Concrete Playground

Just off the back of a tour with all girl Japanese garage-rockers Shonen Knife, Brisbane's I Heart Hiroshima are stopping back in to Sydney to launch their second album The Rip at The 'Dale. The Rip was recorded in Brisbane and then taken to the UK to be mixed by Gang Of Four's Andy Gill.

They kept busy in Britania and across Europe playing some 40 shows including several with the angular indie rockers Maximo Park, as well as heaps of festival spots. So their live show should be well tuned up.

Their bassless sound with it's wirey guitars underneath shouty vocals can be grating and abrasive, but when they bring more melody into the mix - such as on their best known tune Punks - they can pen very memorable melodies with the intertwining boy/girl vocals exultantly yelling simple yet emotive lyrics.

First single from The Rip (out Oct 2 on Valve Record), Shakeytown, with melodic guitar hooks and a bittersweet chorus, gives hope for their second album. And there's no denying these guys are great live; drummer/singer Susie Patten is very charismatic behind the two scruffy boys on guitar.

Kiwi transplants Songs, are doing the whole album tour, so get there early as Sunday shows at The Annandale open at 6.