Tell us a little bit about yourselves.
Todd Andrews: I play guitar in These New South Whales, co-host our podcast What A Great Punk, as well as write and produce our Comedy Central mockumentary series. I grew up in Adelaide, but half my family is from Melbourne so I would spend a lot of holidays here as a kid. After a 10-year stint in Sydney I am now happy to call Melbourne home again.
Frank Sweet: I play drums in These New South Whales, and I’m a food writer.
What do you love about Melbourne?
TA: I love Melbourne for its premium range of bars, as well as its vibrant music scene. I am a sucker for a classic pub, and Melbourne has many of the best in the country.
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SIGN UPFS: The crazy diversity and quality of food, of music, of people, of everything – but mostly the fact that Melbourne’s best times tend not to be its expensive times. You’re not locked out of the good stuff if you’re not rich – that’s what makes it a world-beater.
What are your favourite Melbourne restaurants?
TA: I spent a while living in and around Footscray and would have to say Ras Dashen was my go-to for delicious Ethiopian food and a cosy atmosphere. They look after me as a vegan, so shout-outs!
FS: Garam Merica next to the Indonesian Consulate for nasi bungkus. Xuan Banh Cuon in Sunshine for banh cuon, Oriental Impression in Richmond for chuan’r, Federal Taung Zalat in Sunshine for plaza-core Burmese, Hao Zi Wei in Chadstone for Sichuanese. And when sandwiches count, it simply must be Stefanino Panino.
Where do you go for beers?
TA: I love to head to Gum for a friendly chat with the bar staff, sour beer and an outside seat by the hustle and bustle of Johnston Street (they play great tunes too), or The Brandon in Carlton North for a no-frills, cold pint of Carlton Draught.
FS: The Rising Sun in South Melbourne if the Swans are playing, Canecutters on Toorak Road for all other occasions.
Favourite live music venue? Also, what Melbourne bands are you loving right now?
TA: I love Last Chance rock’n’roll bar for live music. Jake from Damaged Record and (punk band) Clowns books the bands there and it’s punk AF. Melbourne bands I’m loving are Bitumen and Gut Health. We are lucky enough to have both come on tour with us, so I’m pumped to watch them play every night!
FS: Shout-outs to Mossy, Purient, Acopia, Posseshot, Shove, and the Donk World crew. Loving the programming at Northcote Theatre at the moment!
When you want to impress someone, where do you take them?
TA: I may take them to Gerald’s Bar for a dirty Martini and a seat out the front on Rathdowne Street.
FS: Gray and Gray absolutely fucks. So clever, so funny, so accomplished, so delicious – it’s peerless.
Melbourne's most underrated spot?
TA: The Moreland Hotel on Sydney Road in Brunswick. It’s a one-of-a-kind and a hidden gem. In the ’90s some genius decided to create a Las Vegas casino-style Italian piazza replica, complete with a miniature Colosseum and a statue of David. Someone needs to throw raves there…
FS: Dandenong. Sheer yakh zhala, AKA everyone’s favourite Afghan ice-cream on rice noodles! Serbian pork loin sandwiches! Kiwi hangi! Persian! Mauritian! Fijian!
Where do you go to escape the city?
TA: I like to spend time browsing and losing track of time in one of the many independent record stores in this city. God bless all the punks running those things.
FS: Docklands! Fuck you all – Docklands is sick! Calm, breezy, watery, moody, Costco, convenient parking, home of Melbourne’s two Australian Ice Hockey League clubs (Melbourne Ice and Melbourne Mustangs), bargains, Carl’s Jr, Jeff’s MF shed. There’s a ferry that goes to Geelong – what else do you want?
Is there a place (or thing) that makes Melbourne better?
TA: Melbourne’s CBD is the real deal. Great food, bars, music venues and always something new to discover. It’s not just for the 9-5 workers or tourists the way Sydney is. There’s something to do for the locals every day and night of the week.
FS: Winter. Winter makes Melbourne go full Gotham City; everyone looks good, the air feels fresh, the light is 10,000 times better, the footy’s on. I feel like if the daily max were two-three degrees colder on average, everyone would dress properly warm and not complain about the cold all the time. But it isn’t, so they do. But like, you live in a city with a reputation for coldness – why are you always surprised it’s cold? Embrace it! Cold is thrilling! Cold means fireplaces and mead and offal and pelts and stuff!
Essential Melbourne song?
TA: Happy Birthday Helen by Things of Stone and Wood.
FS: Lube Mobile by Honestfrank.
Catch These New South Whales on a national tour in March and April. Their new album, TNSW, is out now on vinyl and major streaming platforms.
thesenewsouthwhales.com
@thesenewsouthwhaless
“My Melbourne” is a regular column discovering the places and spaces that captivate and entice Melbourne’s well-known residents.