jupiter 5

The Golden Rat with Joe Rizzo – “Can Any Of You Muthas Dance?”
This live recording from July 2024 went straight to digital and we're thankful someone had the nouse to preserve it. The Golden Rat headlined a tribute show in Tokyo to honour the late Walter Lure (Heartbreakers/Waldos), who passed away in 2020. Joining The Golden Rat (Hiroshi The Golden Arm and Mr Ratboy) for this special evening was drummer Joe Rizzo - who'd done time with Walter for years (and was also a member of The Waldos, Pillbox and D Generation). Killer set of Heartbreakers/Thunders tunes done right! 

Marc Valentine – "Basement Sparks" CD
My brother and I saw Marc Valentine in ‘93 in London when he was fronting power-pop outfit the Last Great Dreamers. He released a killer album a couple of years back that included Wreckless Eric and Matt Dangerfield from The Boys, but this new album, “Basement Sparks” goes one better. Great songwriter who understands the pop/hook combo very well.

 Some of the best material to come out of Ernie O’s Urban Fringe Compound over 2024, in no particular order (as these are my friends and clients, it doesn’t pay to play favourites):

Mick Medew and Ursula – In The Zone CD (I-94 Bar Records)
Mick and Ursula’s material has certainly “matured” with this release, with Ursula taking over vocal and co-writing duties on some of the more post punk styled songs ("Punk Grandma", "Invisible Woman"), while Mick’s melodic songwriting style shines on tracks like "In The Zone" and "Surfing On The Waves". This album is getting some great reviews online and from Australian independent radio stations. Available fromBandcamp. Get it!

John Kennedy and the New Originals – Live at the Marrickville Bowl (I-94 Bar Records)
John put together a stellar outfit withPete Timmerman, Phil Hall, Murray Cook andMatt Galvin, andRichard Ball captured it live to 1’s and 0’s before Phil mixed it to sound like we’re actually in the room with the band. A totally live recording with no overdubs and only some pauses removed to keep it flowing, John has curated some of the best songs from his extensive stable, and a couple of old chestnuts (includingEastern Dark’s "Julie Is A Junkie" and "Hand of Law" byRadio Birdman). Stellar! Get ithere.

We may be biased but you'd be mad not to want to go to this.  X, White Knuckle Fever, Jupiter 5 and Rubber Necker on the I-94 Bar Stage in Sydney on March 20. Tickets here.

 _{X are Geof Holmes, Rick Studentt, John Butler and Steve Lucas. Photo by The Barman}

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

 Finally a gig that got me into the city, out of my COVID slumber and ignoring the daily infection numbers.

The rare spark of motivation was the Sydney Rock and Roll & Alterative Festival, an extension of Tiffany Palmer’s amazing and long-running Sydney Rock ‘n’ Roll Markets   This event had become an institution in this city over the last decade - until COVID put an end to and anything half decent in a dull and corporate investment hub.

I was here at the Factory Theatre in Marrickville for The Barman’s I-94 Bar Stage in the room called The Factory Floor, but I did manage to peek at a few other stages. I discovered that cowboys and cowgirls were out in force with line dancing alive and well. It’s practiced by people whose childhood was dominated by episodes of “Hi Five”. Line dancing is allegedly cool and has left its mark on society with community colleges teaching the stuff. As a bloke who grew up in the bush, this pretentious King Street urban country fashion is amusing.