I-94 BAR TOP TENS

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.

Leadfinger (aka Stewart Cunningham).... has again lost his shirt on rock'n'roll!!!

“Inspired by Brian Wilson’s penchant for hanging out in his bathrobe all day playing piano, in 2008 I really enjoyed spending lots of time in my PJ’s and slippers, strumming a guitar – 20 odd years of playing in bands can do this to you but it beats working and it’s too hot for leather jackets in Australia. I suppose I should mention that I have a new album of rock’n'roll songs called ‘Rich Kids’ out any day now on the Bang! Records label. Merry Xmas.”

1. The Devil at My Door by The Nice Folk….won’t be officially released till 09 but throughout 08 I spent most of my free time producing and mixing this album by a young up and coming band from my home town, Wollongong. Despite rejection from a few rekid labels this killer album from a new gen of Aussie songsters is coming out on the Music Farmers label (www.musicfarmers.com ) in February. It’s kinda like Nick Cave, Tom Waits and Ed Kuepper dancing on Johnny Thunders grave…. on St Swithins day. The band has more members than the Barman has one liners but it’s fresh and new, amazing songs.

2. Eye by Robyn Hitchcock – released in 1981. Yes, it took me a long time to discover this but better late than never – send me a coupla bucks when you realise how good it is.

3. Brian Henry Hooper live at the Annandale Hotel 8th June 08. Brian was having some trouble for his solo acoustic set on this night, the guitar and vocal mic were feeding back etc., he wasn’t happy but for some reason it made the whole thing even better and it was still more rock’n'roll than the other bands I saw that night. Brian wears his heart on his sleeve with his songs. He threw his guitar down on the last song and stormed out of the venue.

4. Roland the Headless Thompson Gunner by Warren Zevon.

5. The Big Bang! Festival at the Tote Hotel, Melbourne August 15/16 - a celebration of all things to do with Bang! Records with Kim Salmon, Kill Devil Hills, Spencer Jones, Penny Ikinger, Bored! et al….and my own band, Leadfinger got to play too….one cynical Sydneysider suggested to me that it would be a weekend of back slapping, oh well…..it definitely was two brilliant nights of Australian underground music. 

6. Busking on my Dobro guitar at various places round Sydney and ‘the Gong’….good ‘craic’.

7. Eye Mind – the Saga of Roky Erickson and the 13th Floor Elevators by Paul Drummond. I still can’t believe those guys did what they did.

8. Acid Reign by The Hellacopters

9. Popsicle by Diamond Nights. Not sure when this came out but it’s a killer album to drive to.

10. Rory Gallagher – Irish Tour 74 DVD, a film by Tony Palmer. I have to thank Tim Rogers for telling me about this one…takes you back to the gritty glory days of 70’s rock… A totally non-digital world of denim and plaid in an Ireland of post-industrial gloom. After gig hootenanny’s in real Irish pubs where hirsute locals all join in with the band and everyone has a turn at the mic, guinness in hand, real people and music so far removed from reality tv, itunes and Hollywood it makes me cry in my beer thinking rock’n'roll was never so good. The live footage is fantastic too, I’m a fan.

Honorable Mentions…….You Am I live at The Cambridge Hotel in Newcastle, Electric Aboriginals by Awesome Color, Through the Cracks CDep by Leadfinger (well I liked it!!)