Scuttlers & Scoundrels and Barrels of Death - Geof Holmes (self released)

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By The Barman

The Barman

25 April 2019

Hits: 3844

Geof Holmes is a name you should know, but the reality is that he’s unfamiliar to anyone outside a tight circle of Sydney musicians and followers of a certain vintage.

Holmes was one of the guitarists with Evil Roomers, the 1977 precursor to seminal Australian band X. With his close mate Ian Krahe on guitar, Steve Lucas on vocals and Ed Fisher on drums, they were in rehearsals when joined by bassist Ian Rilen, already on his way out of Rose Tattoo.

For various reasons, that line-up of Evil Roomers never got out of the practice room. Rilen, Krahe and Lucas would hook up with ex-cop Steve Cafeiro on drums to form the first line-up of X. Holmes went on to join Lucas, Rilen and Fisher in a potent 21st Century line-up of X. Last year, he sat in with the Lucas-only version of the band in Sydney for one song.

• x band
• geof holmes
• scuttlers
• scoundrels
• barrels of death
• evil roomers

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Liquorice - The Ramalamas (Half a Cow)

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By The Barman

The Barman

22 April 2019

Hits: 3622

This is an intruiging and charmingly all-over-the-shop album on which this Sydney five-piece sheds its alt.country label and heads for a garage in a swamp. There's more variety in this Licourice than a pallet-load of Darrel Lea Allsorts. 

The Ramalamas have been around for a decade or so, led by Chris Nielsen (vocals-guitar) and subsisting in their city’s fragmented live circuit while putting out a string of albums, of which this is their fourth. Nielsen name-checks the usual ‘60s references (Kinks, Stones) with a nod to the US West Coast’s psychedelic folk-pop scene. 

As well as owning a serviceable pop voice and playing nifty guitar, Nielsen is an award-wininng illustrator and his work adorns the CD cover and inlay. 

• garage
• half a cow
• ramalamas
• licourice

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Strangling out the hits and more

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By The Barman

The Barman

17 April 2019

Hits: 3907

As far as The Stranglers go, he's the man who wrote the hits, sang the hits and played guitar on the hits. Hugh Cornwell was an integral member of the band until 1990, before carving out his own solo career.

Cornwell will grace Australasian audiences with his presence in May with a tour playing music from The Stranglers and his latest solo album "Monster". 

Expect "Golden Brown", "No More Heroes", "Strange Little Girl", "Always The Sun", "Nice And Sleazy", "(Get A) Grip (On Yourself)" and "Peaches" – the great songs that established the legend of The Stranglers - after a set of his own material with his crack UK band.

MAY  
1 - Christchurch – Churchills
2- Wellington – San Fran Bath House
3 - Auckland – Powerstation with The Murder Chord
4 - Brisbane – Triffid
5 - Adelaide – Gov
8 - Canberra – Basement
9 – Manning Bar with Little Murders 
10 - Melbourne – Max Watts
11 - Perth – Rosemount with The Painkillers 
Tickets on sale here

• live
• tour
• australian
• new zealand
• the stranglers
• 2019
• hugh cornwell
• monster

At 71, still a Real Wild Child and rock and roll's beating heart

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By The Barman

The Barman

17 April 2019

Hits: 6588

_{The World's Forgotten Boy.  Miriam Williamson photo.}

Iggy Pop
Sydney Opera House
Monday, April 15 2019
Miriam Williamson photos

Iggy Pop and band put the torch to the Sydney Opera House the same night that a fire devastated Notre Dame in Paris. Coincidence? I think not.

The Pop has been a semi-regular tourist to Australia since 1983 and I’ve caught him on every run but one. Stooges excepted, this was close to his high-point. 

It is true that at age 71 - a pubic hair’s breadth away from bringing up 72 - James Osterberg moves a little more gingerly these days. The stage-dives are gone - at least where hard-backed seats are fixed to the floor - and he’s clearly pacing himself to go the distance. 

• iggy
• iggy pop
• live
• iggy & the stooges
• 2019
• sydney opera house
• kevin armstrong
• Seamus Beaghen
• mat hector
• ben ellis

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The Damned back to antagonise Australia

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By The Barman

The Barman

17 April 2019

Hits: 3910

The Damned - arguably the greatest surviving British punk band, bar none - are back to inflict their brand of insanity on Australia in August for three shows only.

Still firing on all cylinders and breaking all the rules, this most spiritually chaotic of all punk groups have never been away, never surrendered their ideals, always forged onwards. When Lemmy of Motörhead famously referred to them as “the only real punk band” you know they are the real deal.

Their live show is still as riotous as ever. As The Independent said: “They have become, if possible, more eccentric and outrageous as they grow older, with many of their live traits coming across as delightfully raucous.” Tickets go on sale Thursday 18 April at 9am here. 

TOUR DATES:
Thursday 22 August – Factory Theatre, Sydney 18+
Friday 23 August – The Triffid, Brisbane 18+
Saturday 24 August – Croxton Bandroom, Melbourne 18+
  
 

• the damned
• australian tour
• 2019

Iggy's still doing all the things a five foot one man can do

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By Bob Short

Bob Short

16 April 2019

Hits: 5465

Iggy Pop
Sydney Opera House
Monday, April 15, 2019
Lisa Doust photo

Firstly, you have probably all heard that Iggy still has it and he does. But the damage is there. You can see how fucked his leg is. And when rugby prop forward size fans manhandle him, you see that he's actually a five-foot-one man* in his 70's who may have shrunk an inch or two.

Stage security takes much greater care of him. Iggy also takes more care of himself, adapting the old poses into well timed rest breaks. Once or twice, he lives on his back. He feigns leaps into the crowd only to step back. He has learnt how not to be dragged off stage. He makes robot like motions to cover the limp. He uses the stairs.

• iggy
• iggy pop
• live
• australia
• sydney opera house

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Think About It - Rod Hamdallah (Hound Gawd)

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By The Barman

The Barman

14 April 2019

Hits: 3587

If you’re going to raid the garage for inspiration, make sure you’re taking your cues from the best.

Rod Hamdallah grew up in Atlanta, Georgia, and was playing gin joints and trashy dive bars before he was old enough to legally drink, steeping himself in blues, '50s and '60s rock and switchblade punk sounds from the get-go.

This 10-inch vinyl EP is a re-issue of Hamdallah’s self-issued debut CD from 2014 and reverberates with rebellious righteousness.

• mark sultan
• hound gawd records
• rod hamdallah
• think about it
• raunch hands
• john schooley
• legendary shack shakers
• jd wilkes

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Double dose of Birdman with Mick's Memserisers added to the bills

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By The Barman

The Barman

14 April 2019

Hits: 4126

Radio Birdman is playing just two Australian shows this year - June 21 at The Factory Theatre in Sydney and June 22 at the Cambridge Hotel in Newcastle - and Mick Medew and The Mesmerisers are joining them for both.

East Coast Low complete the bill in Newcastle and The Dark Clouds join the Sydney line-up.

The support spots will be part of a busy year for Mick Medew and his band with their forthcoming album expected to be out in time for the shows.

Both gigs will sell out with tickets available from both venue websites.

• mesmerisers
• live
• australia
• dark clouds
• radio birdman
• mick medew
• easts coast low

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You'd have to be a Stooge for this to be the world's forgotten show

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By The Barman

The Barman

14 April 2019

Hits: 3498

At a time when the man himself is gracing Australia with his presence for live shows, what bills itself as the ultimate Iggy Pop contest is on again in Melbourne in April 20, with funds raised going to a good cause.

One band and Six Iggys will battle it out to prove that they are Iggy Pop's love child at St Kilda Sports Club. "Pop Off" is now in its 5th year, with all money raised going directly to Sacred Heart Mission's Soup Kitchen.

It's just $10 on the door and the streetwalkin' cheetah with a heartful lof napalm stuff will start flowing from 7pm. Broken glass optional. 

• iggy pop
• st kilda
• pop off