The Beasts' "Black Milk" show is a Sydney triumph

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By The Barman

The Barman

15 December 2025

Hits: 335

“Black Milk 35^th Anniversary”
The Beasts
with guests Rob Younger, Hellen Rose, Richie Weed & John Schofield
+ The Johnnys
+ Richie Weed and The Strays
+ Unsound
The Factory Theatre, Marrickvile, NSW
Friday, December 12, 2025

Words & Pictures: THE BARMAN

When the definitive mainstream version of the history of Australian rock and roll finally is penned, the Beasts of Bourbon are unlikely to get their dues. History is written by the victors and its telling needs to be simplistic if it’s to have the desired effect of "moving units".

I once shopped a manuscript of a Radio Birdman member (no, not Chris) to a bunch of publishers to be told by one of the biggies that they saw no market for it because the band’s fans couldn’t read.

Despite dancing with a broad audience in the early ‘90s, the Beasts of Bourbon narrative is just too convoluted, edgy and unconventional to suit straight publishers. Not that this need be a deterrent to enlightened ones. 

• sydney
• kim salmon
• boris sudjovic
• the johnnys
• rob younger
• charlie owen
• the beasts
• evan richards
• richie weed
• black milk
• text perkins
• hellen rose
• unsound

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2025 Top Tens: Colin Gray of Vicious Kitten Records

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By Colin Gray

Colin Gray

14 December 2025

Hits: 511

_{Colin Gray (right) with Kim Salmon.}

It’s been another productive year at Vicious Kitten Records with new album releases by Kevin K & The Bowery Kats, Pillbox NYC and (next month) the new album by Melbourne outfit Girl Monstar, who have reformed and recorded a new album after a 30 year hiatus!

Before I get to my top 10, I want to acknowledge the efforts of two cats who are responsible for the incredible sound and artwork on the Vicious Kitten releases – being sound wiz Ernie O at his Urban Fringe Compound, and the best graphic artist in the biz, Mark Rubenstein. I cannot recommend these two guys enough. If you need creative design/art for your project in 2026, Mark is your man. In terms of rock ‘n’ roll highpoints for the year just gone, it’s challenging to narrow it down to 10, but here goes……..

1. Chris Masuak’s Dog Soldier - "Chris Masuak’s Dog Soldier"
Chris Klondike Masuak returned in 2025 with renewed fire in the belly and creative juices overflowing to deliver one of THE rock albums of the year. Masuak has released many killer solo albums – but this is arguably his magnum opus. That’s not a statement I make lightly either, given the high calibre of material on 2019's "Address To The Nation" and 2016's "Brujita" albums in particular. I’ve stated many times that as a solo artist the rock 'n' roll he is crafting stands on its on merit and is on par with the output of any of his previous bands. Dog Soldier goes one better. The songs are killer, the playing is first rate, the sound is sonically superb thanks to mastering guru Ernie O and the album artwork is terrific. This is the complete rock ‘n’ roll package and one of THE Australian albums of 2025. Check it here.

2. Anne McCue & The Cubists – "Wholly Roller Coaster"
Once championed by the likes of Lucinda Williams and Nancy Wilson, Nashville based Australian singer/songwriter/guitarist Anne McCue has released several great albums of inspired blues-oriented roots rock over recent years, but in 2025 she has gone one better with the release of "Wholly Roller Coaster". This is an album of stunning psych pop with a nod to "Sgt Peppers..." and swirling surrealism that stands as of the best releases of the year for mine. An amalgam of kaleidoscopic pop and lyrical themes that focus on the wonder of life, this is one you need to hear. It’s out on vinyl too.  Check it here.

3. Smoked Salmon – "Smoked Salmon"
I can’t recall if this was released late last year or early 2025, yet Kim Salmon did a run of shows in March this year to support the album’s release and live, particularly with Claire Birchall doing a lot of the lifting, it was another musical high point for the year. "Hey Hey Narcissus", "Hell In A Handbasket" and the killer "How Did They Ever Manage" are just three highpoints from an outstanding album, with the enigmatic Kim Salmon again coming up with the goods. Check it here.

4. Peter Simpson – "Good Times Gone Bad"
A conventional mainstream music profile counts for a lot. It means you can release an album and an established fanbase will both hear and or purchase it. Media marketing also creates awareness and means it may reach new ears and sales. Despite a rock pedigree extending back some four decades, (including the Dubrovniks), Sydney based singer-songwriter Peter Simpson is neither a household name or part of the mainstream. In 2025, he did however, release an album of stellar garage rock that should, in a just world, elevate his musical profile to that aforementioned mainstream status – it’s that good. Littered with strong hooks and catchy melodies, this is one of THE Oz releases of 2025 and one you need to hear.  Check it here.

5. The Naked Lunch – "Wish You Well"
The Naked Lunch released a stupendous album of supreme power pop in 2023 called "Real Gone". They have a new six track CD out called 'Wish You Well' that goes one better. A ton of hooks, pop sensibilities and killer riffs. This is their third release since 2020 and if you haven't yet got on board - you need to! With a lineup whose pedigree includes Steve Beves (Melting Skyscrapers), Tony 'The Kid’ Roberston of The Hitmen/New Christs/Hitmen DTK, Tony Jukic of Hitmen DTK and Murray Shephard of the Screaming Tribesmen, Fun Things and Hitmen DTK – you know there is musical muscle behind the material – and what great material it is. "Wishing Well" and "Sammy’s Made My Day" are just two of my faves, yet the entire six tracks are killer. Check it here. 

6. Pilots Of Baalbek + The Undermines, Dissent Bar, Canberra 12 July 2025
A night of incendiary Rock Action on a freezing Canberra winter night from the two best bands in the nation’s capital. Pilots of Baalbek have two great albums out and a style that fuses retro vibes with modern power resulting in a sound that is quite their own. Their last album, "By The Seat Of Our Pants", is essential, and its on LP as well. The Undermines slayed all with their legitimate stamp of high energy rock that draws from the Motor City to the New Christs and then some. They released a four-track EP this year called "Holy Fool" and its essential. Check out the Pilots here, and the Undermines here.

7. Hollywood Brats – "Hung Like Stallions"
There have been some notable rock ‘n’ rollers important to me pass on this year - including David Johansen, Rick Derringer, Honest John Plain of The Boys and Andrew Mattheson of the Hollywood Brats. Although the Brats only released the one album before splintering off to The Boys and London SS in the mid-'70s, both that album and legit-star frontman Andrew Matthewson laid the blueprint that so many would follow. There's a cool label out of Norway called Big Dipper Records doing their best to reissue and release new material from some of Norway’s best – and this year they released an album of previously unreleased material by the Hollywood Brats called "Hung Like Stallions" and it has all the swagger and raunch ‘n’ roll that defined the Brats. 100% recommended.

8. Ricky Byrd - "NYC Made"
Most well known as guitar-slinger for Joan Jett and the Blackhearts for a decade (until '91), Ricky Byrd released his fourth solo album this year and its his most interesting, most personal album to date. A proud Bronx native raised in Queens and a lifelong Yankees fan, Byrd pays homage to the soundtrack of his youth with this album, with influences from the Raspberries to The Who to The Stones to The Yardbirds and Sam Cooke. It’s a rock-solid album with plenty of memorable and catchy tunes, including ‘Transistor Radio Childhood’, and the Mott The Hoople-like ‘Glamdemic’ Blues’. Great record this one! Check it here 

9. Richard Davies and the Dissidents - "High Times & Misdemeanours"
The sophomore album from Richard Davies is stunning. He is one of a handful or UK artists I consider essential listening. Slyder Smith is another, so too the incredible Marc Valentine if you dig contemporary power pop done right with a nod to the past. Both these guys have new singles out that are worth checking out. Anyway, Davies cut his teeth with underrated London alt-country/ Americana outfit The Snakes and released his debut album in 2020. His new album betters it, and channels Southside Johnny & The Ashbury Jukes, Tom Petty and Ian Hunter to great effect. He is one hell of a singer-songwriter with High Times & Misdemeanours one hell of an album. The powerful cover of Divinyls' "Human On The Inside" reason enough alone to check it out.

10. Tyla J. Pallas - Gilding the Lily
The brand-new album from Tyla (the Dogs D'amour) was released in in 2025 and it’s a monster, with 18 tracks and a range of styles – from pirate ballads to romantic hobo tunes to gritty and raw blooze numbers characterised by whiskey-soaked vocals and a ton of heart – there’s a legitimacy and originality to Tyla that makes him unique. He is still a cult fave in the UK, yet hopefully (optimistically even) Gilding The Lily may see him tour beyond Blighty and out to this old colony one day. We live in hope! Check it here.

• peter simpson
• vicious kitten
• anne mccue
• chris masuak's dog solider
• smoked salmon
• girl monstar
• colin gray
• hollywood brats
• the naked lunch

2025 Top Tens: Simon Vines of The Strike-Outs

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By Adam Vines

Adam Vines

14 December 2025

Hits: 700

Here’s my top 10 live shows from 2025, in chronological order: 

1.  The Schizophonics: La La La’s, Wollongong & Factory Theatre, Marrickville – January  
I was fortunate enough to catch The Schizophonics twice in January. A cracking rock band fronted by an over medicated hyperactive octopus, Pat Beers. They had the entire audience smiling their whole set both nights. Most excellent! 

2.  The D4: Mary’s Underground, Sydney – February 
I’ve dug the The D4 since their first album, 20 odd years ago, so there was no way I was missing their first Sydney show in yonks. Gotta admit to being a bit nervous though, would thThis Woy Woy line-up is Outtaspaceey still have it? Would they be a good as I remember?? Yeah they fuckin were!! Ripping set! Killer Rock n roll with all the hits! Dion thrashed his geetar at the end ensuring no encore, perfect! 

3. Sun Ra Archestra: Factory Theatre, Marrickville – March 
Sun Ra’s free jazz is soothing for me, so this show was a must. A 20-odd ensemble of musicians playing spaced out free jazz in psychedelic outfits - memorising! The 70-year-old band leader doing backflips at the end was the icing on top. 

• the d4
• schizophonics
• strike-outs
• simon vines
• outtaspace weekender

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First responders with a serve of old time Oz punk? Fuck The Neighbours finds its feet in The MoshPit

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By Geoffrey Datson

Geoffrey Datson

14 December 2025

Hits: 389

_{Fuck The Neighbours leader Simon Chainsaw.}

Fuck The Neighbours
+ The Molly Fet Circuit
MoshPit Bar, St Peters, NSW

WORDS: Geoffrey Datson
IMAGES: The Barman

There was some confusion, so I’m arriving at the bright Saturday afternoon gig late.

Into the long dark venue.

It seemed there’d been some mishap?

A first responder with a head torch on  is stumbling through debris, where the stage used to be.

• the saints
• razar
• x
• moshpit bar
• fuck the neighbours
• the molly fet circuit
• the screaming tribesmen

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Zeke's new 45 will truck you up

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By The Barman

The Barman

14 December 2025

Hits: 276

Peterbilt b/w From The Ashes – Zeke (Hound Gawd Records)

If you have to ask what it sounds like you’ve never heard a Zeke record. Like most, if not all of them, ”Peterbilt” throttles along like a speed-freak with a headful of crank chasing white lines down an autobahn where there’s no posted limit. If it’s too fast you’re probably too old (and I might will be.)

Live, the band is visceral. On record, they’re all heat with no shade - and so it is with this 45.

“From The Ashes” is dominated by the declaration “this is the night – let’s go” and does what it’s told. The A side might be a song about the “Peterbilt” truck brand but ends up a blur, so it’s hard to tell without a lyric sheet. The briefest of guitar solos tears through the middle like high-beam headlights.

Let’s be real - if you’re chasing Zeke thrills you’re not in search of sensitive balladry and the words don’t much matter anyway. This single likely won’t be streamed and will end up selling out, so it’s for the fans. The blurb calls it "a must-have for punk vinyl collectors and anyone who craves explosive riffs, breakneck drumming, and pure punk chaos" and I don't feel like arguing. 

Buy it 

• hound gawd records
• zeke
• peterbilt

2025 Top Tens: Adam Vines of Wollongong band The Sugar Beats and Sydney band The Strike-Outs

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By Adam Vines

Adam Vines

11 December 2025

Hits: 860

There's been so many killer bands/releases/shows/etc this year that I've loved which makes it damn hard to narrow it down to 10 highlights. Cos I don't really bother with digital or streaming when it comes to my music addiction, this is the 10 (mostly) physical music things that have kept me coming back for more in 2025 - in no particular order.

Blast Module – “Demo 1” EP
I heard some snippets of these tracks online early this year and they snagged my attention immediately. Their debut EP came out in May and its been on heavy rotation ever since. “Demo 1” is a total high energy synth punk burner from top to bottom. Riffs, hooks and melodies all wrapped up in 8 bit video game goodness. I've managed to catch these guys live a couple of times during the year and they deliver the goods on stage too. Check out their track Helenova for a taste.

Swami John Reis – “Time to Let You Down” LP
Any time the Swami puts out new music I'm on board. It’s ridiculous that this one guy has been at the centre of so many great bands. I'm not complaining - I'm in awe.

The new “solo” album is maybe a touch more punk than the last few records and it completely rocks. Fast and furious downstroke rockers front to back. Its a great pick me up record that’s been on the turntable repeatedly. I havent heard the new Plosivs album yet but I'm sure that'll be getting lotsa spin time, too. 

• outtaspace
• nunchukka superfly
• top tens
• 2025
• simon vines
• bugg music
• the art of fox
• melvic centre

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2025 Top Tens: Author and Molly Fet Circuit and Smallpox Confidential frontman Robert Brokenmouth

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By Robert Brokenmouth

Robert Brokenmouth

10 December 2025

Hits: 562

Top Ten Sydney Tunnels and Bridges

What? Tunnels and bridges not rock'n'roll enough for ya? So, sue me. 

The Molly Fet Circuit were in Sydney for a couple of gigs recently and I could not believe how much the place has changed; I was here last only a year or so before covid - not sure how long it'd been for musician Shaun C. Duncan (Die Like a God, Council of Elders, Iron Phallus), but quite a bit longer I think.

Our friend Nathan Iowa (Shark Arm) was extremely helpful, driving us hither and yon - to the point where I realised that, without his help, we would've been either frequently lost or forking out hundreds in cab fares. Never mind anything else, we might not have even found the fucking gigs.

• top ten
• robert brokenmouth
• 2025
• molly fet circuit

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2025 Top Tens: Ex-Lime Spiders and Grooveyard member, and solo artist Richard Lawson

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By Richard Lawson

Richard Lawson

09 December 2025

Hits: 645

Top Ten Filthy Rock and Roll Songs

1. "Blitzkreig Bop" - Ramones

2. "Shake Appeal" - Iggy and the Stooges 

3. "Dirty Robber "- The Sonics

4. "New Rose" - The Damned

5. "Communication Breakdown" - Led Zeppelin 

6. "Oh Carol" - Rolling Stones

7. "Revolution" - The Beatles

8. "Lucille" - Little Richard

9. "Eruption" - Van Halen

10. "Let There Be Roc" - AC/DC

Find Richard Lawson here.

• top ten
• lime spiders
• Richard lawson
• the grooveyard
• 2025

The VeeBees take their place on a porcelain throne

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By The Barman

The Barman

09 December 2025

Hits: 627

Third In Line For The Throne b/w Yeah Orright – The VeeBees (Evil Twin)

Twenty-five years of The VeeBees? Hard to believe but here’s the proof that they still excel at excess. The A side is a stringing sub two-minute trip of raging guitars and fun. The VeeBees’ engine room has never sounded more powerful.

And the lyrics? They’re about lining up when you really need to lay a cable and (thankfully) have nothing about the succession plans of entitled and terminally boring Royals.

At a tick over three minutes “Yeah Orright” is an odyssey in comparison. The band eases off the throttle and while Its lyrical journey doesn’t go much further than the chorus, the chugging guitars stick like shit to a blanket. That term could apply equally to "Third In Line".

The VeeBees don’t own Yob Rock but they’ve carved out their own little corner, spanning Canberra and Wollongong. More power to their (drinking) arm. As the boys themselves say: "Four blokes, 3 chords, 2 brain cells, 1 carton of beer." 

1/2

Buy the download

Buy the vinyl

• evil twin
• the veebees
• third in line for the throne
• yeah orright