The Barman at an I-94 Editorial Board meeting with Our Man in Dimboola, Ron Brown (left).
THE BARMAN’S BEST ALBUMS OF 2022
Do The Understanding – Ron S Peno and The Superstitions (self released)
Ron S Peno has equalled and maybe surpassed his output with Died Pretty after a succession of excellent records with his champion Melbourne band. The man needs a muse and found an outstanding one in co-writer and guitarist Cam Butler. This is the Album of the Year.
The rest in no particular order:
Live From The Astroturf - Alice Cooper (Good Records)
Alice reunited with the original Alice Cooper Band with Ryan Roxie filling in for Glen Buxton? Better than it should have been with more balls and the I-94 Bar pool table.
Lachlan Valley Dirt – Joeys Coop (Citadel)
Superb band, special songs. Recorded beautifully. Bits of alt.country and blues rock, and splashes of adult pop. Mark Roxburgh has never sung better and Brett Myers is still one of the most distinctive guitarists in the land but the band is more than a duo and very much the sum of its parts.
My Way Or The Highway – The Dark Clouds (self released)
Larger than life and criminally under-appreciated. The Dark Clouds are own version of The Dictators. It took them a month of Sundays to get it out so make sure you support it.
Theater of Cruelty – Iggy and the Stooges (Easy Action)
Not perfect but damn close. The last word in box sets of Iggy and the Stooges at the Whisky. Avoid the Cherry Red imitations with those misleading venue names.
Dawn of the Braindead – The Owen Guns (Outtaspace Records)
You’d have to be braindead not to want it. The Owen Guns
A Fire of Life – The Stooges (Easy Action)
Finally, a proper live documentation of the reconstituted first era Stooges. Who else but Easy Action?
Love is Calling - Mick Medew and Ursula (I-94 Bar Records)
Yeah, we put it out. Is there something wrong with that? A seriously great album full of seriously great Mick Medew songs. Ursula adds the texture. Brian Mann’s co-production is next world. Thanks 4ZZZ for the airplay and (pending) Top 100 inclusion. Fuck Sydney’s FBi for being ageist.
The Strains – The Strains (No Solution Records)
It would be a great album if you didn’t know the band contained members of Dumbell and Dark Carnival. These Detroit veterans slam it out live in the studio and show just about every other band how it’s done.
Silver & Black - Leadfinger (Golden Robot)
No spring chickens but they nailed their best-sounding record to date with this. Long may they run.
HONORABLE MENTIONS
We Got A Right – The Golden Rat (Vicious Kitten Records)
Out of Time – Sonic’s Rendezvous Band (Easy Action)
Caveat Emptor - Slug (self released)
Monster Hits – Square Tugs (self released)
Chariot Of The Gods - Hoodoo Gurus (Big Time/EMI)
SIX MEMORABLE 2022 SHOWS
Ron S Peno + Fabels + Nothing But Dust + MD Horne
Marrickville Bowling Club, Sydney - Saturday, 12 November 2022
Years since their last visit to Sydney, this sold-out show blew everyone away.
Mick Medew and the Mesmerisers + The On and Ons + Pocketwatch
Marrickville Bowling Club, Sydney - Saturday, 5 November 2022
Peerless rock and roll, powerpop and youthful enthusiasm - and that was just The Celebrity Roadie setting up for sound-check. Both this and the Mick Medew & Ursula gig the next afternoon at The Barley deserved capacity crowds.
Penny Ikinger Band + The On and Ons + Paul Berwick’s Magnetic Quartet
Marrickville Bowling Club, Sydney - Saturday, 11 June 2022
Penny’s sure picked a talented band to do justice to her catalogue.
SYDNEY ROCK 'N' ROLL & ALTERNATIVE FESTIVAL - I-94 BAR STAGE
X + Jupiter 5 + Sonic Garage + The Darrans
The Factory Floor, Marrickville, NSW - Sunday, 20 March 2022
X music. Is timeless and Steve Lucas and Co deliver them with style and energy. All the supporting bands stepped up and did the business. A stunning afternoon and night.
Joeys Coop + The Smart Folk
MoshPit, St Peters, NSW - Saturday 26 March, 2022
Joeys Coop (two sets)
The Golden Barley, Enmore – Friday 2 December 2022
Two quality shows to book-end the year. Great songs, great players. The Smart Folk played one of their best sets for the MoshPit support.
HONORABLE OTHER MENTIONS
Thursday Evening Gunk and all the people and bands involved in Series Two.
My night is dark and empty now we're not on TV.
