Location: 74-76 Johnston St, Fitzroy VIC 3065
Trading as The Old Bar since 2001 (wiki)
My 1st gig at the Old Bar was back in 2001, an open mike night to support a work mate Martin Myles.
Melbourne Music Venue: The Old Bar
Melbourne Music Venues: The Tote
While we are in lockdown, I thought it would be a good time to go out for a walk and take photo’s of music venues, dig into my photo archive and my favourite gigs .
The Tote Hotel, operating under this name since 1980 (wiki link).
Address: 67-71 Johnston St, Collingwood VIC 3066
My mate and I wanted to go to the closing down day in 2010 and have one last drink and watch some bands, but as you can see, the line to get it was quite long.
We ended up complaining and walking down to a nearly empty Gem Bar, had a couple of Carlton Draughts and talked about the getting bitten by flea’s, sticky carpets and how the smell of cigarets cover the smell vomit.
Above picture has Sun God Replica playing in the front bar, currently that’s where the pool table is. There were a few front bar gigs played here rather than the front door location.
The above photo is a mess, either using a Pentax or a Canon digital camera.
This gig was a solid line up, supporting Jay Reatard were Digger & The Pussycats, Cut Sick, The Focus and UV Race all for a mere $27.
Jay Reatard was touring ‘Blood Visions’ album, I had no expectations on this gig, enjoyed the big hair stylings, and though they were fresh and tight.
My original thought from 2008 about this gig can be found here https://noisecity.blogspot.com/2008/03/jay-reatard.html
Another favourite gig at the Tote was Eddy Current Suppression Ring, who played with The Sailors, The Onyas and The Breadmakers.
Eddy Current were a really hot act at the time, I thought they were the future of Aussie Rock. They also played the whole set in area in front of the stage. That was great as everyone could see the performance.
Also my original thoughts on this gig can be found below.
https://noisecity.blogspot.com/2007/02/eddy-current-suppression-ring.html
March 2020 Highlights
Sydney Road Music Festival Street Party, 1/03/2020
Ezra Collective at Northside Record’s, 5/03/2020
Having a drink and playing Daytona with Stevie D, 5/03/2020
Monnone Alone, at The Tote front bar, 5/03/2020.
For Lost & Lonesome Records – Front Bar Residency.
Slypon at The Last Change Rock and Roll Bar, 7/03/2020
SPAWN, at The Last Chance Rock and Roll Bar, 7/03/2020
Deathmatch Downunder, Bar Open, Friday 13/03/2020
A Fruity 40! w/ Girlatones / Thee Cha Cha Chas / BJ Morriszonkle, Labour in Vain, 14/03/2020.
This was my last gig prior to COVID-19 lock down.
February 2020 Highlights
PBS fm Drive Live, Thursday 6/02/2020.
Ice cold can of Mountain Goat Fancy Pants, while at Drive Live.
The Clowns performing live on air (in studio 5).
Outside PBS fm and Drive live poster.
Girla Tones (due), Tote front bar, 6/02/2020.
Still one of the classic beer, taste and design. In Barter Town, the Tote, 6/02/2020.
Heart Beach, Tote front bar, 6/02/2020.
Not the best beer ever, but the most economically priced beers at the Tote.
The Men’s urinal at The Tote, 6/02/2020.
My mate Mara showing off her New Pornographers album after their performance at the Melbourne Recital Centre. 20/02/2020.
You Legends at The Last Chance Rock and Roll Bar, for Friday’s Knock Off!. 21/02/2020.
Fovndlings, The Last Chance Rock and Roll Bar. 21/02/2020.
Slim Gritty playing on a Sunday at The Catfish. 21/02/2020.
Rocket Science, Tote Band room, support for 5678’s and Guitar Wolf. 27/02/2020.
5678’s, Tote Band room. 27/02/2020.
Guitar Wolf, Tote Band room. 27/02/2020
Cut Wire, playing at the Tote front bar. 27/02/2020.
January 2020 Highlights
Knock Off! with Lazy Sidekick at The Last Chance Rock and Roll Bar, Friday 3/01/2020.
The toilet and urinal of The Last Chance Rock and Roll Bar (Melbourne Music Venue Toilets). Friday 3/01/2020.
Jack Harlon & The Dead Crows, supporting Garlic Nun, at Globe Alley, 9/01/2020.
Garlic Nun at Globe Alley, 9/01/2020.
Miyagis, support for Mesa Cosa, Globe Alley, 16/01/2020.
Mesa Cosa, Globe Alley, 16/01/2020.
Shove at Last Chance Rock and Roll Bar. Also Cutters and Shane and The Dog Cunts played. 18/01/2020.
The Delta Riggs x Stay Gold
6/12/2019 – Stay Gold, Brunswick
Chelsea de Witt
Proud father, Stephen de Witt.
Creature Fear
YOUNG MONKS
The Delta Riggs
The Let’s Go’s
The Let’s Go’s at John Curtin Hotel 22/11/2019
Japanese Garage Rock!
Miles Brown playing a theremin on Halloween
Miles Brown playing a theremin on Halloween, The Curtin, for ‘Shudder Speed’ single launch, 31/10/2019.
@thecurtin @miles__brown #carlton #Halloween #melbournemusicscene #gig
Desarmados – Maggot Fest 10
Crowd watching Desarmados at The Tote, during Maggot Fest 10. 01/11/2019. (2nd version shot with my Canon G9X).
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#maggotfest10 #thetote #Desarmados #collingwood #melbournegigscene #canong9x
Intrusion at The Tote (upstairs), during Maggot Fest 10. 01/11/2019.
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#maggotfest10 #thetote @thetotehotel #building #collingwood #melbournegigscene #noisecity #Intrusion
