Top Ten for 2023: Musician, artist, publisher, filmmaker and animator Mike "Fox" Foxall of Nancy Vandal, Sick Fizz and Neptune Power Federation

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By Mike Foxall

Mike Foxall

07 December 2023

Hits: 1965

Top 10 Things of 2023
as designated by Fox

This was an absolute banner year for Australian rock & roll which made me feel very proud of my country which was a nice change of pace from feeling ashamed by it, which also happened this year. Anyway, - here comes a list!!

Morons Morons - High Tension Situation LP
Before delving into our domestic successes let’s hear it for this demented Polish outfit and their barnburner of an album. It’s energetic pedal to the metal punk rock with a healthy dose of The Damned DNA. Puts it’s foot on your throat and does not let up. Glorious band name, logo and album cover too.

Stepmother - Planet Brutalicon LP
The latest project from U.S expat Graham Clise of Annihilation Time and Lecherous Gaze fame. I first saw him with the latter in Sydney about eight years ago and was blown away by his guitar playing. It was pure classic rock but played with an energy and intensity that felt like I was watching Leslie West or Mick Ronson after a quick trip in the old Time Machine.  Though I shouldn’t get hung up on ye olden days comparisons - It rules that this kinda music is being made in 2024 and it should be celebrated. This album is driving Detroit-flavoured pub rock and has been a constant on my turntable since it landed.

• top ten
• 2023
• mike foxall
• fox
• alien nose job
• stepmother
• c.o.f.f.i.n.
• private function
• killer kin

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Stu and his Connections are crawling back to you

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By The Barman

The Barman

05 December 2023

Hits: 2869

In the ever-evolving landscape of Australian rock and pop, Stu Wilson, the rhythmic backbone behind acts like Lime Spiders, Chris Masuak’s Dog Soldier, Aberration and New Christs, steps into the spotlight with his latest project, Stu & The Connections. 

Their new single, "Crawling Back to You" b/w "Best Of Me," marks a departure into a realm that's darker, moodier, yet unmistakably Stu.  

It intertwines Stu's signature pop sensibilities with a more brooding undercurrent, a blend that's as intoxicating as it is introspective. 

The flip side, "Best Of Me," offers a lyrical introspection matched with an acoustic backdrop that's both raw and refined. This release showcases the band's versatility, navigating the fine line between rock's ruggedness and pop's catchy melodies.

Both tracks are available digitally now on Bandcamp.

Check the video after the MORE link.

• new christs
• stu wilson
• lime spiders
• crankinhaus records
• Stu & The Connections
• crawling back to you
• chris masuak's dog solider

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Pat Todd weaves street-level magic Down Under

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By Edwin Garland

Edwin Garland

04 December 2023

Hits: 4222

Pat Todd
+ Mad Macka
Golden Barley Hotel, Enmore, NSW
Saturday, 25 November 2023 

Australian music legend and label owner Sebastian Chase once said to me: “Punk rock is folk music with volume - street music, if done right”. And with local bands like Cosmic Psychos and X, a case can certainly be prosecuted that street music and its stories can be  found in bars and pubs across the land.

Mad Macka has played his fair share of pubs and bars for almost 40 years, originally with The Onyas and lately with Cosmic Psychos. Macka’s music mirrors what you’ll still see and hear in drinking establishments across the land: cynical yarns by blokes on the punt and into their sixth schooner.

• mad macka
• cosmic psychos
• lazy cowgirls
• pat todd
• the onyas
• golden barley
• rankoutsiders

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Top Ten for 2023: Padraic and Binx from Wollongong band Chimers

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By Padrraic and Bins from Chimers

Padrraic and Bins from Chimers

03 December 2023

Hits: 2361

            1.         Jackbeast: No Mirror LP

            2.         CLAMM at La La La’s

            3.         Miners: Right of Way single

            4.         Mudhoney & feedtime @ University of Wollongong

            5.         Built To Spill @ Nothercote Social Club 

            6.         Gutwrench, The Eighty 6ix & Off The Rails Festivals

            7.         Moody Beaches @ Port Kembla Servo

            8.         Watching Scientists soundcheck Swampland at OAF

            9.         Body Type, Cable Ties, Our Carlson @ Servo, Port Kembla

            10.       People’s Burger after a Sydney gig

            11.       Purple Yam Gelato from Kariton Sorbetes in Footscray

Find Chimers on Bandcamp and Facebook

Hellacopters to revisit "Grande Rock"

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By The Barman

The Barman

01 December 2023

Hits: 2925

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. 

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Top Ten for 2023: Marcus Fraser of Sydney band Starcrazy

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By Marcus Fraser

Marcus Fraser

01 December 2023

Hits: 2590

_{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...
  

• top ten
• ghost
• sparks
• marcus fraser
• starcrazy
• 2023
• turnstile
• blake cateris
• battlesnake
• jane's addiction
• well?
• southern river band
• lizzo

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The Damned to farewell Australia with Rat Scabies back on the kit

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By The Barman

The Barman

29 November 2023

Hits: 2733

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

• rat scabies
• the damned
• australian tour
• 2024

Completely At Ease

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By Patrick Emery

Patrick Emery

28 November 2023

Hits: 3278

_{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. 

• the mark of cain
• australian tour
• 2023
• john scott
• kim scott
• ill at ease

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