I’m known by my friends as Red and I run The Cherry Jam Open Mic nights at Cherry Bar.
On November 19th to celebrate Melbourne Music week we have a special “Best Of” Cherry Jam which on November 19th features my favourite bands that have played at Cherry Jam.
Tell us a little bit about the inception of Cherry Jam?
The idea first sprung from James Young (Cherry Bar Owner). He was inundated with requests to play shows at Cherry and couldn’t possibly put them all on. Also he wanted Cherry to be a 7 day a week live venue. So we got a hold of some secondhand backline and started inviting young bands to play on Monday nights. We started the nights in May. The night has been fully booked for the last couple of months, so we tend to book ahead now instead of just having bands rock up.
What have been your favourite performances at the Jam?
The Reprobettes, because they were the first band to play that really knocked my socks off. And I saw the nights potential to find good bands and do what we could for them.
Sooky Lala, because they were just so brutal and bizarre, and good!
And yeah we had Steel Panther come through which was a lot of fun. Absolutely sweet guys, really funny, true lovers of music, beyond just the hard rock/glam thing. And great musicians, they made that second hand backline sound super sweet! They became our house band and invited people up to sing with them. I had to pinch myself, they’d sold out Festival hall the night before!!
How do you find the bands to come play at Cherry Jam?
Bands can book a slot with us, by sending an email to [email protected].
What’s on heavy rotation on the decks in between bands at Cherry Jam?
If I’m on the decks I like to play laid back 70’s rock. The Stones Tumbling Dice is a favorite. Ryan the Bar Manager will play Turbonegro, and the Hellacopters. Rhys the other Bar Manager will play Zappa, Allman Brothers and Jimmy Buffett. It’s Monday so we indulge ourselves.
Why is the Cherry Jam so important to the Melbourne Music’s scenes spread?
Cherry Jam is the only open mic night in Melbourne that provides rock’n’roll backline (Drums, Bass Amp, 2x Guitar Amps). Which means that bands can hop on a tram or train, and turn up and play, they don’t have to lug their own gear. Cherry is committed to developing the Melbourne music scene. We believe Melbourne has the best music scene in the world and we’re ready to prove it.
We recognise the strength and wealth of the grassroots music scene in Melbourne and felt we could give these acts an opportunity to “cut their teeth” so to speak and experience playing live. The night also gives them a chance to play to their friends and begin finding an audience. To add to that, there’s the opportunity to network and see other musicians in action.
How often to the Best Of’s take place and how does one become one of the chosen artist?
This is the inaugural best of, so we haven’t set up a schedule. I’d like to do them every 6 months or so.
If you could curate any band from anywhere in the whole world to come and jam on the cherry stage, who would they be and why?
Well the Rolling Stones would be number one. I would instantly be the most loved man in Melbourne if I pulled that one off.
Then I’d probably have Drive Like Jehu, because I’ve never seen them, and no one I know has either.
At The Drive In, because I’d love to see them too.
And then maybe We Are Gamma a local band who are incredibly talented and underrated, but hardly play shows.
Who can we catch at the upcoming Best Of Cherry Jam on Monday 19th November?
7:30: Poseidon I chose these guys because they had great songs and confident delivery, they are still really young too.
8:15: Bravo Juliet also have great songs with interesting structures, they are super tight and play well together.
9:00: Son Of Set I enjoyed these guys because I thought they sat within a great tradition of Australian music. A bit of Nick Cave, Beasts of Bourbon, X. I think they’ll pick up an audience if they keep going.
9:45: The Reprobettes knocked my socks off because they have such a unified aesthetic, a bit of a bit of surf, a bit of country, a bit of garage, they reminded me of the B52s wrapped up in Wanda Jacksons teenage delinquent attitude.
10:00: Sooky Lala are a mind blowing band who are reminiscent of early Birthday Party, they’re very confident and have quite a dramatic stage presence.
For more info about the venue and Cherry Jam head to: cherrybar.com.au
