

Dizzybeat has really been neglected in 2010, due in large part to pouring so much energy into the Dawn Penn and Stranger Cole gig while I tried to hold down a job and do a couple of uni subjects as well. Dizzybeat is always the thing to give, unfortunately.

Anyway, the gig is over, and it was one of the most interesting musical experiences of my life. Just mind-blowing really, and for the most part fantastic. I didn't take any media as Gen and I were kept pretty busy, but there are pics over at: http://www.fasterlouder.com.au/gallery/16026/1/The-Reggae-Showcase.htm

Hopefully over the next couple of weeks I'll be able to get things updated here, as there is quite a bit on.

Ska, reggae and rocksteady institutions The Slackers have a new album out on Hepcat within the next few weeks. Titled The Great Rocksteady Swindle, you can pre-order it from interpunk.com. In Australia, Shock distribute Hellcat, so one would expect you'll be able to get it from JB Hi-fi or preferably a smaller shop like Resist Records or Missing Link. You may have to ask them to get it in for you though.

So while I am shouting from the rooftops about Dawn Penn and Stranger Cole playing in Sydney, there is another great Thursday night of Garage Land coming up.

Here is the low-down:

LINEUP:

GAY PARIS
THIS WAR (Melb)
DJ GLEN DIZZYBEAT
TOMMY GUN
DJ FROM FULL HOUSE

Garageland appreciates the Sydney response for our show last month. We try to keep the entertainment flowing (and I don't just mean the Young Liberals meeting upstairs) so we're back in April with a killer lineup, including another interstate showing.

GAYPARIS is what you get when you put a particularly effeminate ginger showman in front of a band playing a mix of blues, gospel, hillbilly and hardcore punk music. While many shy away from the spotlight, Gay Paris stand firmly in it and pull everyone they perform to towards it. A novelty as enjoyable and intense as this band ceases to be novelty.

This War will make you forget for a night that Melbourne's other great punk act, H-Block 101, have broken up. They won't remind you of it, because their sound is more melancholy, though no less infectious. Their mix of punk, ska and pop with a strong critical questioning to their songwriting will make you do what any good punk does and think critically yourself, while ensuring you still know exactly what the dancefloor is for.

Before, between and after the bands DJs Glen Dizzybeat, Snap! Soundsystem, Tommy Gun and DJ from Full House will be spinning the smoothest sounds for the dancefloor, from JA to the UK and all the way to the Motor City.

http://www.myspace.com/garagelandnight