Chris Charlesworth's ripping yarns from when rock's giants strolled the world

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By Robert Brokenmouth

Robert Brokenmouth

10 November 2024

Hits: 134

Who is Chris Charlesworth? Well, you may well have a few of his books in your overflowing rock book shelves; a couple on David Bowie, four on the Who, one apiece on Cat Stevens, Deep Purple, Slade, and Elvis. Go search Trove or Abebooks dot com and see what you can find.

In short, he is an acclaimed author, editor and interviewer. He was staff writer for UK music magazine Melody Maker in the ‘70s when it was arguably at the peak of its power. As its News Editor - and from 1973, US Editor, based in New York - he interviewed and/or wrote about just about every rock icon of the era.

• ramones
• the who
• david bowie
• john lennon
• the dictators
• chris charlesworth
• melody maker
• new music express
• just backdated
• rock's back pages
• jimmy page
• yoko ono
• spenwood books ltd

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Stu Spasm/Gray's life laid bare - brilliantly

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By Robert Brokenmouth

Robert Brokenmouth

06 November 2024

Hits: 626

I Should Have Been Dead Years Ago The Raw Life of Stuart Gray
Directed by Jason Axel Summers
(Magic Umbrella, Inc.)

Never was a truer phrase uttered. But you have to see the film for the vivid, stupid, quite astonishing reality about Stuart Gray - and aka Stu Spasm of Lubricated Goat, Salamander Jim, The James Baker Exprience and many more - to sink in. 

What you really need to know, though, is that “I Should Have Been Dead...” is an essential rock documentary. Director Jason Axel Summers allows truths to emerge gradually, along with a relentless demonstration of Stuart Gray's talent and determination to play - I should add that his bandmates are people you want to hear more of as well.

Oh, yeah? Well, look: Mudhoney alert. Tex Perkins alert. And, importantly, neither dominate. 

And, thankfully, “I Should Have Been Dead...” is MARKED SAFE from Henry Rollins AND Bono.

So, spoiler alert: either look away now and buy a ticket, or read on, and then buy two, or three tickets. Here's the Facebook page.

The film opens with Gray's current band, the Art-Gray Noizz Quartet. And they're damned good. So much coiled energy. I could waffle about the band but I won't (but you'll love Ryan Skeletonboy and his deliberately-wonked two-string bass and Bloody Rich's eloquent drums, and ... get the idea?)

• tex perkins
• lubricated goat
• stu spasm
• stuart gray
• jason axel summers
• james baker experience
• I Should Have Been Dead Years Ago

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Ups and Downs mark 40 years with a reformed Crystal Set

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By The Barman

The Barman

06 November 2024

Hits: 406

Renowned Australian guitar pop band Ups and Downs are playing a special set of shows in March 2025 to celebrate their 40th anniversary. They will be joined by The Crystal Set, another iconic Australian indie rock band from the 1980s, playing live for the first time in more than 25 years.

Formed in Brisbane in the early 1980s, Ups and Downs became known for their jangly guitars, melodic hooks, soaring harmonies and introspective lyrics, cementing their place in the hearts of indie music fans. They gained attention with their breakout single "The Living Kind", which became a staple of the Australian alternative music scene, topping the independent charts.

Their EP “Sleepless” and album “Underneath the Watchful Eye” showcased the band’s ability to blend heartfelt songwriting with infectious guitar-driven sounds, drawing comparisons to the likes of R.E.M. and The Church.

Tracks like "Lit by the Fuse" demonstrate their knack for crafting memorable songs that resonate with fans of thoughtful, melodic rock offering a distinctive blend of indie and post-punk.

Known for their swirling atmospheric sound, The Crystal Set made a name for themselves with key songs like "Benefit of the Doubt," "Wholly Holy," and "A Drop in the Ocean." Led by Russell Kilbey, their distinct dream-pop influences cemented their status as pioneers in the Australian indie music scene. 

Ups and Downs will be releasing a brand-new vinyl compilation album, “Stained Glass Memories”, a collection that spans their entire career,. More information and pre-order details soon.

• ups and downs
• 40th anniversary tour
• the crystal set

Watch a video preview of the John Kennedy and The New Originals album

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By The Barman

The Barman

06 November 2024

Hits: 338

Hola! Join us to watch the premiere of the video for the song “King Street” from the 2024 album "Live At The Marrickville Bowl" by John Kennedy And The New Originals, coming soon on I-94 Bar Records. The performance is from John Kennedy's farewell show at the Marrickville Bowling Club in Sydney in May 2023 and the video was produced by BetterBreeders.

Join the Facebook event for a reminder to watch at 8pm AEDST on Friday, November 11 and chat with John, online from Spain, four days from album release day. Pre-order now at I-94 Bar Records or from your favourite bricks and mortar shop and set yourself for live shows in Australia in December and January.

• i-94 bar records
• youtube
• John Kennedy and the New Originals
• premiere
• live at marrickville bowl

Psychotic Turnbuckles take on Bahne Super-Flex and Chainsaw Four in Xmas Cage Match

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By The Barman

The Barman

05 November 2024

Hits: 318

PISMO BEACH, CA. NOVEMBER 5 - A Message From Chester Chitworth, US business manager of the Psychotic Turnbuckles:

"It's the Xmas party you know and love and it's for one night only when the Kings of The Ring fly into Sydney from Pismo Beach and then depart, with no indication if and when they'll be back.

"Venue will be Marrickville Bowling Club on Saturday, December 21. Tickets are here.

"It's been a big 2024 for the Turnbuckles who celebrated their 40th year of slamming all challengers into the canvas, so be prepared for some surprises when Jesse the Intruder, The Grand Wizard, Count Forza, The Infliktor and Buddy Bam Bam Balam square off, one more time.

"Venue will be Marrickville Bowling Club on Saturday, December 221

"Supports will be Bahne Super-Flex and Chainsaw Four. Bahne Super-Flex (ex-Trilobites and Celibate Rifles members) are supposedly back by popular request. Whose request? Not ours! Chainsaw Four are a supergroup drawn from membership of the New Christs, Harpoon, Vanilla Chainsaws and a bunch of other bands. Who cares. They're going down, too.

"So it's nearly Xmas and there will be prizes for the best dressed (that's YOU - not the bands).

"You know it's going to be a gig to remember so reserve your spot sooner rather than later. The 40th show in Sydney was a sell out so if you snooze, it's a sure bet you will lose. Abdullah The Butcher wouldn't have it any other way.:

• sydney
• psychotic turnbuckles
• bahne super-flex
• chainsaw four
• xmas

Get Psyched As for this Sydney summer festival line-up

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By The Barman

The Barman

03 November 2024

Hits: 363

Summer in Sydney will take a psychedelic twist when DIY community festival Psyched As Forever takes over the Portugal Community Club in Marrickville on Saturday, January 25.

Leading the charge are The Buoys, fresh off their sold-out Australian tour, riding the wave of their acclaimed debut album, “Lustre”. Joining them are powerhouse rockers (and I-94 Bar's Edwin Garland favourites) Full Flower Moon Band, who have been shaking things up with their recent album “Megaflower”, and raw, gritty live shows.

The Gooch Palms will also be gracing the Psyched As Forever stage for the first time.

A slew of local and international talent fils out the line-up, including GIMMY, Dick Move (NZ), Grinding Eyes, Antenna, The Uplifting Bell Ends,  The Blamers, Swine, O.M.R., and the Psyched As House Band.

Psyched As Forever celebrates the life and legacy of Richard “Millsy” Mills, co-founder of Psyched As, Now in its third year, the 2025 festival with run across two stages, with a portion of ticket sales donated to Bula Bula Arts Centre in Rammingining, where Millsy worked. Tickets are on sale here. 

• full moon flower band
• 2025
• psyched as
• the buoys
• the good palms
• the portugal club

Saints 2007 reformation show to be re-released in full

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By The Barman

The Barman

03 November 2024

Hits: 448

With The Saints '73-'78 tour less than two weeks away, there's more big news coming out of Saintsville...“Pig City: Live in Brisbane 2007”, the live album that documented the first public show by the three original Saints - Ed Kuepper, Chris Bailey and Ivor Hay - in almost 30 years, is available again. This time with a different mix and released on vinyl and in its entirety for the very first time.

• pig city
• australian tour
• (I'm) stranded

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Japan rock and roll revivalists The Bawdies heading to Oz

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By The Barman

The Barman

02 November 2024

Hits: 385

Get ready, Australia: Japan’s The Bawdies are coming in hot for their first tour down under since 2008, bringing that old-school rhythm and blues fire with a modern twist!

Hailing from Tokyo Japan, these four childhood friends—Roy (vocals/bass), Taxman (guitar), Jim (guitar), and Marcy (drums)—have been tearing up the scene since 2004, reviving the raw energy of ‘50s and ‘60s rock 'n' roll.

With killer singles lighting up the charts and a reputation for setting venues like Budokan on fire, The Bawdies are known for their sweat-soaked, soul-drenched live shows. This is rock 'n' roll revival at its finest—don’t sleep on it!

DECEMBER 5, THURSDAY
MARRICKVILLE BOWLO, SYDNEY
$38 + BF / $43 DOOR / OPEN 8PM

DECEMBER 6, FRIDAY
NORTHCOTE SOCIAL CLUB, MELBOURNE
$38 + BF / $43 DOOR / OPEN 8PM

DECEMBER 8, SUNDAY
BELLS BEACH BREWERY, TORQUAY
$25 DOOR ONLY / OPEN 4PM

Tickets at toshimaeda.com.au 

Tumbleweed set to release Rob Younger-produced 45

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By The Barman

The Barman

02 November 2024

Hits: 386

Everybody’s favourite Aussie stoners, Tumbleweed are releasing a new physical single. “When We Were Young” b/w “Patchouli Girl'” on November 29 with shows in Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane across December and January.

The tracks were produced by the New Christs’ Rob Younger, who was working with Tumbleweed for the first time.

Richie Tumbleweed says of the sessions “I was always a big fan of Rob Younger’s work as a singer and as a producer and always wanted to work with him, when we had the idea to record a string of 45’s, we really wanted Rob to produce.

“We live in the same town, we have shared band members and crossed paths for the past 25 years but we have never worked together.”

While “Patchouli Girl” tapped into the bands gentler pop orientated side, “When We Were Young” picks it up a notch with Tumbleweed’s garage/punk influence coming to the fore.

• tumbleweed
• hoodoo gurus
• rob younger
• when we were young

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