8 hot bands set to rock the Irish Club next Friday night in the 2012 Bullshit Battle of the Ad Bands

AC/GC - Gatecrasher
Blowing everyone's minds with their debut performance, a punked up version of T.N.T, ACGC took out the much coveted 2009 Bullshit Battle of the Adbands trophy.Things took a turn for the worse in 2010, when a poor slot of opening act, over-confidence and one might suggest too many sambuca shots got the better of them. But in 2011, ACGC were back in black (or Ghostbusters coveralls) complete with some new talent, next level 90s funk dance moves and spine-tingling guitar solos that saw them reclaim the trophy and everyone's faith in the group. Can they do it again in 2012?

The Oreos - APN
The Cookie: In a medium-sized bowl, mix the flour, cocoa, baking soda and powder, salt, and sugar. Beat in the butter and the egg. Continue mixing until dough comes together in a mass. Take rounded teaspoons of batter and place on a baking sheet (2 inches apart) With moistened hands, slightly flatten the dough. Bake for 9 minutes at 375 F. Set on a rack to cool.
The Filling: Place butter and shortening in a mixing bowl, and at low speed, gradually beat in the sugar and vanilla. Turn the mixer on high and beat for 2-3 minutes until filling is light and fluffy. To make a cookie, pipe teaspoon-sized blobs of cream into the center of a cookie using a pastry bag with a 1/2 inch round tip. Place another cookie, equal in size to the first, on top of the cream. Lightly press, to work the filling evenly to the outsides of the cookie.

Flavour Street - Marketforce
Flavour Street was formed on the quiet, shady lanes of Subiaco in 1992. This enigmatic group consists of Jay Cee, Mikey Timberpants, Ell Ell, Lil Bo C "The Animal", Stevie-Steve, Joss Dupri and DJ Sasquatch. Their talent was quickly discovered. They wowed audiences with their debut album Harmless Embrace which included the hits: Don't Have 2 Ask Me 2 Twice and I Get U Girl (I Had Braces Too).

Proving that they were no flash in the pan, they followed up strong with their albums: Back 4 Mo', Back Again 4 Even Mo' and Flavour Street - Back By Popular Demand (4 Mo').

Unfortunately, tragedy struck soon after. During a video shoot, the industrial fan used to create ultra-billowy shirts, was accidentally turned on in reverse, sucking three members to their doom.

The band struggled in the following years and eventually went on hiatus. Reasons were unknown, but speculation focused on spiritual and artistic differences. It should also be noted that "Mikey started it", and "if Jay Cee would quit being a little bitch about everything we would be knee-deep in 'tang 24/7 instead of guest starring as a fictional band in Full f@#$ing House".

This period was followed by several years of soul searching, substance abuse and several forms of general adversity. It seemed at the time that this was the end for Flavour Street. What happened next could only be described by a picture of a man on the top of a mountain, arms stretched wide, eyes to the heavens. We don't have one. Sorry. Check Google images if you get a few minutes.

Flavour Street cast aside their differences and rose up to stand together once more. Arm in arm, they vowed to prove the critics and haters wrong once and for all. Especially Dave. Major douche. Trust me.

So here we are. Flavour Street is celebrating their triumphant return to the stage with the release of their newest album Back 5 Mo.

Unfortunately they will not be playing any of their hits (their Nickelodeon contract forbids performance of their material in venues that serve alcohol). But they will throw their hearts into popular songs from the past several decades with new fire and old friends.

'Taste the Flavour' (Copyright Nickelodeon)

The Underdogs - Painted Dog Research
Chris, Matt, Chris, Sally, and Jay, discovered on a Savannah just south of the Sahara Desert, raised in the wild by Painted Dogs; five individuals with minor musical talent come together to make one almost okay band ready to rock off at least a sock, and maybe a glove... behold... THE UNDERDOGS!





Norty'Awk - Brainestorm
Rising out of the front bar at the Nooky, Norty'Awk have grown quickly into a formidable interstate touring organization. Now based in West Perth, WA, the band continues to ride an unending wave of momentum, buoyed by an enthusiastic fan base and critical acclaim.  They have evolved into a genre-bending, highly original sound that touches upon jazz-rock, neo-psychedelia, R&B, trance electronica, progressive rock, and anthemic arena rock. Their catalogue of about six songs offers something for everyone, assuring fans they'll get a different show each night.

The Brand Agency
It's difficult to pigeon-hole The Brand Agency's band into a certain genre of music. Picture a band that sounds like a mix between Led Zeppelin, The Beatles, and old school Metallica.

Now picture a second band that sounds like Carrot Top, Double Dragon, pink lemonade, and Animal. Now picture a cover band of the second band mentioned. Now picture a rival cover band of the first cover band who isn't quite as talented and refers to themselves as a tribute band.

The Brand band is that tribute band. They will NOT do weddings, parties or anything. In fact this band is so new they don't even have a name let alone any members. Well there is a grey-haired wannabe. He's completely talentless apart from an ability to convince people to be in the band, whether they can play anything or not. Then there's the token Asian who's there for the sympathy vote, an English bloke with a strange comb-forward, a surfer to attract the girls and a tall redhead (also for the sympathy vote).

Perfect Pitch: 303Lowe takes musical experimentation to new heights
Ross Tinney

"Time travel," I say in disbelief.

I'm interviewing Perfect Pitch, 303Lowe's answer to the Bullshit Battle of the Ad Bands, and so far I'm convinced they're insane.

"Time travel." Kim Larking nods. "It's a vital part of our creative process. We visited a variety of historical eras to find the right inspiration."

"It's what makes our style so unique," says Emma Clowes.

"Riiiiight," I say. "And exactly how did you come across this time machine?"

"Oh, it's counted as a work expense," Clowes puts in.

"And the insurance covers the dent the aliens put in it," Larking adds.

"Oh yes, that too."

I look at the girls, unsure what to say. They stare back, dead serious.

"And how do you feel people will respond to your style?" I ask.

"We've tested our music on a few audiences, but aliens have been the most receptive."

"They particularly surpassed our anticipated KPIs in the mosh pit and crowd surfing categories."

"Hence the dent."

"Our methods do mean our music is quite avant garde, literally. So, we're unsure of whether a contemporary audience will be ready for it."

I sit there, dumbfounded and with no hint of what to expect from their performance. But whatever happens, it's sure to be an experience.

Meerkats
We are The Originals.
We don't play covers.
Every note is one we wrote.
When we rock we go for the throat.