hovering spooks

The On and Ons, for a variety of reasons, only did a handful of gigs in 2025, a situation that we plan on rectifying in 2026! So accordingly, I would like to pay tribute to the wonderful bands that we played with throughout the year. They are listed below in chronological order:

#1. Grooveyard, Marrickville Bowlo.
It’s been more than 40 years since I last shared a stage with Grooveyard! It was just great to hear their timeless Jangle-Rock one more time. Check out their "Avalanche Of Love" single (’84), and "Grooveyard" 12” EP (’89), all re-released digitally in 2024. Also on the bill for this gig was -

#2. Van Ruin.
A classic-sounding Sydney hard rock act fronted by Phil Van Rooyen, along with Al Creed, Stu Wilson, and Andy Newman, whose album "Trauma Magnet" is getting attention OS in places like France where they toured successfully this year.

#3. The New Christs, Marrickville Bowlo,
It’s been 45 years since the first single from The New Christs, and their back catalog is now huge! They  recently toured Europe, and Rob is still as charismatic as always and the band tighter than ever. An Australian Institution!

#4. The Autumn Hearts, Tighes Hill Hotel Newcastle.
We’ve played with The Autumn Hearts a number of times over the years in the Newcastle area and Sydney, and they never fail to impress. Great songs and great playing that falls into the Power Pop category. Their album "Mr Sunshine" is getting airplay in all the right places here and overseas. Well deserved, fellas - ya couldn’t meet a nicer bunch of blokes.

#5. Jupiter 5, Marrickvile Bowlo.
Jupiter 5 opened a three-band bill wioth us with a blistering set. Rossy, Vince, Angelo, Jay, and James, played songs from their "5th From The Sun" album, available from I-94 Bar Records.

From Melbourne, visiting Sydney for the first time were 

#6. Velvet Parade.
Featuring, on lead vocals, the irrepressible Ripley Hood (Brando Rising) in a slightly moodier style for this up and coming Melbourne unit who had recently returned from Japan, check out their tune "Ghost" which has been getting some air in the UK..

On a personal level, I was thrilled to be asked to play guitar (yeah - guitar!!) for

#7. The Boiling Frogs, at the Moshpit Bar for Ray Ahn’s 60th.
Thanks to Nik, Rick and Dave, for inviting me to take part in a fabulous gig, which also featured...  

 #8. The Hovering Spooks, 
A great newish band all of whom I’ve known for decades. They have a fantastic vinyl 7” single featuring Phil Hall on lead vocals for his song "Andy Says".

And of course...

#9. The Hard Ons.
Whhat can one say about them, they are iconic. Still going from strength to strength with a huge global fan-base.

We finished our gigging year with...

#10. Sick Fizz, at Mixtape Brewery, Marrickviolle
Mixtape  should get the vote as New Venue Of The Year, the sound is surprisingly good for a former warehouse. Sick Fizz are so much fun. Energetic, melodic and memorable. A fab debut album "Takin’ Care Of Fizzness" is available, and I’m sure we’ll see more of them in the coming year.

Next up for The On and Ons is a rnew album for Jem Records USA idue early in ’26 and over the next year we hope to play with many more excellent local bands. 

Who says Rock is dead?