Mysterious Mix #5

Mysterious Mixes are a way for us to share music we love with the rest of the world (and yes, to whore TEETH out some more). If you picked this mix up at the Kinokuniya zine fair, let us know by emailing teethmag@gmail.com


1. Wiley – Wearing My Rolex
2. The Vignettes – The Rich
3. Operation Ivy – Freeze Up
4. Yves Klein Blue – Silence Is Distance
5. Neil Young & Crazy Horse – White Line
6. Black Lips – Bad Kids
7. Fait Accompli – Shut Up and Dance
8. The Dandy Warhols – I Love You
9. Tennis – These Kids
10. The Spirits – Lightbeam (demo)
11. Philadelphia Grand Jury – Wet Winter Holiday

Divide and Conquer

He understood that to be real he had to attach his existence to a country mapped by centuries of wars and oppression and a flag painted with the blood of so-called patriots (brainwashed, poverty-stricken and desperate, clinging to God and their swords in hopes of a meal for every limb they lose). He knew that memorising an anthem written by a politicised poet who sold his soul for a pay-check and a hero’s medal would give his existence meaning. He was well aware that he would understand life by decorating his chest with borders drawn and redrawn in red ink by old men in suits carefully ironed by underpaid women (men who never saw the bloodshot eyes of hunger and bloodied knuckles but claimed to make pacts and sign treaties for them) (pacts and treaties agreed upon in language those bloodshot eyes could never decipher having missed out on basic education to look for God and food in cheap rooms of sleazy hotels). He had come to these realisations whilst pushing someone’s face into a river for being of a different skin colour, holding the neck tight, knowing that to exist meant to conquer.

By Ivana Rnjak

3rd of June, 2008

I once knew a girl with polaroid eyes,
But good film was dear and hard to find;
So she kept them shut,
Her face closed up

But sometimes something caught those eyes,
And she'd capture it before we realised.

We'd all crowd round,
Crouch down

Watch the colours play and manifest;
The way she held it an inch from her chest,
Just like an exterior heart beat,
Unnoticed if you eyed her head to feet.

She always walked fast, in vintage's left over charm,
Her face surpassed by hair like a fire alarm.

She inhaled 60's pop as oxygen,
Her lips expelled a keepsake hallucinogen.

But her intoxicating presence, once we left,
Sidestepped, leaving us blue and bereft.

By Zoo

Mysterious Mix #4

Mysterious Mixes are a way for us to share music we love with the rest of the world (and yes, to whore TEETH out some more). If you picked this mix up at Britpop, Abercrombie Hotel on the 21st of June, let us know! Email teethmag@gmail.com

1. Chaingang – Get Off My Stage
2. Fugazi – Waiting Room
3. Cassette Kids – Forwards Backwards
4. Sonic Youth – Drunken Butterfly
5. Die! Die! Die! – Sideways Here We Come
6. IAMX – Nightlife
7. Bird Automatic – Keep Out the Sunlight
8. The Last Shadow Puppets – Separate and Ever Deadly
9. Ghostwood – Rest My Soul
10. Whiskey Go Gos – True Love
11. Rancid – Time Bomb

Love and Other Catastrophes

Emma-Kate Croghan’s feature debut Love and Other Catastrophes (1996) should be compulsory viewing for all university undergraduates. It is the story of a group of students navigating their way through sex, relationships, an education and everything in between. Alice (Alice Garner) is struggling to finish her drawn-out thesis. Her housemate Mia (France O’Connor) can’t commit to her cinema studies major or her girlfriend, Danni (Radha Mitchell). Meanwhile, whilst Ari (Matthew Dyktynski) philosophises between sexual conquests, Michael (Matt Day) just wants to keep things simple.

In my opinion, Matt Day is the standout performer in L&OC. He plays the ‘loveable dork’ well; gawky with just the right amount of earnest. Alice Garner’s portrayal seems very natural, but her whining can grate after a while (though her character’s criterion for choosing boyfriends matches my own, so I suppose I can’t critique her too much).

As a recent graduate herself at the time of production, Croghan succulently captures the niceties of being an Arts student. The influence of Hollywood’s screwball comedies of the 30s and 40s makes Love and Other Catastrophes enjoyably quirky (without the appearance of trying too hard).

The story of Love and Other Catastrophes as “an exercise in fast-paced, low-budget collective filmmaking” also makes it worthy of praise. Croghan and her producer self-funded the production of the film, raising the initial $25,000 to make L&OC through personal loans and credit cards. They got their friends (also recent film school graduates) to work for next to nothing and shot on a shoe-string budget. Pretty impressive seeing as the film went on to Cannes and international distribution rights were bought for around $800,000.

Who will like it? Prospective students, current students, ex students. Cinema studies majors in particular will appreciate Croghan’s spot-on faculty and course observations. L&OC should also please Melbournians, as they should recognise some familiar haunts.

What I think: As the first film I ever watched for my cinema studies course, Love and Other Catastrophes is something special (though the likeness between the film and my university life kinda scares me).

By Steph.

The Teenagers

Photo by ANNIE LY

The Teenagers existed in relative obscurity until very recently when their fusion of catchy pop songs, ridiculously cute French accents and deliciously ironic lyrics were noticed worldwide through the power of MySpace.

Saturday 14th June saw them perform the third show of their first Australian tour, this time at the Oxford Art Factory, home to Sydney’s tightest jeans and pointiest shoes. It was a sold-out show, leaving a line outside the venue and security guards warding off those without tickets trying to sweet-talk their way in.

Inside, after the support bands warmed up the crowd, The Teenagers hit the stage to a very enthusiastic audience. From the amount of people pushing their way closer to the stage and singing every word in sync with the band, one could assume The Teenagers had been around for decades. Such enthusiasm for a band is rare to witness nowadays at a gig that isn’t happening at Acer Arena. But any hope one had that the enthusiasm was there for the music withered when the band invited three girls on stage to be cheerleaders during the song Homecoming. The stage soon became packed with excited girls competing for the attention of their favourite band member and pushing one another to give kisses and pose for photos taken by their friends in the audience.

So all this enthusiasm, excitement and groupie-like hysteria for a band that has only just exposed their music to the world? The Teenagers have unfortunately been thrust into that dark world of Latest Hipster Fad. They’re one of those bands some people are afraid to admit liking because it’ll associate them with the screaming ‘fans’ who grind up against one another on stage next to someone ‘famous’ hoping that one day a photo of such antics will wind up on The Cobra Snake. Despite the fun songs they play, despite their stage charisma, despite their witty lyrics and lovable appearance, this is one aspect of their music career that will undoubtedly haunt them. It will sell records and t-shirts and tickets to places on the other side of the world from their hometown, but it will leave them branded as just another trend. The price of fame appears to be high in the new music environment.

IT'S SATURDAY NIGHT, WHY AREN'T I SLEEPING?!

We made a zine in fifteen minutes last night.

And you can find it all over Sydney. Or read it on our Flickr.

We love Kinko's on Oxford St. <3

One Pill Makes You Larger

Sebastian is convinced life is a hallucination. All life – from our humble presence on Planet Earth to the supposed existence of a Solar System to the incomprehensible idea of a universe so vast it cannot be thought of in its entirety as it requires a thinking capacity far beyond our capabilities.

“What else can it be, other than imagined?”

He says that all these things we consider a given are so magical, they must be the product of some sort of chemical imbalance on a large scale. All life is just someone’s bad trip.

By Ivana Rnjak

TEETH Poetry

This is my face,
from outer space -
the Town Whore will now present
her speech: "they're going like
hotcakes, they are,
squire"
The end.

SUPERSTAR

Amanda from Newtown

2nd of June, 2008

You've an antiquated novella clenched in your hands,
Its cracked spine refuses to reveal the title;
Perhaps it wearies of the judgement it receives.

I imagine maybe Homer or Kafka,
It has the proud look of a battered classic -
Well thumbed, well read, well loved.

Your patchwork coat acts the protective quilt:
Its silver zipper glares a warning to the passersby,
Who bypass you, with their binocular eyes.

I covertly watch your eyes and lips,
Synchronised in a movement with the verse,
And I fantasise about the captured work.

Back turned you exhale - a breath of smoke.
But when you turn, I'm caught by surprise:
I see between your fingers a cigarette burns;
They deliver it to your lips,

Which nondescriptly inhale the nicotine.

The cloud was not, as I thought,
A product of winter means,
Introduced to the warmth your dimpled cheeks release.

By Zoo

St Johns Road

the twelve-thirteen bus never arrives –
the dull grey stretch of
a million promised futures with
nowhere to go, is dusty
with sunlight and sweat;
I can’t walk down for fear of
being seen smoking

By Ivana Rnjak

SUPERSTAR

Xavier from Neutral Bay

Ghostwood Farewell Show

Ghostwood are off to the UK! Their farewell show/fundraiser at the Oxford Art Factory last night showed just why the rest of the world needs to see this band live. Less than a year ago when TEETH first saw Ghostwood, they had packed out the Hopetoun Hotel. Yesterday the Oxford Art Factory, a much larger venue, was impossible to move through. Their gigs have become more intense, their songs more impressive and the extended version of “Rest My Soul” with a drum solo finish is amazing. Even the more familiar songs off the EP have gotten a make-over. See them live before it costs you $50 or more to do so because it’s quite obvious this band is going to take over the world, soon.


Beach Road Hotel, Bondi – 1st June
Come Together Festival, Luna Park – 7th June
For UK tour dates, check out their MySpace.





And an honourable mention goes to The Wahas who were one of the support acts last night (along with Under Lights, who we unfortunately missed, and Kirin J. Callinan who was fabulous as always) whose live shows get more impressive each time we see them and get the award for most photogenic band. Oh and the new song “Wahas Theme” is the best thing we’ve heard in a long time! :)


See The Wahas play:
Come Together Festival, Luna Park – 8th June
Sonarbar, Luna Park (with Amy Meredith) – 21st June
Supporting Grinspoon in Wollongong and at The Metro – 27th & 28th June


Photos by ANNIE LY

TEETH LOVES STUFF issue two

Issue two of TEETH LOVES STUFF zine can be read here.

It features interviews with Only the Sea Slugs & The Vignettes, creative writing by Jasmina Berber & Ivana Rnjak, photography by Sagan Culph & ANNIE LY, drawings by The Fetus, Zigwamp & Leesy and much, much more.

MCA Zine Fair Wrap-Up

Photos by The Fetus.

Thanks to everyone who came to the TEETH table at the Museum of Contemporary Art zine fair last Sunday. We had an awesome time and spread the word of TEETH to a few more people. :)

The next zine fair we’ll be attending is at Kinokuniya on the 28th of June. Come down and say hi if you get the chance.

The Vignettes

The Vignettes are a Sydney-based band consisting of Joel on guitar and vocals and Katie on drums. Don’t make a White Stripes connection immediately though; their sound is different and much more fun and their live shows have a much different, wilder energy. The EP Out of Home, On Our Own is a wonderful mix of songs to make you first get your dance on and lose your mind, and then sit back and reflect on life. Any possible review of the EP just becomes a love letter, so we’ll skip straight to the interview…

When and how did The Vignettes become a band?
We met at a New Years Eve party hosted by mutual friends, both totally smashed! Our love of bands like NIN and Muse brought us together.

What’s your best memory so far of being The Vignettes?
Hearing ourselves on Triple J was probably the best thing so far. The second best was being asked to play Come Together.

What influences your song-writing?
The EP is sort of a concept thing, with all the songs being written about my experiences since moving to Sydney on my own. All the usual things are there - love, loneliness, anger (and lots of it), betrayal... The riffs however are an amalgamation of all my favourite songs, but with my twist on them.

What are your favourite bands and biggest musical inspirations?
The bands that inspire us are Muse, Death From Above 1979, Yeah Yeah Yeahs, The Vines, The Mars Volta and Led Zeppelin to name a few.

(Photo by Margaret Burns)

What was the best gig you’ve played so far? And worst?
Our recent stint on the main stage at the Annandale was probably our best gig. The sound was awesome, the energy was electric, and the crowd was huge.
Our worst was at the Excelsior in Glebe, a while ago now. Ten seconds into the first song we were told to 'turn it down or get the fuck out!" The audience were a bunch of backpackers who weren't paying attention to us too, so it was a pretty demeaning gig. But we got back on our feet.

What would you like The Vignettes to be doing in five years’ time?
Living in Europe, touring off the back of our second album. Possibly snorting copious amounts of cocaine off a black hooker’s ass...

Do you feel crowds have responded well to your music, or has it been tough getting people to pay attention?
"A little from column A, a little from column B." We've had our fair share of haters, but lately we've been really connecting with the crowds. Since our stage show is so in-your-face, you tend to either hate it, or become a lifetime fan right then and there. Everyone's always impressed by the size of our sound though!

You’ve played with some amazing bands. Who would you like to play with in the future?
I'd like to actually 'play' with the Vines. I do say we 'shared the stage' with them, but it was just a DJ set they did. Opening for someone ridiculous would be cool like Muse, The Hives or our new favourites Future of the Left.

(Photo by Margaret Burns)

Do you believe in the tooth fairy?
He's a 47-year-old paedophile that lives in Rhode Island. He steals teeth from small children the rolls around in them in his underwear.

Katie – five words to describe Joel.
Gorgeous, talented, cute, witty, funny.
Joel – five words to describe Katie.
Beautiful, powerful, opinionated, funny, strong.

Do you get a lot of White Stripes references, and if so, do they get annoying?
Not really... We've had it maybe twice. Since we have such a different (and bigger!) sound people don't really make the connection. They're pretty cool though, White Blood Cells changed my life.

What’s up next for The Vignettes? A new EP? An album perhaps…?
Well the EP 'Out of Home, On our Own' hasn't even been released yet due to the fact we have no label, so the plan is …

1. Get a label
2. Get some money
3. Make devastatingly good debut album that puts us on the musical map world wide.
4. Retire with our black hooker and our cocaine habit...

If anyone wants an EP just drop us a line at vignettesband@gmail.com with your address and we'll post one out to you for free. It's not about money, it's about EXPOSURE!

Visit The Vignettes on MySpace!

Check them out in the latest issue of TEETH LOVES STUFF: page 1 & page 2

See The Vignettes live at:

Come Together Festival at Luna Park – 7th June
Annandale Hotel – 17th June
World Bar – 11th July
Excelsior Hotel – 17th July

SUPERSTAR

Gina from Jannali

Only the Sea Slugs

TEETH talked to Sasha from Only the Sea Slugs, who are currently recording their debut EP, to find out a little more about this Sydney band that is yet to get the sort of exposure their wonderful sound and beautiful lyrics deserve.

Tell us – who are you and where are you from?

We are SASHA, ZORAN, DEAN, LUKE & SCOTT. Five humans. Sydneysiders stretching from the deep south to the far north.

When and how did Only the Sea Slugs become a band?

Three years ago, Zoran & I started writing music together, just keyboards and guitars. We played really shitty venues in our local areas, but they felt so good. Last year, we met Dean & Luke and started the band. Now, Scotty just rolled up, clean. Its just seems to keep growing, but we definitely don't want an orchestra.

You have quite possibly the most interesting band name ever. What does it mean and how did it come about?

This story is strange and funny. We came up with SEA SLUGS amongst 30 other ‘tough’ names, so we thought, yeah, its unassuming...and we love the ocean, but the "ONLY THE" part was soon after an addition, when one night we were eating pizza and someone offered me the last slice and I took it, and Zoran yelled out in hysterics..."ONLY THE FAT CUNTS EAT THE LAST SLICE!" So that’s....

What is your song writing influenced by/what inspires you?

It’s impossible to sum it up, but the major ingredient is emotion. Listening to other bands is really an influence for me particularly. I believe every band copied off other bands either consciously or sub-consciously...they just don’t admit it. LOVE INFLUENCES ALL MUSIC. It’s the LOVE for anything....

What can we expect from the EP? Will it be very different to what we’ve heard so far?

We are planning for it to set another level of intensity. The songs are all very powerful in their own element, we have hardly written any slim, watered-down tracks, they are all quite layered and melodic, but beefy.

You’ve played at some pretty awesome venues around Sydney. (Including the Oxford Art Factory, the Annandale Hotel and Spectrum.) Where would you really love to play in the future? And with which bands?

We are very happy with the exposure and opportunity we have been granted in the last year. As for the near future, we would love to play all respected underground venues around Australia, New York, London...We think our sound would fit in those settings well. And bands??? TV on the Radio! And local bands we love from Sydney, there is a swell little underground scene going on.

How would you describe your sound?

Melodic. Layered. Driving. Interesting. Oceanic.

Do you believe in the tooth fairy?

That’s how we made enough cash (as kids) to buy guitars!

Add Only the Sea Slugs on MySpace!

Check out Only the Sea Slugs in the new issue of TEETH LOVES STUFF: page 1 & page 2.

(Photos by ANNIE LY)

MCA Zine Fair

Look how hard Ivana Stab is working to put everything together in time for the MCA zine fair. ANNIE LY was so busy she couldn't even feature in the photo! Zomg! To show your appreciation for all their hard work, make sure you come down to the MCA this Sunday and say hi (and maybe pick up a zine or two).

THE NEW ISSUE OF TEETH LOVES STUFF WILL BE AVAILABLE THIS SUNDAY. For only $2 you can get 24 pages of awesomeness. There will also be TEETH badges for $1. Plus, free teeth! And lots and lots and lots of other good stuff. IT'LL BE SELLING LIKE HOTCAKES!

See you at the MCA!