The world adores matt hayward

These guys put on a stellar performance. Not knowing much about the band prior to this gig, they really know how to sell out a venue. It was absolutely packed, with a healthy mix of guys and gals.

Little did I know also that they’re about a 9 piece band, assuming they’re more of a free form group without the formality of say a 4 piece rock band. Later in the set a guitarist came out and did his best Chuck Berry impression (even the facial expressions) which really rocked out. Not one song went for the standard length. They all seemed to stretch out for about 10 mins!

What’s really amazing about these guys is that they really command attention. There’s two signers (one two plays tympani drums as well, the other a trumpter. They look like they’re brothers) constantly improvising. Anyway the keyboard player was relentless and didn’t stop all night. It was from one track straight to another. I gather they live for their improvisation spots in between songs, rather than the breather between them.

The tympani playing singer made a really cool comment though, that recorded studio music is a bit of a con, and that real music needs to be experienced live. He also said something about the ‘Empire starting as a band that played house parties. While I can really seeing rockin’ someone’s back yard, who has a house big enough!

In short, these guys could do anything, from Chuck Berry Rock and Roll to Afro Cuban Jazz to Miles Davies and James Morrison. They had one number that was like a bit a la Blues Brothers i’d never heard before (they said it was their next single) which totally rocked out. Totally not what I had expected from em, judging by the radio presence.

My only complaint was that the 18+ gig was on Friday, when your knackered after work, and the all ages was Saturday. There was no seating and I was absolutely knackered and aching by the end of it (yes I am that old!). ON the geriatric note, this was also the LOUDEST gig I have ever been to. Despite years of listening to Metal, it was mostly the crowd cheering that made it so fucking loud. But the volume was beyond words.

I can’t say I completely love this band, it’s just not completely my thing. But man, what I wouldn’t do to have them play my house party. They can get a crowd to go right off.

Cacciatore is a provincial Italian dish that everyone cooks differently. I’ve never had it the same way twice in a restaurant. It’s humble, yet tasty and really satisfying. My mum used to cook it all the time, so I thought it was quite normal, but no one else seems to have heard of it, so I thought i’d ’share’. I fudged this version up last night and it tasted awesome. It’s one of those things you cook differently every time, but man this one was brill. So if your perception of Italian food is simple yet elegant and hearty, give this one a go.

Chicken Cacciatore (2-3 serves)
- 5-6 chicken drumsticks or wings
- Spices: sumac, oregano, sea salt, paprika
- 2 decent sized sticks celery
- 1/2 cup red wine (preferably lambrusco. Very cheap. Or whatever you’ve got. Preferably italian)
- 2 tins Roma tomatoes
- 3 cloves garlic, crushed and quartered
- half decent olive oil
- sliced black olives to taste (reading a shitload)
- 5 small mushies, sliced fine
- rice, 2 cups Jasmine or Basmati.

directions
Get a big arsed stock pot, put it on your biggest gas flame and get it nice and hot. Bung in the olive oil. Then throw in the garlic to infuse a bit. Now comes the Celery, chopped reasonably fine. Give it a good fry up for at least 5 minutes to infuse the garlic into your veg, otherwise it tastes a bit blando. Chuck in some sea salt too.

Now put the celery and garlic aside and chuck the chicken in. It’s ok to use frozen chicken, but you’ll want to simmer it extra long. Brown them evenly and give a good covering of sumac, paprika and sea salt. A good 10 mins should do the trick. Return the celery and garlic to the pan and now throw in the two cans of toms, juice and all. Now turn the heat down to a very gentle simmer. Last but not least, pour in the wine, mushies and olives. 1/2 cup is an approximation, you know what you like. Don’t waste your best shiraz on your cooking though. Even cask wine will do.

If you’re using a rice cooker now, time to put the rice on. The cacciatore should gently bubble for at least 45 minutes. Careful it doesn’t get too watery. When your rice is done, it’s time to eat.

The good news is, that like most curries, this gets better and better if you freeze it and heat it up again.

To drink
This isn’t a very overpowering dish, so you could even have a white wine like a Chardonnay. Softer reds like a Pinot Noir or especially a Sangiovese would suit this to a tee.

I’ve been meaning to do this for ages. Here’s a few wines i’ve tried over the past 6 months that are awesome.

Absolute Favs

• Geoff Hardy’s Handmade Sparkling Shiraz/Petit Verdot $30
• D’Arnenberg ‘The Custodian’ Grenache (about $20)
• Tahbilk Shiraz 2002 (about $20)
• McPherson’s Reserve Shiraz 2001 $30

Under $20:

• De Bortolli Sacred Hill Cabernet Merlot 2004 (approx $6 AUD)
• De Bortolli Sacred Hill Rhine Rheisling ($6 drinkable cooking wine)
• Goundrey Estate Unwooded Chardonnay 2004 (approx $16 AUD)
• Jimmy Watson Merlot 2002 ($11)

The Geoff Hardy Hand made sparkling we got at a wine sale, but it really is something special. People who don’t much care for wine find themselves asking if there’s another bottle. When first opened it tastes like fairy floss but then mellows into a great little Shiraz, perfect for any occasion. It’s got a bit of petit verdot in there (I think 25%) which really adds to the complexity. If you find it, get a case. It really is that good.

D’Arnenberg have a full range, but for now this is the only straight Grenache of theirs i’ve tried. It’s a real, gruff, full bodied red that’s got a heavy alcohol content and a bit of pepper in it. It’s from the McLaren vale region north of the Barossa in SA, where they still crush the graphes by foot and do things a bit differently. Some of Australia’s oldest Grenache vines too. Be careful though, at Dan Murphy’s it was $16, at David Jones $26. If the budget doesn’t suffice, there’s always the ‘Stump Jump’ for about $8. It’s a blend but a remarkable blend at that.

The Tahbilk Shiraz is nice because what it lacks in spice, it has a sort of licorice, plummy taste to it. As far as full bodied, fruityish Shiraz’s go, this really is something special. The Nagambie region it’s from is steadily becoming a fav. McPherson’s wines are from Nagambie also, and their Reserve Shiraz is similar and well worthy of praise.

Now the cheapies. The Sacred Hill range you really can’t go wrong with, but the Cab Merlot topped a lot of people’s recommended list this year. I cottoned onto it after it got a mention on the RRR ‘Eat It’ program. You’d expect to pay far more for a wine of this quality so don’t let the label put you off. It might only be good for two years on the rack, but it shouldn’t last that long anyway! It’s a lovely winter warmer.

The Jimmy Watson too is the best way to warm up this winter. Only available from Cellarbrations bottle shops (that I can find) it’s a real velvety, delightfully warming Merlot. If you have a glass of Shiraz prior, it will taste like water. But it’s subtle and not too fruity.

Enjoy!

In their first Melbourne show, Wayne and the boys took to the stage and for the first four songs, commanded absolute attention from everyone in the room. It was a pretty decent show, probably not as tight as their Geelong shows but pretty good.

The boys were showing bits of inspiration ranging from the Revolting Cocks, the Melvins and Sonic Youth. Wish they could loosen up a bit though and talk more between songs etc. A bit more flirtation with the audience would’ve been more lively and is always the marque of a confident, well travelled band. Overall the sound is very rockin’, cut back and dark like the Melvins with some quality riffage.

Was a bit sad that the boys had to go first to two bands that were very straightedge pop and mainstream bands. They looked and sounded like they could play a high school prom gig on some paltry US TV drama like the OC. Whereas The Convulsions were riffin’ like it was Ding Dong or CBGBs. They were giving Convulsions bass player Dave shit for his “double distortion” bass riffery. Little did they realise they had a five piece and didn’t sound anywhere near as good as The Convulsions as a 3 piece. Thems the breaks though I spose, they are still starting out and any gig you can get outside of your hometown is a good gig.

I look forward to seeing them develop more in their upcoming gigs. Well worth checking out.

Lately i’ve been turning into a bit of a wine nerd. Because the price of a six pack at the moment gets you a pretty fine wine. And if you forget it’s there, it gets even better left on the shelf! So being the Melbourne winter, a lot of heavy reds and merlots have been drunk to keep the belly warm on the cold Fitzroy nights. But the other day I decided to pull a bottle out we got from the cellar at Trentham Estates on the Murray River. A 2002 Petit Verdot.

Petit Verdot is an old school French Variety of red that a few Vic and South Australian wineries are starting to put out. Where my girlfriend generally wont drink a full bodied red, like a Grenache or a Shiraz. The Verdot is more silky with the tannins and a little bit more like a desert wine without being sickly sweet, or being as soft and fruity as a merlot. So it still goes well with a meal. It kinda goes well with a lighter roast, game meats, or even substitute your Pinot Noir and have it with cheese and crackers. Who knows it could convert a lot of people who aren’t red drinkers, probably from drinking too many must Cabernet blends.

The Trentham Estates Petit Verdot is available from everyday joints like Dan Murphys for $15-$20. I’ve found a Kingston Estates Verdot the other day for well under $15 but haven’t sampled it. Having tried a few other Petit Verdots, it’s something well worth adding to the Palette and the wine collection.

Anyway, there’s plenty of good alternatives to the staple Merlots and Shiraz out there, and as I discover more I hope to hear what you guys think also.

One thing i’ve also found too is that I just don’t like (wooded) Chardonnays. That oaky taste just doesn’t do it for me. So what’s the alternatives? If you like a nice citrusy, dry white though there’s always the Goundrey’s Unwooded Chardonnay from Margaret River in Perth. About $15 a bottle. Also a repeat purchase is the Tahbilk Marsanne. Marsanne is similar in palette to the unwooded Chardy, but more the old school and a lot more special. Goes great with vego lasange or Chicken. Alegedly, the Nagambie region has some of the oldest Marsanne grape varieties on offer. But because it’s not so popular, it’s a good drop at a highly reasonable price.