Three Warburton bands take over Sooki Lounge

Sooty Owls in the War with China video. Picture: SOOTY OWLS

By Parker McKenzie

Three Warburton bands will hit the stage and take over Sooki Lounge on Thursday 28 July, headlined by enviro-punk progressive rockers Sooty Owls.

Sooty Owls’ front man Peter Downey said the all-Warburton affair — with Bluffy and Minor Mischief supporting the band — was the next level up from the band’s previous gigs.

“Belgrave has got such a great music scene, it’s the best outside of Melbourne,” Mr Downey said.

“You’ve got so many music venues within like a small radius of five or so kilometres. We’re really spending a lot more time up there and tapping into that.”

The band recently released their first music video for their song War with China, which was filmed locally and was selected for the International Activist Film Festival 2022.

Mr Downey said the band has taken inspiration from activist bands like Midnight Oil, Painters and Dockers and Rage Against the Machine.

“The war with China video, it’s all about sort of a cheeky take on consumerism, and we actually shot it in a 2 buck shop in Warburton,” he said.

“The lady who owns it hadn’t heard the song yet and we started playing it there. She was a good sport though.”

He said the band would also be playing the 3CR Climate, Capitalism and the Future Radiothon Fundraiser on Saturday 23 July.

“War with China has got a bit of comedy like early ACDC used to have with Bon Scott, we can be cheeky,” he said.

“I know Bluffy and Minor Mischief can be a bit comedic too.”

The show starts at 8pm. Sooki Lounge is located at 1648 Burwood Highway, Belgrave.

For more information about the gig visit sookilounge.oztix.com.au/outlet/event/77865839-46b4-4ba9-9889-be2c7a80f41a?Event=144483