KUSTOM KULTURE WEEKEND - Adelaide 2008

[FIGJAM]

OUR 2008 KUSTOM KULTURE WEEKEND EXPERIENCE from lift off to touch down.

First – I love Adelaide, It is a great town. Easy to get round, not too big, fantastic climate and plenty to do are among it’s many great features. I could so easily live there.

The Atomic Hi-Tones performed on the Sunday night of the Adelaide Kustom Kulture Weekend, so we didn’t hit town until Sunday morning. This means I cant report on the Friday or Saturday. But from what I hear, both these day/nights were faaaaaantastic.

Getting there was a bargain. We happen to have scored $19.95 flights to Adelaide on Tiger (Our first Tiger time) and found the service to be not too bad at all.
Apart from having to be up at 3am for an early flight (so I didn’t bother going to bed), the 100km hike from the terminal across the tarmac to the plane and the mean steward who ran at us from the rear of the plane going crook because he thought we were taking too long to sit down when the truth was we were waiting for some other people to move out of our way. (A lesson in don’t make assumptions there that some need to learn), all ran smooth.

We touched down in Adelaide at 7am their time to be greeted by the breaking of the record for the most number of consecutive days over 35 degrees since recording began. Forever we can say, we were there. We were also there when they had what I think was their hottest day on record 2 years ago (I know I kept passing out every time I stood up when I was helping Cliff set up when he was last man standing out of his own band).

After landing, we went straight to the Highway Inn which incidentally has had a complete makeover since we were there last. All very flash and more development to come with a 70,000,000 apartment and shopping complex being planned for across the car park, by the Highway Inn owners

Of interest also across the car park was a vintage/antique/bric’a’brac/2nd hand style shop jammed packed with everything including masses of items from the 50’s. If avid Retro Collector Hot Rod Girl had gone, she would have been in hog heaven.

Back across the car park to the rear 2nd main entry to the venue there was some evidence of the activities of the previous nights entertainment, which was being sorted out by a destitute looking bloke who was picking up cigarette butts that still had tobacco in them. It was another level of sad when he started drinking the dregs from cans on the ground. But for the grace of god………………

Inside the High way Inn and back at our accommodation the air con was super efficient which was a welcome relief from the heat outside. Adelaide folk, take keeping cool serious. No economical evaporative cooling systems, just artic standard, super efficient refrigerated air conditioning --- thank god.

We spent the day at the Highway Inn, veging out, meeting friends and enjoying the activities. As part of the KKW that day, there was a car park hot rod boot sale with a huge semi trailer stage for bands. The Highway Inn had set up a bar and barby with umbrellas and seats. It started around 1pm and continued through the afternoon.

We left about 4 to get changed then got back around 7pm and caught the 2nd half of the Satellites. A local was telling me a little Satellite will be arriving around August so congratulations to Belinda and Steve if that’s the case.

Also on the program that night was a band called the Beef Eaters plus a burlesque routine that was un-offensive for any age but still very sexy, a circus performer, DJs and also stalls in keeping with the theme such as pin stripers, a tattooist (you could get a tat there and then), rockabilly/hotrod style artists, clothing and collectables.
The Atomics were on last and were also received very well by the local crowd. The band got 4 encores, did 5 extra songs, sold heaps of T.Shirts and CDs and thoroughly enjoyed the gig.

We made some new friends, including a Rusty fan from Perth who saw the posters we had with us for the coming gig in Melbourne with Rusty and asked could he have some to take home. We also met the artists who had heaps of art on display for sale. Very appealing with a slightly fetish feel is an apt description of some of the pieces.
One artist couple from Adelaide were very much in theme with the event, looked the part and were the absolute fittest best dancers I’ve seen for some time.
I have them on video dancing, so when I get round to It I will post the footage.
Another of the artists was from Melbourne. He has a gallery inner city somewhere and informed us of a coming pins and stripes show which will feature the art aspects of tattooing and pin striping on cars. Sounds like an interesting show to check out when it comes up.

I got talking to a very good looking young man who asked if I knew Cliff as he had seen me talking to him.. He said he had come to see the Atomics because he’d been told good things about the band. To cut to the chase, he told me he loved singing and really wanted to have a go, but lacked the confidence. He was really impressed that Cliff never sang until he was 50. I went and got Cliff to have a talk to him with some words of encouragement. This young guy was so good looking, all he’d have to do is stand on stage for the likes of yours truly. We might see him some day. It all starts with passion and that he has. And, so does Local Adelaide DJ and Rock and Roll dance teach Barry Callaghan who has also been inspired to get his hands dirty and has formed a Rockabilly band (very danceable Barry assured me) also. Barry promotes many Victorian bands on his show in Adelaide and is mates with several musos in Melbourne and says hello.

The Kustom Kulture Weekend is an annual event ran by a committee of people from the scene in Adelaide who are willing to put in the effort each year to make it all happen.

Talk is cheap, work is hard, so well done guys, for a job well done and for creating opportunities in this great scene

Finally, sale price air fares and teaming up with mates to share accommodation and taxis, make attending gigs and events in other cities affordable fun, especially cities like Adelaide and Sydney where getting from the airport to the CBD is inexpensive and fast.

I think its time Melbourne powers did something about making it easier, faster and cheaper to get to and from Melbourne airport. In peak hour, it’s a joke. Coming home over Bolte Bridge at 10am took forever, there was so much traffic.

All in all, we had a the best weekend and highly recommend your attendance to this event in future.

[Jitterbug]

Thanks FIGJAM for the review. Sounds like you guys had a great time!

The Kustom Kulture weekend was held at the Barossa Valley - right? I spent a week working there last year, and still have many wonderful memories of the beautiful & historic Barossa and the geat wines on offer .........

Barry Callaghan's got a rockabilly band? Wow! Great news! Barry's a great bloke and dance teacher. Remember attending his dance class & social last year too at the "8 Balls" Racquet Club - a bunch of friendly rockers!

Brings back many fond memories of my trip to Adelaide .........

[Jazza]

Wow Figjam! I think the rego ran out on my car whilst reading your KKW report.
But seriously … Excellent review of this event and description of your surroundings. Just like your Kurri Kurri review, this one is very informative. I’m sure this write up will encourage others to report on their rock & roll experiences. Barry’s new rockabilly outfit sounds interesting. Thanx for the info. Keep up the good work Figjam and will look forward to your Easternats review.

[tggsb]

Sounds really great figjam , your description of events makes it sound like a wonderful weekend - cant wait to see the pics you took. Were any of them mounted?

[Jazza]

Jitterbug,
I think the Barossa Valley event you’re referring to is 70 k from the KK festival. It's the ‘Valley Rodders’ annual Tanunda Hot Rod run. The Atomic Hi-Tones played there 2 years ago in record breaking heat on a Saturday. The night before in Adelaide, they played at the club you mentioned (Raquettes), where I filmed Barry Callaghan (pussycat shirt), dancing with one of his pupils. I agree with you and Figjam that Barry is a friendly & helpful guy. Also, as Figjam points out, the ‘Crow Eaters’ take their air conditioning very seriously. In the clip you see people dancing in relative comfort while the outside temperature exceeded 45 degrees.
http://au.youtube.com/watch?v=1U-mk9GvRzQ