Remember when high-energy Swedes The Hellacopters ruled in the ‘90s? They were everywhere and their 1999 album “Grande Rock” revealed the extent of the influence of good ol’ blue collar Midwestern rock and roll (read: MC5 and Sonic’s Rendezvous Band) on their music.

In case you weren’t aware, the reformed ‘Copters released their eighth studio album, “Eyes Of Oblivion” in 2022 – their first  since “Head Off” in 2008 - and it charted #1 in Sweden, #3 in Germany and #6 in Finland.

An now they’re re-issuing the out-of-print “Grande Rock” on February 16 in both remastered and remixed-and-remastered vinyl and CD versions, on Nuclear Blast Records in Australia. 

_{Photo by Alex from The Underground Stage.} 

I've decided to go with my Top 10 Concerts of 2023 since there were so many great ones! In chronological order...
  

The Damned are the unassailable living gods of Punk Rock; and for the have assembled the absolute classic line-up of the band for their farewell Australian tour in 2024.

Drummer Rat Scabies has rebuilt bridges and will rejoin the ranks, which these days comprises vocalist Dave Vanian, guitarist Captain Sensible and bassist Paul Gray.

The word from the Rat: “It seemed like the right time. We wanted to do this while we are all still upright, breathing and capable of doing it at a high level and challenge ourselves and each other for the fans. 

“We will play the best of ‘Machine Gun Etiquette’, ‘The Black Album’ and ‘Strawberries’ albums and chuck in all the other classics. Paul’s playing great (just did the Professor and the Madmen album thing with him), as is Captain and Dave’s singing great too so it’s going to be amazing to be back."

You know the history: “New Rose” is recognised as the first single by a punk band, coming out five weeks before the Sex Pistols’“Anarchy In the UK”… the first British punk band to tour the United States…pathfinders for Goth Rock. 

The Damned havce been regular Australian tourists but the band is billing this as their last tour here. They'll be doing it on the back of a 2023 album, "Darkadelic" that comes 46 year after their debut LP.

Pre-sale tickets are on sale here at from December 5 

The Damned Australian Tour
2024
MAR
20 - The Tivoli, Brisbane
21 - Enmore Theatre, Sydney
22 - Northcote Theatre, Melbourne
24 - Hindley St Music Hall, Adelaide
26 - Astor Theatre, Perth

_{Kim Scott.}  

Formed in Adelaide in the early 1980s and based on the core membership of brothers John (guitar) and Kim Scott (bass), The Mark of Cain was always something of an enigma in the Adelaide, and Australian independent music scene. 

The Mark of Cain took its initial musical cues from English post-punk bands like Joy Division and Gang of Four; the band’s muscular sound was complimented by a existentialist lyrical bent, inspired by John Scott’s interest in the writing of Jean-Paul Sartre, Albert Camus and Herman Hesse, spliced with figurative militaristic imagery. 

The fact that the Scott brothers, both qualified engineers, held down day jobs in the Department of Defence added to The Mark of Cain’s mystique. 

Cousin Betty – Cousin Betty (Vi-Nil Records)

You know you’re in for a different trip when the title of the opening track is: “If This Makes You Off Your Family, Please Contact Us For The Royalties”.

Cousin Betty are non-conformists in an age of conformity. Their music is a mix of hard-psych, high-energy Desert Sessions rock, industrial-tinged metal and lyrical blizzards. Sounds messy in print but somehow it works. 

The band is the brainchild of guitarist Damien Stofka (ex-Molten Universe) and vocalist-keyboardist Matt Downey (ex-Death Mattell). Originally a studio project, overseas airplay led to the assembly of a full-blown line-up. Members are scattered around Greater Sydney and its environs. Drummer Andi Dyson (Nitrocris), bassist Tara Doyle (Spurs For Jesus) and guitarist Astrid Carr (Madam Fatale, Quiet Carriage) completed the ranks and this is the debut long-player.

The Psychotic Turnbuckles are wound up their tour of Japan and are swinging by Sydney, Australia, en route to their homes in Pismo Beach, California, for a show on Saturday, December 23.

A Psychotic Christmas will poit the Intercontinental Rock adn Roll Wrestling Tag Team Champions of the World against arch-enemies The Dark Clouds and unhinged exhibitionists DISGRACEland at Marrickville Bowling Club.

Tickets are here and there's a message from Turnbuckles frontman Jess the Intruder in the See More link.

Sydney’s underground music scene recently lost a great mate, gig buddy, champion of great music and all round top bloke, Graham Bowditch, of the Stamp Out Disco record label.

Member of inner-west punk powerhouse Hellebores and renowned artist, Glenno Smith, and Evil Tone Records  have arranged  a six-band memorial show at The Great Club in Marrickville on January 26 to celebrate the the life of “Grazza”.

Much-travelled James McCann (ex-The Drones, Harpoon, James McCann And The New Vindictives, James McCann's Dirty Skirt Band, Nunchukka Superfly) is back with a new LP, a new band name - and even a different first name.

The Melbourne-based singer-guitarist’s latest recording, “Hit With Love” – under the moniker JJ McCann Transmission - is 12 cracking, original tracks that combine elements of ‘80s hard rock, pop and post-punk, and a few that are almost impossible to compare to any others.

Produced by Rob Younger, “Hit with Love” is another solid entry onto McCann’s already exceptional back catalogue. For me he’s one of the country’s great singer/songwriters of the last 20 years. We spoke with JJ via telephone.

Japanese heavy rock pioneers Boris are joining forces with J-Rock legend Kiyoharu for a 2024 Australian tour billed as "Heavy Rock Breakfast".

Boris are known for their relentless pursuit of sonic excellence in heavy rock. The four-piece Boris line-up of Takeshi, Wata, Atsuo and drummer Osamu are playing the Golden Plains Festival in Victoria and the Ωhm Festival in Brisbane, as well as headlining shows in Sydney, Melbourne, Adelaide and Fremantle.