Today’s feature image depicts The Offtopics’ tenor sax wrangler, Omid Shayan, stylishly combining white water rafting with manspreading in the green room at 3PBS FM.  And without any further ado – time to manspread the news.  We assume that’s the correct way to use that term…

The band had a great time last Wednesday performing in PBS’s Studio 5 Live.  We played five songs during “Soul Time” and then Mark, Polash and Omid popped into the studio to chat to Melbourne Soul legend, DJ and all round good bloke Vince Peach.

Polash, Vince and Mark – Omid took the photo.

Vince was in fine form despite wearing a limp after an unfortunate scooter dismounting incident in Tasmania.  Mark looks smooth as always and Polash looks… rough.  If he looks like a sweaty Bengali Babu that’s basically because he is one.  It’s also because, in spite of the fact that this was a radio performance and no one could see him, he insisted on dancing around the studio like a loon.  Actually – that’s not altogether true.  You CAN see the performance on this video here. The set kicks off at about 8 minutes in.  For better sound listen to the Soul Time show archive.  Vince introduces the band about an hour into the show.

The gig went pretty well and kind of caps off all the work we’ve been putting into our latest 7 inch vinyl release “Funky Grandma“.  Now that’s out of the way let’s talk live shows that everyone can come to!

APRIL GIG ROUND UP

Thursday 12 April – Windsor

The Offtopics will play their signature blend of sexy soul and funny funk at Back Bar in Windsor.  Full disclosure: this event has been organized by and for the polyamourous community of Melbourne.  While no one in the band *ahem* “swings” that way we all believe in love.  Who doesn’t right?  Surely there’s no such thing as too much of a good thing, amirite???  The event organizer told us that this cocktail night is “safe for the general public as long as they are somewhat interested in socializing with people interested in open relationships.”  If that sounds like your jam then we’ll be playing funky danceable songs from 10pm onwards.  You can find out more and buy tickets here.

Saturday 28 April – Hurstbridge

“Live at the Waterfall” is what this one’s called.  It’s a special dinner and a show type performance being put on by The Offtopics’ old mate Bill Lowe at The Post Office Cafe in Hurstbridge.  We’ll play two sets of original funk, soul and ska by the waterfall at the back of the restaurant.  It turns out that Vince Peach knows this place well and took pains to tell us that there’s an eel at the bottom of the waterfall.  It also turns out that Polash gets a bit deaf sometimes. The wheels almost fell off the interview because he was convinced the illustrious DJ was talking about having a “meal in his bottom”.  Oh dear…  There’ll be a bespoke menu and drink specials on the night.  Apparently capacity is limited for this one so you might want to purchase your tickets early.  See this link for more info about the event and how to buy a ticket.

That’s it for the April gig round up.  Stay tuned for further news.  2018 is gunna be big!