The Tote’s about be closed! Booo! The Tote’s been saved! YAY! Honestly, at this point it has “closed” and been “saved” more times than I have had hot dinners. Meanwhile a friend’s venue the Caravan Music Club that was really loved actually got the boot from a great location, moved further down the road and then permanently closed when the building it was in got sold. They are now down in South Gippsland as Archie’s Creek Hotel.
I was never in the cool Mess+Noise crowd who pretended they went to see live music but really just say on a message board being cynical and realised there were other forms of music than just rock and roll pretty early on. I had moved to Melbourne in 2000 but did not get to the Tote until 2004 to see a “Cry Baby” gig where I met the Town Bikes and Tim Tim the Clown (the clown is still working in his original act.)
Due to not being one of the cool kids who was lucky to live north of the Yarra going to the Tote either meant a taxi home or leaving early to get the last tram home. I went a couple of times per year still but not too much.
When it was supposedly “closing forever” I did manage to go to the very last gig there and then the SLAM Rally a month or so after. There was really a feeling after it was reopened with new owners that it would be different and I did really try for the next couple of years especially when I was working and there were gigs of note on.
After the celebrations of the venue’s 30th anniversary things started to slip again and there were grumblings about the owners not paying super entitlements allegedly dating back to many years before at previous venues.
I was living not in Melbourne for a year and when I came back I went to exactly one gig there and it had really changed and did not feel the same. At that point a lot of the bands I knew were not playing gigs there and people have moved further out of the city also.
With the revitalisation of the Abbotsford end of Johnston St there are more venues opening up further down the road and the Gem seems to be getting more gigs now that used to play at the Tote. It was not just COVID shutting down things for a couple of years, that happened to everyone it was just people have moved on.
I did put money into the Pozible for Shane and Leanne to raise money to buy the Tote freehold and put it in trust and will reserve judgement until I have actually been there for a gig a few times. All the best to their new efforts managing the venue and hope to see you down there soon. Halloween weekend 2023 is when they officially take over.
[ 2004 | 2005 | 2006 | 2007 | 2008 | 2009 | 2010 | 2011 | 2012 | 2013 | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | 2018 | 2019 | 2021 ]
2004
Cry-baby session 2004
Featuring Rebecca Barnard, The Town Bikes, Tim Tim the clown & GIT
22nd February 2004
http://photos.timchuma.com/crybabytote/
Wild About You CD & Book launch
with Thee Pink Stainless Tail, The Mystaken, Ian D. Marks, The Double Agents, The Town Bikes, The Cants
14th May 2004
http://photos.timchuma.com/wildaboutyoutote/index.htm
2005
Billy ‘Bass’ Wolf Tribute
with The Actioneers, The Shimmys, Mach Pelican, Rocket Science
Sunday, 24th April 2005
http://photos.timchuma.com/BillyBassWolfTribute/index.html
Town Bikes Cook Off
Tote Kitchen Stadium
Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
Sunday, 31st July 2005
http://photos.timchuma.com/TownBikesCookOff/index.html
2006
Crybaby Session 2006
with Sarah Carroll, Rock Fairy & Mick Thomas and the Sure Thing
Sunday 12th February, 2006
http://photos.timchuma.com/CrybabyTote120206/index.html
Zombie Ghost Train
with supports Perfect Sin & Trolley Dolly Burlesque
Thursday, 9th March 2006
http://photos.timchuma.com/ZombieGhostTrain/index.html
Rock Against Work
Three Chord Disasters, Mach Pelican, Sin Shifters, 50 Kaintenz
Tuesday, 14th March 2006
http://photos.timchuma.com/RockAgainstWork/index.html
2007
Major Keg, King City Seven, My Name is John, The Resignators
5th January 2007
http://photos.timchuma.com/Tote050107/index.html
Mach Pelican Farewell Show
with The Shimmys, The Volcanics & The Spazzys
Saturday 25th August 2007
“Walking along! Singing a song! Walking in Mach Pelican wonderland!”
http://photos.timchuma.com/MachPelicanFarewellShow/index.html
Ladies from Hades
Victorian Roller Derby League Fundraiser
with Barons of Tang
Friday 2nd November 2007
http://photos.timchuma.com/LadiesfromHades/index.html
2008
The Vaudevillains EP Launch
with the Hybernators, Boot Boy Scally, The Bone Rattlers
Straya Day 2008
http://photos.timchuma.com/VaudevillainsEPLaunch/index.html
Aloi Head and the Victor Motors
with Coode Island Cowpokes and a special guest appearance by “Ron Barrassi”
Sunday 26th October 2008
http://photos.timchuma.com/AloiHeadVictorMotors261008/index.html
The Wilson Pickers
Land of the Powerful Owl CD Launch
with Suzannah Espie, the Palenecks, Dave Larkin
Friday 31st October 2008
http://photos.timchuma.com/WilsonPickersCDLaunch311008/index.html
2009
Vampora, HMAS Vendetta, Barbariön
Saturday 2nd May 2009
http://photos.timchuma.com/Tote020509/index.html
The Gimmies
with Super Wild Horses, Bowerbirds, The Spazzys, Mach Pelican and special guest Ally Oop
Sunday 17th May 2009
http://photos.timchuma.com/Tote170509/index.html
King Cannons Single Launch
with the Hornswagglers, the Knockouts, Johnnie and the Johnnie Johnnies
Thursday 10th September 2009
http://photos.timchuma.com/KingCannons100909/index.html
2010
Last Drinks at the Tote
Saturday 16th January 2010
http://photos.timchuma.com/Tote160110/index.html
The Tote Last Drinks Ever
with Eddie Current Suppression Ring, Guttersnipes, Kamikaze Trio, Dynamo, Bombshells, Dave Graney & the Lurid Yellow Mist, The Nation Blue, Dan Kelly’s Dream Band, The Onyas, Legends of Motorsport, Beaches, Hoss, The Town Bikes, Precious Jules, The Meanies, Spiderbait, The Drones, DJ Myles
Monday 18th January 2010
http://photos.timchuma.com/ToteLastDrinksEver/index.html
SLAM (Save Live Australian Music) Rally
with a cast of thousands
State Library to Parliment House, Tuesday 23rd February 2010
https://photos.timchuma.com/SLAMRally/index.html
The Tote Relaunch
with Eagle and the Worm, Digger and the Pussycats (unseen), DJ Tristen Harris
Thursday 10th June 2010
http://photos.timchuma.com/ToteRelaunch100610/index.html
Wash Winter’s Willies Away With Whiskey VI
with Bakersfield Glee Club, The Re-chords, Tracy McNeil, Fergus and Adam / ROLLER ONE, White Elephant, Little John, Chris Altmann & Que Paso, Clinkerfield, Brothers Grimm & the Blue Murders
The Tote, Sunday 25th July 2010
http://photos.timchuma.com/WWWAWWVI/index.html
The Smith Kids Are Alright – A Benefit for Gavin, Ned and Tadhg Smith
with Nici Blue Eyes, Damn The Torpedos, Wrong Turn, The Devilrock Four, The Bakelite Age, Sons of Lee Marvin, Russian Roulettes, Even, Digger & The Pussycats, The Meanies
The Tote, Sunday 24th October 2010
http://photos.timchuma.com/SmithKidsAreAlright241010/index.html
2011
The Level Spirits Double Crosser CD Launch
with Wolfy and the Bat Cubs, The Exotics
The Tote, Friday 11th February 2011
http://photos.timchuma.com/LevelSpiritsCDLaunch11211/index.html
Beer, Bands & Burlesque Flood Benefit
with Dread, The Charge, The Jacks, Intoxica, Cosmic Psychos, Musclecar, Speed Demons, Bronson, Internal Nightmare, Death Audio
Burlesque performances by Vivianne Van Kitty, Laura LeFemme, Cleo Vanetti, Hedy Bell Nova, KerryX, Jasper Jewel, Lux St Sin, BeckyLou, Betty Blood, Honey B Goode
The Tote, Sunday 20th February 2011
http://photos.timchuma.com/BeerBandsBurlesqueFloodBenefit/index.html
Puta Madre Brothers
with Chook Race, the Level Spirits
The Tote, Friday 10th June 2011
http://photos.timchuma.com/gallery3/index.php/2011/P__a-Madre-Brothers-10-6-11
Wash Winter’s Willies Away With Whiskey VII
with Chris Russell’s Chicken Walk, Danny Walsh Banned, Jacky Winter, The Once Overs, Heel-Toe Express, Clinkerfield, Blood Red Bird, Clairy Browne & The Bangin’ Rackettes, Wally Corker’s Drunk Arse Band, Cash Savage & The R.S.A.’s
The Tote, Sunday 31st July 2011
http://photos.timchuma.com/gallery3/index.php/2011/WWWAWWVII
The Toot Toot Toots
with Strangers from Now On, Digger and the Pussycats
The Old Bar, Friday 16th September 2011
http://photos.timchuma.com/gallery3/index.php/2011/Toot-Toot-Toots-16-09-11
Maggot Fest 2
with The Sailors, The Native Cats, Bitch Prefect, Woollen Kits, Terrible Truths, Unity Floors, Chook Race, Tax, Bad Aches, Marf Loth, Per Purpose, Deep Heat
The Tote, Saturday 29th October 2011
http://photos.timchuma.com/gallery3/index.php/2011/Maggot-Fest-2
Wally Meanie’s Birthday
with the Swarm, the Minibikes, Becky Lee & Drunkfoot, Snout, Even
The Tote, Tuesday 1st November 2011
http://photos.timchuma.com/gallery3/index.php/2011/Wally-Meanies-Birthday
Björn Again
with Mark Murphy, Brady Bunch Lawnmower Massacre, The Ears with special guest Kerri Simpson
The Tote, Wednesday 9th November 2011
http://photos.timchuma.com/gallery3/index.php/2011/Bjorn-Again-09-11-11
Guitar Wolf
with the Spazzys, Mach Pelican, DJ Julian Wu’s iPod
The Tote, Sunday 4th December 2011
http://photos.timchuma.com/gallery3/index.php/2011/Guitar-Wolf-04-12-11
2012
The 5.6.7.8’s
with the Bluebottles, the Exotics
The Tote, Tuesday 24th April 2012
http://photos.timchuma.com/gallery3/index.php/2012/5678-s-at-the-Tote
Brothers Grim and the Blue Murders
with the Murlocs, LA Bastard
The Tote, Friday 18th May 2012
http://photos.timchuma.com/gallery3/index.php/2012/Brothers-Grim-Tote-18-05-12
Ally Oop and the Hoopsters
with Marcus and Guy Blackman Experimentation Project
The Tote, Saturday 9th June 2012
http://photos.timchuma.com/gallery3/index.php/2012/Ally-Oop-Hoopsters-09-06-12
Benefit for Blackie
with Bat Piss, Dead, The Spazzys, The Meanies, Regurgitator
The Tote, Saturday 9th June 2012
http://photos.timchuma.com/gallery3/index.php/2012/Benefit-for-Blackie
Barbariön
with Riff Fist, My Dynamite
The Tote, Saturday 23rd June 2012
http://photos.timchuma.com/gallery3/index.php/2012/Barbarion-Tote-23-06-12
Wash Winters’ Willies Away With Whiskey VIII
with The Gypsy Curse, Psalm Beach, Jemma Rowlands & the Wise Ambitious Men, The Steins, The Large No. 12s, Hoy, Buried Horses, Saint Jude, Raised by Eagles, Clinkerfield, Jack on Fire, Liz Stringer and special guest Malia Walsh
The Tote, Sunday 29th July 2012
http://photos.timchuma.com/gallery3/index.php/2012/WWWAWWVIII
Popboomerang 10th Birthday
with Tim Reid, The Killjoys, Skipping Girl Vinegar, The Bon Scotts, Celadore, Deserters, The Solomons, Go-Go Sapien
MC Andrew McClelland
The Tote, Sunday 18th November 2012
http://photos.timchuma.com/gallery3/index.php/2012/Popboomerang-10th-Birthday
The Tote, Baby!
Happy Birthday Gretchen!
with Jacky Winter, Grizzly Jim Lawrie, Livingstone Daises
The Tote, Sunday 9th December 2012
http://photos.timchuma.com/gallery3/index.php/2012/Tote-Baby-09-12-12
2013
Tasmanian Bushfires Benefit
with The Gallant Trees, Ange Boxall, Blackchords, Licholn Le Fevre, The Fish John West Reject, Andy Hazel, Witch Hats, Midnight Caller, Spinning Rooms, Wally Corker’s Drunk Arse Band, Monique Brumby, Matt Bailey, Mike Noga
Unseen: Tom Lyncholn, Hayley Cooper, Ivy St, Go Genre Everything, Miles Brown, The Bulls, Go Go Sapien
The Tote, Monday 28th January 2013
http://photos.timchuma.com/gallery3/index.php/2013/Tasmanian-Bushfires-Benefit
Slumber Party Massacre II Screening
presented by Cinemaniacs Melbourne
with the Tarantinos
The Tote, Saturday 25th May 2013
http://photos.timchuma.com/gallery3/index.php/2013/Slumber-Party-Massacre-II-Screening-Tote-25-05-13
Wash Winter’s Willies Away With Whiskey IX
with Twenty Seven Winters, Junk Horses, The Bulls, JVG Guitar Method, The Sideshow Brides, Clinkerfield, Three Bird Nest, The Idle Hoes
as part of the Leaps and Bounds Music Festival
The Tote, Sunday 14th July 2013
http://photos.timchuma.com/gallery3/index.php/2013/WWWAWWIX
I Thank You – A Tribute to Tim Hemensley
with Warped, Bored!, Bittersweet Kicks, Digger & the Pussy Cats, The Spazzys, The Casanovas, The Swedish Magazines, The Onyas, The Seminal Rats, Hoss, Powder Monkeys and guests
I did not get to see: Fortress of Narzod, Wrong Turn, Powerline Sneakers, Undecided By Default, Dave Hogan, Leadfinger, Speed Demons, Hits
as part of the Leaps and Bounds Music Festival
The Tote, Sunday 21st July 2013
http://photos.timchuma.com/gallery3/index.php/2013/I-Thank-You-Tote-21-07-13
2014
Barbarion farewell to Frankie
with Fuck the Fitzroy Doom Scene, Pterodactyl
The Tote, Saturday 3rd May 2014
http://photos.timchuma.com/gallery3/index.php/2014/Barbarion-Farewell-Frankie-03-05-14
2015
10 Years of Stone Love
with MC Richie 1250, Taka Honda, Chook Race, Elvis Princely, Empat Lima, Lovers of the Black Bird, Miles and Simone, BJ Morizonkle, Amanda Roff Singers, Archer, Simoncee Page Jones, Sugar Fed Leopards, Slow Grind Fever DJs
The Tote, Friday 5th June 2015
http://photos.timchuma.com/gallery3/index.php/2015/10-Years-of-Stone-Love
2016
Robbie Rocket 10th Anniversary Show
with Destrends, I Spit On Your Gravy, Aberration, The Dukes of Deliciousness, The Poppin Mommas
The Tote, Friday 1st July 2016
http://photos.timchuma.com/gallery3/index.php/2016/RR-10th-Anniversary
2018
I Spit on Your Gravy
with BATZ, James McCann and the New Vindictives, The Poppin Mommas
The Tote, Friday 7th December 2018
http://photos.timchuma.com/gallery3/index.php/2018/Gravies-Tote-07-12-18
2019
Metal Night at the Tote
with Brothel, Nothing, Black Jesus, Blunt Shovel, Dead Root (unseen)
The Tote, Saturday 1st June 2019
http://photos.timchuma.com/zenphoto/2019/Tote-Metal-Night-01-06-19/
2021
Wrong Turn/The Hybernators
The Tote Beer Garden, Saturday 16th January 2021
http://photos.timchuma.com/zenphoto/2021/Tote-16-1-21/
Freya Josephine Hollick “Real World” Single Launch
with Cahill Kelly
The Tote, Friday 26th March 2021
http://photos.timchuma.com/zenphoto/2021/Freya-Single-Launch-26-03-21/