A personal look back at Rock ‘n’ Roll Damnation

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By Andrew Altree-Williams

Andrew Altree-Williams

20 April 2015

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As fans around Australia rejoice at the news of AC/DC's upcoming national stadium tour this November and December it's worth reflecting on how rough, but yet ultimately triumphant, the past 12 months have been for the band. 

Almost exactly a year ago whilst working a camera shift for the ABC's 7.30 programme I had the enviable task of working on a story about AC/DC: one of my all-time favourite rock bands. But the feeling was bittersweet: troubling rumours were swirling around about the band's rhythm guitarist and unofficial leader Malcolm Young, elder brother of the more recognisable schoolboy uniform-sporting lead guitarist Angus.

The word was he was suffering from an undisclosed debilitating sickness, rendering him permanently unable to play guitar and therefore leaving the band's plans for a 40th anniversary tour and new album in ruins. The band was to call it a day. Such an integral piece of Australian cultural history: no more?! The 'other greatest rock 'n' roll band in the world' (next to the The Rolling Stones): done and dusted?

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Going Back Home - Wilko Johnson & Roger Daltrey (Chess/Universal)

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By Robert Brokenmouth

Robert Brokenmouth

19 April 2015

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Now, I’m going to write one small phrase. If you don’t know who Wilko Johnson is, they should be enough to get your interest. If the phrase doesn’t get your interest, I’m sure you can find something else more interesting to do, like taking pictures of your lunch and sending it to your closest pals on instagrit.

The phrase is: dirty british R ’n’ B .

And of course, r’n’b refers to that peculiarly affecting, tough-man-hard-tears style which the Brits pioneered in the early 196ts; a platform which lead to stuff like The Beatles (you may have heard of them), The Rolling Stones (hmm, they sound familiar), The Yardbirds … and on and on into the Jam and the Sex Pistols (along the way, admittedly including some of the most appalling pub bands about whom the less said the better, although their very dullness lead to a musical revolution which began brewing, it seems, in about 1972 and finally found a popular name in 1977, propelled by events on a hamfisted kid’s show in December 1976).

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Here comes a new Cosmic Psychos record

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By The Barman

The Barman

17 April 2015

Hits: 3730

Everybody's favcourite yob rockers, Cosmic Psychos, are unleashing their first studio album in six years in June and will spruik it with an Aussie tour in tandem with with likeminded mates, Dune Rats.

“Cum The Raw Prawn” is the new LP and it’s described (unsurprisingly) as “beer-soaked, bulldozer-fuelled pub anthems accost at every turn and it's as grotty and unapologetic as ever”. You expected yacht rock ballads?

“Cum The Raw Prawn” was recorded on Ross Knight's farm in January this year and the lead-off song is “Better Not Bitter”, which you can listen tro and watch ivia th ewonders of the embedded clip above. Click more for tour dates and ticketing: 

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This man will play mistLY for you

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By The Barman

The Barman

15 April 2015

Hits: 3369

With his entire back catalogue now available digitally, including the latest, “Play mistLY For Me”, the first of two live collections available now, Dave Graney and The mistLY are playing some shows in New South Wales in May.

The tour is a mix of band and solo shows in a range of venues. 

27/05 Wednesday - Bearded Tit –Redfern - Dave Graney solo 
28/05 Thursday Heritage Hotel Bulli - Dave Graney and the mistLY
29/05 Friday Django Bar – Camelot Lounge - Dave Graney and the mistLY
30/05 Saturday Bunker - Coogee Diggers - Dave Graney and the mistLY
31/05 Sunday Newcastle - Royal Exchange - Dave Graney solo

We asked Dave what fans should anticipate: "Expect many wildly shining gems from their enormous and highly individual songbook. Plenty say they do their own thing – none have done it for so long and so fearlessly!"

Indeed.

We have three winners

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By The Barman

The Barman

15 April 2015

Hits: 3368

The entries are in and the winners have been drawn in our contest to win a Joeys Coop pack of a band T-shirt and their double A-sided single, “Take Me Away” b/w “Down To The Sea”.

 They are Rob Minogue  and Guy Bohan of NSW and Matthew Woods from Queensland, who all correctly named Joeys Coop guitarist Brett Myers’ prior bands as Died Pretty and The End. (No Dance would have got you the money, too.)

Thanks to all who entered and congratulations to the winners. Your packs will be in the mail as soon as The Barman drags his sorry arse away from the fridge and to a post office. 

Steve Lucas' support of Child Wise is an X-cellent idea

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By The Barman

The Barman

15 April 2015

Hits: 5533

Some of Australia’s most beloved musicians are being brought together by one of Australian punk rock’s seminal figures for a one-off concert to raise funds in the fight against child abuse.

X frontman Steve Lucas is organising The Child Wise Benefit Concert on Tuesday, May 12 at the Thornbury Theatre in Melbourne. It's his second year and he's pulled together an impressive bill.

It includes ‘60s psych legend-turned-bluesman Russell Morris, Beasts of Bourbon and Cruel Sea frontman and solo artist Tex Perkins, ex-Queen of Pop Debra Anne Byrne, blues singer-harpist Chris Wilson, bassist Jerome Smith (Mick Jagger, Keith Richards, Rufus Thomas, Divinyls) and MC Brian Nankervis (Rockwizz.)  

• chris
• concert
• steve lucas
• child wise
• tex perkins
• russell morris

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Stoneage Hearts return with third album

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By The Barman

The Barman

12 April 2015

Hits: 6230

You may remember them from their 2002 debut album “Turn On With” fronted by Danny McDonald or “Guilty As Sin” (2004) with Perth legend Dom Mariani (Stems/Someloves) on guitar/vocals, but Melbourne’s Stoneage Hearts are back with a new line-up and record.

“Hung Up (On You)” is the newie on Off The Hip with the line-up of Tony Dyer (vocals/guitar), Simon Kay (lead guitar), Dave Hine (bass), plus mainstay skinsman Mick Baty.

What is the common denominator this time ‘round you as? Simple: Redd Kross.

• garage
• off-the-hip
• powerpop
• stoneage-hearts
• hung up on you

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Mazstock 2015 line-up announced

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By The Barman

The Barman

12 April 2015

Hits: 5910

Northern New South Wales’s favorite little all-day rock-fest MAZSTOCK will be returning.

This year's show goes back to the Lismore Italo Club on Saturday, May 16, and will showcase some of the best local and interstate rock and punk bands.

The day will be headlined by Sydney rockers Front End Loader, whose rare Lismore appearance will surely make this a Mazstock to remember.

Also making the trip north will be Australia’s favourite pair of pisshead-yob rockers, Adelaide’s The Meatbeaters and Canberra’s The Vee Bees. Joining the the shenanigans will be Wollongong’s BRUCE! and Sydney’s The Dunhill Blues.

• meatbeaters
• veebees
• mazstock
• lismore
• front end loader

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Play Your Favourite Stupid Songs - Flu Flu Birds (Action Records)

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By The Barman

The Barman

11 April 2015

Hits: 4831

It’s almost a given that old rockers will put their amps aside from time to time, put on cowboy hats and play mildly ironic acoustic music full of songs about killing people and losing their girls. France’s Flu Flu Birds fit the bill on all fronts.

“Play Your Favourite Stupid Songs” is four tracks of hayseed cowpunk from members of The Stoneage Romeos and Ganbangers. Those names might not mean much to you but I can tell you that The Stoneage Romeos especially rock like motherfuckers. So you'd expect this diversion down a country backroad to be good.

• stoneage romeos
• flu flu birds
• play your favourite stupid songs
• action records

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