Concrete Playground

With their visceral and deceptively simple sounds, the Mess Hall are loved for their attitude laden blues, heavy on guitars and stripped back to the bare bones. The two piece kicked around for a long time, impressing audiences and doing sporadic but good things for years. Since a drummer change in 2005, and signing to Ivy League in 2007, the band has stepped on the accelerator and have gone from strength to strength. The real run of success started when they won the Australian Music Prize in 2008 with their second album Devils Elbow, which amassed much critical acclaim. On the back of the album they toured non stop, here and overseas, and even opened for rock giants Foo Fighters last year.

Their third album For The Birds sees the band splash a bit more pop into the mix. No glittery sparkles, but some definite added layers that bring the songwriting of Jed Kurzel to the fore. These embellishments can be heard on first single 'Bell' with its errant shakers and organ driven riff that Kurzel deadpans over "well I feel like Adam when you shot me from a cannon". Its lazy drum rolls and slightly twisted guitar solo almost hint at early Beck, but the vocal is all snarl.

In March the Mess Hall embark on a huge tour with special guests Bridezilla and Cabins, taking in a few regional spots along the way. Tickets go on sale January 11 and they will hit home soil March 6 at Manning.

TOUR DATES MARCH 2010:

Thur 4th: Wollongong Uni, Wollongong
Fri 5th: Cambridge Hotel, Newcastle
Sat 6th: Manning Bar, Sydney
Thur 11th: Neverland Bar, Gold Coast
Fri 12th: Joes’ Waterhole, Eumundi
Sat 13th: The Zoo, Brisbane
Thur 18th: Republic Bar, Hobart
Fri 19th: Hotel New York, Launceston
Sat 20th: Corner Hotel, Melbourne
Sun 21st: Karova Lounge, Ballarat
Thur 25th: Mojo's, Fremantle
Fri 26th: Rosemount, Perth
Sat 27th: Jive Bar, Adelaide

We're giving away 5 double passes to see the Mess Hall play their Sydney show on March 6th. To win, just email hello@concreteplayground.com.au with "Mess" in the subject line and approximately ten words on why you want to go.