Booges filling in on drums for Brisbane band HITS on a string of Radio Birdman supports.
After a weird couple of years and having to shelve my label for family reasons and a pandemic, you could say I’ve dropped out of music to a certain degree. Anyways I do have a Top Ten.Some are releases, some arte new bands and some are life choices. Onward, upward and ideas flowing for the label and a possible live venue. In no particular order:
Belle Phoenix - “The Glorious Dead” One release that got affected by my situation. Thankfully Beast and Spooky released this absolute gem. Belle was living in Brisbane a few years ago when my friend Mary Mihelakos contacted me, saying I should talk to Belle. I did, we met up, listened to the recordings she did a few years ago and put my head down to help her as much as I could behind the scenes. I was planning on releasing the album but family issues and then COVID put my label at a standstill. I’ve been listening to it for a few years now and haven’t stop listening to it.
Hi all. This is my first Top Ten. Happy 2022 to you all.
1.In May this year I married my partner in life, and now in music, Mick Medew. Taking the self-appointed term “Brisbane power couple” to the next level was a most fun and loving day and to be surrounded by our families and friends was truly lucky, considering these times.
2.In April Mick Medew and Ursula (the Meduo) were invited to support two shows with Died Pretty at The Triffid in Brisbane. I wanted to look my best, so an online acquisition from Spotlight, meant fringing kept me busy sewing. But I still had time to practise with Mick and the whole night was amazing! Plus I got to see Died Pretty perform twice in one night. It was lovely spending time with the blokes backstage too...
This year I’m going to go with an all Australian bands top 5 of reissues / older stuff and a top 10 of new stuff.
Old Stuff (in no particular order):
1. SHUTDOWN 66 – Come On Girl Give Me Half A Chance. Reissue of their 4th and final long play release, the original was very limited and is super hard to find, so I was stoked to hear that Soundflat Records from Germany was reissuing this awesome garage punk LP.
2. ASTEROID B-612 – S/T The CD only debut long-player got a long overdue vinyl reissue this year from Spain’s Bang! Records.
3. THE LIPSTICK KILLERS – “Strange Flash” One of the most highly anticipated releases from earlier in the year. A great collection of awesome studio and live recordings.
4. THE PROTON ENERGY PILLS – S/T A collection of their studio releases. A fantastically packaged deluxe gatefold album. 5. BORED! – "Back For More" and BORED! – "Feed The Dog" A couple of great releases came out this year from Bored! “Back For More” (Bang!) is an awesome compilation with songs spanning the bands career, and “Feed The Dog” (Fantastic Mess) got the reissue treatment with a couple of bonus songs thrown in.
Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to you all and thank for your support throughout another year. Things right across the board have been slower and less frequent although there are still many good things to report.
1. In March Ursula and I began recording out first full length album together. It is due for release early March 2022 on I-94 Bar Records.
2. April 25 – Died Pretty Mick Medew and Ursula supported The Died Pretty at The Triffid. Ron was in wonderful form as was the band and I continue to find The Triffid one of my favourite venues in Australia to play or have a night out. 3. May 9 - Dave Graney and Clare Moore at The Junk Bar, Ashgrove.
Nudity – Nudity Is God’s Creation – I ordered this through Richie Ramone’s Strangeworld Records on the basis of the name and a brief musical snippet alone. A re-release of a double album of choice cuts from 2005-2010, a smattering of Pagans-ish punk rock, Detroit garage, fuzzed out psychedelia and raga frenzies. My favourite vinyl purchase for 2021. The neighbours are still processing it.
Foggy Notion – great live band, great songs, talented players. By my count, we’ve seen them 10 times this year, with at least four shows cancelled due to you-know-what. New album out digitally, physical copy due March 2022.
Blowers – “Blowers” In the tradition of Jay Reatard and the Oblivions, Blowers are a band that proves less is more. Killer bare basics, as well as plenty of humour. One take, if there’s a mistake, fuck it, that’s the take. This LP is prime example of garage rock at its purists and best.
Civic – “Future Forecast” After a few brilliant EPs it’s great to finally get a full Civic release. Combining elements of ‘90s Melbourne rock and US 2000s gunk rock, this stayed on the turntable for a good fortnight.
Cutters – “Australian War Crimes” Six tracks clocking in at 10 minutes, including a diss on Rye, a suburb I don’t care for, and the title track, a reaction to revelations of Australian SAS soldiers’ behaviour in Afghanistan. Brutal and superb.
1:The circle of passive rebellion where the damned must battle eternally painful loopholes.
Reserved for DICKNOSERS, CHINWAGGERS, NECKBREAKERS and EAR RINGERS. A mask is a simple thing. You just embarrass yourself by failing to wear it correctly. Special shout out to dickheads who punch a hole in their masks to smoke cigarettes.
2: The circle of deep regret where the damned spread disease to their loved ones before spending eternity intubated.
Reserved for Antivaxers. Vax up or shut up you medieval floor lickers.
Booges filling in on drums for Brisbane band HITS on a string of Radio Birdman supports. 
Bec Lee photo
Mark Fraser with Blackie of the Hard-Ons
This year I’m going to go with an all Australian bands top 5 of reissues / older stuff and a top 10 of new stuff.
Josie Jose photo
TOP TEN CIRCLES OF HELL FOR 2021