Young Guns: All Our Kings Are Dead review, by Eva Rinaldi

Young Guns have fans and critics talking with the release on their All Our Kings Are Dead release.

Are they the next big thing in British rock, or are they more akin to just another flash in the pan? Nay, they appear to have hit the big time, based upon all the airplay they've got on MTV over the past few months, not to mention a ton of positive reviews in respected music industry press.  It may be too early to know for sure just how far they will go, but these guys have talent.

Rock gods Bon Jovi didn't get them to be a support for them just cause their nice guys. They got the spot thousands of other up and comers wanted. They even shared a stage at the Reading Festival with the likes of Guns N' Roses and Queens of the Stone Age. You've got to be darn good to get that spot.

I love the fact that the band showed fortitude by releasing their debut album directly. I guess one of more of them have both marketing and media smarts, and a bit of a nest egg to throw into a successful campaign, without having to pander to the top brass at the majors.

I can imagine being in a jam packed stadium watching these guys, with thousands of fans going wild. They have 'It', and the production and promos are polished.

Opening track Sons of Apathy sounds like something that might get a strong run on radio, be it in Australia or the UK. The nature of their songs and lyrics is such that your going to have to learn them off by heart to be able to sing along with them... the musical riffs are pretty loud and the songs too new to be regularly be played on MTV or radio quite yet.

I'm still getting a feel for these guys, and what songs best take my fancy, but at this point Stitches does it for me, but that's also got something to do with the pretty cool music video I spied on YouTube. They know how to do a music vid to compliment a song, so its little wonder they are currently approaching mega success, with their positive momentum building up every month, not to mention each new concert they belt out. This band to be sounds like that in 5 years time the music world will be buzzing loudly about, and one of the privileged rock bands who are in demand across the globe, being able to pretty much pick and choose where they perform.

If you like your melodic punk rock heavy, hard, and loud... but not quite deafening, 'All Our Kings Are Dead' might just be for you.  I like my punt alot more 70s and 80s style, but I respect these guys for giving us all they have, and I've got the feeling they will further improve their awesome sound with their next one or two releases. Rock on.

The Band:

Gustav Wood - lead vocals

Fraser Taylor - lead guitar, rhythm guitar

John Taylor - rhythm guitar, lead guitar

Simon Mitchell - bass

Ben Jolliffe - drums, percussion, backing vocals

Websites

www.myspace.com/youngguns

www.youtube.com/younggunstube

http://www.thedwarf.com.au/

Beachley Classic surf comp: Pros and celebs do Dee Why by Eva Rinaldi - 7th May 2011

Sydney's Dee Why Beach was blessed today with awesome weather, the Beachley Classic surfing comp, a celebrity beach volleyball match, celebrity surf comp, lots of happy souls, a stoked surf culture crowd and a dash of friendly media folks reporting on all the action.

The news that tons of celebs would be surfing, playing volleyball and just hanging out at the beach is what got my main interest, but at the same time, great to see the pros in action also.

First the serious stuff...the Beachley Classic for the bragging rights and the money, of course. Good on the Commonwealth Bank for pumping in thousands of dollars into the event, and we think they got exceptionally good value for their sponsorship dollar.

Hawaii's golden girl of surf, Carissa Moore, may have beaten the last remaining Aussie hope Stephanie Gilmore to progress into the final of the Beachley Classic, but we all felt like winners.

Moore defeated 2004 ASP Women's World Champion Sofia Mulanovich, 27 to snatch her second out of four finals this season, winning a cool US$40,000 winners cheque and returns to her position as the ASP Women's World No. 1.

The media friendly Moore shared "I'm really, really happy, I've been fired up ever since the last two events with Sally (Fitzgibbons) and I'm just super excited I was able to come out on top this time."

Wave selection was a considerable factor in today's comp. Moore was able to take the lead in the closing minutes of the final, posting 6.83 and 8.33 (out of ten) scores, to best the Mulanovich by 15.60 to 14.60 (out of 20.00).

"I was really excited to make another final and it was refreshing to have a Sofia as an opponent," Moore said. "She was leading for most of the heat and I was kind of nervous out there."

Moore's victory today secures her a comfortable 3350 points ahead of closest rival Sally Fitzgibbons, 20, (Australia) on the ASP World Title ratings and has got insiders talking about her now being see as the surfer to beat with just three events to go.

"I'm trying to not think about the World Title too much, I know that there's a lot of girls within range, so I'm just going to keep my head down and have fun."

Mulanovich to her credit reached her first final this year. and beat ASP ratings leader coming into the event Sally Fitzgibbons (Australia) in their exciting semifinal clash, before placing runner-up to Moore in the final.

"I haven't been on the podium for a I while and I'm just stoked to be here, it feels amazing!" Mulanovich said. "Carissa is an amazing surfer and she's really hard to beat although I was beating her for a while out there, I surprised myself."

Fitzgibbons felt short of her own expectations today sighting poor wave-selection her downfall against Mulanovich. She's now out of the ASP World No. 1 spot.

"I can't be disappointed with a third place but I think the waves weren't in my favour, I just didn't quite find my rhythm," Fitzgibbons said. "Some days you have it like in Bells and New Zealand and some days you don't and today I just wasn't quite there."

"You know the World Title is something you're always reaching for and I feel like I still have a lot to give," Fitzgibbons said. "World No. 2 is a good place to be at so I'm just going to hold my head up high and hope to get that rhythm back at the next few events and hopefully snatch a few more wins along the way."

Three time defending event champion and four times ASP Women's World Champion Stephanie Gilmore, 23, (Australia) equaled her best result of the season, placing equal third after being narrowly eliminated by Moore with 16.00 to Moore's 16.50 heat total, in the semifinal.

"Third place is definitely frustrating, it's an ok result but it's not quite enough to satisfy me anyway," Gilmore said. "I felt like I was surfing really good but it just came down to wave selection. Carissa got such a good start and I think I got a little too relaxed when I got a really high score and let my guard down." Despite posting the highest individual wave score of the event, a 9.60 (out of 10.00), Gilmore was failed to grab a second ride with sufficient scoring potential. Her result today moving her up one place into The World No. 4 spot.

"I feel much stronger and more confident and so for me it is just about building on each result and reaching for the top spot again."

ASP Womens World Title Ranking after event #4 Commonwealth Bank Beachley Classic 

1. Carissa Moore (HAW) 3700 

2. Sally Fitzgibbons (AUS) 33650 

3. Tyler Wright (AUS) 25420 

4. Stephanie Gilmore (AUS) 22850 

5. Sivana Lima (PER) 21420

Commonwealth Bank Beachley Classic Final Results: 

Carissa Moore (HAW) 15.60 def Sofia Mulnovich (PER) 14.60

Commonwealth Bank Beachley Classic Semifinal Results: 

Heat 1: Sofia Mulanovich (PER) 14.03 def Sally Fitzgibbons (AUS) 13.60 

Heat 2: Carissa Moore (HAW) 16.50 def Stephanie Gilmore (AUS) 16.00

Commonwealth Bank Beachley Classic Quarterfinal Results: 

Heat 1: Sofia Mulanovich (PER) 11.83 def Silvana Lima (BRA) 7.33 

Heat 2: Sally Fitzgibbons (AUS) 13.37 def Nikki Van Dijk (AUS) 13.26 

Heat 3: Carissa Moore (HAW) 16.00 def Melanie Bartels (HAW) 8.76 

Heat 4: Stephanie Gilmore (AUS) 17.17 def Tyler Wright (AUS) 15.10

Beachley Classic Celebrity Surf Challenge...

The list of Aussie celeb surfers included

Lincoln Lewis (Tomorrow When the War Began, former Home & Away) 

David Jones-Roberts (Home & Away) 

Mike Baird (NSW Treasurer) 

Dustin Clare (Satisfaction, former McLeod's Daughters) 

Ian 'Dicko' Dickson (former Australian Idol judge, former Classic Rock FM host) 

Paul De Gelder (Navy Seal) 

Guy Leech (ex Ironman) 

Peter Phelps (Rescue Special Ops, former Stingers, Underbelly and Baywatch) 

Matt Hall (Pilot, former RAAF Fighter Combat Instructor, 2009 Red Bull Air Race World Champion) 

Kerri Pottharst (former Olympic volleyball player) 

Kirk Pengilly (INXS)

Layne Beachley and a dozen celebs fought for $5,000 for their nominated charity at today's Sydney.com Celebrity Challenge. It was part of Family Day at the Commonwealth Bank Beachley Classic.

Teams warmed-up on the sand with a game of Volleyball followed by an Australian tag team rules style surf comp. All celebs rode long boards. 

Last year, Sydneysider Miley Dyer led her all-star team of former ironman Guy Leech, Biggest Loser trainer Shannon Ponton and Sydney Olympics volleyball gold medalist Kerry Pottharst to victory by less than a point. Going up against Leech and Pottharst again this year, Ian 'Dicko' Dickson says of the challenge, "This year I'm ready to win the Celebrity Challenge at the Beachley Classic. I've been training long and hard all year for this. They won't know what's hit them." Dicko also kindly shared his thoughts with our team of reporters and the exclusive video footage will be going live soon.

Congrats to the green team who won the the celeb surfing challenge, and well done to everyone who participated in today's happening at Dee Why Beach. It was a great day to be Australian. Layne, you did Australia proud today and your legend and legacy continues to grow. You transcend surfing, and keep building upon the strong foundations you laid down years ago. Thanks for the interview with our crew too.

Beach, fun, sun, world class effects and results... that's what its all about folks.

Stay tuned for some great video footage from today including interviews with Layne and Dicko, as well as some exclusive photos of all of the fun in the sun, and see you back there next year.

Websites

Beachley Classic

ASP - Association of Surfing Professionals

Sydney.com

The Manly Daily

6DC

Eva Rinaldi Photography

Eva Rinaldi Flickr

Water for Elephants Sydney premier, by Eva Rinaldi - 6th May 2011

Water for Elephants enjoyed its Sydney premier tonight, with the 300m red carpet running down Pitt St Mall.

Reese Witherspoon and her co-star Robert Pattinson (Twilight) were mobbed by thousands of fans and hundreds of media types.

Earlier in the day they did Sydney's famous Luna Park, running with the circus theme.

"I think all I can do is stand back and sort of watch it happen because I'm not used to seeing somebody have so many fans," Witherspoon told the press.

"But he's so gracious about it and he's really understanding that people really take the time to stand and wait for him, so he signs every picture and talks to everybody."

Water for Elephants is based on the bestselling novel by Sara Gruen and directed by Francis Lawrence.

The beautiful love story centres around veterinary student Jacob Jankowski (Pattinson), who joins a circus after his parents are killed in a car accident.

He's soon enough in charge of an elephant named Rosie, which helps bring him closer to the circus's star performer Marlena (Witherspoon).

The film's stars got up close with another elephant at a presser today in Sydney. Siam especially was brought in from Terri Irwin's Australia Zoo for the happening.

Witherspoon said she was delighted to have been given the opportunity to visit Australia again.

"I've been here before but I haven't been for some time," she said.

"It's meant a lot to me that Australian fans have come out and seen my movie so I'm excited to actually come out and meet them and be there."

She said Sydney's famous Bondi Beach was at the top of her list of places to visit.

"Last time I was here I got to go to a koala sanctuary and I got to go to the Gold Coast and Melbourne - it was really fun," she said.

"I've never been to Bondi Beach, so I think that'd be fun to check that out.

"I just heard it's fun. I want to go have a beer at the beach."

Insiders tip the movie will likely net over $50 million and is in line to pick up a number of awards.

A special thank you to the good people at 20th Century Fox for helping make tonight possible for my life and media skills students and our team. Also a big thanks for security who helped us get some great photos with the films posters at the conclusion of the evening. My students had a great experience with all the excitement, and they are not likely to forget tonight in a hurry. The popcorn that some of the circus performers handed out to media and the fans was appreciated also.

Legendary showman and circus promoter, Phineas Taylor Barnum, would have been proud of the show that Fox put on in Sydney tonight.

This film sufficiently demonstrates that life is the most spectacular show on earth, as they say in the film's tag line.

Stay tuned for our great Francis Lawrence video interview and range of great photos with Witherspoon, Pattinson and dozens more celebrities.

Main Cast

Reese: Witherspoon Marlena

Robert Pattinson: Jacob

Christoph Waltz: August

Paul Schneider: Charlie

Websites

Water For Elephants

20th Century Fox - Fox Movies

Eva Rinaldi Photography

Eva Rinaldi Photographer Flickr

Logies 2011: Katy Perry Adds Firework To Night Of Surprises, by Eva Rinaldi - 2nd May 2011

The Australian entertainment industries night of nights was certainly glamorous by Australian standards and delivered strongly in surprises and audience delight.

There were a ton of surprises and its safe to say that the organisers, including the Nine Network, got it right this year.

An emotional and gracious Karl Stefanovic, who won the Gold Logie, paid tribute to his wife Cass for "giving up a promising TV career of her own with the ABC to let me do this and look after our three beautiful kids."

The capacity crowd loved Karl's affectionate words for Network Nine boss David Gyngell -"He's probably at home, in his Homer Simpson undies, scratching himself or whatever he does, but mate, I love you as a boss and more importantly as a friend."

He also remembered his family saying he thanked his "mum for her beautiful soul" and his dad "for your male-pattern baldness, big guy."

The popular TV presenter - journalist disclosed that his mentor was Laurie Oakes: "The reason I am in this business and want to be for the rest of my life."

He had originally promised to stick to soda water, however he left stage with "I'm going to the bar."

Stefanovic threw into his entertaining speech that added he did not believe half of Australia would know who he was "if he wasn't pole-axed on Grey Goose vodka".

"I thought it was career-ending...but I survived it", he said.

"So yes I will probably have two dozen champagnes, a few vodkas and what not, but I will be right for the show in the morning."

On the success on the Today Show he shared: "We're risking things but we're both more confident...I've never been more confident in front of the camera, and I don't want that to sound arrogant, but that comes with the miles I've had on air."

A ton of actors, actresses and presenters made their way to the podium before Stefanovic at Melbourne's Crown Casino looking a bit bewildered as they grasped their viewer-SMS-voted Most Popular awards.

'Our Karl', the Channel 9 Today host and sometimes 60 Minutes reporter who ran away with the Gold Logie from Packed To The Rafters duo Rebecca Gibney and Jessica Marais, who I understand were hot favourites.

The popular awards had the room talking. Asher Keddie of Ten's Offspring, bested Seven's Packed To The Rafters dynamos Gibney and Marais as Most Popular Actress. Another surprise of the TV Week sponsored event was Chrissie Swan of Channel Ten's morning chat show The Circle. She was voted Most Popular New Female Talent...ahead of prime-time personalities Emma Booth, Julie Goodwin, Poh Ling Yeow and Hannah Marshall.

Ten's MasterChef, one of the highest-rating series in Australian television, was nominated for just one award - Most Popular Reality Program - which it won.

Stefanovic also won Most Popular Presenter ahead of Hamish Blake, Adam Hills, Shaun Micallef and Swan.

Underbelly: The Golden Mile's Firass Dirani won Most Popular New Talent, however his show was beaten by Packed To The Rafters as the viewers' favourite drama.

Channel Nine got more acholades with Underbelly being judged Most Outstanding Drama, while the Most Outstanding Actor and Actress went to Richard Roxburgh (Rake, ABC) and Claire van der Boom (Sisters Of War, ABC).

News media commentators, celebrities and the general public agreed that the strong line up of performing artists, headlined by Katy Perry, made this years Logies one of the best ever.

Stay tuned right here for some exclusive photos and multimedia.

NOMINEES AND WINNERS LIST

TV WEEK GOLD LOGIE – Most Popular Personality on TV

Adam Hills (Spicks And Specks, ABC 1)

Asher Keddie (Offspring, Network Ten)

Chrissie Swan (The Circle, Network Ten)

Jessica Marais (Packed To The Rafters, Channel Seven)

WINNER Karl Stefanovic (Today, Network Nine)

Rebecca Gibney (Packed To The Rafters, Channel Seven)

TV WEEK SILVER LOGIE – Most Popular Actor

Callan Mulvey (Rush, Network Ten)

Don Hany (Offspring, Network Ten / Tangle, Foxtel)

Erik Thomson (Packed To The Rafters, Channel Seven)

WINNER - Hugh Sheridan (Packed To The Rafters, Channel Seven)

Michael Caton (Packed To The Rafters, Channel Seven)

TV WEEK SILVER LOGIE – Most Popular Actress

WINNER - Asher Keddie (Offspring, Network Ten)

Jessica Marais (Packed To The Rafters, Channel Seven)

Margot Robbie (Neighbours, Network Ten)

Rebecca Gibney (Packed To The Rafters, Channel Seven)

Zoe Ventoura (Packed To The Rafters, Channel Seven)

TV WEEK SILVER LOGIE – Most Popular Presenter

Adam Hills (Spicks And Specks, ABC1)

Chrissie Swan (The Circle, Network Ten)

Hamish Blake (Hamish & Andy 'Specials', Network Ten)

WINNER - Karl Stefanovic (Today, Nine Network)

Shaun Micallef (Talkin' 'Bout Your Generation, Network Ten)

MOST POPULAR NEW MALE TALENT

Charles Cottier (Home And Away, Channel Seven)

Eddie Perfect (Offspring, Network Ten)

WINNER - Firass Dirani (Underbelly: The Golden Mile, Nine Network)

Manu Feildel (My Kitchen Rules, Channel Seven)

Ryan Corr (Packed To The Rafters, Channel Seven)

MOST POPULAR NEW FEMALE TALENT

WINNER - Chrissie Swan (The Circle, Network Ten)

Emma Booth (Underbelly: The Golden Mile, Nine Network)

Hannah Marshall (Packed To The Rafters, Channel Seven)

Julie Goodwin (Home Cooked! With Julie Goodwin, Nine Network)

Poh Ling Yeow (Poh’s Kitchen, ABC1)

MOST POPULAR DRAMA SERIES

Home And Away (Channel Seven)

Neighbours (Network Ten)

Offspring (Network Ten)

WINNER - Packed To The Rafters (Channel Seven)

Rush (Network Ten)

Underbelly: The Golden Mile (Nine Network)

MOST POPULAR LIGHT ENTERTAINMENT PROGRAM

Good News Week (Network Ten)

Hey Hey It's Saturday (Nine Network)

Sunrise (Channel Seven)

Talkin' 'Bout Your Generation (Network Ten)

WINNER - The Circle (Network Ten)

MOST POPULAR LIFESTYLE PROGRAM

WINNER - Better Homes And Gardens (Channel Seven)

Domestic Blitz (Nine Network)

Getaway (Nine Network)

Grand Designs Australia (Foxtel)

Ready Steady Cook (Network Ten)

MOST POPULAR SPORTS PROGRAM

Before The Game (Network Ten and ONE HD)

WINNER - The Footy Show (AFL) (Nine Network)

The Footy Show (NRL) (Nine Network)

The Matty Johns Show (Channel Seven)

Wide World Of Sports (Nine Network)

MOST POPULAR REALITY PROGRAM

Dancing With The Stars (Channel Seven)

WINNER - MasterChef Australia (Network Ten)

The Biggest Loser Australia (Network Ten)

The Farmer Wants A Wife (Nine Network)

The X Factor (Channel Seven)

MOST POPULAR FACTUAL PROGRAM

WINNER - Bondi Rescue (Network Ten)

Bondi Vet (Network Ten)

RPA (Nine Network)

Undercover Boss Australia (Network Ten)

TV WEEK SILVER LOGIE – Most Outstanding Drama Series, Miniseries or Telemovie

Hawke (Network Ten)

Packed To The Rafters (Channel Seven)

Rake (ABC1)

Rush (Network Ten)

Sisters Of War (ABC1)

WINNER - Underbelly: The Golden Mile (Nine Network)

TV WEEK SILVER LOGIE – Most Outstanding Actor

Erik Thomson (Packed To The Rafters, Channel Seven)

Hugh Sheridan (Packed To The Rafters, Channel Seven)

Jason Gann (Wilfred, SBS)

Richard Roxburgh (Hawke, Network Ten)

WINNER - Richard Roxburgh (Rake, ABC1)

TV WEEK SILVER LOGIE – Most Outstanding Actress

Asher Keddie (Offspring, Network Ten)

Catherine McClements (Rush, Network Ten)

WINNER - Claire van der Boom (Sisters Of War, ABC1)

Justine Clarke (Tangle, Foxtel [Showcase])

Kat Stewart (Offspring, Network Ten)

GRAHAM KENNEDY AWARD FOR MOST OUTSTANDING NEW TALENT

Emma Booth (Underbelly: The Golden Mile, Nine Network)

WINNER - Firass Dirani (Underbelly: The Golden Mile, Nine Network)

Richard Davies (Offspring, Network Ten)

Ryan Corr (Packed To The Rafters, Channel Seven)

Sarah Snook (Sisters Of War, ABC1)

MOST OUTSTANDING NEWS COVERAGE

“Afghanistan Rocket Attack” (Ten News)

“Election 2010” (Sky News)

“Laurie Oakes Election Leaks” (Nine News)

WINNER - “New Zealand Mine Disaster” (Seven News)

“Pakistan Floods” (ABC News)

MOST OUTSTANDING PUBLIC AFFAIRS REPORT

“Brothers In Arms” (Sunday Night, Channel Seven)

“Hey Dad..! Scandal” (A Current Affair, Nine Network)

“Iraq’s Deadly Legacy” (Dateline, SBS)

WINNER - “Smugglers' Paradise” (Four Corners, ABC1)

“The Condemned” (Dateline, SBS)

MOST OUTSTANDING LIGHT ENTERTAINMENT PROGRAM

Hamish & Andy’s Caravan of Courage: Great Britain & Ireland (Network Ten)

Luke Nguyen’s Vietnam (SBS)

WINNER - Spicks And Specks (ABC1)

Talkin’ ‘Bout Your Generation (Network Ten)

Yes We Canberra (ABC1)

MOST OUTSTANDING SPORTS COVERAGE

2010 AFL Grand Final (Channel Seven)

2010 Melbourne Cup (Channel Seven)

Rugby League - 2010 State Of Origin (Game One) (Nine Network)

WINNER - The Ashes 2010 First Test - Day One at the Gabba (Nine Network)

XIX Commonwealth Games 2010 Delhi (Foxtel)

MOST OUTSTANDING CHILDREN’S PROGRAM

Camp Orange: Castle Mountain (Foxtel [Nickelodeon])

WINNER - Dance Academy (ABC3)

Dead Gorgeous (ABC3)

Hi-5 (Nine Network)

Prank Patrol (ABC3)

MOST OUTSTANDING FACTUAL PROGRAM

Bondi Rescue (Network Ten)

Miracle in the Storm (ABC1)

RPA (Nine Network)

Such Is Life: The Troubled Times Of Ben Cousins (Channel Seven)

WINNER - Trishna & Krishna: The Quest For Separate Lives (Channel Seven)

Logies Notes

Performing artist Katy Perry promised a Logies explosive firework opening to the Logies and she delivered

Logies 2001 was more glamorous than ever before

Longest red carpet in the event's history (80m)

Katy Perry, Maroon 5 and Jesse J all performed

Rebecca Judd, expecting, showed off her tummy on the Logies' red carpet

Rebecca Gibney had been favourite to take home the coveted Gold Logie.

Shane Jacobsen (Kenny fame) was a photographers favorite for the night, putting on all sorts of antics to keep the press pack amused.

Katy Perry was the most photographed star on the red carpet, to little surprise

Crown Casino is understood to have possibly done record business in gaming and at its restaurants and bars, as a positive flow on effect from from the event

Stefanovic is Nine's first Gold Logie winner since Ray Martin won his fifth and final award in 1996. In voting him television's most popular personality, the public has ended a five-year stranglehold on gold for the Seven network.

Websites

TV Week

Crown Casino

The Lantern Group

Eva Rinaldi Photography

Eva Rinaldi Flickr

Katy Perry does Myer Melbourne; Purr fect warm up for Logies, by Eva Rinaldi - 30th April 2011

We're in Melbourne early for the TV Week Logies, and so is Katy Perry, who wowed, teased and entertained thousand of fans at Myer in the Melbourne CBD today.

Not to anyone's surprise there was no sign of husband Russell Brand, but that didn't stop the media or crowd asking, as they are quite the power couple these days.

The 26-year-old performing artist looked sensational and was very accommodating with both fans and media.

We learnt that she just loves Australians easy-going attitude, our weather (thank you Melbourne for the miracle sun and no rain today), Tim Tams, and eskies.

"I love being around all kinds of characters in Australia," Perry told the crowd of thousands, when they finally settled down from a massive 'We want Katy' chant, which must have gone on for at least fifteen minutes.

Some of the crowd rushed to Myer retail departments to snap up both Perry CD's and Purr perfume (which gives an "added bonus" to your man, Katy was quick to point out to us.

The queen of 'Teenage Dream', and soon teenage retail, is struggling with her Aussie lingo, but we give her top marks for effect, attitude and generosity of heart and spirit with her multitudes on fans hanging on every word and move. She got her cosses mixed up with eskies, but that's ok. Katy looked like she might do well to get a bit of sun, so someone needs to tell her where Bondi Beach is.

Perry had the crowd screaming and clamouring for photos and autographs, and as usual, security had a tough job, with most of them doing their job well.

Bourke Street mall came to a standstill, as 1000 or so fans stood behind steel barricades just hoping to catch a glimpse. Four Katy Perry look-a-likes kept the crowd entertained and and teased the press with purr fect poses with the perfume of the hour. Oh, the trams kept running, but slowed considerable, as passengers soon realised what all the fuss was about.

Perry commenced her first Australian tour in two years with shows in Melbourne on Thursday and Friday nights and is the big-name international act for tomorrow's Logie awards at James Packer's Crown Casino.
Her appearance today was actually to flog her new fragrance, Purr, and we estimated at least 500 units were sold. Even a couple of Aussie teen lads bought the Purr, which helped them get a photo, as you might have guessed.

We loved that she answered a journo's probing question about receiving plenty of male attention.

"I'm a big believer in sharing so I like to share myself. I feel like I'm in a relationship with all of you plus my husband. I feel like the people that support me and my music and who come to see my shows are choice people; they have good taste, they're smart, they're funny, they like to have a great time, they like to laugh. And also they're very respectful ... if anyone gets too close I karate chop them."

An unidentified reporter asked Katy if she could ask Russell if she could take him home or something to that effect. She laughed it off and then added he might be able to stay in the granny flat room for a bit. Security and minders swiftly snatched away the mic off the shortish mystery media guy.

It was quite a wait for the American sensation and but all agreed the reward was worth it. Perry said "You guys were making so much noise when I was trying to use the restroom".

What a Purr Fect day in Melbourne today if you made it, and we can't wait for the main course tomorrow at the Logies and follow up shows as her Aussie tour continues.

We loved you Katy, and so did our cameras. We can't wait to show the world our great photos and videos of you. The visuals are purr fect said a Music News Australia spokesperson.

Websites

Katy Perry official website

Myer

Eva Rinaldi Photography

Eva Rinaldi Photography Flickr

Katy Perry to Launch Purr Fragrance at Myer Melbourne on April 30

MEDIA INVITATION

Katy Perry to Launch Purr Fragrance at Myer Melbourne on April 30


What:                   Katy Perry’s exclusive Australian launch of Purr by Katy Perry

When:                  Saturday April 30th 2011

Arrival:                 12:50 pm
Bourke St Mall, outside Myer entrance

In Store:               1:25 pm, VIP in store appearance
Mural Hall, Level 7, Myer Melbourne

Arrival

Photo/Video Opportunities:
·         Katy Perry to arrive publicly on Bourke St mall surrounded by fans
·         Arrival details are strictly confidential at this point, however there will be a fun photo opportunity featuring Katy Perry lookalikes

In Store

Press Conference
·         Katy will take questions from the press pit

Photo/Video Opportunities:
·         500 fans inside Mural Hall for VIP in store appearance
·         Katy Perry to appear on stage posing with fragrance, fans and Katy lookalikes
·         Katy Perry being interviewed by MC

Justin Bieber WOWS his fans in Brisbane

Justin Bieber has arrived in Australia for his My World tour, presented by Take 40 Australia!

Justin performed in Brisbane last night to a sold out crowd, despite suffering from a sore back.

WATCH - All Of Justin Bieber's Music Videos!

Justin tweeted, "back is in ALOT of pain but incredible show tonight. BRISBANE was #BEAST - Australia is about to be a party the next 2 weeks".

The teen star spent the weekend in Bali, before heading to Australia. And due to a bit of plane trouble Justin only just made it to Brisbane.

He tweeted, "After a long 24 hours and some crazy plane trouble we finally made it out. Thank you to Indonesia and our secret day in BALI.. Crazy 24 hours of travel...back is messed up....but we are smiling. We finally made it. AUSTRALIA we are here. Brisbane Leggo! #myworldtour"

Last week he also teased fans with the promise of a duet with Chris Brown during one of his concerts. There was no sign of the 'Next 2 You' singer at the Brisbane show, but hopefully we'll see Chris at one of Justin's upcoming shows!

Stay tuned to take40.com for all the gossip on Justin's Australian tour.

ZZ Top, Rose Tattoo And The Poor Do Enmore Theatre, by Eva Rinaldi - 27th April 2011

Who is top in Sydney at the moment? Yeah, you guessed it - ZZ Top.

Rose Tattoo and The Poor are pretty darn hot too, and they all played their hearts out at Enmore Theatre earlier tonight.

ZZ Top are a legendary Texan music trio who have been rocking and rolling for more than 4 decades. Inducted by The Stones' Keith Richards into the ‘Rock and Roll Hall of Fame’ back in 2004, they just keep rocking and still look unstoppable, and not too bad for their age.

The band was was happy to be quoted by the press: "We’re the same three guys, bashing out the same three chords. The band’s mantra remains the same: ‘Tone. Taste. Tenacity" said Billy F Gibbons, ZZ's guitarist.

ZZ Top has performed live in front of millions of fans around the globe. Their image - cars, bikes, beards, girls, keychain and all that, is known around the world and seems almost as big as their music. Make no mistake, these guys are rock gods.

Legs would be their most famous hit, probably followed by Gimme All Your Lovin’ and Sharp Dressed Man. Tonight I got to hear Future and Rock Me for the first time, and they definitely rate and were pretty well received by the jam packed audience.

ZZ Top impressed the heck out of me and I would seriously recommend you check them out too if you have the chance.

Ok, the others.... Rose Tattoo, headed up by Sydney's angriest man (just kidding Andy), Angry Anderson. Anderson leaped onto the stage early in the peace, and from the get go you could tell he and the boyz were ready to part-eee.

The Poor, rich on talent, didn't disappoint, and were worthy of also being a support to the other legendary bands.

Australia, if the show in Sydney was any indication of what these 3 bad boy rock bands are going to keep running with on their down under tour, you'll just have to attend in person to truly appreciate just how good they are.

Promoter, Andrew McManus, well done on putting it all together. You did yourself proud.

ZZ Top, Rose Tattoo And The Poor - A world class rock n roller trifecta if there ever was.

Websites

ZZ Top

Rose Tattoo

The Poor

Enmore Theatre

Andrew McManus Presents

Eva Rinaldi Photography

Eva Rinaldi Flickr

ZZ TOP LIVE @ ENMORE THEATRE

Andrew McManus Presents is proud to announce that after 10 years, blues-rock legends ZZ Top are finally coming back to Australia!

ZZ Top’s image has been as unchanging and memorable as their music. The legendary Texan trio has been together for more than 40 years and were inducted by Keith Richards into the ‘Rock and Roll Hall of Fame’ in 2004.

‘We’re the same three guys, bashing out the same three chords. The band’s mantra remains the same: “Tone. Taste. Tenacity’ said Billy Gibbons, guitarist extraordinaire.

ZZ Top are a solid touring unit and have performed before millions of fans around the world. Their iconography ��" beards, cars, girls and that magic keychain seems to transcend all bounds of geography and language. They’ve been referenced in countless cartoons and sitcoms and are true rock icons.

ZZ Top are genuine roots musicians. Billy Gibbons is one of America’s finest blues guitarists while Dusty Hill on bass and Frank Beard on drums (ironically the only member without a beard) provide the ultimate rhythm section support.

Most famous for their hits Legs, Gimme All Your Lovin’ and Sharp Dressed Man, ZZ Top are sure to thrill their Australian fans with their sturdy American blues and rock style.

ZZ Top last toured Australia in 2000 and have sold more than 20 million records worldwide and achieved incredible chart success. Their 1983 album Eliminator was a multi-platinum smash in Australia and is ‘one of the greatest albums of the ‘80s’ according to Rolling Stone magazine.

Rose Tattoo and The Poor will also be appearing with ZZ Top.
IT’S GONNA BE ONE WILD PARTY ��" DON’T MISS OUT!