He's on a Mexican radio

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By Patrick Emery

Patrick Emery

29 October 2019

Hits: 4798

_{Michael Halloran is playing upstairs at The Tote with Light Magnetic on Thursday 14 November.} 

Michael Halloran is busy, but he’s not in a hurry. Back in Melbourne from Mexico to see family and friends and to squeeze in a couple of live shows and some recording, Halloran is taking things as they come – organically, if you will.

“That’s where I’ve kind of got to now,” Halloran muses. “Fuck the whole organising and rehearsing, I’m too old for that – maybe not too old, but I’ve got my experiences.”

Having left Melbourne for New York five years ago, Halloran’s nominal home base is now in Mexico, where he runs a bed and breakfast. Earlier this year, Halloran returned to New York to put down some tracks with long-time collaborator Dee Pop and expatriate Australian musician Rob Mason: 

“I lived in New York for about five years so I’ve got a lot of musical contacts and friends. It’s a very strong musical community,” Halloran says. “I’ve had this idea that I’ve wanted to do recently, which is to record with different people at different places. Basically to turn up there, stay for a month, get a feel, get back into the vibe and check some unique music, stuff that’s going on.”

• boris sudjovic
• spencer p jones
• mj halloran
• brian hooper
• mexico
• kat amiss

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When pop-rock knew no limits

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By The Barman

The Barman

26 October 2019

Hits: 4707

No Limit: Collected Works 1985-89 – Love Minus Zero (Method Records and Music)

From the Never Quite Made It Department comes this collection of gems.

Love Minus Zero was a Sydney pop-rock band that was around in the mid-‘80s who managed to release some tracks on Waterfront label compilation and a self-titled EP on Citadel spin-off Green Fez before packing their tent.

“No Limit” is a pubic service of sorts, not the least reason being that it serves as a reminder of the embarrassment of riches that was the Sydney music scene 35 years ago.

• waterfront
• pop
• powerpop
• sydney
• citadel records
• method records and music
• love minus zero
• green fez
• no limit

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It's not summer without some Sunnyboys

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By The Barman

The Barman

24 October 2019

Hits: 4199

In 2020 Sunnyboys will celebrate 40 years since their inception (though a mere 12 years of actual existence) via liver shows and a new release. “Sunnyboys 40” brings together the first ever re-release of the band’s much loved 1980 eponymous debut 7” - featuring the original version of the all-time classic “Alone With You” - alongside four new recordings of songs from the archives of chief songwriter Jeremy Oxley.

The full length 8-track album will be released on November 29 via all formats including a limited edition vinyl release complete with hard cover 12 page 30cm x 30cm photo essay of the band, as well as CD, cassette and all digital platforms.

Sunnyboys 40 is available for pre-order now via here and hits retail on November 29.

• live
• australia
• sunnyboys
• 2020
• sunnyboys 40

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Two albums full of piss and vinegar

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By Robert Brokenmouth

Robert Brokenmouth

23 October 2019

Hits: 4701

Address to the Nation - Chris Masuak and the Viveiro Wave Riders (I-94 Bar Records)
Bomber Down - Bomber Down (self released)

“Address to the Nation” and “Bomber Down” come out of the blocks, fiery and roaring, full of piss and vinegar. Tight strong songs, stuff that belongs on the stereo, in the car, loud at parties and annoying pimply neighbours who ruin the neighbourhood and go to bed at 8.30.

“Address to the Nation” is Klondike's fourth long-playing solo band CD; the others, although most readers of this site will have them, were Klondike's North 40: “The Straight Path”; Chris Klondike Masuak “Workhorse”; Chris Masuak and the Viveiro “'Brujita”.and now this all issued by the website you're reading now.

Full Disclosure nonsense: I like Chris too. Also, I knew the members of the immediate precursor to Bomber Down, Phil, Sean, Rob and Tony. Rob and Tony are no longer with us - it's not been a good year.

• adelaide
• radio birdman
• chris masuak
• address to the nation
• viviero wave riders
• bomber down
• new race

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The science of swimming upstream

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By The Barman

The Barman

23 October 2019

Hits: 4145

As if an inaugural US tour with the Scientists wasn’t memorable enough, Kim Salmon is packing a lot more into the back-end of 2019 and the kick-off of 2020. 

He’s launching his Douglas Galbraith-penned biography, “Nine Parts Water One Part Sand. Kim Salmon And The Formula For Grunge” in Melbourne on November 9, heading a bill that includes King Congo (backed by Harry Howard and the NDE) and Dave Graney and the MistLY.

Salmon is being inducted with the Scientists in the WA Music Hall of Fame on October 31 – along with former teen idol and Young Talent Time TV host, Johnny Young (!)

• scientists
• solo
• kim salmn

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Lurid Tales of Wrecking and Repose - Cornish Wreckers (ReachesMars)

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By Robert Brokenmouth

Robert Brokenmouth

22 October 2019

Hits: 3805

I'll tell you about who these characters are in a minute. But first, “Lurid Tales…” is brilliant.

What a huge sound. Big breakers of broken chords ... huge, ripping silences. God, I'm hooked.

Really, I cannot emphasise this enough, “Lurid Tales…’” is a huge, majestic achievement. It's mature, gothic, simple, complex. And I'll be listening to this not just for weeks, but for years.

“Lurid Tales…” is both not at all what I expected Melbourne’s Michael Plater to be involved in, and exactly what I expect from him. And no, that's not a contradiction.

• michael plater
• tony millman
• lurid tales of wrecking and repose
• cornish wreckers

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Mick does Melbourne

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By The Barman

The Barman

22 October 2019

Hits: 3562

Leader of the Mesmerisers and ex-Screaming Tribesmen and Rumours guitar icon, Mick Medew, is undertaking a short run of solo electric shows in Melbourne in November. Three gigs will be with Penny Ikinger and Claire Birchall is on the bill for the other.

Mick Medew
Solo & Electric Melbourne Tour
NOV
1 – The Espy, St Kilda w/ Penny Ikinger
3 – The Welcome Swallow, Brunswick w/ Claire Birchall
8 – Acland Street Folk Club, St Kilda w/ Penny Ikinger
10 - The Welcome Swallow, Brunswick w/ Penny Ikinger

• melbourne
• penny ikinger
• claire birchall
• mick medew

Twin guitar blasts that make perfect sense

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By Robert Brokenbmouth

Robert Brokenbmouth

22 October 2019

Hits: 3971

This is War! Godfathers Live! – The Godfathers (self released)
Vol 4 – The Black Bombers (Easy Action)
The Second Cumming – The Filthy Gypsies (self released)

Twin guitar assault? Tick. The Godfathers have been around, in one form or another, for 35 years or so. There have been many line-up changes - and this one has just been summarily dismissed by the singer, Peter Coyne.

All I'll say is: brilliantly recorded live Godfathers will boot your bonnet. Their later albums are as much a feature as their earlier ones, and boy, do these songs rock and crackle. The band is tight, tight, tight and come at you with pizzazz and panache.

• adelaide
• godfathers
• black bombers
• filthy gypsies
• this is war live

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It's Alive 40th Anniversary Deluxe Edition - The Ramones (Rhino)

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By Robert Brokenmouth

Robert Brokenmouth

21 October 2019

Hits: 3689

It's better than I thought it would be. Sort of.

Once upon a time I lived in a share house with a New Order fan.

Don't you dare pity me.

Anyway, this muffin collected live tapes of New Order. Every time he got one, he'd play it. Loud.

Like I said, don't pity me. I can do that for myself.

• ramones
• dee dee ramone
• it's alive
• 40th anniversary
• deluxe edition
• ed stasium
• joey ramone
• tommy ramone

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