{"id":128,"date":"2008-02-28T14:26:39","date_gmt":"2008-02-28T03:26:39","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/decoded.outer-rim.org\/?page_id=128"},"modified":"2019-05-06T12:46:53","modified_gmt":"2019-05-06T02:46:53","slug":"bliss","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"http:\/\/decoded.outer-rim.org\/?page_id=128","title":{"rendered":"Bliss"},"content":{"rendered":"

** UPDATE : JULY 2009 **<\/b><\/p>\n

Paul Malandain (MC Say) just uploaded a clip of a video recording of Bliss performing ‘Prodigy’ live in Adelaide at the Synagogue. This clip starts with the build\/intro tape we used to use as well, enjoy!<\/p>\n

<\/object><\/p>\n

I’ve put most of the old Bliss songs in clips with various band photo promo shots… Enjoy!<\/p>\n

http:\/\/www.youtube.com\/user\/techione<\/a><\/p>\n

~ ~ ~ ~<\/p>\n

** UPDATE : DECEMBER 2008 **<\/b><\/p>\n

I’ve put two zips with mp3s of the two Bliss EPs ‘Threshold’ and ‘More Wires Than Braincells’ up on my server space.
\nYou’ll also find the Bliss song ‘(Casting) Shadows’ from the Homegrown CD compilation in the ‘Threshold’ zip.<\/p>\n

\"Threshold\"\"More<\/p>\n

Download them from here: http:\/\/decoded.astarael.co.uk\/bliss<\/a><\/p>\n

Enjoy! Cheers Dave<\/p>\n

~ ~ ~ ~<\/p>\n

\"Bliss
\nBliss logo designed by Tae Won Lee<\/b> (Riot Design).<\/p>\n

Hi this is David McCann (DAMC\/TECHiONE), you’ve found a side page on my blog, click decoded_<\/b> up the top to check out the main blog, where I rabbit on about all the music (mostly minimal techno) I buy, mix, listen to, experience out and dance to.<\/p>\n

In my quest to document and put on-line some of my past musical activities (before I forget it all), I present to you a page dedicated to my old, defunct live band… Bliss.<\/b> This is a work in progress, edits, more photos, clipping scans, mp3s and more to come…<\/p>\n

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~<\/p>\n

Bliss<\/b><\/p>\n

Who? Bliss was an Adelaide\/Sydney 6 piece cross-over; rap, funk, rock, dance, techno live band, that I helped form in early 1990, wrote songs for, toured and performed live keyboards\/samples with, and had a huge passion for, all for about 7 years. I left the band about a year before it fell apart and came to an end, I don’t know exactly why\/how it ended. I left the band at the end or 1996, frustrated at our lack of commercial interest\/success after playing 100s of live gigs. I guess you could also say due to ‘musical differences’, with the rest of the guys wanting to go a lot more rock, and move away from the dance\/techno sounds I was very into.<\/p>\n

\"Bliss
\nPhoto by Paul Armour<\/b>.<\/p>\n

Left: Paul Malandain<\/b> [MC Say] (Raps\/Vocals\/Turntables), Micheal Meissner<\/b> (Guitar\/Samples).
\nCentre Back\/Front: Chris Lambert<\/b> (Bass), Danny Trimarchi<\/b> [MC Dee] (Raps\/Vocals).
\nRight: Wayne Dixon<\/b> (Drums), David McCann<\/b> [DAMC] (Keyboards\/Samples).<\/p>\n

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~<\/p>\n

Bliss : Data…<\/b><\/p>\n

The band was formed and based originally in Adelaide, and after loads of regular gigs, great support, and a good level of success reached there, we decided to relocate to Sydney around the end of 1994, early 1995, to try a make a proper thing out of it. We hoped for a recording deal, CD releases, regular radio support, and more higher profile gigs and tours etc. We all did the full time musician thing for a while when first in Sydney, but it’s not a nice life on the dole in very expensive Sydney, we didn’t make any $ from the band either. We all ended up with day time jobs soon enough. We rehearsed (at Zen) a lot, and played live a lot, did a lot of driving, touring in hired Toyota Tarago vans across the boring Hay Plain.<\/p>\n

Bliss performed regularly in clubs and pubs in Adelaide, Sydney and Melbourne between 1991 and 1997. In the beginning with a more techno\/dance sound we played at quite a few rave\/dance-parties in Adelaide. We had to rock things up in Sydney for the venues we played. I think you lose a bit of what makes you unique\/special when you change to fit in, but that’s life huh. I think the stress of being in Sydney turned my music quite dark and angry.<\/p>\n

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~<\/p>\n

Bliss : Supported…<\/b><\/p>\n

Some of the well known bands\/acts (at the time) that Bliss has performed with\/supported: Regurgitator<\/b>, D.I.G<\/b> (Directions In Groove), Sound Unlimited Posse<\/b>, Renegade Funk Train<\/b>, Swoop<\/b>, Crisp<\/b>, Skunkhour<\/b>, Insurge<\/b>, Def-FX<\/b>, Caligula<\/b>, SuperGroove<\/b> (NZ), Dogbuoy<\/b>, The Screaming Jets<\/b>, Frenzal Rhomb<\/b>, Grinspoon<\/b>, Universe<\/b>, Juice<\/b>, The Strange<\/b>, Custard<\/b>, Buffallo Tom<\/b>, Infusion<\/b> and The Shamen<\/b> (UK).<\/p>\n

Some of the Adelaide bands\/acts we performed with, and gave suport to: 60ft Robot<\/b>, The Mandelbrot Set<\/b>, Kinetic Playground<\/b>, Hobson’s Choice<\/b>, The Always<\/b>, Capital F<\/b>, The Clowns Of Decadence<\/b>, The Egg<\/b>, Finger Lickin’ Good<\/b>, Sin Dog Jellyroll<\/b>, B.A.S.E<\/b>, Hoopsnake<\/b>, Devils Caberet<\/b>, The Eldoradoes<\/b>, The Mark Of Cain<\/b>, Where’s The Pope?<\/b>, ExoSet<\/b> and many more…<\/p>\n

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~<\/p>\n

Bliss : The Sounds…<\/b><\/p>\n

A big part of the Bliss sound was sequenced beats, breaks, loops and samples, with live drums, bass, guitar and keyboards on top, inspired by Jesus Jones and Pop Will Eat It’s Self.<\/p>\n

Our drummer Wayne, tied to a click track thumping into his headphones, did an awesome job of keeping all the beats\/loops and the rest of us together. Our two vocalists were MCs and they rapped and rhymed. One of our MC’s also did record scratching, using the turntables as instruments. As the band evolved, Michael our guitarist got a sampler\/keyboard rig as well, and started writing a lot of great tracks for the band as well, with sequenced sampled loops, and noises.<\/p>\n

We had quite a cross-over sound, dance music you can mosh to. Which I think made it more difficult, not easier for people to get their head around at the time, people were confused by us. I think we were perhaps ahead of our time. Years later groups like The Prodigy and The Chemical Brothers explode with their cross-over dance\/rock sounds, not saying we were anywhere near as awesome as those guys, we tried.<\/p>\n

Our performances were full of energy, we were all very energetic on stage, check out my kangaroo action in the photos below. There were quite a few gigs where on stage chaos almost sent racks of $ equipment flying. Danny MC Dee loved to hang off lighting scaffolding a lot too. We put on a great live gig I think.<\/p>\n

We liked to make our own gigs a special event too, with backdrops, projections of Anime comic pages, and always brought in extra sound and lighting. Ben FX Phillips and his always smiling, and helpful friend Chris McGarrigan helped turn a pub gig into a night club experience with their awesome intelligent club lighting and effects. We even started using intro tapes, and doing encores!<\/p>\n

I remember how we used to turn our gigs at the little Austral Hotel Beer Garden (Adelaide) into a mini rave, with club lighting and guest DJs spinning techno beats.<\/p>\n

In Adelaide we had a nice little posse of creative people around us, helping us out regularly: Paul Armour, and Melissa McNamara for photos, Tae Won Lee for his awesome graphics, Core Magazine for all their supporting features\/interviews, Ben FX Phillips and Chris McGarrigan for awesome lighting\/effects and always there to lend a hand, Julie Grace, and Richard Builder for sound engineering, DJ friends, bands we played with, the Watkins family and more. We also had the support of our partners and loved ones, most who also made the move to Sydney with us. Much thanks and respect to you all, and anyone I may have forgotten, sorry!<\/p>\n

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~<\/p>\n

Bliss : Inspiration…<\/b><\/p>\n

A melting pot of music\/artists\/bands influenced and inspired us, to name a few: Jesus Jones, Pop Will Eat It’s Self, E.M.F, Utah Saints, Quadrophonia, Janes Addiction, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Public Enemy, N.W.A, Living Color, Boo Ya Tribe, James Brown, Parliament, P-Funk All Stars, Funkadelic, Bootsy Collins, Beastie Boys, Nine Inch Nails, Curve, Ride, Lush, Blur, Rage Against The Machine, Primal Scream, Happy Mondays, Portishead, Beck, My Bloody Valentine, New Order, Massive Attack, Sonic Youth, 808 State, The KLF, Tricky, Orbital, The Orb, The Beloved, LFO, The Shamen, Depeche Mode, The Prodigy, Chemical Brothers, Bomb The Bass, various Hip-Hop, Hip-House, Acid-House, Techno, Rave, Jungle, Hardcore tracks… We absorbed it all. Like most band members, we were also big fans of movie Spinal Tap.<\/p>\n

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~<\/p>\n

Bliss : Band members…<\/b><\/p>\n

Danny Trimarchi<\/b> (MC Dee) – Raps, Vocals
\nPaul Malandain<\/b> (MC Say) – Raps, Vocals, Record Scratching\/DJing
\nWayne Dixon<\/b> – Drums
\nMichael Meissner<\/b> – Guitar, Keyboards, Samples, Programming
\nDavid McCann<\/b> (DAMC) – Keyboards, Samples, Programming<\/p>\n

Bass players… (We never could hold on to them for very long)<\/p>\n

Jason Paffas<\/b> (Founding member of Bliss)
\nChris Lambert<\/b>
\nRaphael Bender<\/b> – Sydney
\nZachary Carmody<\/b> – Sydney
\nAndy McKekerz<\/b> (Kinetic Playground – helped out for a bunch of gigs)
\nJustin Litchfield<\/b> (Kinetic Playground – helped out for a few gigs)
\nSam Dixon<\/b> (D.I.G – helped out a for a few gigs)<\/p>\n

Management was handled by the non playing 7th member of Bliss… The Wookie! Joshua Watkins<\/b> and his Outer-Style Management. Our bookings were handled by The Harbour Agency once we were based in Sydney.<\/p>\n

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~<\/p>\n

Bliss : The ‘Where are they now?’ file…<\/b><\/p>\n

Well the band finished up sometime in late 1997, I believe. I had left the band close to a year before that. It’s been a long time since I’ve really spoken to any of the guys, you can imagine they were not too happy with me when I left the band. I’ve caught up with a couple of guys via Facebook recently which has been great.<\/p>\n

Where are they now? Well… Last I heard… Danny Trimarchi became a dad, moved back to Adelaide via the UK, and runs\/owns a restuarant there, a Google search brings up Bistro Kasbah<\/a>. Wayne Dixon got married, has kids and is back in Adelaide doing architecture or design work. Michael Meissner is in Sydney and works at Jands. Paul Malandain is in Sydney and does web\/Internet design work for NineMSN. Jason Paffas moved to Sydney and is doing graphic design work. Joshua Watkins our manager has a busy carreer in movies, and is off around the planet, hanging out with big name directors and movie stars, on location somewhere when not in Melbourne. Me… David McCann, I’m still in Sydney and work for FOXTEL doing software testing for the customer equipment group. I think I may have been the only one still musically active, producing and performing live up until the end of 2004, I do the odd DJ gig here and there still. I may get back into producing and performing live again later this year. I have no idea what all our other bass players are up to these days… Please feel free to correct me or fill me in on any of these details, would love to hear from you guys. Comments box below…<\/p>\n

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~<\/p>\n

Bliss : Discography…<\/b><\/p>\n

\"Threshold\"<\/p>\n

Bliss : Threshold EP CD<\/b> – 1994<\/p>\n

– Easy Ride
\n– Drop The Knife
\n– Purple And Green
\n– NRG Burst
\n– Cyber Future (DAMC techno version) – secret unlisted track<\/p>\n

\"Homegrown\"<\/p>\n

Various * – Homegrown ’94 CD<\/b> – 1994<\/p>\n

Bliss – (Casting) Shadows<\/p>\n

* Other bands featured: The Egg, Capital F, Blue Experience, Mark Of Cain,
\nOblong, Kinetic Playground, Jazz Odyssey, Raisin Toast, Sin Dog Jellyroll,
\nCrush, Bearded Clams, Numbskulls, Where’s The Pope, Stain.<\/p>\n

\"More<\/p>\n

Bliss : More Wires Than Braincells EP CD<\/b> * (Never released) – 1996<\/p>\n

– Reality
\n– Chemikill
\n– Mayhem Man
\n– We Have The Technology
\n– Can You Give It?
\n– Punk<\/p>\n

* Produced, Engineered, Mixed by Magoo<\/b> (Regurgitator Producer) but never released\/manufactured. We had BMG Records interest at the time, but it didn’t develop into anything more. The A&R guy said something like “I don’t know if I really like them, or really hate them” in regards to our sound.<\/p>\n

I don’t actually have a proper copy of the recordings for this EP. I would love a copy of a CD-R if anyone has one. Josh? Would also be keen for a digital colour version of the artwork that Paul had a lot of fun manipulating, anyone remember\/know what comic that image is from?<\/p>\n

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~<\/p>\n

Bliss : Song titles… (In no particular order)<\/b><\/p>\n

Nightmare at 140BPM
\nCyber Future
\nPurple & Green
\nEasy Ride
\nDrop The Knife
\nNRG Burst
\nBelieve
\nSilk (Never Too Late For Love)
\n(Casting) Shadows
\nRhino Horn
\nCome Back
\nFeel It
\nWrong Move (You’re Out)
\nColour Time
\nGive It (Can You Give It To Me?)
\nSoul Train
\nPoint The Finger
\nThis Is Bliss
\nScream (Sometimes In My Mind I Just Can’t…)
\nSweet Dreams To Your Bones
\nE-Zeh
\nGo
\nReality (With A Bad Ass Kick)
\nAmbience
\nBliss Bomb
\nLatest
\nProdigy
\nChemiKill
\nKing Hit
\nMayhem Man
\nPunk
\nVictim<\/p>\n

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~<\/p>\n

Bliss : Lyrics…<\/b> Coming soon<\/p>\n

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~<\/p>\n

Bliss : Live gigs…<\/b><\/p>\n

I know we played with Insurge<\/b> in Melbourne a couple of times at The Esplanade Hotel in St.Kilda VIC in 1994\/1995, and Caligula<\/b> at the Synagogue in Adelaide SA, not sure which gigs\/dates sorry. I don’t have details of every band we performed with. I do have a clear record of all the gigs and what songs were performed at each gig (for APRA performance returns) but I won’t bore you with that much detail.<\/p>\n

1991<\/b><\/p>\n

* Our first gig! We had no vocalist, played an instrumental set, with the odd vocal sample.<\/i><\/b><\/p>\n

001 : 21.09.1991 : Flinders University – Tavern : Bedford Park : SA<\/p>\n

* We had a very ‘Michael Hutchence’ RIP style singer at this gig (I think his name was Richard ? from Triple-M\/3D Radio) it didn’t work out.<\/i><\/b><\/p>\n

002 : 02.10.1991 : Limbos Night Club : Adelaide : SA<\/p>\n

* Danny Trimarchi (Raps) joins the band.<\/i><\/b><\/p>\n

003 : 26.12.1991 : The Austral Hotel : Adelaide : SA<\/p>\n

1992<\/b><\/p>\n

004 : 19.02.1992 : LeRox – Battle Of The Bands (1st Heat) : Adelaide : SA
\n005 : 06.03.1992 : Control (Club Night\/Night Club) – Hindley Street : Adelade SA
\n006 : 13.03.1992 : LeRox – Battle Of The Bands (Final Heat) : Adelaide : SA
\n007 : 21.03.1992 : Adelaide Fringe 1992 – Imagineer – Go (Rave) – Hindley Street Warehouses : Adelaide SA
\n008 : 17.04.1992 : Karma (Rave) : McMahons Night Club : Tonsley SA
\n009 : 24.04.1992 : Control (Club Night\/Night Club) – Hindley Street : Adelaide SA<\/p>\n

* Danny Trimarchi (Raps) goes OS for a ‘couple of months’ working holiday, is away for 6 months, bringing the band to a halt. Can’t remember if Danny was back for this next gig or not, we may have played an instrumental set.<\/i><\/b><\/p>\n

010 : 31.08.1992 : Gener8 (Rave) : Old Malcom Reid Buidling – Rundle Street : Adelaide : SA
\n011 : 27.11.1992 : Vision (Rave) (w\/ The Shamen UK) : Vision Warehouse (20 Adam Street) : Hindmarsh : SA
\n012 : 26.12.1992 : The Austral Hotel : Adelaide : SA<\/p>\n

1993<\/b><\/p>\n

013 : 03.01.1993 : The Austral Hotel : Adelaide : SA<\/p>\n

* Paul Malandain (Raps\/Turntables) joins the band.<\/i><\/b><\/p>\n

014 : 28.01.1993 : Rip It Up 200th Issue Party : Newmarket Hotel : Adelaide : SA
\n015 : 30.01.1993 : Cargo Club : Adelaide : SA
\n016 : 31.01.1993 : The Austral Hotel : Adelaide : SA
\n017 : 10.03.1993 : Zulus (w\/ Swoop) : North Adelaide : SA
\n018 : 11.03.1993 : Zulus (w\/ Swoop) : North Adelaide : SA
\n019 : 19.03.1993 : Equinox (Rave) : Underdale University : SA
\n020 : 08.04.1993 : Hell (Club Night) : The Grenfell Tunnel : Adelaide : SA
\n021 : 11.04.1993 : The Austral Hotel : Adelaide : SA
\n022 : 21.05.1993 : The Synagogue : Adelaide : SA
\n023 : 29.05.1993 : Release (Rave) : Vision Warehouse (20 Adam Street) : Hindmarsh : SA
\n024 : 11.06.1993 : 151 (w\/ Factory, Finger Lickin’ Good) : North Adelaide : SA
\n025 : 18.06.1993 : LeRox (w\/ Def-FX) : Adelaide : SA
\n026 : 16.07.1993 : The Synagogue : Adelaide : SA
\n027 : 29.07.1993 : The Botaic Hotel : Adelaide : SA
\n028 : 18.08.1993 : The Royal Hotel : Adelaide : SA
\n029 : 03.09.1993 : The Synagogue (w\/ Sound Unlimited Posse) : Adelaide : SA
\n030 : 05.09.1993 : Boltz Cafe : Adelaide : SA
\n031 : 11.09.1993 : The Austral Hotel : Adelaide : SA<\/p>\n

* Sam Dixon (D.I.G) helps out (Bass) for a couple of gigs here, while Jason Paffas holidays.<\/i><\/b><\/p>\n

032 : 16.09.1993 : Lennies Tavern (w\/ Skunkhour) : Glenelg : SA
\n033 : 19.09.1993 : Boltz Cafe : Adelaide : SA
\n034 : 22.09.1993 : The Royal Hotel : Adelaide : SA
\n035 : 08.10.1993 : Flinders University : Bedford Park : SA
\n036 : 09.10.1993 : The Big One : Salisbury Univeristy : SA
\n037 : 15.10.1993 : The Synagogue : Adelaide : SA
\n038 : 23.10.1993 : S.T.A.T.E : ? : Adelaide : SA
\n039 : 30.10.1993 : Cargo Club : Adelaide : SA
\n040 : 22.12.1993 : The Royal Hotel : Adelaide : SA
\n041 : 20.12.1993 : The Synagogue : Adelaide : SA
\n042 : 29.12.1993 : The Royal Hotel : Adelaide : SA<\/p>\n

1994<\/b><\/p>\n

043 : 01.01.1994 : New Years Eve (w\/ Def-FX) : Flinders University : Bedford Park : SA
\n044 : 02.01.1994 : The Austral Hotel : Adelaide : SA
\n045 : 28.01.1994 : The Big Day Out 1994 – Boiler Room : Adelaide Show Grounds : SA<\/p>\n

* Jason Paffas (Bass) decides he wants out of the band. Justin Litchfield from Kinetic Playground helps out (Bass) each now and then.<\/i><\/b><\/p>\n

046 : 10.02.1994 : The Synagogue : Adelaide : SA<\/p>\n

* The too many bass players incident. Jason Paffas (Bass) changes his mind, turns up in Melbourne to play, after Justin Litchfield had already been toured to Melbourne with the band. Jason plays. <\/i><\/b><\/p>\n

047 : 13.02.1994 : Circus Showcase 1 – Melbourne Music Festival 1994 : St.Kilda : VIC
\n048 : 14.02.1994 : Circus Showcase 2 – Melbourne Music Festival 1994 : St.Kilda : VIC
\n049 : 19.02.1994 : Cargo Club : Adelaide : SA
\n050 : 28.02.1994 : The Arena – Adelaide Fringe 1994 : SA
\n051 : 19.03.1994 : Cargo Club : Adelaide : SA<\/p>\n

* Not clear on the exact date, but somewhere around this point in time Jason Paffas (Bass) left permanently, and Chris Lambert (Bass) joined the band, I’m pretty sure this next gig was our first with Chris.<\/i><\/b><\/p>\n

052 : 04.05.1994 : The Royal Hotel (w\/ Def-FX) : Adelaide : SA
\n053 : 14.05.1994 : The Kent Town Hotel : Adelaide : SA
\n054 : 27.05.1994 : The Synagogue : Adelaide : SA
\n055 : 02.06.1994 : Lennies Tavern : Glenelg : SA
\n056 : 03.06.1994 : The Austral Hotel : Adelaide : SA
\n057 : 12.06.1994 : Glenelg Surf Life Saving Club (w\/ Where’s The Pope) : SA
\n058 : 30.06.1994 : Lennies Tavern (w\/ Swoop) : Glenelg : SA
\n059 : 02.07.1994 : The Crown Hotel (w\/ Swoop) : Victor Harbour : SA
\n060 : 03.07.1994 : The Synagogue (w\/ Swoop) : Adelaide : SA
\n061 : 09.07.1994 : MadLove Bar : Adelaide : SA
\n062 : 14.07.1994 : Lennies Tavern (w\/ Skunkhour) : Glenelg : SA
\n063 : 06.08.1994 : Paranormal : Flinders University : Bedford Park : SA
\n064 : 13.08.1994 : Flinders University (w\/ Def-FX, Clowns Of Decadence) : Bedford Park : SA
\n065 : 19.08.1994 : Underdale University (w\/ Crisp) : SA
\n066 : 02.09.1994 : Flinders University – Tavern : Bedford Park : SA
\n067 : 03.09.1994 : 3D (Radio Station) Rent Party (w\/ The Mandelbrot Set, Aquila) : Producers Hotel : Adelaide : SA
\n068 : 16.09.1994 : The Synagogue (w\/ Kinetic Playground, Hobson’s Choice) : Adelaide : SA
\n069 : 21.09.1994 : Virgin Mega Store VIP Party (w\/ D.I.G) : Adelaide : SA
\n070 : 02.10.1994 : The Esplanade Hotel – Front Bar : St.Kilda : VIC
\n071 : 13.10.1994 : Cargo Club : Adelaide : SA
\n072 : 21.10.1994 : The Synagogue (w\/ Def-FX) : Adelaide : SA
\n073 : 28.10.1994 : Adelaide University : SA
\n074 : 05.11.1994 : The Esplanade Hotel – Gershwin Room (w\/ Swoop) : St.Kilda : VIC
\n075 : 06.11.1994 : The Esplanade Hotel – Gershwin Room (w\/ Swoop) : St.Kilda : VIC
\n076 : 10.11.1994 : The Austral Hotel : Adelaide : SA
\n077 : 12.11.1994 : The Tivoli Hotel : Adelaide : SA<\/p>\n

* Danny Trimarchi had no voice at this Synagogue gig, Paul stepped up to do all the vocals.<\/i><\/b><\/p>\n

078 : 13.11.1994 : The Synagogue (w\/ Swoop) : Adelaide : SA
\n079 : 17.11.1994 : Radius Club Night : Heaven : Adelaide : SA
\n080 : 24.11.1994 : Westlands Hotel : Whyalla : SA
\n081 : 27.11.1994 : AIDS Day Concert : Rymil Park : Adelaide : SA
\n082 : 27.11.1994 : Street Party : Cargo Club : Adelaide : SA
\n083 : 10.12.1994 : Thebarton Theatre : SA
\n084 : 17.12.1994 : The Esplanade Hotel – Front Bar : St.Kilda : VIC
\n085 : 22.12.1994 : Lennies Tavern : Glenelg : SA
\n086 : 23.12.1994 : The Synagogue : Adelaide : SA<\/p>\n

* Around the end of 1994 the band plans for a move to Sydney, Chris Lambert (Bass) wants to stay in Adelaide, and leaves the band a few gigs later.<\/i><\/b><\/p>\n

1995<\/b><\/p>\n

087 : 01.01.1995 : New Years Eve : Flinders Univerity : Bedford Park : SA
\n088 : 05.01.1995 : The Austral Hotel : Adelaide : SA<\/p>\n

* Andy McKekerz the guitarist\/singer from Kinetic Playground helps out on (Bass) at a number of gigs during the move and estabilishing ourselves in Sydney.<\/b><\/i><\/p>\n

089 : 23.02.1995 : Lennies Tavern : Glenelg : SA
\n090 : 24.02.1995 : The Synagogue : Adelaide : SA
\n091 : 25.02.1995 : Adelaide University : SA
\n092 : 11.03.1995 : Wonga Park Festival 1995 : VIC
\n093 : 11.03.1995 : The Esplanade Hotel – Front Bar : St.Kilda :<\/p>\n

* Band has now all relocated from Adelaide to Sydney, our first Sydney gig! Adelaide friends running Good Bar at the time got us lots of gigs there for a while.<\/i><\/b><\/p>\n

094 : 25.03.1995 : Good Bar : Sydney : NSW<\/p>\n

* Raphael Bender (Bass) joins the band.<\/i><\/b><\/p>\n

095 : 21.04.1995 : Good Bar : Sydney : NSW
\n096 : 26.04.1995 : Old Manly Boat Shed (w\/ SuperGroove) : NSW
\n097 : 03.06.1995 : Springfields (w\/ PSK) : Kings Cross : NSW
\n098 : 08.06.1995 : The Austral Hotel : Adelaide : SA
\n099 : 09.06.1995 : The Main Event : Heaven (Big Top) : Adelaide : SA
\n100 : 10.06.1995 : Threshold CD Launch : Cargo Club : Adelaide : SA
\n101 : 11.06.1995 : The Synagogue (w\/ Hoopsnake) : Adelaide : SA
\n102 : 22.06.1995 : The Annandale Hotel (w\/ Juice) : NSW
\n103 : 24.06.1995 : Good Bar : Sydney : NSW
\n104 : 01.07.1995 : The Annandale Hotel (w\/ Juice) : NSW
\n105 : 07.07.1995 : Springfields (w\/ PSK) : Kings Cross : NSW
\n106 : 15.07.1995 : Feedback : Newtwon : NSW
\n107 : 21.07.1995 : The Metro (w\/ Swoop) : Sydney : NSW
\n108 : 28.07.1995 : Adelaide University : SA
\n109 : 29.07.1995 : The Esplanade – Front Bar : St.Kilda : VIC
\n110 : 30.07.1995 : The Evelyn Hotel : Fitzroy : VIC
\n111 : 04.08.1995 : Narrabeen Sands (w\/ Swoop) : NSW
\n112 : 05.08.1995 : Good Bar : Sydney : NSW
\n113 : 12.08.1995 : The Cock And Ball Hotel (w\/ Swoop) : Bondi Junction : NSW
\n114 : 27.08.1995 : Underground Cafe (w\/ Skunkhour) : Kings Cross : NSW
\n115 : 15.09.1995 : Good Bar : Sydney : NSW
\n116 : 12.10.1995 : UTS – University Of Technology (w\/ The Strange) : Sydney : NSW
\n117 : 20.10.1995 : Good Bar (w\/ Sin Dog Jellyroll) : Sydney : NSW
\n118 : 22.10.1995 : Sandringham Hotel (w\/ Universe) : Newtown : NSW
\n119 : 27.10.1995 : The Synagogue (w\/ The Egg, Rash) : Adelaide : SA
\n120 : 28.10.1995 : Mosh For World Peace : Thebarton Theatre : SA
\n121 : 03.11.1995 : Blaxland Hotel (w\/ Swoop) : NSW
\n122 : 04.11.1995 : Narrabeen Sands HOTEL (w\/ Swoop) : NSW
\n123 : 10.11.1995 : 4 Seater : Cargo Club : Adelaide : SA
\n124 : 11.11.1995 : One Big Mob : Liberty : Adelaide : SA
\n125 : 17.11.1995 : The Esplanade Hotel – Gershwin Room (w\/ SuperGroove) : St.Kilda : VIC
\n126 : 18.11.1995 : The Armadale Hotel (w\/ SuperGroove) : VIC
\n127 : 19.11.1995 : The Evelyn Hotel (w\/ SuperGroove) : Fitzroy : VIC
\n128 : 25.11.1995 : Feedback (w\/ Juice, PSK) : Newtown : NSW
\n129 : 09.12.1995 : Good Bar : Sydney : NSW
\n130 : 22.12.1995 : The Metro (w\/ Swoop) : Sydney : NSW
\n131 : 26.12.1995 : Heaven (w\/ Def-FX, Grinspoon) : Adelaide : SA
\n132 : 27.12.1995 : The Royal Hotel : Adelaide : SA
\n133 : 29.12.1995 : Cargo Club : Adelaide : SA<\/p>\n

1996<\/b><\/p>\n

134 : 01.01.1996 : New Years Eve : Flinders University : Bedford Park : SA<\/p>\n

* It was so hot in Byron Bay, Michael’s floppy discs of sounds\/sequences melted! making for a shorter set.<\/b><\/i><\/p>\n

135 : 06.01.1996 : Byron Bay Music Festival 1996 : NSW
\n136 : 07.01.1996 : Byron Bay Music Festival 1996 : NSW
\n137 : 19.01.1996 : Sydney Fringe : Bondi Pavillion (w\/ Renegade Funk Train) : NSW
\n138 : 24.01.1996 : Good Bar : Sydney : NSW
\n139 : 26.01.1996 : Funk & Thump (w\/ Swoop, Renegade Funk Train) : Narrabeen Sands : NSW
\n140 : 27.01.1996 : The Loft (w\/ Renegade Funk Train) : Newcastle : NSW
\n141 : 03.02.1996 : The General Bourke Tavern (w\/ Renegade Funk Train) : Parramatta : NSW
\n142 : 10.02.1996 : Sandringham Hotel : Newtown : NSW
\n143 : 29.02.1996 : Woolongong University (w\/ Swoop, Custard, Buffalo Tom, Infusion) : NSW
\n144 : 01.03.1996 : University Of NSW (w\/ The Screaming Jets) : Kingsford : NSW
\n145 : 02.03.1996 : Freak La Fever Mardi Gras (w\/ The Hoong & I, DJ Ollie Olsen) : New Toast Gallery : Sydney NSW
\n146 : 06.03.1996 : Good Bar : Sydney : NSW
\n147 : 07.03.1996 : O-Ball : University Of North Newcastle (w\/ Swoop) : NSW
\n148 : 29.03.1996 : Fairfield R.S.L (w\/ Swoop) : NSW
\n149 : 30.03.1996 : Narrabeen Sands Hotel (w\/ Swoop) : NSW
\n150 : 12.04.1996 : Narrabeen Sands Hotel (w\/ Renegade Funk Train) : NSW
\n151 : 21.04.1996 : Manly Beach Funk Festival (w\/ Skunkhour, Renegade Funk Train, Crisp, Smooth) : NSW
\n152 : 18.05.1996 : Prosh : Adelaide University (w\/ Crisp) : SA
\n153 : 19.05.1996 : The Crown Hotel (w\/ Crisp) : Victor Harbour : SA
\n154 : 22.05.1996 : Macquire University (w\/ Skunkhour, Renegade Funktrain) : North Ryde : NSW
\n155 : 23.05.1996 : Sandingham Hotel (w\/ Dogbouy) : Newtown : NSW
\n156 : 30.05.1996 : Patricks (w\/ Skunkhour, Renegade Funk Train) : Pennant Hills : NSW
\n157 : 07.06.1996 : Coogee Beach Palace (w\/ Renegade Funk Train) : NSW
\n158 : 08.06.1996 : Eastwood Tavern (w\/ Swoop) : NSW
\n159 : 09.06.1996 : Castle Tavern (w\/ Swoop) : Newcastle : NSW
\n160 : 15.06.1996 : Cambridge Hotel (w\/ Renegade Funk Train) : Newcastle : NSW
\n161 : 28.06.1996 : Bondi Diggers (w\/ Renegade Funk Train) : NSW
\n162 : 10.07.1996 : Kinselas : Sydney : NSW<\/p>\n

* Zac Carmody (Bass) joins the band, replacing Raphael Bender.<\/i><\/b><\/p>\n

163 : 15.09.1996 : Sandringham Hotel : Newtown : NSW
\n164 : 04.10.1996 : Adelaide University (Outdoor) (w\/ Regurgitator) : SA
\n165 : 05.10.1996 : The Tivoli Hotel : Adelaide : SA
\n166 : 06.10.1996 : The Crown Hotel : Victor Harbour : SA
\n167 : 19.10.1996 : Bigge Park – Liverpool (w\/ Frenzel Rhomb) : NSW
\n168 : 23.10.1996 : The Annandale Hotel : NSW
\n169 : 26.10.1996 : Gig 4 World Peace : Manly Youth Club : NSW
\n170 : ??.11.1996 : Leumeah Inn : NSW<\/p>\n

* David McCann (Keyboards) leaves the band after this gig. I remember this was a really horrible gig, I guess it was the last straw for me.<\/i><\/b><\/p>\n

1997<\/b><\/p>\n

* I have no details… I believe the band continued on for most of this year. I did have the pleasure of watching Bliss as a punter during this year, can’t remember where though.<\/b><\/i><\/p>\n

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~<\/p>\n

Bliss : Promo Band Photos…<\/b><\/p>\n

\"Bliss\"
\nBliss with original bass player – Jason Paffas (probably our first band photo ever) : 1992 : Photo by ?<\/p>\n

\"Bliss\"
\nBliss with new rapper\/record-scratcher Paul Malandain : 1993 : Photo by Paul Armour<\/p>\n

\"Bliss\"
\nBliss with new rapper\/record-scratcher Paul Malandain : 1993 : Photo by Paul Armour<\/p>\n

\"Bliss\"
\nBliss – YouthWorks photo shoot (our own clothes) ? : 1993 : Photo by ?<\/p>\n

\"Bliss\"
\nBliss with next bass player – Chris Lambert : 1994 : Photo by Paul Armour<\/p>\n

\"Bliss\"
\nBliss with first Sydney bass player – Raphael Bender : 1995 : Photo by ?<\/p>\n

\"Bliss\"
\nBliss with last Sydney bass player – Zac Carmody : 1996 : Photo by ?<\/p>\n

\"Bliss\"
\nBliss after I had left the band : 1997 : Photo by ?<\/p>\n

Most of these pics are scans from print-outs or newspaper clippings, sorry for the low res. I don’t have the original photos. Not sure who to credit for some of these either, sorry.<\/p>\n

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~<\/p>\n

Bliss : Live Photos…<\/b><\/p>\n

\"Bliss\"
\nDanny Trimarchi (MC Dee) with Bliss @ Synagogue ? : Adelaide : SA : ? : Photo by Paul Armour<\/p>\n

\"Bliss\"
\nDavid McCann (Me) with Bliss @ Big Day Out – Boiler Room 1994 : Adelaide : SA : 28.01.1994 : Photo by Mellisa McNamara ?<\/p>\n

\"Bliss\"
\nDavid McCann (Me) with Bliss being a kangaroo @ Street Party : Cargo Club : Adelaide : SA : 27.11.1994 : Photo by Paul Armour<\/p>\n

\"Bliss\"
\nDavid McCann (Me) with Bliss being a kangaroo @ Mosh For World Peace : Thebarton Theatre : SA : 28.10.1995 : Photo by Paul Armour<\/p>\n

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~<\/p>\n

Bliss : History… (a rough first draft, needs re-write)<\/b><\/p>\n

Before Bliss, for me there was Creatures Of Habit, a live rock\/dance band I started to play keyboards in around 16\/17 years of age during the mid 1980s.<\/p>\n

I’d spent years prior messing around with hi-fi gear, electronic music instruments, keyboards, synthesizers, MIDI sequencing, my Commodore 64 computer, drum machines, effects units\/pedals, 4 track recording etc. I made a lot of noise as a kid.<\/p>\n

Creatures Of Habit main man Darren Conway discovered my music talents at a party my parents had at home, Darren worked with my dad. I guess you could say… Darren helped me change from computer nerd to rock star… hehe.<\/p>\n

In high-school, my best friend Wayne Dixon started playing drums. We would often get together on w\/ends and make a lot of strange noise together, recording it and handing around tapes to friends at school for laughs. We used to get together with other muso friends and jam at parties too, playing Led Zeppelin, and Police stuff.<\/p>\n

Also during my high-school years, I used to spend many hours on Saturdays in electronic music instrument shops with Paul Armour, messing around with new synths, drum machines. This is how I came to meet Craig Packer, who worked at Regent Music, he sold me a lot of my early equipment, and it’s because of him really that Bliss came together.<\/p>\n

After high-school, I did the year diploma at the School Of Audio Engineering, whilst also still playing with Creatures Of Habit. I was also taking on all the management, publicity, gig booking responsibilities as well. We did ok for a while, then the end of the 80’s arrived, and COH fell apart. It was all fantastic experience for me though. COH re-formed for some gigs in Newcastle a few years ago, it was an odd experience for me, confirmed for me that I’m way over playing with live bands.<\/p>\n

Where was I? Oh yeah… After high-school my friend Wayne Dixon went on to play drums in a guitar band “Liquid Sky” with Nathan Barnes on guitar\/vocals, Simon ? on guitar and a pommy git called Jason Paffas on bass. I hung out with them quite a bit, even did some live sound and lighting work with them for a few gigs.<\/p>\n

I stayed in touch with Craig Packer, who started up a company with Paul ? called Show World, doing Akai music equipment distribution, P.A system and audio gear hire, and eventually band rehearsal space. I checked out his company and had a few jam sessions with Craig, he played bass. He invited along a guitarist friend Micheal Meissner to join in the jamming fun. Michael was playing in a band at the time, can’t remember their name? I was going to do some keyboard parts for a recording they were doing, then that band fell apart.<\/p>\n

I became close friends with Michael, and we began hanging out together a lot. He introduced me to a lot of cool stuff, a lot of great music\/bands, and he basically introduced me to techno\/electronic dance music and clubbing. He got me a part time job at his work too, building medical lasers and laser pointers. We began jamming together a lot, making tracks, sampling a lot of CDs and vinyl records for loops and sounds. We didn’t know it at the time, but we were putting together the building blocks for what became Bliss.<\/p>\n

We auditioned a few vocalists, and were keen on getting someone who rapped, we didn’t have much luck at first.<\/p>\n

Wayne Dixon on drums, and his mate Jason Paffas on bass soon joined with Michael and I, and we began having long jam sessions in my backyard music room at my parents place. We had Wayne playing along to a click track to stay in sync with sequenced loops, breaks and samples, and it sounded great. We were all taking in so many different musical influences at the time.<\/p>\n

Things started getting more serious, rehearsing together more regularly. Building up a collection of structured songs to perform. We moved out of my little backyard music room into Show World’s new rehearsal space.<\/p>\n

We settled on the name Bliss, inspired by The Beloved’s album Blissed Out, and all the single word band names around at the time, Lush, Curve, Ride, Blur etc.<\/p>\n

Our first gig was at Flinders Uni, and we had no vocalist, so it was instrumental, but I think it was a great success.<\/p>\n

We auditioned a few singers, but still couldn’t find what we were looking for. We did another gig, this one at Club Limbos, this time with a vocalist, who thought he was a bit of a Michael Hitchence (RIP) and it didn’t work too well with our sounds.<\/p>\n

Wayne, Michael and I began spending more time in night clubs, getting to know DJs, and getting our name\/music around. Eventually we hooked up some contacts for rappers and MCs in Adelaide, a group called Major Rhyme Squad, MC Dee, MC Say.<\/p>\n

After dropping off a demo tape to MC Dee at the restaurant he was a chef at, eventually he agreed to come along to a band rehearsal and give it a go. He sounded fantastic, exactly what we had been looking for, but he was a bit freaked out by the intensity\/volume of a live band, after years of “two turntables and a microphone” behind him, he came around to it after much encouragement, and then really grew into a fantastic band front man.<\/p>\n

We rehearsed for a year, getting a really tight unit happening, and a great collection of songs together, before we even considered playing live gigs. Once we were ready, we were really ready!<\/p>\n

Once we were up and running, MC Dee invited along his fellow rapper friend Paul Malandain MC Say to a rehearsal. He also brought with him his technics turtables with him, now we had 2 rapper vocalists bouncing ryhmes off each other with live record scratching, Awesome!<\/p>\n

And so it began…<\/p>\n

\"Bliss\"
\nBliss : Set Lists – Post Gig : Synagogue : Photo by Paul Armour<\/p>\n

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~<\/p>\n

Bliss : More…<\/b><\/p>\n

More details, photos, flyers, and mp3s coming soon… If anyone has any photos, videos, or audio recordings of Bliss live gigs, I’d love to get my hands on copies… Comments welcome.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

** UPDATE : JULY 2009 ** Paul Malandain (MC Say) just uploaded a clip of a video recording of Bliss performing ‘Prodigy’ live in Adelaide at the Synagogue. This clip starts with the build\/intro tape we used to use as well, enjoy! I’ve put most of the old Bliss songs in clips with various band […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","template":"","meta":{"footnotes":""},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"http:\/\/decoded.outer-rim.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages\/128"}],"collection":[{"href":"http:\/\/decoded.outer-rim.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"http:\/\/decoded.outer-rim.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/decoded.outer-rim.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/decoded.outer-rim.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=128"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"http:\/\/decoded.outer-rim.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages\/128\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":1364,"href":"http:\/\/decoded.outer-rim.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages\/128\/revisions\/1364"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"http:\/\/decoded.outer-rim.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=128"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}