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.
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- By Robert Brokenmouth
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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
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- By The Barman
- Hits: 3476
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.
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- By Robert Brokenbmouth
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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.
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- By Robert Brokenmouth
- Hits: 3601
KIm Volkman and the Whiskey Priests come from Melbourne. No shock there. Most of the best Australian rock and roll does. And this is a record - like most of them - with a beginning and an end. No shit again, Sherlock. The distinction is that the songs at each end book-end and define what's inbetween - and it's pretty fucking great.
The slightly frayed vocal of opening track "I'm Still Standing (Alive and Well)" and its swaggering, Oz Rock chug suits its survivor sentiment to a tee. And the cover of the Jagger/Richards classic "Silver Train" that closes the album is pulled off with consummate, ragged ease.
Stones and Oz Rock. They're children of the blues. Throw in the inevitable Ian Rilen and the Love Addicts comparison (more on that later) and you'll appreciate how "The Devil Won't Take Charity" nails its colours to the masts.
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- By The Barman
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Book launch
The Big Beat by Donald Robertson and others
The Howing Owl, Adelaide
Wednesday, October r16 2019
Can't take Her anywhere.
We've just witnessed Donald Robertson, mainspring behind Adelaide's monthly Roadrunner magazine (1978-1983) be inducted into the SA Music Hall of Fame (the 111th member) by John Schumann (of Redgum).
Preceding that was a couple of short speeches (including one from Jim Kerr of Simple Minds), a rather entertaining Q&A chaired by Suzy Ramone (of, among many other things, the Molting Vultures), and prior to that much chinwagging by a bunch of old coots who hadn't seen each other in - literally in some cases - several decades.
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- By Robert Brokenmouth
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Thirty years of The Meanies? Who woulda thunk? The last show of theirs’ I attended probably lasted 30 minutes. While the celebratory tour winds its way around Australia, boutique label Fantastic Mess has dropped this heavyweight Méaniee à Trois on us in a run of 300.
The A side keeps you guessing where it’s going with odd tempo changes. It's a fine slice of freakbeat that works its way into your head and up to a freak-out before skidding to a halt. It’s a long way removed from The Meanies’ early buzzsaw blasts and there are shades of Sun God Replica (Link’s other band) on a sunny day here.
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- By The Barman
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Let’s get the obvious ones out of the way first, shall we?.
Firstly, after what he’s done in the past, Iggy is entitled to play whatever music he wants. Any outstanding debts have been repaid. In full. And with interest. He can be as indulgent as he wants. Except for that cover of “Michelle”. Or “White Christmas”. Oh boy.
Secondly, if his solo career doesn’t stack up against what he did with the Stooges, that’s almost certainly because most other people’s best work doesn’t, either. Being an ex-Stooge can be both a blessing and a curse.
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- By The Barman
- Hits: 5052
All roads lead to Sydney's Factory Theatre on Sunday for the Sue Telfer Tribute concert aka Festival of Sue. The Ons and Ons open procedings at 2pm and X will close it at 10pm. In-between you can catch the New Christs, The Johnnys, Kim Salmon, The Cruel Sea (instrumental), Front End Loader, The Mis-Made, Penny Ikinger and The Holy Soul. MCs are Terry Serio, Bill Gibson and Tony Townsend. Ten bands over two stages with proceeds going to Support Act, the fund for music industry people in need of support. It's tracking to being a sell-out but you can buy pre-sale tickets here.
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- By The Barman
- Hits: 5758
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