1998 News
1999 News
(Please note that my 1997 News is available only request via e-mail)
January 25
- not from there's new single, juanita's cocktail party, featuring Brendan on guest vocals is out now. It's really cool. For not from there's official page, click here.
- Apart from that, there is no news, as Something For Kate are currently recording in Melbourne with Brian "recorded Spiderland" Paulson. Their first single is expected to drop late February. bl stryker has gone into hibernation pending a big year, and who knows what Greg Wales is up to? Not I.
1998 News
October 4th
- Mandrille now has an official site!! It's located at the Trifekta Records homepage (also home to the Avalanches debut release and Gerling - on a permanent basis I think) - finde the Mandrille page here. Check it out.
September 30
- Long time no update!! The only real news to tell you is that I got The Hunting Picture. The only new track is called "The End", and one of the tracks on The Tyranny of Creeps didn't make the final cut.
- Also, Brendan sings back-up on one of the songs on the brilliant new not from there album sand on seven. The song is "juanita's cocktail party". It's a ripper of a record.
August 27
- 'Brendan and Guy Blackman of Chord Organ (he's the guy who on the 5th of August played w/Brendan under the name Riot Guy) are supporting Penny Hewson at the Corner Hotel this Sunday 30th. "A compilation of four track recordings will be out soon on Fellaheen." <- that's how the blurb ended. :)' Thanks Fiona
August 3
- 
That's right! That's the cover! Go back to my front page, click on the CDNow logo, type in Sandpit, and buy it after August 4 American date (which is about August 5 our time), and be happy!!
- Many thanks to "Brenton Webb" (bloody mac people!) for sending me the piccie.
July 22
- In BL Stryker news, we have a name!! And it is They Say The Owl. There is also a forthcoming 7" recorded with ledgendary sound-guy Matt Dufty (not Duffy as on Something For Kate's Dean Martin single). BL also has a track (or two?) on the up-coming One of Those Years compilation, which was supposed to come out in January, around the same time as the wonderful wonder from a quarter acre. It's been a bloody long January hey?!
- Don't forget that if you want to hear BL now and can't wait till August, you can buy a limited copy (ie. you may have missed out) of Spunk fanzine, and it has a 7" with a song called Uno (as in the game) on it. Cool track.
July 14
- In Something For Kate news, they will be recording their second album during the latter stages of this month and the start of August, with a guy called Mitchell Eroom who has worked with Crowded House before. They did not get Eli Janney from Girls Against Boys as they originally wanted because he's doing the touring thing at the moment in America. Current date for the album is October, but don't really expect it then. Be thinking January/February/March 1999. Record companies always delay product for various reasons.
- In BL Stryker news, his debut record has been pushed back to late August. Surprise, surprise (if you read the above comments.
June 30
- I have some great news for all you Sandpit fans out there. Although they have broken up, they will have another release, due in September in Australia and the end of July in America (so go to CDNow to order it then not now). It's going to be called The Hunting Picture and it will contain their EP's combined plus some new (previously unreleased) 4-track materia!! Apparently the artwork is fantastic. I can't wait to get my copy from CDNow! Thanks to Anon. for providing this information.
- Also thanks to Anon., I have some new press shots of the band. Unfortunately, Anon. sent them to me in .bmp files. I am currently trying to convert them to .jpg or .gif but I have to download something first so it may take awhile. If you have the capability to do it already, e-mail me at this address: weaverpr@chariot.net.au.
- News on the BL front (according to Anon.) is that his debut release will definitely be out in July! YAY!!
- To see a new Something For Kate site in it's infancy (done by me), click here. E-mail at the above address for additions and help!
June 22
- BL didn't play the "Cycle..." gig as mentioned below. Apparently he was told he didn't need to, so he didn't. Some people are might crook at this.
- Stephanie has been mentioned on a Something For Kate release for the first time! It's the Roll Credit single. I don't think that she actually played on any of the tracks (cos I know that the Jebediah cover - Harpoon - was recorded when Toby was still the bass player. Besides, you can hear him singing int eh background. I think it's him at any rate.
- SO which is better? The Jebs covering S4K, or S4K covering the Jebs? I personally think the Jebs, but S4K does a might fine version of Harpoon, it's just that I was expecting it to be a bit "darker", and more similar to early Something For Kate. As per usual, the b-sides are the reason to buy the S4K single - they have the best b-sides since Radiohead.
June 18
- BL Stryker is playing at the "Cycle against nuclear cycle" benefit gig at the Tote this Friday night. There's a whole bunch of other bands playing too but dearest Fiona will tell me (and thus us) all about it tomorrow. Maybe. If yr lucky, punk!
- They, they obviously being Sandpit, may not have broken up just yet. Despite confirmation from various sources, Shock has sent out press releases stating that they haven't broken up - they've just gone on an extended hiatus. I hate to bring the Rodan/June of 44 comparison in again, but can we expect to see a Sandpit version of The Shipping News in about four years time?
June 17
- It appears that Brendan has another band on the go already!! Well, if you know anything about anything (and I don't), you'd know all about Mandrille. They're playing with The Avalanches on Sunday 28th June at the Punters Club in Melbourne. If bloody Beat Magazine would ever update their internet page I might be able to keep you more informed on all things BL as well, but they're slacker than me!!
- So far I have three votes for a BL Stryker page, and one vote for a Mandrille page (from a band-member). Kepp yer opinions coming people - and by the way, this page will never die. Oh contrare. Watch out for the forthcoming concert chronology page and maybe, just maybe, a bootleg page.
June 15
- It appears that Sandpit have "done a Rodan" - released one fantastic album and then gone their separate ways. Brendan will concentrate on BL Stryker, Stephanie is attached to Something For Kate, and Greg Wales has buggered off to America to do to the "producer-wizz" thing.
- So where does that leave this site? Well, that's up to you. If you want to add suggestions (ie. do you want a BL Stryker site, a Something For Kate site, or a Not From There - you should know about them - site, tell me. Put it on the guestbook or write to me via e-mail.
- Until the new site/no site appears, look forward to BL Stryker's first release, and hope that it still comes out in July, like it's currently forcast for.
- Another interesting thing to note about BL is that Milo (ex- of great Sydney band Tweezer) may be teaming up with Brendan. Is there a possibility of BL Stryker becoming a band rather than a solo outfit? Will it be akin to the brilliance of June of 44 coming out of Rodan? Only time will tell...
May 27
- As if you didn't know, Sandpit's last few gigs for a while are this weekend. On Friday night they're playing with Gerling at Revolvar in Prahran (or, as some would have you believe, "Praan, Darling!"), on Saturday at some godawful hour (between 9am and midday), they're playing on Recovery, and on Saturday night they're playing at the Punters Club with s:bahn and Incursion.
- There are rumbling around that these could be the last Sandpit gigs for a long time (a VERY long time), so go forth and shoe-gaze.
May 7
- Thanks to both the ever-reliable Fiona Thiessen and also Bruce Herrman who e-mailed me the exact details of the Melbourne (and thus "home") leg of the CD launch this weekend. It's at the Evelyn Hotel with Shellac, oops, sorry, Ricaine and the awesomely awesome art of fighting. Be sure that you go, as, after Greg leaves in three or so weeks times, Sandpit will be taking an extended break until they find a replacement.
May 6
- Added a new review of Along the Moors, which he says sounds "Pavement-esque". How original. Go here to read it.
- Sandpit have their on second thought release gig in Melbourne this weekend. If anyone has any details I'd appreciate it, cos Beat Magazine's website is slacker heaven, and they usually update when they can be bothered (if they can be bothered). Still, this site wouldn't have any news without it!!
May 3
- I saw Sandpit last night, and according to the man himself, Greg Wales leaves to go to America to production work in four weeks time. This is about the time that Sandpit's "two EPs combined plus other stuff" will be released in the States. It will be available in 6 weeks time in Australia (is it quicker to import it or to buy it here? Anyone?). For anyone interesed, he was wearing a Shellac top. I wonder who he's going to work with over there?
April 28
- Thanks again to Fiona Thiessen for getting me a cover scan and a back cover scan of on second thought. As Matt le Blanc (or le Bland as Logies watchers have dubbed him) would say: "They rock!". Also thanks to Kim Parker @ Shock Records who also sent me a copy of the CD cover as a scan.
- Went to Melbourne this weekend and am pleased to say that Au go go and Polyester both have window displays for on second thought. I took a photo (or two) of the Au go go display and I'll put them up eventually.
- Sandpit are playing this weekend in my home town, Adelaide, with Fur, Rash, bZark and Slingshot. It's $8 or $6 for AU Students.
April 20
- Well, the new album was released today. Follow the links thru releases (or click here) to get to a run down of it. It's great (well der).
- Many, many thanx to Fiona and David Thiessen for scanning the cover of Great Expectations for me, it was much appreciated! Anyone wanna scan on second thought for me? If you do, scan the "red wallpaper" as well, and it'll become the new background.
April 8
- Long time no update!
- Well, Greater Expectations is out. Go here for a bigger run down.
- Sandpit cancelled their gig at the Royal Hotel after their The Superjesus gig in Adelaide, but I got a few pictures of them, so I'll put them up when (a) I print the photos and (2) when I find someone with a scanner.
March 19
- The band are really shitty with me cos of the "bad news" that I published last year, and understandably so because it discussed elements of their private life.
- Oh well, they're still a shit hot band.
- Did an interview with Stephanie on last Monday, in which several interesting points were raised:
- the first two EPs have been joined together and are due to be released in America SOON. They will be available on a short run in Australia via Shock (who are also distributing them in the US).
- The next single, Greater Expectation or Greater Expectations - she had a cold OK!, will be released before the album, apparently on the 6th of April (when On Second Thought was supposed to be released.
- On Second Thought will be released on 20th April. It contains ten tracks, two of which are instrumentals. It does not contain any tracks off the first two EPs.
- Greg Wales (drums) is leaving the band in August - he's going overseas (to the US) to do some production work over there. Congrats!
- To see the full interview click here.
March 9
- Long time no update. Change of name - now going to be called On Second Thought, and is currently slated for release on April 6th.
- In addition to The Superjesus gig at Adelaide Uni gigs on March 28th, Sandpit will be playing with Pollyanna at the Royal in Kent Town on the Sunday. It's an early evening show so ge there early (I will!)
January 29
- Stephanie has joined Something For Kate. She is replacing Toby Ralph, who is leaving (obviously). Something For Kate will never be playing their old tunes again apparently (was heard to mutter the word "bugger" - I'm also a large S4K fan).
- Sandpit have received an enormous (and slightly unexpected apparently) bonus - they have gained one of the two supports for The Superjesus, the other being Snout. The Superjesus are touring their new album, Sumo, which hits the shelves on Feb 16. Click here for touring details (it's a biggun!!).
- Sandpit's album is now tentatively slated for release in late March.
January 15
- Sandpit's debut single, along the moors, will be released this Monday, January 19.
- The b-sides will be as follows:
no rock
the horns sing
mr diamond
- The version of the horns sing, originally featured on The Tyranny of Creeps is apparently a four-track version.
- The still tentatively titled debut album (currently called new lessons) will be available is currently slated for release on either March 2 or March 9. This could, of course, all change.
- Brendan, in the form of BL Stryker (under which he plays solo), will have a release as "...soon as brendan gets it finished - who knows when" [Kim Parker, Shock Records].
- Sandpit will be touring extensively to promote the new record, starting presumably in late March. Miss them at your peril.