One Night In Venice

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By Robert Brokenmouth

Robert Brokenmouth

12 November 2017

Hits: 6385

_{The Aints in full flight: Peter Oxley, Paul Larsen and Ed Kuepper, with Alastair Spence obscrured. Mandy Tzaras photo.}

You knew something special was up in Adelaide tonight because as you approached The Gov, heading determinedly back to the carpark was a small group of lone pushing-toward-pensioner men, each clutching the same record: “The Aints Live at The Sarah Sands 1991”. There can’t be too many left of this, they only made 300; get yours at the gig; two LPs, $50.

Now then.

Ever hear of Reid Fleming, World’s Toughest Milkman? Good. Now you have. 

The first comic came out, it must’ve been 30 years ago. I had a T-shirt, gave it to Bob, who has cherished that damn thing for about 25 years now. I did my heart good to see Bob bouncing around tonight in that tattered t-shirt. “I thought I told you to SHUT UP!” Fleming bellows from the shirt. It perfectly matches the night.

• live
• ed kuepper
• tour
• australian
• the saints
• the aints

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Drunk and Disorderly Episode 33

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By The Barman

The Barman

11 November 2017

Hits: 6036

Episode 33 is live. Featuring music from Neptune Power Federation, Lester Bangs, Alex Chilton, Jim Jones and The Righteous Mind, Suzie Stapleton, Tom Thumb, Soggy, Kevin K, Choker Chains, Celibate Rifles, Johnny Casino, Richard Lloyd and Died Pretty. 

• podcast
• drunk
• disorderly
• i94bar

Irish eyes are smiling, again

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By The Barman

The Barman

10 November 2017

Hits: 3681

Surfing on the back of rave reviews for their last run of Australian shows, Stiff Little Fingers are back in February 2018. 

Formed in 1977 in Belfast, Ireland, SLF were at the forefront of the Punk movement. The tour marks their 40th anniversary (better late than never.) 

SLF’s signature style combines the energy of punk, infectious hooks, and lyrics that meld the personal and political, with a delivery that rings of honesty and commitment. It’s longest-serving vocalist Jake Burns' integrity and style that has meant that all these years later Stiff Little Fingers are still as in demand as ever.

Monday 19th February – Perth – The Rosemount
Tuesday 20th February – Adelaide – The Gov
Thursday 22nd February – Brisbane– The Triffid
Friday 23rd February – Sydney – Metro Theatre
Saturday 24th February – Melbourne – Croxton Bandroom
Tickets on sale here

• australia
• tour
• stiff little fingers

Guerrilla Radio - Urban Guerrillas (self released)

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By The Barman

The Barman

10 November 2017

Hits: 4468

Urban Guerillas have been around since Noah was in a nappy, forming in Adelaide before moving to Sydney and plying their brand of stick-it-to-the-man-and-his-system, agit-rock around the pubs and clubs. They’ve been pumping out records like nobody’s business and this EP is the latest in a long line.

Whether you’re into politically flavoured music is a matter for yourself - the MC5 thought it was a great idea for all of five minutes but Mao wouldn't buy them muscle cars - but it’s the raison d’etre for these guys, and you have to admire their resolve to stay at it. 

Not to be confused with the late ‘70s Grand Hotel scene punk band of the same name, Urban Guerillas made a name for themselves on the back of an anti-imperialism song called “Here Come The Americans”, and they’re still singing about similar things today. How’d they miss out on a Midnight Oil support?

• sydney
• urban guerillas
• guerilla radio
• politics

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The Sky’s In Love With You - Ups and Downs (Basketcase Records)

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By The Barman

The Barman

10 November 2017

Hits: 5195

Sure sounds a lot like ‘em. Has it really been 31 years since their last new release? That question’s rhetorical, by the way.

Ups and Downs were a Brisbane garage-pop band that was swept up in the signing madness of the 1980s, captured by a major label and transplanted to Sydney where they enjoyed fleeting success. All these years later, they’re more or less intact, but it's an accidental and organic reunion.

• brisbane
• pop
• ups and downs

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Return of the Dilettante - Peter Simpson (Verified Records)

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By The Barman

The Barman

09 November 2017

Hits: 4583

As far as dipping a toe back in the water, this EP is just short of complete immersion at the deep end for Peter Simpson. You can hear the Dubrovkniks guitarist-vocalist has put a lot of himself into these five songs and it mostly pays off.

It seems like a million years ago (it’s actually 37) since Simpson arrived in Sydney from Perth in a briefly successful but long-forgotten band called Teeny Weeny. He went on to play in the Dubrovniks (via The Spectre’s Revenge), experiencing fame if not fortune.

• dubrovniks
• peter simpson
• return of the dilletante
• the spectre's revenge

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Dion Lunadon - Dion Lunadon (Agitated Records)

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By The Barman

The Barman

08 November 2017

Hits: 4819

If you hear a noisier, more brutal yet musical album this year, call your lawyer and sue Mitsubishi for opening a car plant in your backyard. 

Dion Lunadon used to be Dion Palmer, bassist for New Zealand-via-The-Lower-East-Side rockers The D4 back in the 1990s. He’s been living in New York City for the last 10 years, playing bass for abrasive noise merchants, A Place To Bury Strangers (APTBS). This eponymous LP is his first solo venture. 

There are elements of Kraut rock, hard rock, noise rock, psychedelic rock and almost everything that can be appended to rock on this record. It’s full of ideas to the point of near overload. Apparently written as a cathartic release after rigorous touring with APTBS, it reeks of grime, sweat , post-road angst and not a little desperation.

• new york city
• the d4
• dion lunadon
• a place to bury strangers

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Two claim the Buttercup booty

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By The Barman

The Barman

07 November 2017

Hits: 2420

The winners are in for our Buttercup Records giveaway of an ME 262/Trans 262 LP pack. 

Jason Simond of Mascot, NSW, Australia and Stephen Halpern of Cherry Hill, New Jersey, in the USA were drawn electronically at random from entries who correctly named an ME 262/Trans 262 member and one of their future bands. 

If you missed out, make sure you grab a copy of the limited run LP before they go. It's reviewed here and available from the label.  

Neath A Shin Ei Sun - Neptune Power Federation (Erotic Volcano Records)

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By The Barman

The Barman

07 November 2017

Hits: 5034

Goblins shit me. Witches and bats, too. The intrinsic silliness and - now, let's be honest - pomposity in the most excessive heavy metal music bred in me a disdain for much of that musical form from a very young age. So where does a band with a garish album cover with a skull wearing a helmet adorned by stag horns stand?

Good question.

Imagine a woman in gothic chiffon dress and Melbourne Cup headpiece singing in front of a band that’s a cross between a metallic version of Funkadelic, Fu Manchu and Sabbath.

• stoner
• frenzal rhomb
• daredevil
• neptune power federation
• Neath A Shin Ei Sun
• erotic volcano records
• heavy metal

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