The Sugar Beats – The Sugar Beats (Vinil Records)

It was a Saturday afternoon earlier this year when I stumbled on a Sugar Beats set. I was filming a documentary at MoshPit Bar in Sydney.  There were whispers on the grapevine that the band was awesome.  So, we raced down with a cameraman and a buddy in tow, in the hope that the band would deliver.

The word on the street was correct. Live, The Sugar Beats were overwhelmingly tight, blistering, gutsy and hooky, a  three-piece playing high-powered punk rock.

Shadow Work 38 – Kevin K and The Bowery Kats (Vicious Kitten)

Simple songs rendered with heart: Lower East Side punk rock survivor Kevin K has adhered to that formula over four decades and “Shadow Work 38” doesn’t make any case for change.

If you’re not familiar with Kevin K, “Shadow Work 38” is a good place to start. Despite his longevity, he’s still a well-kept secret. The man’s understated YouTube bio sums him up:

Opened for Johnny Thunders , Dead Boys , Ramones . I have seen it all. Was part of the CBGB club from 1980- 2000. I have 30 CDs available and a book, ‘The Successful Loser’.

Mr Sunshine – The Autumn Hearts (self released)

It’s brash, bracing psychedelic pop from a Newcastle band that deserves to be known outside their hometown.

You won’t find a big digital footprint when you go looking for their backstory, but don’t let that stop you. The Autumn Hearts formed in 2016 and are seasoned players with songwriters Ed Peters (bass, guitar, vocals) and Dave Robson (guitar, vocals) at their core.

Members were in a Newcastle band The Longknives who were active in the 1980s, and The Autumn Hearts have a solitary eponymous 2018 EP in their back catalogue.

Lonesome Sundown – The Breadmakers (Soundflat)

“Lonesome Sundown” is the ninth album for Australian rhythm ‘n’ blues ravers The Breadmakers and if you’re reading this outside Melbourne, Japan or Europe, you’ve probably never heard of them.

The Breadmakers have their origins in Victorian bands like Shutdown66, Cracked Jaffers and The Puritans and if there was a trademark available on the word “retro” they’d have dibs on it. They’ve been cranking up their valve amps to celebrate the roots of R ‘n’ B since 1989.

It’s not as if they haven’t done their share of touring, visiting Europe and Japan and well as most Australian capitals, but in these times of bands finding it hard to make ends meet when they go on the road, they’re stop at home types these days. “Lonesome Sundown” is on German label Soundflat so the international profile is there for those in the know. But these guys should be household names.

Roads, Stars – Asteroid B612 (Golden Robot)

The appearance of a new Asteroid B-612 studio album a full two-and-a-half decades after they were a going concern is a risky move, by any measure.

They didn’t tour much outside of the Sydney-Melbourne axis (except when they went to the USA) but if you saw Asteroid B612 live they left a lasting impression. Once they found their sound and came to grips with the studio, their records did, too. Over the years, Asteroids  established a loyal fanbase, mainly in Europe. 

The good news is that “Roads, Stars” works as a rock and roll record. It’s a fitting epitaph to the memory of late bass player Scott Nash.

Songs About Fucking Idiots - The Owen Guns (Outtaspace Presents/Booker Bastard Records)

Those in the know about The Owen Guns’ piss-take attitude and wild performances are have caused “Songs About Fucking Idiots to almost sell out its first pressing in a week.  It’s a signal that the drawbridge has been pulled up and the posts are manned in society’s ivory towers as The Owen Guns are poised to seize the palace.

“Songs About Fucking Idiots” is sitting at number-three on the Australian Independent Records Chart, along with safer (and nicer) acts like Pete Murray and Kate Miller-Heidke.  It’s a massive achievement and reflects on The Owen Guns’ loyal following.

The Owen Guns have been around since 2020, led by Sean St Leone (aka Sean The Bastard),  a raconteur and smart-witted cynic who somehow crosses Uncle Fester from “The Addams Family“ with Dave Vanian from The Damned and ex-Dead Kennedy Jello Biafra.