Mark Fraser with Blackie of the Hard-Ons
Ten best albums for 2021… no particular order.
HARD ONS- “Sorry Sir, That Riff’s Been Taken”
Is it pop? Is it Punk? Who cares, its fkn perfect.
THE QUICK SIXES – “Swamped”
Swampabilly meets surf in the most perfect of ways.
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.
1 - Celibate Rifles - “Extract from the Fungus”.
The moment it was released it went to no.1 in my charts.
2 - Drugs in Sport – “At Least We’ll Always Have Rock and Roll To Fall Back On” (OuttaSpace).
Label mates. Top, top pop album which I am playing every day.
3 - Chimers - "Chimers" (Poop Alley Records)
Was on the full time playlist for numerous weeks this year.
PATRICK EMERY'S TOP 10
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.
Josie Jose photo
Best Albums of 2021 (not in order)
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.
My Top Ten is all over the shop - non sensible and I’m sure a few were from years back, but I only just caught up!
1. Get Back by Peter Jackson
Stupendous all the way through.
2. McCartney 3,2,1
Stupendous all the way through.
3. Radio 2SER-FM
TOP TEN CIRCLES OF HELL FOR 2021
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.
MY YEAR'S END TOP TEN or maybe more, I never said I was any good at math. -JD Stayfree
1.) Dan Denton is published byPunk Hostage Press.
THE FARMHOUSE’S TOP TEN
Hello I-94 Barflies. What a shitty year it’s been. Charlie Watts’ passing makes me feel old and I type with a heavy heart with the passing a few days ago of my friend, the great guitarist John Nolan (Bored!, Powder Monkeys, Spencer P Jones and The Escape Committee and more recently Powerline Sneakers.) Last drinks, last smokes. R.I.P.
Thank fuck there is music. There have been numerous great releases this past 12 months, so here we go.
Frank with The Streetwalkin' Cheetahs.
TOP TEN ALBUMS
Cheap Trick – "In Another World"
The masters of hard rock power-pop return with another banger. What year is this? How is it possible these guys are still so good?
The Wildhearts – "21st Century Love Songs"
Ginger is one of my favorite songwriters and this Wildhearts album is a ferocious reminder that he is still at the peak of his powers.
The Darkness – "Motorheart"
My favorite Darkness album since their debut, this one has swagger, hooks, and lots of blistering guitar riffs!
