Time's march doesn't dull the edge

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By The Barman

The Barman

09 January 2022

Hits: 2860

“American Hardcore” b/w “The Deal” (Swashbuckling Hobo)

That these reformed second-wave, southside Brisbane punks actually manage to sound dangerous on new recordings made four decades later comes down to the fact they were more of a Flipper-meets-latter-day-Black-Flag-styled grind than a cheap Pistols take-off, before - in the words of their label - “drugs, death and depression took over”, and they dissolved.

They reformed, more or less intact, a few years ago to play live and promote some re-issues, and these songs are the fruit of a studio session. 

• swashbuckling hobo
• public execution
• amerrican hardcore
• the deal

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Brace of books that celebrate Aussie blues - and rock and roll

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By The Barman

The Barman

07 January 2022

Hits: 3070

Blues Portrait Volume 2 by Pauline Bailey 
Blues Portrait Volume 3 by Pauline Bailey

If you want to pick an argument, get into a discussion with a professional musician about what constitutes blues music.

There are those who regard themselves as “blues players” and those who do not, and never the twain shall meet.

There’s a mindset among some self-described blues players that they’re the “real deal” and everyone else is not. It must really rankle for them to have seen the annual Bluesfest evolve into a (mostly bland) celebration of the mainstream.

• russell morris
• dallas frasca
• angry anderson
• pauline bailey
• blues portrait
• henry rollins
• continental robert susz

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Rapping with the Reverend: Gunhouse Hill's Paul S. Cunningham in conversation

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By JD Stayfree

JD Stayfree

04 January 2022

Hits: 3947

I've known this soulful, creative, talented brother Reverend Paul S Cunningham of Boston’s Gunhouse Hill for a long time now, through the miracle of modern telecommunications on the surveillance panopticon. In recent days I've been locked outta social media for too much facts-based push-back against billionaire techlords’ preferred narratives. Reverend Paul is one of the only people I miss being able to look in on.

Let me tell ya ‘bout him.

• boston
• Reverend Paul S Cunningham
• gunhouse mill
• aerosmith

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Double vaxxed ain't nothing until you're double bugged

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By The Barman

The Barman

29 December 2021

Hits: 2949

Double Meaning – The Stinkbugs (Swashbuckling Hobo)

Drop the needle in the groove. Ready? The pedigree tells you a lot: Hekawis and Shutdown66 among prior convictions. So does the opening track, “Atom Bomb”: Extreme fuzz guitar and basic, almost primal production. But don’t lay a bet, just yet...

Just as you have The Stinkbugs pegged and, suddenly, the sound’s stripped right back for two songs, “Don’t Want Me Around” and “Fly”. It’s like someone sucked out all the mid-range with a straw.

• garage
• brisbane
• fuzz
• swashbuckling hobo
• the stinkbugs
• double meaning

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Dirt on the tracks

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By The Barman

The Barman

28 December 2021

Hits: 3301

High Tides, More Crimes – MD Horne (Outtspace/FOLC/La Villa Nova)

Only a shit stirrer would start a review of an album with the rhetorical question: “How do you know you’re getting old? You start listening to bush bands”. Guilty as charged – on the shit stirrer charge, that is. Lock me up.

Yes, the second solo album from Sydney’s MD Horne contains mandolin, didgeridoo, his own bass, a sprinkling of bush balladry, and even a sea shanty of sorts but, thankfully, no lagerphone. It’s also damned good.

• sam
• johnny casino
• celibate rifles
• folc records
• MD Horne
• outtspace records
• md horne's last call
• more crimes
• high tides

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Turnbuckles return to rampage again

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By The Barman

The Barman

23 December 2021

Hits: 3430

They emerged from the fog of COVID a year ago to give the pandemic the middle finger, riding a container ship to Australia all the way from Pismo Beach. 

The Psychotic Turnbuckles have again been coaxed out of semi-retirement in their palatial beachside mansions on the California coast to Destroy Dull Sydney one more time. Tickets are on sale here.

Make being at Marrickvile Bowling Club on Saturday, February 26 your New Year’s Resolution to see The Undisputed Champions of Rock and Roll bring the thunder.

Jessie the Intruder, The Grand Wizard, The Psychedelic Unknown, Count Forza and Gorgeous Karl Domah will be laying waste to two pretenders to the throne in Melbourne’s The Vibrajets and The Dark Clouds.

Comprised of past and present members of The Stems, The Shimmys, and The Breadmakers, The Vibrajets aren't the garage band the pedigree might suggest.

This is wigged out and twangin' surf and frat and rock'n'roll that goes back to the source – and is best enjoyed while shakin’ your moneymaker on the dance floor!

• live
• psychotic turnbuckles
• marrickville bowling club
• marrickville bowlo
• the dark clouds
• vibratejs

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Make mine an Undermine

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By The Barman

The Barman

21 December 2021

Hits: 2845

U – The Undermines (self released)

Bands that echo, without imitating, the sound of Radio Birdman and its precursors are always welcome around these parts. Canberra’s Undermines made an impression with their “Tenzeroeight” album a few years ago and do so again with “U”.

“U” is a five-track CD EP recorded at Infidel Studios in Queanbeyan and positively drips guitars. Understandable, given the band’s lineage, which is drawn from local legends Hell Yes (home to future The Eastern Dark bassist Bill Gibson), Newcastle’s renowned high energy machine The Fools, and local contemporary British Invasion and garage enthusiasts, Il Bruto.

• new christs
• the fools
• radio birdman
• the undermines
• hell yes

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An elf who won't stay on the shelf

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By The Barman

The Barman

20 December 2021

Hits: 3918

Set Yourself Easy – Kent Steedman (self released)

Adjust your expectations. This is not a collection of Celibate Rifles-styled pyrotechnics -although some (notably, “Lockdown Shuffle” and the title track) could have worked for them.

Anyone who’s been paying attention knows that Kent Steedman has never been just about flamethrower rock. His work outside the Rifles has spanned the oblique, avant noise of Crent, the proto-boogie blues of Jim Moginie and the Family Dog, sonic adventurism with the Deniz Tek Group and live shows using Tibetan singing bowls.

• deniz tek
• kent steedman
• celibate rifles
• damien lovelock
• jim moginie

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The Porkers and X head festival to mark 10 years of Sydney Rock and Roll Markets

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By The Barman

The Barman

19 December 2021

Hits: 4187

^{I-94 Bar Stage headliners X.}

Sydney Rock 'n' Roll & Alternative Festival will send Marrickville into a high-energy frenzy with a special 10-year anniversary special event, celebrating the lengthy history of Sydney’s most unique event, The Sydney Rock ‘n’ Roll & Alternative Market on March 20, 2022. 

The festival, proudly presented by Palmer Events in association with The Factory Theatre and supported by Inner West Council, will feature a huge, heart-thumping entertainment line-up across four stages, headed by ska punk legends The Porkers, along with the best stalls from Sydney Rock ’n’ Roll & Alternative Market.

Venue is the multi-stage Factory Theatre. The I-94 Bar will curate a stage with a street-level line-up led by the mighty X. Tickets are on sale now for an event that features:   

• x band
• factory theatre
• sydney rock and roll markets
• porkers

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