What's On in QLD

News from QLD.

December 2011

by DJ Lori Lee

This year's GreazeFest was something above and beyond any event we ever produced before. It's hard to describe something that has become so big and has so many facets, but let's give it a try.

This was our twelfth GreazeFest, and the second one held at Rocklea Showground. Other than the Kustom Kroozers weekend, this was the first real big show we have organised on the grounds since the devastating flood in January. It was exciting to transform an empty showground into a hep and happening concert space for all the GreazeFest friends and fans. We truck in and build the staging, the dance floors and floor coverings, seating, shade, lighting, curtaining, fencing, facilities and all sorts of production equipment.

Hot Rockin’ Nights

The audience was rolling in by the hundreds as the first night kicked into gear. The dance floor was getting a good workout and DJ Swingabilly Ray was spinning a choice selection of rockin’ sides. Miss Teresa and Her Rhythmaires hit the stage and her sizzling set of rockabilly really set the pace. People were also raving about the rare but welcome appearance by Melbourne's Starliners, who performed an excellent set of rockabilly and hillbilly bop. Presenting music definitely more devilish was the Blazin' Entrails from Perth, who proceeded to slam it into overdrive with their intense, tough as nails tunes. The trio declared themselves 'the loudest band at GreazeFest' and scored themselves many new fans that night.

Special guest Jason Lee Wilson from Tennessee was backed by Doug Wilshire & The Tailspinners. Jason and Doug have performed together in Europe, so this was somewhat of a reunion for this ensemble who share the same record label, Rhythm Bomb. Jason Lee Wilson and his honey-tone voice purred through an enormous set with boppers like "Pure Horsepower", rock-a-ballads such as "All I Need Is Your Love" and story-songs including one about our home state "Tx, Qld, Aust". The fans down the front were dancing and whooping and a-hollering and whenever a bopper would start up, the dance floor would swell with jivers. At the sets-end, bassman Paulie Burke whipped the crowd into demanding an encore which then finished off with Hank Williams' "I Saw The Light", as the crowd jumped around, arms waving in the air in delight.

Saturday night is always the biggest night at GreazeFest and this year I had a feeling it was going to be huge. West Texas Crude, Scotty Baker and Paulie Bignell all turned out impressive performances and demonstrated yet again our wealth of talent here in Australia. Topping off the night was the James Intveld show and it was simply spectacular. James Intveld, guitarist Storm Rhode, bass player Bob Gothar and drummer Kip Dabbs performed for close to two hours and wove their way through the pick of his three albums, with tunes like "Cryin' Over You", "Modern Don Juan", "One Sweet Letter" and "Let's Get Started". Intveld and band didn't play to a set list, each song was chosen along the journey. It was great to see the musicians enjoying themselves so much, guitarist Storm Rhode with a constant grin and James really playing up to the gals smart enough to be right down the front. James Intveld closed the show with "King Cry Baby" merging into "Doing Time For Being Young".

Hot Rod Rockin’

With just a couple of hours sleep under my belt, I returned to the showground at dawn for what was to be a huge day at GreazeFest. The weather was kind to us, the rain stayed away and we had warm, sunny conditions. With all the publicity we had generated this year, I figured we would have a big roll up, and roll up they did – cars by the hundreds and people by the thousands.

The hot rods filled both ovals with hundreds of vintage vehicles rolling into the fest. There were original and restored American classics, Aussie iron, flamed sleds, rat rods, hot rods, muscle cars, old bugs, motorbikes, treadleys, pickups, coupes, convertibles, and some really interesting projects still being worked on. GreazeFest is also known for its market stalls and we had over 120 on display, with vintage threads, jewellery, records, tikis, home wares and automobilia.

The entertainment ran all day and well into the night packed the dance floor and worked up a sweat with all the dancers. There was plenty to enjoy, with The ReChords, The Flattrakkers, Rusty Pinto, Pat Capocci, The Creepers, Pia Anderson, The Knights of Sin, The Ten Fours, Red Crown Radio, The Sugarshakers, The Vampers, Paulie & His Crazy Rhythm Boys, Dan & The Dualtones plus DJs Jimmy D and Leapin' Lawrie.

There was an inspiring display of kustom artwork hung for the GreazeFest Art Show. New and returning artists displayed paintings, tiki carvings, pinstripes, photography, skate decks, illustrations and clay models. Special guest artist was Wildman, the pinstripe and kustom artist from Japan!! Wildman is one of the pioneers of pinstriping in Japan. As well as Wildman, CEO from Mooneyes, Shige Suganuma spent the weekend at GreazeFest, meeting old and new friends. We feel privileged to have welcomed Wildman and Shige as our guests at GreazeFest and it gave me a special thrill to know they enjoyed themselves at our show.

Like all international rockabilly gatherings, GreazeFest is a time of the year when our community dresses to the nines. Friday and Saturday nights are the opportunity to dress in high style and the guys and gals just look fantastic. Sunday is a challenge to wear a sensational outfit, but one that works for the sunny conditions. You also need footwear that will survive the activities - exploring the car display, dancing to the bands and shopping around the markets. The barbers on Sunday were booked solid all day with gents getting pomped, DA'd, flat-topped and boogied.

Micheline Pitt from California was our special guest this year and she held informative hair and make up sessions for an attentive audience of fashion fanatics. Micheline Pitt and local gal Miss Kitty Darling co-hosted the GreazeFest Fashion Parade, which featured fashion ranges from the market vendors.

All in all, the dominant feeling at GreazeFest this year was happiness. Everyone was smiling, beaming in fact, I have never seen so many happy people in one place at one time. Folks were stopping and talking to others, strangers talking to strangers, friendships firmed up or rekindled. Everyone was sharing the GreazeFest spirit.

As part of our ongoing support of the RSPCA, GreazeFest became a founding sponsor of their new animal shelter being built at Wacol in Brisbane and has sponsored two pre-adoption pens at the site. This is in addition to our current 'day play' pen at Fairfield. GreazeFest is delighted to be able to support such an important organisation.

Here’s a big howdy to everyone who attended GreazeFest, the rockers, rodders, riders, bands, djs, artists and everyone who travelled from to Brisbane for such a fun weekend. You all make the GreazeFest such a unique, enjoyable and memorable event.

See you next year!!

DJ Lori Lee

ARRAS member 2047

o-[*_*]-o

www.robot.com.au
www.greazefest.com

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