Garage-trash-a-go-go - Melb #2

I posted this somewhere else... why not put it on here as well? A review on the run of my weekend adventures in Melbourne.

Night one: Friday. Venue: Town Hall Hotel, North Melbourne. Artistes: Runout Grooves, Booby Traps. I Walked into a narrow fronted corner pub packed to the rafters with diners and drinkers and thought "where the hell are the bands supposed to play?" I was helpfully informed by a fellow punter that when they kick the diners out they'll turn the bistro into a band room. Transformation complete, the equipment is set up in a room slightly larger than a lounge room. The Runout Grooves, featuring Micky and Nicky from Shutdown 66, pump out awesome garage rock grooves (pardon the pun), a little more primitive (if you can believe that) than the Shutdowns. The Boobs came on late and immediately hit the spot. A little more practiced than their last Sydney gig, they left the punters screaming for more. And we did get more, but only a couple before the dreaded curfew kicked in. Hello to Micky 66, pleasure to meet you.

Night two: Saturday. Venue: Exile on Smith St, Collingwood. Artistes: The Shimmys, Booby Traps, Blow Up DJs. It Took me a while to find this place as the sign out the front still has the old name on it (Fibbers). It seemed to be an old restaurant/bar, converted to a rock club about the same size as the Hoey. Diabolical sound for the Shimmys didn't do their act (nor that of the reputation of the club) justice, but these sassy minxes soldiered on and luckily the sound was sorted by the end. Think Mummies meets the Shangri las in Leopard print. The Boobs again tore the house down and got a far better reception than they'd ever get in Sydney. I guess Melbourne is a more 60s garage town as opposed to the more generic sound favoured up here. The Blow up DJs did their thang till closing time but I was a bit sozzled by then and more interested in talking shit than cutting a rug. Hola to the lovely Suzy Watusi who I was priveleged to meet tonight.

Night three: Sunday. Venue: Las Vegas, various casinos. Artiste: The King Of Rock N Roll.
Well, not really Vegas but I finally caught "Elvis: That's the Way it is" on the big screen. Screening alongside Clambake (surely one of the King's worst movies, but very funny for it) at the beautiful art deco Astor Theatre in St Kilda, the sort of venue that if in Sydney, would've been demolished or turned into apartments by now. For shame. Unfortunately we (being me and mein host Geoffrey) had to leave halfway through the main event (note to self, eat before movies next time) but not before catching my favourite Vegas era Elvis song, "Patch It Up".

Rocco's Emporium of Wonder - Melb #1

On previous trips to Melbourne I'd always meant to check out the famed Rocco's shoes at Malvern. Well, it all seemed too far away from the CBD to bother, but when my mate informed me i'd been to Malvern, to his girlfriend's house, and that It was just up the road from Prahran, I realised my naivety and hopped on the first tram I could get.

Rocco in his workshop - from the Age

Walking into the humble shopfront you encounter what I would describe as porn for conniseurs of quality footwear. Rows and rows of Jaw droppingly beautful shoes and boots, my favourites being the ankle boots in all shades, textures and styles... pointed toes, chisel toes, round toes, zips, elastic, laces, cubans and flats.

As luck (good, bad or otherwise) would have it, I had noticed a tear in in my existing black poined toed boots. As they were bought second hand and looked slightly worse for wear to start with I thought now would be the time to upgrade. Pity none of the off the shelf stock fitted me. I was told that the wait time for custom made boots is 5 weeks, and as I don't live in Melbourne (yet... maybe later) and I'm not planning on going back for at least two months I guess I ought to try and find an equivalent place up here in Sydney. Any ideas would be appreciated and I'll let you know how I go in my own efforts.

Footnote: In searching for a pic for this story I discovered that Rocco doesn't make the shoes anymore, his son does. I'm glad somebody's keeping the legend alive. And take a look at the red suede boots with the black patent leather stripe in the photo. I bought those as new on my previous trip to Melbourne so I am pleased to say I DO own some Rocco's after all.