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The energy of the band put the crowd into a
frenzy, and to think this band was playing on
one of the side stages. Dr Octopus had an edgy
punk sound flavoured with ska. It was a carnival
like atmosphere and everyone danced, laughed ,
smiled and sweated under the Las Vegas sun.
SKA SUMMIT - Las Vegas USA, 29 MAR 2003 - skawars international
With an enthusiasm that’s simply inspiring Dr
Octopus aren’t letting an opportunity like Big
Day Out get past them! Onstage the seven-piece
rip and tear at their ska influences, occasionally
getting dirty, but for the most part keep it poppy
and fun. Best of all they’re decked out in all the
right gear – these kids must love The Specials.
BIG DAY OUT - GOLD COAST, 18 JAN 2004
- Time Off Magazine
Band of the evening, Gold Coast act Dr Octopus, mosey onstage to an appreciative response, suited up and looking every bit the ska band. The seven members belt out infectious ska tracks from new EP The Monaco Crime Syndicate with amazing energy and a sound that’s definitely too big for this small venue.
The female-fronted outfit tease the punters with promises of a free Mad Caddies ticket for the best dancer and that’s definitely incentive enough for most people, as the dancefloor soon doubles in size. This is the first Dr Octopus show in Brisbane for some time, and they’re obviously enjoying themselves as they do their thang with style and gusto, all the while celebrating their trombonist’s turning of age. A great performance, but one that would be greatly enhanced in an outdoor festival setting.
MAREE BEDFORD
2 April 2004 - Rave magazine
Viva Las Vegas
Monaco Street Crime Syndicate is the awesome new six-track EP from Gold
Coast ska-heads DR. OCTOPUS. Lead vocalist KIMBERLY LAW chats to ALISTAIR DAVENPORT.
Gold Coast ska outfit Dr. Octopus had a brilliant 2003. The highlight was undoubtedly being the only Australian band to be invited to Las Vegas to play the Ska Summit, the world’s biggest ska festival.
2004 looks set to be even better - the seven piece band have already played a blinding performance at this year’s Big Day Out, have been invited back to play this year’s Ska Summit in July, and,most importantly, have just released their cracking new EP Monaco Street Crime Syndicate. The disc is bursting at the seams with the group’s ebullient take on the ska/punk genre, throwing a
much larger helping of sheer fun into the mix than many of their contemporaries. I chatted via email with effervescent lead vocalist Kimberly Law, who sounds suitably gobsmacked at the group’s incrediblegood fortune thus far.
Introduce yourselves!
Kimberley - lead vocalist, David - bass & backing vocals, Dexter - guitar & backing vocals, Phil - drums, Luke - keyboard, Cameron - trumpet, Ed -trombone.
How and when did the band form?
Most of us met through the Bachelor of Popular Music Course and the other half all went to the same High School. We’re coming up to our three year anniversary.
How was the Big Day Out?
Amazing, so many people that wouldn’t normally watch us got to see us play!! It was great exposure for us and has really built up our fanbase.
You’ve just finished a pretty extensive tour of the southern states – how was it? Highlights?
Lowlights?
Highlights: Our Geelong shows were awesome!!! I’d say Brisbane and Geelong are our two favourite cities to play!! We also filmed our first film clip in Sydney, which was heaps of fun. We dressed up as gangsters with tommy guns and were chasing the boss of a mafia gang.
Lowlights: Being cooped up in the van with eight cranky people for long drives.
How do you see the ska scene in Brissy/Gold Coast at the moment?
The ska scene has really improved in the last couple of years. You’ve got three ska bands all from South-East Queensland with front-women which
is really cool!!! You even have the Sick Kids’ Skank,which is a regular thing that happens every coupleof months. I think what needs to be improved inthe scene is just more people coming to shows,
which is already happening.
The new EP sounds great! How did you find the recording process? What parts are you really happy with? What might you like to try next time?
Yeah, I think we’re all pretty happy with how the recording turned out. The only thing that really let us down was the deadline that we setfor ourselves made us rush the mixing processa little.
What is the band’s ultimate goal?
We would just like to be able to tour and not have to have a second job, just be able to live off the band.
Dr Octopus launch Monaco Street Crime Syndicate at Mary Street on Friday
- Rave magazine
Ska Punk Hardcore and Skate
HOT & HEAVY
Current release:
Monaco Street Crime Syndicate out through BigWig/MGM
Ska tunes with a female vocal attack. These Gold Coast kids show up every other ska band in Oz with their great debut EP made up of well produced and written tunes that will keep even the most avid tartan wearer happy. And now as the band make their descent down the the Autsralian coastline we all get to witness them as they jump aboard the Mad Caddies tour as it rumbles through our land. So get your socks on, pull them up high and grab your skanking boots, these guys will definitely keep you dancing all night long
Josh Kiff
BRAG magazine
May 2004 - BRAG magazine, Sydney
Discography
2004
EP 'Monaco Street Crime Syndicate' - Big Wig Records, distribution thru MGM Australia
Since its release in March 2004 the 'Monaco Street Crime Syndicate' 6 track EP has been in the AIR top 20 singles/EP charts (Association of Independent Record Labels Australia) for 13 weeks straight, reaching a high point of no. 7.
see www.air.org.au
'Monaco Street Crime Syndicate' also featured in the KTUH 90.9 Hawaii Top 30 charts from March to May. see www.ktuh.org
2003
EP ' Now Showing' - Independent release
Photos
Feeling a bit camera shy
Bio
Dr Octopus is a seven-piece band hailing from the Gold Coast, Australia. Though primarily noted as a ska band, their music is diverse incorporating influences from genres such as rock, reggae, two-tone, swing and rockabilly. Forming three yeas ago, the band is known for its energetic live performances and has a strong following of both local, Australian and overseas fans.
Dr Octopus recently joined Mad Caddies (USA) on the entire Australian tour, (May 2004) playing shows in Brisbane, Gold Coast, Melbourne and Sydney. Dr Octopus have supported other international acts such as Reel Big Fish, Lagwagon, Pilot to Gunner and Snuff, as well as Australian bands such as The Porkers, Area 7, The Louiseville Sluggers, Zed, Day of Contempt, Antiskeptic and The Butterfly Effect. They also performed at major Australian touring festival, Big Day Out - Gold Coast in 2004.
Dr Octopus released a new EP Monaco St Crime Syndicate in March 2004 on Sydney independent label Big Wig Records thru MGM distribution. Monaco St Crime Syndicate has consistently been in the AIR independent charts since its release (12 weeks) and has recently been re-pressed. The band has been enjoying spot rotation at national youth radio network Triple J, was no. 1 at radio 4ZZZ in the week of March 15 and remained in Hawaii College Radio KTUH 90.9 Top 30 from March to May.
A film clip for the track ‘Start Planning Tonight’ (Hilton Media) from Monaco St Crime Syndicate, has attracted national v-play on RAGE, SYN TV and Channel V. The band recently recorded an interview for Channel 9 youth program Hot Source which airs across Australia on June 29.
No strangers to USA audiences, Dr Octopus were invited to play at the world’s largest ska music festival, “Ska Summit” held in Las Vegas, USA in 2003. The festival hosted a crowd of approximately 11, 000 people and over 30 international bands. Dr Octopus was the only Australian band in the line-up which included bands such as Reel Big Fish, The Toasters, Neville Staples’ Specials, The Voodoo Glow Skulls, Mustard Plug, Fishbone, The Selector and many others. While in the USA, Dr Octopus also performed a sold-out show at The Knitting Factory’s ‘Alterknit Lounge’ in Hollywood.
Dr. Octopus have been gigging solidly up and down the east coast of Oz since March and the band has plans to return to the USA in October to play shows in Hawaii, LA and NYC to further develop their strong international following.
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