John Felice is one of rock’n’roll’s unsung heroes. A founding member of the Modern Lovers at the age of 15, he quit the band before the sessions that resulted in their classic album, and was subsequently written out of the history of one of the most influential bands of the ‘70s.
The band he left to form, the Kids, made some local waves but ultimately went nowhere, pretty much coming to an end when he went off to New York to audition for the Heartbreakers - a job he turned down.
Back in Boston, he formed the Real Kids, and finally wrote his own chapter in rock’n’roll history with an album for Marty Thau’s Red Star label that goes down as one of the greatest ever – a perfect blend of Eddie Cochran, the early Stones and the Velvet Underground, with killer tunes, energy and feel, and some of the most honest and affecting lyrics ever put to music.
Former Johnny Thunders and the Heartbreakers bass-player Billy Rath has died after a long illness.
Rath had been in ill-health for some time and left a hospice to be at home with his family in Boston.
Rath replaced Richard Hell in the Heartbreakers in 1976, recorded their debut album “LAMF” and remained in the ranks for the band’s innumerable reunion appearances.
He was briefly a member of Iggy Pop's touring band before disappearing from the music scene in the 1980s.
Clean and sober, he studied psychology and theology, worked as a drug counsellor and lived in Massachusetts. In 2010, he formed Billy Rath’s Street Pirates, a line-up of which he was still playing with and recording until falling ill.
Rath’s passing leaves guitarist Walter Lure as the sole surviving member of the classic Heartbreakers line-up.
Band leader Deniz Tek has responded to fan commentary about Chris Masuak's omission from the touring line-up of Radio Birdman. In a brief Facebook posting this afternoon, Tek said:
"Thank you, all those giving your support ! We are totally stoked to be able to go out and play again. To those disappointed with the lineup change, I understand - and yes, it will be different without Chris. The decision to go on without him was not taken lightly. We will not discuss the reasons for it in public."
Chris Masuak's exclusion from the Radio Birdman Australian tour has prompted an immediate reaction from fans with expressions of disbelief on social media and the launch of an online petition.
The announcement of an Australian tour by a re-tooled Radio Birdman has provoked a savage reaction from overlooked guitarist Chris Masuak.
Speaking from his home in Spain and amplifying his comments via his Facebook page, Masuak described his exclusion as “cowardly and vindictive”.
“Despite my declared readiness, willingness, and assurances to put the band's interests and reputation well ahead of any personal differences I am ‘not invited to participate’ in the upcoming tour and promotion of the ultimate release of a band I have been associated with for 40 years,” Masuak said.
A surprise tour by a re-configured line-up of Radio Birdman has been announced to promote the forthcoming box set. The line-up features foundation members Rob Younger, Deniz Tek, Pip Hoyle with Jim Dickson and other friends.
Friday, 31st October 2014 Cambridge Hotel - Newcastle NSW Tickets: www.bigtix.com.au
Saturday 1st November 2014 Manning Bar - Sydney NSW Tickets: www.oztix.com.au
Sunday 2nd November 2014 Corner Hotel - Melbourne VIC Tickets: www.ticketscout.com.au
Monday 3rd November 2014 Corner Hotel - Melbourne VIC Tickets: www.ticketscout.com.au
Friday 7th November 2014 The Hi-Fi - Brisbane QLD Tickets: http://tickets.thehifi.com.au/
Saturday 8th November 2014 The Gov - Adelaide SA Tickets: www.oztix.com.au
Sunday 9th November 2014 Rosemount Hotel - Perth WA Tickets: www.heatseeker.com.au \ www.oztix.com.au and Heatseeker/Oztix Retail Outlets
Australia's iconic Sunnyboys love a party and they're inviting their fans to one on October 8 with a one-off gig in hometown Sydney.
Wednesday, October 8 at The Factory Theatre is where you'll need to be. It is a limited capacity event and tickets will sell fast.
To ensure your best chance to secure a ticket all you need do is sign up to the mailing list for promoters Feel Presents. The link is here. You'll receive an email on Friday, August 15 with the final ticketing details.
Mick Blood’s life was turned upside down in June this year when an altercation in a pub in his new home of Newcastle left him in hospital with serious head injuries.
The vocalist for legendary Australian band the Lime Spiders suffered brain damage and faces a long road of rehabilitation and recovery.
The Lime Spiders were one of the most influential bands to spring from the fevered Sydney underground scene of the 1980s. After the success of their "Slave Girl" single on Citadel Records, they went on to sign a global record deal and toured the world.
Over the course of three studio albums, four EPs and a live record, the Spiders cut a swathe through the Aussie music scene, appearing on the soundtrack to the “Young Einstein” movie and earning praise from the likes of Jello Biafra, Iggy Pop and Joey Ramone.
The cream of the Sydney scene is now rallying behind Mick in his hour of need with an all-star benefit show scheduled for the Bald Faced Stag Hotel at Leichhardt in Sydney from 3pm on Saturday, September 27.
It might be apt to drop in some Dylan to catch your attention from the get-go (“There’s something happening here and you don’t know what it is/ Do you, Mr Jones?”) but it’s not necessary. Cutting to the chase, Peter Black is using melodies and colouring here to make a solo album that’s his most captivating to date.
Former Johnny Thunders and the Heartbreakers bass-player Billy Rath has died after a long illness.
The 
Australia's iconic Sunnyboys love a party and they're inviting their fans to one on October 8 with a one-off gig in hometown Sydney.
Mick Blood’s life was turned upside down in June this year when an altercation in a pub in his new home of Newcastle left him in hospital with serious head injuries. 
It might be apt to drop in some Dylan to catch your attention from the get-go (“There’s something happening here and you don’t know what it is/ Do you, Mr Jones?”) but it’s not necessary. Cutting to the chase, Peter Black is using melodies and colouring here to make a solo album that’s his most captivating to date.