drifta_21
06-23-2010, 03:31 PM
Some would argue that the 'burb of Elsternwick isn't really much chop in regard to its music community. While it may not play host to reams of bands, nevertheless, Elsternwick does play host to one of the most coveted celebrations of Melbourne's thriving music community and the most anticipated football match of the year - the Community Cup. But don't be fooled dear readers; The Community cup is no ordinary football match at your local footy ground.
The long standing Melbourne tradition, where the Triple R 102.7FM and PBS 106.7FM Mrgahertz go head-to-head against the Rockdogs, is an amalgamation of the things we all love about the game - hot pies, cold beers and two teams battling it out for all the glory. And let's not forget a stunning bill of live bands, including The Living End, Nick Barker & The Reptiles, The Blackeyed Susans, Little Freddie & The Pops and SYN's Free Kick Winners Money For Rope. And wouldn't you know it - all the money you pay on the day goes straight to charity.
So with an entry fee of five freakin' bucks and guaranteed all day entertainment, the question is...why aren't you already there? Beat caught up with TLE's Andy Strachan to chat about what the Community Cup is all about and to hear his tips for the match.
Now in its 16th year, the annual Community Cup exists to raise much needed funds for charity partner Reclink - an organisation that uses sport and the arts to enhance the lives of people experiencing disadvantage. Targeting some of the community's most vulnerable and isolated people - those experiencing mental illness, disability, homelessness, substance abuse, addictions, and social and economic hardship, Reclink encourages participation in physical activity in a population group under-represented in mainstream sport, recreational programs and associations.
"These issues really hit home a bit harder when winter kicks in", Strachan reflects. "When we're coming into winter and you put yourself in the position of someone who doesn't have a roof over their head on a warm, wooly, jacket, it really does hit home, and I think that's an issue that continues to grow with the world the way it is.
"The charity goes much farther than that", he admits, "but to me, that's one thing that hits home when the cold months kick in."
Since the Community Cup's inception in 1993, the teams - The Megahertz and the Epsy Rockdogs have seen an array of recruits from Melbourne's community radio stations and a motley mix of musicians and Espy staff sporting their colours for the match - clash for charity. "It's pretty huge - it just gets bigger and better every year." Strachan exclaims. "And what a fine Aussie tradition! Football, beers, pies and rock and roll! It works on every level," he laughs.
With TLE having come to the end of their touring cycle following their wold-beating White Noise album, the 2010 Community Cup will be the last time people will get a glimpse of the band live in action before they hit the sheds to write and record its follow up. And with such a bombtastic musical line-up sorted, there's no doubt that the Community Cup is bound to be a thriller on the ground, given the immense calibre of players for both teams competing on the day.
So who's Strachan's big tip to take out the game? "I'd be backing the Rockdogs," he suggests. "Kram play for them, hes got the hair...he brings it back into the real era of footy," he laughs, "that 70's/80's period. I'm looking forward to seeing him take a few high grabs. And Dan Sultan...it's good to have a scary guy on your team I'd say. Maybe that's his gig; maybe that's why he got the guernsey. He's gonna come out and get into stinks with people."
Although Strachan has his money on the Rockdogs, he admits that The Megahertz are serious contenders to take out the big match. "I tell ya what," he laughs, "I don't reckon they'd be playing by the rules. I reckon that they'd definitely be some behind the scenes pushing and shoving going on."
Obviously, as a musician himself as TLE's stiksman, Strachan admits, though, that the Rockdogs major downfall may be the musicians playing on the team. Because really, in all seriousness, how fit are musicians? "Yeah, not really fit!" Strachan agrees laughing. "I think beer at half time is a pre-requisite of this game."
Although the Community Cup is a light hearted, good willed, amateur footy match, we can't forget the true focus of the game is a very serious issue. So why should you come down and support the cause? "Because pies and beer are good," he diplomatically claims. "Not only do they taste good, but they actually help out the cause. So 9it's a good excuse to drink beer and have at least a couple of pies. It's a good day out and everything that you put into it goes back to the community, which is a good thing." Exactly.
communitycup.org.au
If there are errors...sorry
The long standing Melbourne tradition, where the Triple R 102.7FM and PBS 106.7FM Mrgahertz go head-to-head against the Rockdogs, is an amalgamation of the things we all love about the game - hot pies, cold beers and two teams battling it out for all the glory. And let's not forget a stunning bill of live bands, including The Living End, Nick Barker & The Reptiles, The Blackeyed Susans, Little Freddie & The Pops and SYN's Free Kick Winners Money For Rope. And wouldn't you know it - all the money you pay on the day goes straight to charity.
So with an entry fee of five freakin' bucks and guaranteed all day entertainment, the question is...why aren't you already there? Beat caught up with TLE's Andy Strachan to chat about what the Community Cup is all about and to hear his tips for the match.
Now in its 16th year, the annual Community Cup exists to raise much needed funds for charity partner Reclink - an organisation that uses sport and the arts to enhance the lives of people experiencing disadvantage. Targeting some of the community's most vulnerable and isolated people - those experiencing mental illness, disability, homelessness, substance abuse, addictions, and social and economic hardship, Reclink encourages participation in physical activity in a population group under-represented in mainstream sport, recreational programs and associations.
"These issues really hit home a bit harder when winter kicks in", Strachan reflects. "When we're coming into winter and you put yourself in the position of someone who doesn't have a roof over their head on a warm, wooly, jacket, it really does hit home, and I think that's an issue that continues to grow with the world the way it is.
"The charity goes much farther than that", he admits, "but to me, that's one thing that hits home when the cold months kick in."
Since the Community Cup's inception in 1993, the teams - The Megahertz and the Epsy Rockdogs have seen an array of recruits from Melbourne's community radio stations and a motley mix of musicians and Espy staff sporting their colours for the match - clash for charity. "It's pretty huge - it just gets bigger and better every year." Strachan exclaims. "And what a fine Aussie tradition! Football, beers, pies and rock and roll! It works on every level," he laughs.
With TLE having come to the end of their touring cycle following their wold-beating White Noise album, the 2010 Community Cup will be the last time people will get a glimpse of the band live in action before they hit the sheds to write and record its follow up. And with such a bombtastic musical line-up sorted, there's no doubt that the Community Cup is bound to be a thriller on the ground, given the immense calibre of players for both teams competing on the day.
So who's Strachan's big tip to take out the game? "I'd be backing the Rockdogs," he suggests. "Kram play for them, hes got the hair...he brings it back into the real era of footy," he laughs, "that 70's/80's period. I'm looking forward to seeing him take a few high grabs. And Dan Sultan...it's good to have a scary guy on your team I'd say. Maybe that's his gig; maybe that's why he got the guernsey. He's gonna come out and get into stinks with people."
Although Strachan has his money on the Rockdogs, he admits that The Megahertz are serious contenders to take out the big match. "I tell ya what," he laughs, "I don't reckon they'd be playing by the rules. I reckon that they'd definitely be some behind the scenes pushing and shoving going on."
Obviously, as a musician himself as TLE's stiksman, Strachan admits, though, that the Rockdogs major downfall may be the musicians playing on the team. Because really, in all seriousness, how fit are musicians? "Yeah, not really fit!" Strachan agrees laughing. "I think beer at half time is a pre-requisite of this game."
Although the Community Cup is a light hearted, good willed, amateur footy match, we can't forget the true focus of the game is a very serious issue. So why should you come down and support the cause? "Because pies and beer are good," he diplomatically claims. "Not only do they taste good, but they actually help out the cause. So 9it's a good excuse to drink beer and have at least a couple of pies. It's a good day out and everything that you put into it goes back to the community, which is a good thing." Exactly.
communitycup.org.au
If there are errors...sorry