Hometown hard-rock heroes Black Aces will wrap up their south-east coast Never Change tour with a Christmas cracker of a show at the Golden Vine on Saturday, December 21.
Black Aces have spent the past two months since the release of their five-track EP, Never Change, touring around Victoria, New South Wales, and the ACT.
As with their previous album – 2017’s Anywhere But Here – Never Change was again produced by Mark Opitz (The Angels, AC/DC, Rose Tattoo, INXS, Cold Chisel), engineered and co-produced by Colin Wynne (Bad//Dreems, The Casanovas), and recorded at Melbourne studio Thirty Mill.
“(It) contains the distinctive Australian pub sound that we do,” says drummer Pete McMillan, “however, the influences vary and have seen the sound develop on previous releases.”
Despite these myriad influences – ranging from punk, glam, and blues – McMillan sums up the EP as “a good little slab of rock n roll”. He says the band has been thrilled with the response to Never Change and the accompanying tour, but is gearing up for an even bigger 2020.
Returning to the studio to record their third album is front and centre of Black Aces’ plans. “We’ve been hard at work on plenty of new tracks, and as soon as we hit the new year that’ll be the main focus,” says McMillan.
Come June/July, the band will return to the United Kingdom for a short tour that will also feature appearances on the festival circuit. “It’s been quite a while since our last UK run back in April of 2018, so we’re pretty keen to get back,” McMillan says. “(It’s) pretty exciting, really looking forward to that.”
Catch Black Aces in their final show for 2019 at the Golden Vine from 9pm, where the band will perform its originals along with a handful of classic covers. Entry $10 at the door.
As the silly season hits full swing, here’s where you can catch some great live music action during the next fortnight:
Everyone’s favourite party band The John Grossman Project will stage its seventh annual Christmas extravaganza at the Golden Vine on Friday, December 20. From 8.30pm.
Nelson Beks will be performing in trio mode at Handle Bar on Saturday, December 21. From 8pm.
Singer-guitarist Tim Grey will perform a Sunday afternoon session at the Axedale Tavern on December 22. From 1pm; free entry.
Local punk-fusion four-piece Filthy Hacks are teaming up with rebooted duo The Ivory Knives for The Empire Strikes Hack double bill at the Golden Vine on Friday, December 27. From 8pm; entry $5.
Guitarist David Knight brings his acoustic roots fare to the Axedale Tavern on Saturday, December 28. From 6.30pm.
Written by Lynette Walker
Contact: [email protected]
