Anger is still an energy as Bikini Kill heads Down Under

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By Patrick Emery

Patrick Emery

08 February 2023

Hits: 4322

_{Photo by Allison Wolfe}

“Punk is many things and has so many different definitions but, definitely, yes it’s ideological,” says writer, musician and feminist activist Tobi Vail on the eve of an Australasian tour with Bikini Kill.  “In my definition, it’s counter hegemonic energy. It’s opposition, it’s questioning the status quo and creating an alternative.”

As founding member of the seminal riot grrrl band Bikini Kill, a punk rock polemicist and a protagonist in the Pacific North-West alternative scene of the 1980s and 1990s, Vail is in a privileged position to muse on the nature of punk rock.

• riot grrrl
• tobi vail
• bikini kill
• nirvana
• go team
• kathleen hanna
• kathi wilcox

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Magnificent offering served up by expat Plater

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By Robert Brokenmouth

Robert Brokenmouth

06 February 2023

Hits: 2017

Ghost Music - Michael Plater (Hypostatic Union)

Now, you may know that I've written about Michael Plater before for The I-94 Bar, and I know some of you have gotten out to see him play live, which is where I first saw him. The very first night, I wasn't sure. The second, with little difference between the two gigs, I absolutely was. In fact, I was bowled over. More or less accidentally I made the chap's acquaintance, to the point where I'd now call us friends.

I've tried to attend every gig the man's played here in Adelaide, and managed to see him in Melbourne and Sydney as well. I have a set-list covered in his blood (because, in case he's ever run over by an omnibus, I'm going to get the bugger cloned).

• michal plater
• ghost music
• hypostatic union

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Sunnyboys and Ups & Downs issue split single to mark the gigs that never were

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By The Barman

The Barman

06 February 2023

Hits: 2115

When the Sunnyboys and Ups and Downs were announced to play Brisbane together back in October 2021, locals couldn’t believe that they’d see the cream of Aussie guitar pop playing a pair of back-to-back gigs at a newly refurbished Princess Theatre.

COVID had other ideas and those shows, and rescheduled dates in March 2022, never came to fruition.

Boutique label Soundpressing has released a split Sunnyboys/Ups and Downs seven-inch single to mark the gigs that never were, just in time for the farewell Sunnyboys tour.

It’s a limited edition of 300 copies in three different coloured variants.

And it’s two modern-era songs – “Can’t You Stop” by the Sunnyboys and a new mix of Ups and Downs' “Gideon” - that clearly show the bands have not lost their love of driving guitars and soaring melodies.

Get yours here before they run out...just like Sunnyboys live shows.

• sunnyboys
• ups and downs
• soundpressing
• can't you stop
• gideon

Q: Tell me, Sister Morphine, when are you coming round again? A: Thirty years later.

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By JD Misfortune

JD Misfortune

01 February 2023

Hits: 2553

Hello all my brothers and sisters and friends of the revolution, I-94 Barflies, and incorrigible sleazepunks of all ages , it's your ole pal JD here.

Ya know, I don't do a lotta interviews no more mostly cause I'm a lazy sod and probably still salty about takin' all that time to pen questions for little known artists who couldn't be bothered to reply after agreeing to do the interview-rock 'n' roll is full of flakes and fakes, as you know, and that shit gets old quick.

But one new band that ain't fakin' it is from South Wales of all places and they're making a real gorgeous fuckin' wild and untamed rocknroll racket you're gonna love, called SISTER MORPHINE, who my dear comrade Laur from Vague Scare turned me onto.

Wow! What a fuckin' GREAT band! They reminded me of the Diamond Dogs and Rock City Angels, the Quireboys and Rose Tattoo! I already said somewhere else those guitarists remind me of Thunders, Jeff Drake's Joneses, and Greg and Brent or whatever studio dudes played on that first Pussycat record.

Sister Morphine’s Gaz has an awesome and exemplary rock ‘n’ roll voice somewhere between Angry Anderson and Zodiac Mindwarp. These guys write glamtastic songs, part grebo, part sleaze, with power pop hooks, and vintage lads at the pub Hoople/Faces heartfelt sentimental alcoholic feeling. Fuckin' A righteous! Only thing I've liked this much in modern years is Richard Duguay's stuff! What a beautiful, romantic myth they've carved!

• sister morphine
• gaz tidey
• ghosts of heartbreak city
• uber rock
• SBS records

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Homegrown powerpop extravaganza sprouts in Brisbane

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By The Barman

The Barman

31 January 2023

Hits: 2163

_{The Chordites head a night of brisbane powerpop.}

Hey Brisbane! The Chordites, Generation Jones and Gift Horse: Three of the local scene’s finest exponents of Powerpop together for a night of hooky, guitar-driven rock n roll - how can you not love that formula? 

They’re coming together from 6pm on Saturday, March 4 at the Cave Inn in Woolloongabba for a night of short songs, catchy melodies, power chords and Rickenbackers.

• the chordites
• generation jones
• the cave inn
• gift horse

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A last lap from powerpop's Poet Leaureates

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By Patrick Emery

Patrick Emery

31 January 2023

Hits: 2415

Sunnyboys
+ Rocket Science
+ The Prize
Northcote Theatre, VIC
Saturday 28 January 2023
Michelle Bilson photos

A work colleague of mine told me once she’d had her wedding reception at the Northcote Theatre, back when it was known as Fani’s Receptions in the late 1980s, 70-odd years after its original opening as a picture theatre. The marriage didn’t last too long – about six months, I think – but the venue was still hosting sumptuously catered family celebrations up until it was taken over and reinvigorated as a live music venue.

The benefit of personal geographical proximity aside, I’m not sold on Northcote Theatre just yet. The combination of a high ceiling and a lack of absorbent surfaces renders the acoustic profile imperfect. Like the property prices in the local area, the drink prices are on the high side; frustratingly, it’s a cash-free venue and the distance between the stage and bar makes for a challenging journey for all concern.

• sunnyboys
• bil bilson
• richard burgman
• jeremy oxley
• peter oxley
• australian tour
• northcote
• threatre

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Anniversary "Ball Power" re-issue ships this week

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By The Barman

The Barman

24 January 2023

Hits: 2064

A heads-up to fans of the late Lobby Loyde: The 50th Anniversary Edition of the “Ball Power” LP by the Colored Balls ships on US label Just Add Water on January 27.

This touchstone of Aussie rock ‘n’ roll should need no introduction. Just in case it does, it's simply one of the finest hard rock albums to ever come out of Australia . You can file it under proto-punk, hard rock or psychedelic boogie.

This pressing has been painstakingly sourced directly from the 1973 quarter inch mix-down master tapes.

In the words of Just Add Water: “This has been an entirely analogue production chain and hasn't been touched by a computer at any stage of the process.

"Hear Coloured Balls as nature intended. Every copy includes a bonus poster!"

There will be 800 copies on black vinyl (100 each on opaque blue with white pinwheel swirl and half orange/half blue have sold out.) Order yours here.

• lobby loyde
• colored balls
• just add water
• ball power
• 50th anniversary

Winners are grinners, even when we're all losers

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By Robert Brokenmouth, JD Misfortune & The Barman

Robert Brokenmouth, JD Misfortune & The Barman

22 January 2023

Hits: 4341

Every Loser – Iggy Pop (Atlantic/Gold Tooth)

Best Ig album I've heard in a while.

On the other hand, after reading this you may be a bit peeved with me.

Hey, it's just my opinion. You?

You can go jump!

Ha!

Having just finished a review of Michael Plater's new LP, “Ghost Music”, I'm in a kind of “blown away” mood, which I initially thought perhaps isn't the right headspace to be if I'm gonna review Iggy's new LP.

• iggy pop
• stooges
• iggy and the stooges
• andrew watt
• every loser
• atlantic
• gold tooth

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Schizophonics return to Australia and New Zealand

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By The Barman

The Barman

19 January 2023

Hits: 2233

San Diego's dynamite trio The Schizophonics is returning to Australia and New Zealand after pre-COVID visits in 2019 and ’20.

Returning on the back of their latest LP, "Hoof It", The Schizophonics are husband and wife duo, singer/guitarist Pat Beers and drummer Lety Beers, and have built a formidable reputation around the world as an explosive live act.

Tapping the same wellspring that fuelled The MC5, James Brown, Iggy Pop, Little Richard, Jimi Hendrix and The Sonics, this electrifying outfit has released three albums since 2009.

Joining the Schizophonics for most Australian shows are The Unknowns, who hail from South East Queensland and share members and a record label with The Chats.

The Unknowns are set to release their second album "East Coast Low" on Bargain Bin Records around the time of this tour. Combining '70s style punk and power pop in a manner not dissimilar to the classic first three Ramones albums, The Unknowns' music is timelessly exciting and fun for all ages! 

Schizophonics
Australian-NZ Tour
MAR
Australia
1 – La La La’s, Wollongong, NSW
+ The Unknowns
2 – Crowbar, Sydney, NSW
+ The Unknowns
3 – Drifters Wharf, Gosford, NSW
4 - Tent Pole Festival, Mt Duneed, VIC
8 – Northcote Social Club, VIC
+ The Unknowns
9 – Hotel Westwood, VIC
+ The Unknowns
11 – King Lear’s, Brisbane, QLD
+ The Unknowns
12 – Vinnie’s Dive Bar, Gold Coast
+ The Unknowns
Tickets here
New Zealand
15 - Space Academy, Christchurch
16 - Valhalla, Wellington
19- - ONEONESIX, Whangarei
+ Neon Serpent
22 - Whammy Backroom, Auckland
+ Ratso
23 - The Green Room, Thames
+ Neon Serpent
25 - Piha Bowling Club, Piha
+ Neon Serpent
Tickets here

• australia
• tour
• new zealand
• schizophonics
• 2023
• hoof it