Eric (right) and Aussie expat Robert "Jacko" Jackson at the Ann Arbor Rock and Roll Revival show

(Eric flew from Paris to Detroit a week ago to be a guest vocalist at the Ann Arbor Rock and Roll Revival Show with Scott Morgan, Deniz Tek, the irRationals, Hiawatha Bailey, the Gorvettes and Mazinga, so he had a good reason for filing this late)

1/ Deniz Tek & friends at the Blind Pig, Ann Arbor, MI for the Ann Arbor Revival Show December 18th, 2009.
If politicians all over the world had al least half of the energy Deniz shows on stage, we would not need any Copenhagen fuck up to clear the global warming. Check him out doing Birdman, Sonic’s Rendezvous Band, Stooges, MC5 songs. It’s a locomotive to the end of the world.

2/ Advanced copy of 3 Headed Dog release.
Best thing I heard from Vinzzzzzzzzz (ok The Holy Curse is out of contest here)

3/ The 13th Floor Elevators Sign of the 3 Eyed Men boxset.
Such an incredible piece of work and of music history

4/ Sonic Trip
The new radio show by Isabelle (who co presented Substitute radio show with Vincent Hanon) on Aligre FM www.aligrefm.org It’s in French, so what?

5/ New Christs Gloria album.
These Reasons will be taught as a classic in rock n roll universities and catching with these guys live on their European tour was a buzz.

6/ The Holy Curse recording with Rob Younger, and how he makes you work hard, how he makes you feel confident, how he makes you proud, and how he makes you laugh with his funny stories

7/ Couple of great books including Travelin Man: On the road with Bob Seger , Robert Matheu’s The Stooges, and reading again Keep it Together (Pink Fairies) and Give the anarchist a cigarette ( Mick Farren )

8/ DVDs : Imperial Dogs (waiting for it but I know it will be a scorcher) – Burn after Reading – The Hangover – Inglorious Besterds – 24 Season 7

9/ The Passengers getting back together again and their great album. The Love Me Nots got me high as well.Great rockin band from France named 455SD (what else?) – The brilliant latest Cowboys from Outer Space - The Rationals 2xCD reissue

10/ It wasn’t Johnny’s day : the best song The Holy Curse ever recorded (my taste guys, ok) based on the true story of Mark Sisto in FNQ.

11 / Catching up with all these great people from A2/Detroit last week and especially seeing Deniz and Mark Sisto again. Christmas before Christmas

TOP regrets: The passing away of Ron Asheton and James Gurley. 2009 started and finished bad.

Here’s Eric doing Radio Birdman’s “New Race” at the Rock n Roll Revival Show. Thanks to Retrokimmer for the footage:

That's TJ down the front at his second home The Tote, welcoming the Second Coming of Grong Grong. Carbie Warbie took the photo.

Ten things of note that I noticed in 2009

New Christs- “Gloria” CD Appropriately named- this is indeed a glorious album. It sounds as fresh as ever- Younger has lost none of his edge, vocally or lyrically. And this has more musical crunch and energy than a dozen other CDs I could name. They played a few shows here in Melbourne but I managed to miss them every time.

Marf Loth- “Cigarettes In Paintbuckets” CD This arrived in my hands pretty much at random- 11 tracks of primitive, sloppy rock concocted on the fly by a young Sydneysider called Nathan Roache, with the assistance of Owen Penglis of the Straight Arrows. This is his third album, apparently- I have no idea whether he will ever record anything ever again but if he doesn’t, this will do.

Boogie Now, I don’t really like festivals. But I went to three this year- Mistletone Records’ “Summertones” event at the Esplanade Hotel, the Sydney leg of Flip Out, and Boogie. All three were great, for different reasons. Summertones pulled together a wide range of bands, in a good venue, at a decent price. Flip Out turned large parts of inner Sydney into a kind of open air playground, with bar. But Boogie, a small event held about 100km north of Melbourne, was the best of them. It was like a large private party – only 500 tickets are sold- featuring ECSR, Dan Auerbach, great food, excellent cocktails and dust. I’ll be back there in 2010.

Stabs- “Dead Wood” CD The noisy Melbourne trio became part of the Spooky Records stable with their second album. The excellent launch show at a sold-out Tote was one of the most memorable gigs of the year. There’s a video floating round for “Split Lips” but despite spending an afternoon being herded back & forth by the egomaniac behind the camera, I still haven’t seen it.

Butcher Birds- “Set My Bones” CD. Excellent guitar rock from some Brisbane youngsters. This ebbs and flows nicely, from the grinding boogie of “Stone Fox” to the launguid “Yoko Coma”. They were a bit of treat live, too, when they made the long journey south.

Last Tram Home presents… A while back I asked the drunken idiots dashing entrepreneurs who run the Old Bar if they could spare me a regular evening to present bands, play records, show off, etc- and to my surprise they said yes. Drawing on the same ideas behind my blog, they are intended to pull together a diverse bunch of local acts on one bill. The first one in November went well, planning of the second is well underway for mid-January, and they are pencilled in roughly every two months for 2010. See you there.

Reissues. Aztec Records gave us an amazing range of reissues this year- Levi Smith, Died Pretty, X and the Master’s Apprentices. OMNI let Melbourne’s fabled freaks the Shower Scene From Psycho loose, with a double CD that even the band suggest is too much to listen to in one hit. Finally having 80s scene movie “Dogs In Space” on DVD was good but the bonus disc documentary “We’re Living On Dog Food” was better. But for my money, the Reverberation records Grong Grong collection tops them all. This is the sound of bleating madness, as unique now as it was then. Their reunion shows drew awestruck appreciation from everyone brave enough to attend.

Lux Interior I just went and watched a load of old Cramps on YouTube, and I’m as sad now as I was back in February. Enough said.

Witch Hats- “Solarium Down The Causeway” EP. The bratty Melbournians somehow came up with a six song collection of noisy, fucked up gems, while getting all noisy and fucked up themselves during their US tour. It all sounds much more natural than last year’s “Cellulite Soul” album. They saved their best for late in the year, with a couple of big gigs including their first appearance at the Meredith Festival.That Kris Buscombe is one to watch.

Rowland S Howard- “Pop Crimes” CD While the influence of the Birthday Party on Australian music is undeniable, and shows no signs of abating, former BP guitarist Howard left his younger acolytes in the dust with this. An effortless-sounding collection of unashamedly clever and stylish tunes, it is satisfying within itself while still leaving you wanting more. Howard’s year ended on a low, with him battling illness, but here’s hoping he pulls through soon.

And for 2010- well apart from the stuff already mentioned, there are new albums from Sixfthick and the Bittersweet Kicks on the way, our licensing laws look like they may become a bit more sensible/flexible, too. The biggest deal is probably that ticket I bought for ATP NY in September- a veritable posse of Melbournians and one Norwegian are heading over to catch the Stooges, Scientists and Mudhoney.

You’ll find Last Tram Home here.

2009 has been a truly monumental year for me. I’ve been an avid concert goer for many years and have always loved photography but this year I decided to put my greatest two loves together and document the Melbourne music scene. Everyone calls me “Carbie”, as in carburettor. I am a music photographer based in Melbourne Rock Central and I shoot for a variety of music publications and websites. I only photographed concerts for ten months of this year due to my camera breaking in March and Canon took two months to fix it. Still I managed to clock up over 160 concerts in that period, including a few festivals. I even shot four different gigs in one day!

Here are my Top Ten best gigs for the year, illustrated with one of my FAV photos of that concert.

1. All Tomorrow’s Parties @ Mt Buller (9th & 10th Jan 2009)

Personally I have never been a fan of the summer festivals. Always a mixed bag of acts and I would rather see a full set of a band I love than a 30 minute performance in front of a indifferent crowd. All Tomorrow’s Parties was something unique and different. Curated by Nick Cave, it was like a summer festival was custom built just for me. There were just too many highlights to mention. Seeing Nick Cave perform three times! Once on keys with The Dirty Three, then as the mystery band Grinderman ripping up the stage and finally closing off the festival with The Bad Seeds. Seeing the reunited Saints with Chris Bailey and Ed Kuepper and I was pinching myself watching The Laughing Clowns. Plus Spiritualized, Silver Apples, James Blood Ulmer, Rowland S Howard, Primitive Calculators, Robert Forster and so forth. I could pretty much finish my TOP TEN with this one festival! All Tomorrow’s Parties is not coming back for 2010 but it makes me want to jump on a plane and catch the New York ATP 2010, with the Stooges playing “Raw Power” and the Scientists playing “Blood Red River”.

2. X @ The Forum, Melbourne (14th Jan 2009)

This was a significant concert for me personally. It was all about The Saints performing the classic “I’m Stranded”, as part of the “Don’t Look Back” series of concerts. Unfortunately The Saints performance was marred by angry punters not happy paying for a concert with poor sound issues and Chris Bailey’s negative attitude and condescending comments. It would only get worse with The Saints later gigs interstate, when he refused to play The Saint’s signature tune, “I’m Stranded”.  I was there front row and centre to see the other band on the bill. Plus I had just seen The Saints close the first night at Mt Buller a few days ago.  The other band was called X, that back in my youth I had originally purchased a seven inch single from Missing Link Records called “Dream Baby”. Then I went back to buy their “At Home With You” and “X-Aspirations” albums. I knew that Ian Rilen had passed away from cancer but I was so happy to see the legacy continue on stage. To my delight, Steve Lucas was vocally still in fine form. Cathy Green still looked like a teen dream, dresses in a leather nurse outfit on the drums. Kim Volkman, had the unenvious task of filling in Ian Rilen’s big shoes on bass but this guy was rockin’ his arse off! Here they were on this massive stage with the red velvet curtain and even The Horns Of Contempt, horn section were performing these songs that I knew and loved, as they played “At Home With You” in it’s entirety. I was in seventh heaven. Photographing the first three songs with no flash was the rule of the night. “STUFF IT! They’re gonna have to grab me, kickin’ and screamin’ outta that pit because I’m gonna photograph the whole set!”, I said to myself. It was my photos of X that got a few tongues wagging.  Before I knew what was happening, I was getting phone calls from Sydney, I was taking promotional photos of the band and designing the artwork for their “X Live At The Forum” DVD for Aztec Music and getting my photos nicked by The Age.  It was truly a special unforgettable and life changing moment for me to be at that gig.  So many punters that I have become friends with over this year, who were in that audience agree with me that X completely blew The Saints away that night. Why didn’t X play a few days before at All Tomorrow’s Parties at Mt Buller. That still remains a mystery?

3. Neil Young at Big Day Out @ Flemington Racecourse (26th Jan 2009)

I got the chance to fulfil so many dream this year by photographing some of my musical heroes. I saw Alice Cooper die in stage five or six times. Elvis Costello performs a heart-warming acoustic set.  Wayne Coyne of The Flaming Lips run around the crowd in a bigarse hamster ball at Festival Hall. The Talking Heads’ David Byrne and The Buzzcocks rips though some of their greatest songs. My person highlight would have to be watching the master, Neil Young headlining the Big Day Out. From the stark “Needle To The Damage Done” to the ball tearing “Hey Hey My My”. Playing a cover of The Beatles “A Day In A Life”, plucking the strings off his guitar or when the whole crowd were singing along to “Rockin’ In The Free World”. As Neil belted out the opening lyric…”There’s colours on the street, red, white and blue”. How appropriate on Australia Day, while Neil was wearing a “Hippy Obama” badge and a Koori flag T-Shirt. It’s better to burn out, than to fade away and Neil Young shone brightly that night.

4. Painters & Dockers at The Age EG Awards @ Prince Bandroom, St Kilda (20th Nov 2009)

I photographed Pauly Stewart playing in a band called The Transplant for the World Hepatitis Day Concert at Federation Square back in May. It was the first time he had been back on stage, since his life threatening liver transplant. Backstage Pauly tells me that there are plans for one last Docker reunion. What a reunion concert it was! As part of The Age EG Awards, The Painters & Dockers were inducted into the Hall Of Fame. They ripped through a set that brought a tear to my eye. I have never seen a gig where every band member were smiling from ear to ear for so much and enjoying every second on stage. Knowing it was the last ever concert, Pauly smashed up his trumpet into two pieces. Pauly finally revealed who was the boy who lost his jocks at Flinders Street Station but I didn’t care anymore. This was a truly memorable way to play your last ever concert, as they transformed the Prince Of Wales into a Docker’s Love Planet.

5. Eddy Current Suppression Ring at Roar Sounds @ Melbourne Zoo, Parkville (19th Feb 2009)

Are Eddy Current Suppression Ring the best band in the land we call OZSTRALIYAH? You BETCHA, m8! I had the pleasure of seeing them in concert numerous times during the year but this gig, as part of Roar Sounds, where the played the Melbourne Zoo was the definite highlight. There were animals at the zoo and animals in the crowd! The only time I felt that I was ever going to lose my life at a gig, when the boisterous crowd got out of hand. They had two rows of barriers, at it looked like that one of them was going to topple over as the crowd surged forward. Brendan, Mikey, Brad and Danny pumped out the music like a well oiled machine and got off on the crowd reaction. Such a memorable night!

6. Primitive Calculators at The Chapter Music 18th Birthday @ The Tote, Collingwood (4th Jan 2009)

Here is one band I never thought I would ever see perform live. They regularly played on “Little Band nights” back in the day, broke up and reformed in 1984 for the “Dogs In Space” movie. Then they were never heard of again. In the meantime, I wore out the grooves on my Primitive Calculator singles and album over the years. Suddenly they were on the line up for All Tomorrow’s Parties and word on the street was spreading that they were performing a secret warm up gig at The Chapter Music Birthday Bash at The Tote. My level of anticipation was off the charts! Stuart Grant’s stage presence was in total command and even though he kept on ribbing on Frank Lovece, who had to slowly download the drum parts, it just added to the lighthearted humour of their show. I saw them play a few other times during the year and they only got better and stronger. Best comeback act of the year in my books! So nice to see the young kids rediscoving this music. Just thinking about when they ripped into “CUNT LIFE” at the Melbourne Museum of Printing outdoor concert and watching the disturbed mothers covering their little kids ears, still puts a smile on my dial.

7. Stems and Huxton Creepers @ The Corner, Richmond (9th October 2009)

This was such a great double bill. Rob Craw minus his lovely blonde locks playing with his band, The Huxton Creepers. PLUS! The final curtain call for the garage rock superstars, The Stems. I fondly remember buying The Stems singles and albums back in the day. All killers and no fillers on those STEMS recordings. It was such a joy to hear those songs one more final time. They did break up many years before but never said goodbye but with this tour Dom Mariani and the boys said their celebratory farewell with true style and flair.

8. Ears @ Corner, Richmond (16th Auguest 2009)

Seeing the Primitive Calculators was totally unexpected but I would have never guessed in a million years that the mysterious Ears would grace the stage one more time. I loved the two EARS singles back in the day. I knew that INXS, Michael Hutchence portrayed the lead singer, Sam Sejavka in the movie “Dogs In Space”. Besides some other Ears recordings, existing on obscure aussie punk compilations, as well as some of their songs being covers on the “Dogs In Space” soundtrack, very little exists of the band. The whole CD generation or digital downloads era completely bypassed them. I knew of Sam Sejavka’s other band after The Ears.  The 80’s hair band, Beargarden but then he completely left the music scene. He decided to concentrate on acting and becoming an award winning playwright. With the “Dogs In Space” movie finally being remastered and releases as part of the Melbourne Film Festival, their was talk of an one off gig labelled as Sails Of Oblivion, by The Ears. Sam Sejavka performance of the night was so totally unexpected and it was the first time I actually heard the original singer singing those Ears songs.  It was a fantastic night and it was so great, that The Ears played one more time at The Espy a week later.

9. Laughing Clowns @ The Forum, Melbourne (1st May 2009)

Seeing a short set at All Tomorrow’s Parties only had me wanting to see a full Laughing Clowns show. There was talk something was brewing and a few months later as part of the Melbourne International Jazz Festival, my dream came true. Ed Kuepper was in fine form, joking that Bif Millar was behind a glass barrier because he had swine flu. There is that symbiotic relationship that Ed has with Jeffrey Wegener on drums. All the way from London, saxophonist Lousie Elliot made those notes soar during “Eternally Yours”. It was just, heavenly.

10. Charles Jenkins Blue Atlas Winter Ball @ Corner Hotel, Richmond (4th July 2009)

Charles Jenkins is one of the best songwriters in Australia. This was such a unique concert and was not your regular CD launch. Normally you would have the artist belt out the new record on stage and hopefully sell a heap of copies of the CD at the merch desk. The Blue Atlas Winter Ball took a completely different approach. How about getting a bunch of fellow artists to play the song and also play one song by the guests? Seeing Ron Peno of Died Pretty raise the roof playing “DC” or Tim Rogers in a tuxedo playing one of the stand out songs from Charles album. Other guests included Rebecca Barnard, Clare Bowditch, Anna Burley, Abby Dobson, Spencer P Jones, Davey Lane, Kerri Simpson, Liz Stringer and Van Walker brothers. I never seen The Corner Hotel look so good and it was great to see people all spiffy and dressing up for a ball in the middle of a cold Melbourne winter.

Carbie Warbie fronting the Hitmen

There were so many other highlights during 2009. The Community Cup, an event of such joy that shows the true Melbourne spirit and camaraderie. CherryRock009 in the heart of rock’n'roll, AC/DC Lane.  Dave Graney coming back with a cracker of an album called “Knock Yourself Out” (featuring my photos) and some fantastic shows. A re-energised Johnny Kannis with The Hitmen reloading Tora Tora DTK. The razor sharp wit from ROOT! The unexpected return of Grong Grong, which has a lead singer who was in a coma for nine months. Too many other great concerts to mention.

Shooting over 150 gigs, I see a “helluva lotta” bands and I even though I’m getting on in years, I still know what I like. Seeing an exciting new band, makes me feel like a little boy discovering dinosaurs for the first time.  This year started with me seeing one little known power pop band numerous times, playing to almost empty venues. That band is called The Wellingtons, who now are getting Triple M airplay. The Wellingtons deserve their future success, as I could tell at first listen that their songs were just so good

If had to make a Top Ten prediction for 2010 (in no particular order) of breakthrough acts, I would have to mention:

1. The raw and dirty rock’n’roll of The Bitter Sweet Kicks (so far banned from 5 or 6 Melbourne venues. Probably 7 by the time you read this)

2. The young but sophisticated kids whot make up The DreamTwins

3. The gorgeous leather clad all girl group, Doll Squad

4. The pounding garage rock duo of Wrong Turn

5. A Sydney band with Buzzcocks style punk tunes, Royal Headache

6. An all girl group that jam out with their clam out, The Killerbirds

7. The psychedelic sounds of Demon Parade

8. The in-your-face tunes of Ouch My Face

9. All the way from Tassie, an eclectic duo called The Native Cats

10. And finally a very special little girl everyone is going to hear a lot about in 2010, called Laura Knight.

Lou's a bit of a Francophile, can't you tell? Beats Sydney Opera House snow domes.

Top Tens (in no particular order) :

The Stabs : Dead Wood CD - So fucking cool & awesome it hurts. Long-time campaigner and lover of this band. One of our finest from the past few decades. My fave music review of theirs : ‘The Stabs are simply ugly fuck-ups, playing ugly music for fuck ups – Time Off, Brisbane: http://www.myspace.com/thestabs

Witch Hats : Solarium Down The Causeway EP/10” vinyl - I’m biased clearly, but GO Witch Hats GO! Can’t wait to see what’s in store for 2010 for these dirty little punks: http://www.myspace.com/witchhats

The Maladies : With You Right By My Side Baby The Deal Just Can’t Go Down CD – Sydney based gospel choir-esque/rackety/hullabaloo goodness. What a set of pipes Daniele Marando has. Wowie Zowie: http://www.myspace.com/themaladiesband

She’s The Driver : Distorted Harmony CD - Cross b/ween Jesus & Mary Chain, Dandy Warhols, Swervedriver etc. Ex-Violotene Melb 2-piece that pack a dirty shoegazey punch right between the eyes: http://www.myspace.com/shesthedriver

Loene Carmen : It Walks Like Love CD – Holy shitsticks! Wow. What a talent & what a sweetheart too. Oft-overlooked amazing woman whom definitely deserves her time in the sun: http://www.myspace.com/loenecarmensrocknrolltears

Mother & Father : Nothin’ CD/LP - Again, clearly biased, but if they didn’t blow my wig off I wouldn’t have signed them to my record label. Fingers crossed for big things in 2010 for this unassuming and very deserving Melbourne three piece: http://www.myspace.com/motherandfathermusic

Dinosaur Jr : Farm CD - J Mascis and Co proving you don’t have to be young to be cool, and there’s life in this band yet. Cannot wait for Golden Plains Festival 2010.

Thee Oh Sees, Witch Hats and Eddy Current at Billboard (Melb) on Friday 18th December: These two Oz bands are my fave live bands, and as for Thee Oh Sees : they are my newest band crush : I adore them. I’ve gone completely ga-ga over them. Let’s hope they return from the States to our shores soon. Their secret gig at The Empress Hotel on Sunday 20th December was a wonderful way to cap off another brilliant year of music – and was my Gig Of The Year for 2009.

Mother & Father, Miniature Submarines, Bleach and Daddy Long Legs on Wednesday 16th December at Ding Dong (Melb) : I didn’t get out so much this year (too busy/too old hee hee), but these four Australian bands have redeemed my faith in the music scene. Long live the new generation of young bucks out there doing it. Miniature Subs song The Little Room Under The Stairs is a killer song and my Single for 2009 – can’t wait for Sonic Youth to do a cover version of it (ha ha).

And the best Australian music journalist Award goes to Patrick Emery – Consistent, passionate, generous and honest. This man has integrity running through his veins. Without people like Patrick, the musical wheel doesn’t spin as well as it does/should.

Honorable Mentions : My Morning Jacket gig at Billboard (Melb); Primal Scream at Billboard (Melb); Midnight Soul Serenade LP by Heavy Trash; Thee Oh Sees Help on yellow vinyl (yum!) and Mark Steiner Broken + Fallen Birds Special Edition CD and Broken LP.

You can find Z-Man Records here.

That's Nev on the right. The other bloke looks vaguely familiar.

Neville:
George Harmonica Smith – Blowin The Blues
Jimi Hendrix – Band Of Gypsys
Levon Helm – Electric Dirt
Koko Taylor – What It Takes : The Chess Years
v/a – Get Ready To Fly: Norman Petty Masters
Yardbirds – Live 68 w/ Jimmy Page
Champion Jack Dupree – Walkin The Blues: King Recordings
The Wailers – At The Castle
Velvet Underground – Dispatches From The Dream Factory
Lee Hazelwood – These Boots …. MGM Recordings

Frank is Master of his Domain.

Frank:
The Blackeyed Susans – Reveal Yourself
The New Christs – Gloria
Rowland S Howard – Pop Crimes
Levon Helm – Electric Dirt
Koko Taylor – What It Takes : The Chess Years
Big Star – Keep An Eye On The Sky
v/a – Where The Action Is : Los Angeles Nuggets
Masters Apprentices – S/T
Velvet Underground – Singles 1966 – 67 ( 7″ singles box )
The Beatles – Mono Box

You can find Mojo Music’s website here or you can visit in person at 32 York Street, Sydney.

My Morning Jacket @ Metro Theatre, Sydney
A truly epic, incredible and varied night of “spacey country rock”, few will match in a hury.

Jenny Lewis @ “The Lair” - Metro Theatre, Sydney
Great blue-eyed soul/alt country from a former child star and member of Rilo Kiley.

Neko Case @ 9:30 Club (heard via NPR.org)
A truly special vocalist and member of The New Pornographers whose new album ‘Middle Cyclone’ of ”country noir” was featured.

The Jayhawks : Music from the North Country – The Jayhawks Anthology
Alongside Uncle Tupelo, Wilco and Son Volt, The Jayhawks were one of the seminal “alt country” acts whose remarkable recorded legacy is showcased here on this two CD and DVD set and whom were a part of the scene that gave the world the seminal 80’s indie acts The Replacements and Husker Du.

Sharon Jones & The Dap Kings @ Sydney Festival opening night Hyde Park, Sydney
Soulful, funky, high energy, interactive and an almighty set from Soul Sister No.1 of the new millenium.

The New Christs “Gloria” CDLP launch @ Excelsior Hotel, Sydney and The New Christs @ Sandringham Hotel, Sydney
A fantastic launch at the Excelsior Hotel of an album that delves into unexplored sonic territory for The New Christs and at the Sandringham Hotel a killer set with a fabulous set from support Hy-Test.

The Pink Fits ”De Ja Blues” CDLP launch @ Empire of Annandale Hotel, Sydney
Despite a selective crowd, comprised of some dubious crowd members The Pink Fits launched “De Ja Blues” and delivered another killer set, but sadly to little avail.

SC Trash & Johnny Casino & The Secrets @ Sandringham Hotel, Sydney
Anti-establishment, Irish inflected “scumbag country” from SC Trash with a great but all too short support set from Johnny Casino & The Secrets.

‘Dead Set’ - television series screened on SBS Television Australia / DVD
A five part series where zombies take over/attack the house of the UK ‘Big Brother’ reality television show and which featured an insane opening episode and an incredible yet sad end to the series.

Releasing my “Place and Time” CD
With thanks to help from local cult legends Graham Griffith, Ned Alphabet and Stephen ‘Bones’ Martin) and sharing stages with the likes of Stewart ‘Leadfinger’ Cunningham, Ned Alphabet, Genevieve Little and Handasyd Williams (with occasional guest, local pedal steel guitar legend Graham Griffith.)

Honorable mentions:
The Felice Brothers – Yonder is the Clock; Angie Pepper & The Passengers “In the Garden of Good and Evil” CD launch @ Excelsior Hotel, Sydney; Gun Street Girls CD launch @ Annandale Hotel, Sydney; The Intercontinental Playboys “Hymns of the Flesh” CD launch @ Ivory Lounge, Sydney; The Soul Movers @ Notes Live, Sydney.

RIP Lux Interior, Ron Asheton, Doug Mansfield, Maurice Frawley, Dean Turner, The Pink Fits

Lowlights –
Being far too broke/low on cash for admission to and thereby missing out on ATP Sydney and The Saints & X @ The Forum, Melbourne.

Despite any highlights, 2009 will always be the year I lost my bandmate and best friend Kristen McCall. Because of his sudden death I didn’t go out of my way to see many bands. Chances are if they’re on this list it’s cos we played with them.

THE HUTT RIVER SOLUTION – Melbourne 4-piece that just blisters, too good for Stooges comparisons, but Mark Ryan wails like his middle name is Asheton.

THUNDABOX – Despite being mates with them I didn’t actually rate their songs too highly to start with. By the 4^th time I saw them though, I couldn’t get enough. GREAT FUCKING PUNK BAND. “The man who made John Lydon cry” is about the song of the year for my money.

THE HOLY SOUL – Saw them twice, once with Abbe May at the Vanguard and then at their album launch at the Red Rattler. Just too good for words.

ABBE MAY AND THE ROCKING PNEMONIA – One of the greatest live acts in the country, full stop.

THE TOMBSTONE RAMBLERS – Includes Rick and Martin from The Dolly Rocker Movement. Liked them so much I started playing drums for them.

THE TOOT TOOT TOOTS – Another Melbourne band. Go-Go girls and 2 singers, one who plays a snare drum. Not much not to like.

THE REBELLES – female punk choir, holy shit!

ROLAND K SMTH AND THE SINNERS – As authentic sounding as it gets, without coming off corny. Harder than it sounds kids.

CLAIRY “BABY” BROWN AND THE BANGIN’ RACKETTES – The filthiest doo-wop you will ever hear.

THE JIMMY NICOLS – Imagine the Beatles were too lazy to ever go to Hamburg……. These guys write the classiest rock n roll you are ever likely to hear. Actually, scrap that, you aren’t likely to hear it cos they’re too lazy to organise gigs. If you set it up though, they will turn up and make every other band you’ve heard redundant.

Honourable mentions – THE SNOOZEFESTS, KIRK SPECIAL

Dom Mariani and Rob compare their taste in shades.

1) REIGNING SOUND – “Love And Curse”
Best album of the year. After 5 seasons the band led by Greg “Oblivian” Cartwright come back with a great album full of soul, garage and rock’n'roll.

2) LEADFINGER – “Rich Kids”
Best album from Oz. Leadfinger has a new band now and they’re fighting to conquer the world. We’re waiting for them in Europe. Soon hopefully.

3) NOT MOVING – “Not Moving”
Best reissue of the year. Not Moving were the best Italian rock’n'roll band. They formed in the early 80’s and for a decade they were black, wild and furious in the vein of X, Gun Club, Cramps and The Nuns. Especially live.This long-awaited reissue contains the Ep “Black & Wild” (the band at their best), the Lp “Sinnermen” (with the original band’s mix) and some demos. If you want to discover an obscure Italian gem from the 80’s don’t miss this one…

4) ASTEROID B-612 – “Not Meant For This World – The Au-Go-Go Years 1994-1996″
Best Oz reissue. For me the group led by John Spittles and Leadfinger was the best Aussie band  in the 90’s. Love ‘em too much!

5) TONY FACE BIG ROLL BAND – Old Soul Rebel
Italian album of the year. Tony Face is a legend: drummer for Not Moving and half dozen of other bands, fanzine maker, journalist and writer. This album is his masterpiece. Recorded with a bunch of guests, it’s the tribute to the music he loves: mod sound, R&B, hammond beat. Moody & groovy.

6) DOM MARIANI + SICK ROSE live in Rome
Power pop maestro + Italian garage kings: what a gig!

7) LYDIA LUNCH live in Rome
She’s a mistress and live she’s still a queen. Along with Gallon Drunk as a backing band, they played an unforgettable noise/blues show.

DAVID BYRNE live in Rome
I’ve always been a huge Talking Heads fan but I never had the chance to see David Byrne live so far. Well, he’s not just a great songwriter/singer, but also a great performer. He played lotsa Talking Heads classic and for a while the magic of that band came to life again.

9) I LOVE RADIO ROCK
Best comedy of the year. A movie that celebrates the UK Sixties and the best decade in man’s history. Fantastic soundtrack.

10) INGLORIOUS BASTERDS
Another Quentin Tarantino’s masterpiece. Go and see it!

Dedicated to the rockin’ memory of Ron Asheton, Lux Interior, Sky Saxon, Jim Carroll, Willy De Ville and, above all , to my friend/partner in crime Gianluca.

Santa's got his list in his pocket and he's reelin' down the old skyway.

In the past year, between the news of economic uncertainty, extramarital affairs, celebrity facelifts and yet another insipid reality TV show, there’s always an old reliable method to escape. No, I’m not talking about self flagellation (sorry Dan Brown fans) I’m talking about great music.  So in short, 2009 was no different than any other year.  In order to quench your spirit, you had to do some digging to find the gold.  Here are some of my favorites, in the proverbial no particular order:

Allen Toussaint: The Bright Mississippi (Nonesuch) – What can be said about this legendary jazz / soul figure from New Orleans.  Toussaint, having had a career that has spanned over 50 years, comes back with an album that exemplifies the musical heritage of the Crescent City. Produced by Joe Henry, Toussaint recruited clarinetist Don Byron, guitarist Marc Ribot, pianist Brad Mehldau, Saxophonist Joshua Redman and many more A- List musicians for this album. If you love Dr. John or Tom Waits get this, you will slobber over it!

The Stooges: You Don’t Want My Name, You Want My Action 4 CD (Easy Action) – The folks at Easy Action really created a major stir with this release in 2009.   And justifiably so, this 4 CD set is chock full of essential Stooges live shows from 1971 at their primal proto-metal peak. Taken from audience recorded cassettes, you get two shows from the Electric Circus in New York, one from the Factory in St. Louis, and one from the Vanity Ballroom in Detroit (the first show of the tour). In addition, the attention by the Easy Action staff placed on the packaging / artwork is top shelf.

Wooden Ships: Dos (Holy Mountain) – What’s not to like about a band that has soaked up the outsider sounds of the past forty years (i.e. Suicide, Faust, Velvet Underground, Stooges) and in the process produced a mind blowing disc that validates the replenished fertile soil of independent music.

Assemble Head in Sunburst Sound: When Sweet Sleep Returns (Tee Pee) – Yet again, more outsiders from the Northern California Bay Area announcing their presence in 2009.  Melodic yet heavy, introspective but in your face, the band’s sound is a study in immaculate point – counterpoint.

James Blackshaw: The Glass Bead Game (Young God) – Signed to Young God records by Mr. Gira of Swans fame, this English virtuoso has created a haunting disc that allows you to relax but still wants to challenge you.  In a certain way, Mr. Blackshaw has picked up the mantle left by John Cale, in creating traditional music with that edgy hint of experimentation.

Sonic Youth: The Eternal (Matador) – Countless albums, countless tours, and naturally you are left asking yourself “is this band still relevant” Well, the answer is a resounding “yes”, as evidenced by this 2009 release.  The band returned with an unbridled ferocity on this disc, a collection of hard edged tracks.  As a result, the band seemed revitalized (case in point: “Sacred Trickster” and “What We Know”) with a new bassist in Mark Ibold, leaving Kim Gordon to guitar and vocals, where she offers her best offering on disc.

Mondo Drag: Holy Spirit (Self Released) – Awesome psych / hard rock.  On the CD, tracks such as “Autumn Sun”, Through the Eyes of the Serpent” and “Apple” reek of late 60’s – early 70’s hard rock experimentation (i.e. Funhouse, Sir Lord Baltimore, Hawkwind, The Groundhogs).  The band themselves recognize this and state on their Myspace webpage that their sound fits “somewhere between garage, psych, space, sludge and stoner rock”.  Either way, I am eager to hear more from this the band on their expected January 2010 release on Bomp / Alive.

The Dynamites featuring Charles Walker: Burn It Down (Thirty Tigers) – Heavy, sweaty soul / funk the way it is supposed to be.  In a career that has seen him open for such as Etta James, James Brown, Wilson Pickett and Jackie Wilson, Charles Walker is paired with a deep funk band intent on keeping the spirits of those heavyweights alive, but also creating some of their own magic.

Baby Woodrose: Self Titled (Bad Afro) – Got to hand it to Lorenzo Woodrose, he just keeps writing memorable tunes that stick with you for days.  Now that some of Scandinavian heavyweights have either disbanded (The Hellacopters, Gluecifer), or still in the process of recuperating (Turbonegro) maybe Mr. Woodrose will receive some credit due.

Lastly, the tenth spot goes to….numerous releases / reissues / live shows.

The Nerves: One Way Ticket (Bomp) – Powerpop at its finest

Death: For The Whole World To See (Drag City) – Unbelievable Detroit angst

Sugar Knives: Self Titled (Self Release) – another solid effort by Paul Stinson, and Leo K

Primal Scream: Live March 2009 – Whatever the reasons that prevent this band from touring that Little Steven commented on with this band in the NME, he is right on one count – they are fantastic live.

Dave Laing’s 2009, or bits thereof. Some random selections because I’m not exactly ‘in touch’… and kinda forgetful…

The Imperial Dogs ‘Live! In Long Beach (October 30, 1974)’ DVD

Read my rave here and order it here. If you dig the Stooges, BOC and Radio Birdman, your life is not complete until you’ve heard ‘Midnite Dog’, ‘Just Kids’, ‘Rock’n'Roll Overdose’ and the original and best ‘This Ain’t The Summer Of Love’. RIP Bill Willett.

Eilen Jewell – Sea of Tears

Boston-based country singer/singwriter with hot band adds a strong dose of early ’60s Brit rock and R&B – great covers of Johnny Kidd & Them – to create music that is dark, stormy and fabulous. Touring in March – be there.

Dwight Twilley Band – ‘Live From Agora ‘77′

An absolutely screaming live show recorded inbetween first and second albums that shows these guys could rock with the best of them. Hot enough to redefine the term ‘power pop’ actually. Dwight released this himself – get it from Not Lame.

Big Star – the boxset

Worth it for the great Flying Burittos cover on the live disc, which sheds some new light on a band that’s been one of my all time favourites since Stuart Coupe hipped me to them in a Young Modern story in RAM in ‘79.

Willie Nile – ‘House Of A Thousand Guitars’

New York singer-songwriter with big heart stuck on his sleeve and in love with the poetry and rock’n'roll romance of ’60’s Dylan & Lou & ’70s Patti etc. I dig how he seems to exist in a world that only still exists in old b&w photos and I guess in his head. Kinda corny in same way as Elliot Murphy’s great early records were corny. I like corny. Title track is a great anthem.

Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers ‘Live Anthology’ 4CD

Super great career spanning live set timed perfectly for my annual end of year Petty binge. Great covers of ‘I’m A Man’, ‘Oh Well’ and ‘It’s All Over Now’ show them to be garage rockers at heart. And hey, Scott Thurston’s been in the band for years now, so all you Stooges completists should get it.

Wooden Shjips – new album ‘Dos’

Maybe not as great as their first songwise, but no-one does droney loud rock stuff better than these guys. Kinda like early Spaceman 3 with better dynamics maybe? They’re here in March 2010, I think, and they’re a great live band.

Magic Christian – ‘Evolver’

I haven’t heard the UK release with extra tracks, and the original US release came out in ‘08 I think, but whatever… Best tracks like ‘Tomorrow Never Comes’, ‘The Real Thing’ and ‘Turn Up The Heat’  and are almost up their with the best Groovies stuff, And the Beatles cover and Who covers are great…

Jenny Dee & The Denlinquents – Shake Some Action

Done ’60s’ Motown-style! It works a treat! Jenny is Jen D’Angora of Boston’s ever-rockin’ Downbeat 5. Check em here.

Stooges

The set of ‘71 recordings on Easy Action. Sounds great turned up to deafening volumes in the car.

Beatles

The late stuff is all quite new to me, having been a fan of everything pre-”Revolver” since I was a kid, and having being pre-disposed to not dig anything I thought wasn’t rock’n'roll until I grew up (which must’ve been in the last couple of years, I guess).  But I’ve finally discovered “Abbey Road” and “Let It Be”, and the remasters are of course great.

Smithereens ‘Play Tommy’

He he. Trimmed of flab, it’s a better listen than the Who’s original, and I’m a sucker for Wm.Stout cover art. Also Dennis Diken with Bell Sound ‘Late Music’ – a fabulous tribute to the glories of 60’s AM Pop from the Smithereens drummer no less. And while I’m here I may as well say I dug Matthew Sweet and Susanna Hoff’s ‘Under The Covers Vol.2′ plenty too, even the Carly Simon cover.

Roy Loney & The Phantom Movers – Raven records comp

I could argue abiout the track selection – and I did – but it’s 95% there, and evidence of Roy’s immense catalogue of greatness. Most of ‘Out of After Dark’ is there – and that’s definitely one of my all time faves – but it’s some of the later stuff, which I hadn’t paid enough attention to,  that really surprises.

Johnny Casino & The Secrets – Live at 3PBS

Best thing the boy’s ever done. He nails the vocals like nobody’s business these days, and of course his guitar can’t be beat. If I had money and time, I’d bring out John Felice, Roy Loney, and Roy’s replacement in the Groovies Chris Wilson, and have Johnny & the boys back them on sets of Real Kids and Groovies tunes. And I’d be a very happy man.

Dave Rawlings Machine ‘A Friend Of A Friend’

For whatever reason, a disappointment initially, but plenty of great moments. Love the version of ‘To Be Young’, which Dave wrote with Ryan Adams, and which never struck me as much of a song till now.

Dave Alvin & The Guilty Women ’s/t’

Loved Alvin since Blasters days, and this is his rockin’est release in ages. Great to hear Christy McWilson’s wonderful ‘Weight of the World’ again too.

‘A Man Of Somebody’s Dreams: A tribute ot the Songs of Chris Gaffney’

Dave Alvin produced this comp in tribute to his fallen friend Gaffney, one of the greatest white country soul singers ever, and a much underrated songwriter. . Great tracks from the likes of Jim Lauderdale, Alejandro Escovedo, John Doe, Los Lobos, Boz Scaggs (!!!) and a reprise of a great recording of Gaffney’s greatest song, ‘The Gardens’, by the Texas Tornados, featuring the late and great Freddy Fender and Doug Sahm. Speaking of, the Sir Doug tribute ‘Keep Your Soul’, featuring a lot of the same artists, is fantastic too.

Tom Russell ‘Blood & Candle Smoke’

Another of Dave Alvin’s old buddies, Tom released his greatest record ever this year. Recorded with Calexico backing him, the feel is Western, but with Tom it’s the word’s that count – he is about the greatest lyricist you’ll ever hear.

Ry Cooder & Nick Lowe live at the Palais late November

I like Nick much more than I like Ry, and there wasn’t enough Nick, but the whole thing was cool – stripped back 3-piece blues stuff with an easy feel like Jimmy Reed or something. But no ‘Cruel To Kind’ was kinda rough.

Moby Grape

Been a sucker for ‘Fall On You’ since I tracked it down after hearing the Groovies do it on a bootleg that came out in the early ’80s, and even more of a sucker for ‘Omaha’, since I realised that it was the same great song as the one that I thought was called ‘Listen My Friends’ that Grooveyard did on a mixed tape of live goodies that Steve Lorkin sent me in ‘83 or so. I thought that song was one of the best things I’d ever heard and of course the original is even better. 2009 was the year I finally gave the rest of Moby Grape’s debut album a fair go, and it’s all aces. Actually, it’s in my handful over favorite albums ever now I’d suggest.

Hitmen

Live, they’re better than any band of their vintage has any right to be these days. The Niagara record burns, but for me the highlights are the new original ‘Another Lost Weekend’ and the long-awaited first official release of Masuak’s great ‘Death By the Gun’. ‘Tora Tora DTK’ has come up a treat on cd too, and worth if if for no other reason to have their version of ‘Suspicious Minds’. That a band schooled on the Stooges and BOC could do this song without a trace of irony – or would do it even – still amazes me, and the fact they could nail it so perfectly and soulfully , still kills me. Hell, I’m convinced Elvis would’ve loved singing it with these guys.

‘Clap Your Hands & Stamp Your Feet’

Awesome comp of great ’70s Dutch glam. Led to my discovery and immersion into the wonders of Bonnie St Claire & Unit Gloria. Check ‘em out:

‘Daptone Gold’
Great label sampler, highlighted for me by the great closer ‘Stranded In Your Love’, by Sharon Jones and Lee Fields.

Eli Reed & the Trueloves

Live, and ‘Ace of Spades’ CDEP. Live show at the Prince at the start of January was a scorcher, and confirmed how many great originals this guy has in a variety of classic 60’s soul styles. And his James Brown-style Motorhead cover, which could’ve been just a novelty, works a treat too.

Best rock’n'roll book – Stooges book by Robert Matheu, the new Bomp! book ‘Born In the Garage’…

Best ‘zine (single issue) - Brain Lapse

Best blog – Blog To Comm, The Hound Blog