This article was published in "Comfusion" 1999:
As everyone must surely know by now, local band PIFFEN YONNIES have been kickin' some serious butt. Their unconventional line-up of instruments consisting of groov-acious drums (Matt Willis), tenor sax (Matt Hewson) and a very funkin' bass (Henry Bird), has seen them through the local heat and regional final of the Australasian ASSOCIATION OF CAMPUS ACTIVITIES, national campus band competition. Then on Thursday September 10, they won the State final, which was held at the Corner Hotel in Richmond. The contest, which has been running for 8 years, is the biggest 'original band' competition in the world. Before they even had a chance to retune their instruments they were on stage at the Lady Bay funkin out and winning the regional heat of 'THE PUSH MANNYS Battle of the Bands'. What next? The regional final in Colac, and guess what? They won that too, landing them a spot at the State final of the competition at the PUSHOVER ( all-ages drug and alcohol free festival ) on November 21st at the Sidney Myer Music Bowl. The YONNIES Melbourne profile is already getting huge after a live-to-air show on RRR Radio, and a gig at the Brunswick Street Festival on Sunday the 27th of September as part of the Melbourne FRINGE. If there's any truth to the rumour that the boys are relocating next year, the Melbourne punters will be ready for them (they'd better learn to dance). So what now then? How about a gig supporting one of Australia's biggest bands of the moment "The Living End" when they play in Warrnambool on Thursday 5th November. If you want to support the PIFFEN YONNIES when they compete in the National Finals of the Campus Bands Competition at the Prince of Wales in St Kilda on the 8th October, there is a bus running down and back on the night. Contact Mic Murphy in the Student Association Office at TAFE on 5564 8863 from the 5th of October. YONNIE YONNIE YONNIE 'Have you piffed one lately?’
Piffen Yonnies in state final
(Warrnambool Standard 24/09/1998 - Arts and entertainment compiled by Lara O'Toole and Anthony Bunn) - Copyright Warrnambool Standard 1998. All rights reserved.
One of Warrnambool's latest sensations, the Piffen Yonnies, have garnered a berth in the state final of The Push/Manny's Battle of the Bands at the Pushover Festival in Melbourne later this year. Colac Otway Shire youth development officer, Karen Paton said the band came out on top after the regional final in Colac last weekend. Ms. Paton said four bands from around the south-west competed.
Local band earns national distinction
(Warrnambool Standard 10/10/1998) - Copyright Warrnambool Standard 1998. All rights reserved.
Warrnambool band Piffen Yonnies won third place in the national final of a campus band competition.
The three-piece band was spurred on by a strong group of Warrnambool supporters at St. Kilda's Prince of Wales Hotel for the Thursday night show. Drummer Matt Willis said the band performed well to come in behind Big Wally (Tasmania) and Plummet (NSW). Willis said after its success, the four-month old band was looking forward to relaxing. "We can't wait to play some normal gigs, where it's not competitive", he said.
Riding momentum
(Warrnambool Standard 15/10/1998) - Copyright Warrnambool Standard 1998. All rights reserved.
After a few months, what started out as "just a bit of fun" has turned into a big success for three Warrnambool musicians,The Piffen Yonnies, fresh from pulling off third place in the national final of the Victorian Campus Band competition, are ready to hit the studio to record is first CD. Drummer Matt Willis says the band hopes to have a record out by the end of this year, "while a bit of momentum's going". After a win in the regional final of the Push-Manny's Battle of the Bands, Piffen Yonnies has secured a spot in the lineup of Pushover, a showcase for Australian talent in November. The band also performed at this month's Melbourne Fringe Festival, and are gearing up for a support gig with alternative popsters the Living End in Warrnambool on November 5. Matt says the band i s looking forward doing more live shows, now the competitions are out of the way."We can't wait to play some normal gigs, where it's not competitive". Spurred on by its success so far, it is now full steam ahead for Matt, bassist Henry Bird and saxophonist Matt Hewson. "It started out as a bit of fun - I think we're going to put a bit more time into it now", Matt says.
Band's dream run at an end
Warrnambool Standard 23/11/1998 - ©Copyright Warrnambool Standard 1998. All rights reserved
A DREAM run by Warrnambool rock band The Piffon [sic] Yonnies came to a peaceful end on Saturday when technical problems marred their bid to win the Pushover '98 Battle of the Bands title in Melbourne.However, the three south-west musicians - Henry Bird, Matt Willis and Matt Hewson - were yesterday taking the defeat in their stride. "We had technical troubles which meant the saxophone couldn't be heard until two-thirds through the performance," Matt Willis explained."We were disappointed, because we wanted to play well, but the crowd was really good and still got into it; even the people there that didn't know us got into the music." Willis and Bird yesterday announced Saturday's performance would be the Piffon [sic] Yonnies' last on the competition scene. The three now are keen to get into some longer, more involving performances - and a paid gig. "We're just looking forward to playing in gigs that aren't five minutes loading time, five minutes play, five minutes to pack up," Bird said. "We prefer to play a good hour set and work with the crowd, rather than just show them a couple of our songs." The band's experience was shared by a large Warrnambool audience, who made the trip to Melbourne to support the trio. Willis added it was this support that was also fuelling the Piffon [sic] Yonnie's desire to "come home". "These guys, particularly the Music Industry Skills course people, have upported us so much. We want to give back to them, say thank you and repay all the work they have done." The group will mark its renewed focus with a performance at an MIS concert tomorrow night at The Gallery.
Yonnies home
Warrnambool Standard 29th April 1999 - ©Copyright Warrnambool Standard 1999. All rights reserved
FORMER Warrnambool band Piffen Yonnies will head home this weekend to launch its debut CD Rubberneck
at the Criterion Hotel. Bassist and vocalist Henry Bird said the band was looking forward to playing in Warrnambool
again after making the big move to Melbourne two months ago. “It’s great playing down there (but) it’s good to be with a local crowd,” said Bird, who reckons it will also be a good opportunity to get his mum to do his washing. The trio has not quite severed links with the south-west since heading east. The boys have been working with former Warrnambool promoter Dean Ray and will play tonight at The Tote in Collingwood with fellow ex-Warrnambool bands Thirteen and Nutshell. Bird said getting established in Melbourne was taking time but the gigs were starting to roll in. “Things are going really well, we’ve appeared on TV on Channel 31, and we’ve got a stack of gigs coming up,” he said. Rubberneck also was taking off after its release a fortnight ago, even though the band hadn’t got around to promoting it yet, he said.Piffen Yonnies is making the most of its Warrnambool visit on Saturday, with three appearances planned. Bird, Matt Hewson (sax and vocals) and Matt Willis (drums and vocals) will play at Capricorn Records in the morning and later in the day at a youth forum at the Warrnambool surf club. The Rubberneck launch will take place at the Criterion Hotel in the main bar on Saturday night, with guests The Monaros and Warrnambool comedian Matthew Monk.
Local lampoon - CD review
Warrnambool Standard 13th April 1999 - ©Copyright Warrnambool Standard 1999. All rights reserved
WARRNAMBOOL band Piffen Yon-nies’ new CD Rubberneck is a superb debut, living up to the band’s live reputation.The three-piece comprisingMatt Willis (drums and vocals), Matt Hewson (sax and vocals) and Henry Bird(bass and vocals) moved to Melbourne recently in the hope of bigger and better things. However, Warrnambool fans will delight in the unashamedly local flavor of the songs on Rubberneck, from King’s Head to the hilarious Which Way To The Whales?.Few targets are safe from the Piffen Yonnies lampoonery, from the rubberneck of the title track with her Shipwreck Coast stubby holder to the more than ample subject of Hefty Lady. The unique line-up of bass, sax and drums gives the Piffen Yonnies a sound that is original and deeply funky. Savor this debut from a trio that could be destined for much bigger things, and certainly deserve success.
Yonnies back to play at the Cri
Warrnambool Standard 26th August 1999 - ©Copyright Warrnambool Standard 1999. All rights reserved
ONE of the south-west’s favorite trios will be returning to Warrnambool this weekend to ask the perennial question — have you piffed one lately? Yes, it’s the Piffen Yonnies, back from the pursuit of fame and fortune in Melbourne to perform before a home-town audience at the Criterion Hotel on Saturday night. And according to bassist Henry Bird, the band has not been idle since its last visit to Warrnambool more than three months ago. Piffen Yonnies has been playing plenty of gigs around Melbourne, increasing its profile and getting some good independent radio airplay. The unsigned artists’ show on public radio station PBS has just named the trio its second most played artist, and 3RRR has awarded it the status of second most popular independent act. ("We’re shooting for number one next year," Bird adds.) The Yonnies have also gained some airplay on the ABC’s youth network Triple J and made several appearances on public television station Channel 31. Bird says the band is hoping to be back in the recording studio by the end of the year to follow up on its hugely successful debut self-titled album. That record is still selling well in Warrnambool and at gigs in Melbourne, but the band’s sound has progressed somewhat in the meantime. Bird, sax player Matt Hewson and drummer Matt Willis have been exploring some new sounds, including a splash of electronica, to create a style that is "a lot more modern", the bassist says. All the hard work appears to be paying off, with approaches from booking agents and touring companies for possible interstate and overseas tours next year. But for now, the Yonnies are looking forward to heading home for this weekend’s gig, away from grey, cramped Melbourne. "We always get a great response (in Warrnambool) and it’s a chance to catch up with friends and family." Piffen Yonnies will be appearing at the Criterion with The Monaros.
Yonnies on tonight
Warrnambool Standard 22nd June 2000 - ©Copyright Warrnambool Standard 2000 All rights reserved
FORMER South West TAFE National Campus Band competition winner Piffen Yonnies will head up an evening of end-of-semester entertainment tonight. Piffen Yonnies, which was the South West TAFE entrants in the 1998 campus band competition and went on to win the state final at the Corner Hotel in Richmond, will perform at the Criterion Hotel tonight to celebrate the end of the TAFE semester. The Yonnies’ unique Aussie lyrics and infectious live performance will be a highlight of the night which also boasts an open mike allowing upcoming original talent to take the spotlight. There will also be free pool and jukebox, a dinner and movie screening. The night starts at the Criterion Hotel at 5pm. For more information contact South West TAFE student association.
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