poster boysArtists (from left) Glenn Smith, John Foy, Simon Day and Ben Brown are ready to sign and validate your poster collection.

They’ve literally mapped the history of Sydney underground rock and roll shows on telegraph poles and walls for more than 50 years and now they’re taking a stand against bootleg artworks.

Poster artists Glenn ‘”Glenno” Smith, Ben Brown, John Foy and Simon Day are making themselves available to fans to have their rock posters officially verified in Sydney on Saturday, July 1.

It’s a free service but for an optional extra fee, The Poster Boys will sign and encode your poster confirming its authenticity and value for now, and into the future. It starts at 11am at: 11-13 Burnell Place, Darlinghurst - look for the big red doors.

Elder statesman of Australian rock and roll street posters and driving force behind the Redeye Records label, John Foy, pioneered this long-term American verification practice in Australia a year ago, travelling between Brisbane, Sydney and Melbourne. 

“This year, it is now the four of us, and in 2024 we hope to further expand the idea to artists from other time periods and genders. 

“As well as the authentication processes there will be all kinds of other genuine art and limited editions for sale.

“It’s a rare opportunity to meet and chat to some of your favourite rock poster artists - and we’d like to meet you and see what you have collected.” 

Day, of course, is nationally known for fronting '90s fuzz-pop band Ratcat but is an artist of some repute. Brown was the singer in the Hellmen and Smith has played with Lawnsmell, Chinese Burns Unit and (currently) with Hellebores.