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22 Jun 2003 |
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Dear transfans, welcome to TAAU's new-look, bi-weekly newsletter!
Because TAAU has just as many busy fans, curious visitors, shy lurkers, casual participants and industry researchers as we have regular and active members, then we thought it was about time we created a newsletter for everyone involved, so you can all keep up-to-date on the latest news direct from our Hasbro AU insider, Laserbeak, receive news scoops from our friends over at Madman Entertainment regarding their latest Transformers releases, get the all-important details on our latest monthly competition, read TAAU member articles and lots, lots more!
Even the most dedicated among us become busy sometimes, but fear not, as you can now sit back and relax in the knowledge that TAAU's newsletter will be delivered to your mail box every two weeks, allowing you to actually leave your house occasionally, maybe even take your girlfriend out... hell, you could even get up in the day, put on some clothes and grab some actual food! Okay, so maybe that is a little far fetched but you get the idea.
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COMPLETE TRANSFORMERS RELEASE SCHEDULE FOR AUSTRALIA
Thanks to our good friend Laserbeak at Hasbro AU, we now have an almost complete release schedule for virtually every Transformers: Armada and Transformers: Universe figure in Australia! Almost every toy - both past and present - is listed, so check out the schedule so you can plan out your toy finances for the coming months!
View the schedule >> |
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TAAU'S EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW WITH MEATBEE
After grooving along to the mellow Transformers cover song aired on Triple J a few weeks back, we just had to get in touch with the group responsible: local Canberra-based band, Meatbee, so we could firstly congratulate them on a very unusual take on the normal rock laced theme, and secondly to ask if they'd be willing to conduct an interview with us so we could all discover a lttle more about the people behind this laid back tune.
As it turns out, the Meatbee guys (and gals) are a great bunch of people who were more than happy to answer some of the questions we fielded from the fandom, sharing with us thier thoughts on Transformers, Dunny Budgie's and even Jam!
TAAU: Tell us a bit about Meatbee: who's in the band, how did you all get together and what kind of music do you normally play?
MEATBEE: We are Ben Lopez, Kate Sullivan, Charlie Bigg-Wither, and Dan LeBlanc. Ben, Dan and Chuck had already had the good fortune of meeting each other through mutual friends, while Kate was bored and decided to answer an ad in a local record shop requesting a singer, even though she was not entirely sure at the time if she could sing. The four Meatbees have been jamming together for almost three years, and like each other's company very much, except for Ben and Dan after they have eaten curry... or salami, or sardines, or any combination of foods that emit gaseous odours after a nasty journey through their digestive tracts!
TAAU: So, 'Meatbee' huh? Where on earth did you get that name from?
MEATBEE: 'Meatbee' is slang for 'blowfly', something akin to 'dunny budgie'. It is also an American insect which is apparently as large as a sparrow and likes to hang out in abbatoirs. Our first ever song, called 'Marvin', is all about a fly doing what flies do best, ie. eating poo, etc. We made a video clip to go with the song which you can actually download from our web site. It's way more gross than the actual lyrics; lots of roadkill, vomit, and other nasties are featured, so if you want to throw up the meal you just ate, you're probably on to a winner with this clip!
TAAU: Why did you choose to do a cover of the Transformers theme? Were you fans of the Transformers cartoon and toy line when you were younger?
MEATBEE: The first time we did it for a local Canberra radio station who were getting local bands on air to cover TV Theme songs. The announcer pulled open the envelope and we just happened to land 'Transformers'. Luckily, we all grew up on steady diets of Saturday morning cartoons when we were younger, so managed to pull it off. Transformers is up there in our estimations along with G-Force, Danger Mouse, and Ulysses. Roger Ramjet was kinda funny too though.
TAAU: Why did you decide to do a mellow, laid-back cover, as opposed to say a metal/thrash version for instance?
MEATBEE: I think it was because we just happened to take acoustic guitars with us when we did it. There actually is a heavy rock version - as we usually play a heavy kind of rock set when we're performing live - but the acoustic thing has taken on a life of its own in recent months; seems to be easier on the uneasy public's ears.
TAAU: Do you have any other versions of the song, such as an extended version with all the original words, or any remixes, etc?
MEATBEE: Not at the moment, but if anyone has the full lyrics, post them or any ideas on our guestbook and we'll think about it.
TAAU: How's the song being received? A few people have heard it on Triple J recently, is it going well?
MEATBEE: Its been great getting the airplay and we've got some excellent feedback as a result. It's always a buzz to be contacted out of the blue by an 'unsolicited stranger' with words of praise. Mind you, we also get contacted by 'unsolicited strangers' with words of critism - but hey, if everyone liked what you do, you must be doing something pretty boring.
TAAU: Did you guys ever collect Transformers when you were kids? Do you still?
MEATBEE: Dan did, although I have no idea where any of them are. I do remember my favorite character: Grimlock, he was the coolest! I remember attacking the evil Thrust (my brother) in our Transformer battles, yelling "ME GRIMLOCK!"
TAAU: I know this is a sad fan-boy question, but if you had to pick a Transformer character, which one would you say is most like each one of you?
MEATBEE: Kate would have to be Optimus Prime as the leader, Ben reminds me of Hot Shot, I think we all know who I am (Grimlock) and Chuck is Scavenger.
TAAU: I'm really sorry about this one, but 'do you like Jam?!'
MEATBEE: Sorry, I'm more a peanut butter and honey man myself :)
![[ The band members ]](http://theyareamongus.e-newsletter.com.au/media/dynamic/id/41400943edeb1240282431748993ef4f30873f0e/interface.gif)
So there you have it! Thanks again to Ben and all the guys at Meatbee for taking the time to answer our questions, and for more info and downloads, visit Meatbee.com
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TRANSFORMERS TO BE MADE IN TO A LIVE ACTION MOVIE
On June 11, 2003, one of the most exciting and surprising Transformers news stories of recent years began to spread, causing fans from all over the world to react; some instantly rejoiced and marvelled in the announcement, some simply dismissed the release as a hoax, while others cautiously sat back and took in a deep breath, quietly excited by the news, but adopting more of a 'I'll wait and see' kind of attitude.
Regardless of your initial - and probably understandable - reaction at the time, it does look like it's for real: Transformers is going to be made into a live action movie!
Learn more >> |
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HASBRO NEW ZEALAND WANT YOUR FEEDBACK
Thanks to tOmb from the TAAU boards for reporting that Hasbro are currently looking for feedback from all New Zealand based transfans! So, if you live in New Zealand and are tired of missing out on all the great toys from the Transformers lines, now's your chance to have your say and let Hasbro know what you want!
The news was originally posted at TFormers.com, who are asking that all New Zealanders post their feedback here
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DREAMWAVE 'WAR AND PEACE' ISSUE 3 PREVIEW NOW ONLINE
For those of you lucky enough to be reading and collecting Dreamwave's current G1 volume two, 'War and Peace', you may be interested in viewing a preview of the next superb issue on the Dreamwave web site, here. Issue #3 goes on sale June 25.
“They’re baaack. The Dinobots return and are ready to make anything and everything foolish enough to get in their way extinct! Branded as criminals of war, Optimus Prime and the Autobots face public execution via the smelting pools of Cybertron. And while it may appear that our heroes are headed for that big scrap heap in the sky—the end is far from near when Grimlock and his Dinobots come crashing to the rescue.
But even if the Autobots are able to escape Shockwave's forces are they prepared for what else lurks in the wastelands of Cybertron? And what happens when Starscream and Soundwave form an unholy alliance that promises to return the Decepticons to power? The latest chapter in 2003’s most action-packed saga promises even more thrills, chills and utter carnage than the first two issues combined!”
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IN THIS ISSUE: |
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in this week's TAAU newsletter we have: |
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JUNE/JULY COMPETITION
To celebrate the launch of TAAU's new newsletter, we're offering everyone who subscribes with the chance to win a complete, MISB RID Rail Racer, which obviously consists of Rapid Run, Rail Spike and Midnight Express, all mint in their pristine boxes!
This will be part of TAAU's June/July competition, so we will pick a random subscriber at the end of July to win this awesome and exclusive US-only gestalt, which is now easily worth $150+ AUD
A big thank you to Hasbro AU who donated this month's prize, and if you're looking for something different and cool in the way of toys, then why not check out their new and quirky line, Stikfas, at http://www.stikfas.com/
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