Is it that time of year again? The Top Ten music things?
Well, I've barely seen 10 bands, or heard anything like a cross-section of music this year to be honest about any sort of top ten in music.
So, I thought, what else is there? Ten top heroes from Doctors Without Borders? Ten top stupid religions? Ten top pointless and cruel conflicts?
So, what's my other thing? Books. Ten top books I've read this year? Hmmm... Kim Stanley Robinson, Richmal Crompton, Edwin Balmer and Philip Wylie and a ton of Conan books and Robert E. Howard, H.P. Lovecraft and Clark Ashton Smith ... and a pile of Bomber Command books. Uh-huh. Top ten Conan books? Top ten 1930s scifi? Perhaps not.
... or ten top books on the topic I'm burrowing into again ...
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- By The Barman
- Hits: 1951
1- Ed Kuepper at the National, world class all the way.
2- Handgrenade Hearts at the Town Hall Hotel. Punk/powerpop teenagers, and my new favourite band.
3- Munster Zine, approaching issue 40, keep it up young man.
4- The Victims + Chimers at the Brunswick Ballroom, Chimers BOG, great to see the legendary James Baker on the tubs one last time.
5- Civic “Brute Force”, hints of Birdman and Eddy Current Suppression Ring.
6- Those Pretty Wrongs + Alexander Harvey at the Brunswick Ballroom, heartfelt, sublime, AH I need to revisit.
7- The Prize “Wrong Side Of Town”, If Amyl and The Sniffers had a song this good they’d be as big as Blondie, if……..
8- Civic live at 3RRR.
9- The Fiction at the Northcote Social Club supporting Chris Masuak and Dog Soldier. Best I’ve seen them play.
10- Ballarat Gallery: Walker, Luke, Counihan, more; love the revamp, can’t wait to return over the summer.
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- By The Barman
- Hits: 2020
Top Tens for 2023: Mark Fraser of Vi-Nil Records and Redbackrock Surf & Snow Clothing. Former partner in Link & Pin Cafe, Woy Wo
Fave releases:
DMA’S – “How Many Dreams”
A virtual hit factory from go to woe. Melodies. Feelgood. Pretty much perfect.
HARD ONS – “Ripper 23”
Clever cover art. Clever songs. Pop-etched perennial punk from here to Punchbowl.
LION ISLAND – “Pilot Termination Kiosk”
Infectious and dangerously catchy indie rock with an A plus report card.
COUSIN BETTY – “Self Titled”
Hard and fast, some softer moments that build and explode, some quirky side-tracks, and plenty of sheer aural insaniity. This thing is a beast.
OWEN GUNS – “Monks in Sexyland”
Beautiful irreverence that never ever holds back. That’s The Owen Guns. This eight-slab smacker is a doozie!
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- By Mark Fraser
- Hits: 2868
Frank Meyer (Streetwalkin’ Cheetahs, Trading Aces, Highway 61) Top Ten Records for 2023:
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- By Frank Meyer
- Hits: 2155
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.
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- By Mike Foxall
- Hits: 1803
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
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- By Padrraic and Bins from Chimers
- Hits: 2205
Photo by Alex from The Underground Stage.
![top ten](/images/assets/top-ten.jpg)
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- By Marcus Fraser
- Hits: 2440
Hi I'm Squatter the Cockatiel. I share a house with Chris Converse (4ZZZ and Punkfest) and Cathy Kerlin (Punkfest and Platform 5 Cafe and Bar) so I get to meet the really cool GC's* and hear some great music.
I am also a 4ZZZ subscriber.
Here is my top ten releases of 2022, in no particular order:
The Owen Guns- Dawn of the Braindead
Mitch, Please - Yes Thanks
The Square Tugs - "Monster Hits"
Eviction - "Demo"
The Interrupters - "In the Wild"
The Disables - "No more Rules, No more Ruled"
Mucho Sonar - "Under the Influence"
The Cutaways - "Cheap Curtains"
Topnovil - "Stand Tall"
Masochist - "Bloom"
Hope you enjoy my selection and like the picture. I am way more popular than Cathy or Converse.
Love and chirps,
Squatter
*Cockatiel for Good C_nts
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- By The Barman
- Hits: 2867
Tony Bishop, Rob Lastdrager and Leon Beveridge. See item 2.
With the world and me still waking up from the pandemic in 2022, my Top Ten consists of some old friends and favourites, re-visited, remembered and revived.
Experiencing Covid for the first time at New Year’s and enduring a heatwave in Melbourne, I’m not complaining. It’s given me quiet time to think and a chance to raise a glass to all my departed rock and roll compadres. RIP Chris Bailey especially. The raw energy of the early Saints powered my escape from Brisbane in the '80s, something for which I will be eternally grateful.
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- By Robert Lastdrager
- Hits: 3081
More Articles …
- Top Tens for 2022: Penny Ikinger
- Top Tens for 2022: 2RRR-FM Sydney Sounds presenter Kevin "Big Daddy K" Cherry
- Top Tens for 2022: Ernie O, mastering wizard and member of Suburban Urchins
- Top Tens for 2022: Celebrity Roadie and Jupiter 5 bassist Peter "Rossy" Ross
- Top Tens for 2022: I-94 Bar host The Barman
- Top Tens for 2022: Ned Alphabet, songwriter, guitarist and vocalist for Sydney-based World Punk band Balkan Grill.
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