Here’s a test for the theory that old school underground bands can be re-tooled with new singers and still work: Dead Kennedys are returning to Australia and New Zealand this September for their first tour in seven years.

After a false start where the DKs were part of that clusterfuck Pandemonium fiasco only to be bumped off a pared-down bill, they are undertaking two shows in New Zealand and five in Australia.

The band is original members East Bay Ray (guitar) and Klaus Flouride (bass), alongside vocalist Ron “Skip” Greer, who has fronted the band since 2008, and drummer Steve Wilson, who joined following the passing of  D.H. Peligro in 2022.

Almost needless to say they won’t be bringing Jello (but we’ll make the point for all the dummies anyway). There’s also no new album in tow – just a set full of classic punk songs like “Holiday in Cambodia”, “California Über Alles” and “Kill the Poor”.

Dates and ticket links after the MORE button.  Let the arguments a la Sex Pistols and The Saints commence...

Two of the best underground record labels around, Poland’s Heavy Medication and Spanish imprint Ghost Highway Recordings, are bringing Handsome Dick Manitoba back to the vinyl racks next month.

“Back To Broadway” is an EP by the former singer of the Dictators on Heavy Medication and Ghost Highway. It has a May 9 street date and features four tunes on a seven-inch platter.

Originals “Back on Broadway" and "DeLuise Nation” are matched with a brace of recent HDM solo band live recordings: The Dictators' "Savage Beat" and "The Party Starts Now!", a classic from the great ‘Tators spin-off, Manitoba's Wild Kingdom.

You can hear the title track and pre-order the EP here and, yes, there is more than a passing resemblance to Dictators circa the “DFFD” album (which will be a relief if you heard The Handsome One's 2019 solo record, "Born In The Bronx"  which was well intentioned but missed the mark.) 

Manitoba and band - which includes Streetwalkin’ Cheetah Frank Meyer on guitar - has wrapped up a run of US Midwest dates and is heading to Scandinavia for more shows.

The loveable (or hateable) knuckleheads, The Owen Guns, will release their new single "Me and My Big Mouth" across all streaming platforms on April 17.  You'll find the link to the premiere at 0900 (AEST) on the same day below, after the fold,

It's the second single by the bnand based in Wollongong, New South Wales, from their forthcoming album "Songs About Fucking Idiots". The long player (with no apologies to Big Black) will be released on May 22 (on vinyl, CD, and streaming) through Outtaspace Presents and Booker/Bastard Records. 

Says singer Sean The Bastard about “Me And My Big Mouth”: “It's a song about speaking out, getting into trouble because of it, and being unwilling/unable to change”.

Backed by a pummelling drum track and the slashing guitar and basswork you've come to expect from this cheeky four-piece, it also features the sterling triangle playing of Jay Whalley (Frenzal Rhomb).

The award for 2025’s Lowest Act so far goes to a lame tribute band from Queensland that somehow managed to “kill” the lead singer of the iconic Australian band from which it profits.

Sunnyboys Shakin’ has been playing shows in South-East Queensland since late last year and  today posted a fake Facebook obituary to Sunnyboys frontman Jeremy Oxley, claining he had passed away two days earlier. 

The real band’s mouthpiece, Sunnyboys Fan Club, was quick to dispel the fake news within two hours of it going online. Images of Jeremy Oxley posted to Facebook indeed showed he is very much alive and well and still a Happy Man.

The fake news drew a sharp retort from Jeremy's wife Mary Oxley-Griffiths who posted a cxomment: "You pricks! Jeremy is alive and well!"

Sunnyboys have disassociated themselves from Sunnyboys Shakin’ and a quick listen to performances posted online reveals why.

Concerns about the way the tribute act and some venues have billed the fake band have angered fans of the real thing. We look forward to the retraction and explanation.

From The I Didn't See That Coming Department: After a 25-year hiatus, legendary Australia’s Asteroid B-612 are making a return with their brand new single, 'Park Bench Gods', out April 25 via Golden Robot Records.

The track is available for pre-save on all major streaming platforms right here..

Lifted from their forthcoming album “Roads, Stars”, “Park Bench Gods” is a raucous, full-throttle return to form that captures the essence of what made Asteroid B-612 an underground cult favourite.

Recorded in both Australia and Spain throughout 2024, the single is pure, unfiltered rock ‘n’ roll. It features the blistering guitar work of band founder, guitarist and songwriter Johnny Casino, alongside the unmistakable raw and soulful vocals of original frontman Grant McIver( from the band’s first three albums).

Long-time drummer Ben Fox (a member since 1993) brings his signature locomotive groove, rounding out a rhythm section bolstered by new members, guitarist Xabi Garre (Señor No, Roy Loney, Cheetah Chrome) and bassist Juancho Lopez (Paul Collins, Peralta, Kurt Baker Combo).

Fresh from last year’s sold-out 40th anniversary 2024 tour of Australia and Europe, and following on from single “Falling from the Sky”, The Stems have released a new sseven-inch.

“Deep Freeze” arrives in the lead up to their much-anticipated East Coast Tour and festival appearance at The Gum Ball festival in New South Wales.  It’s the second single from the band’s forthcoming album and is a classic freakbeat-R&B stomper. Yiou can hear it here. 

“Deep Freeze” is on Cheersquad Records and Tapes on all streaming platforms and on limited edition 7" vinyl in translucent blue (100 copies), translucent teal (100 copies), and black. Buy it here.

The Stems
East Coast Australian Tour
*with special guests
Rinehearts
APR
23 – Northcote Social Club, Melbourne, VIC*
24 – Crowbar Sydney, NSW*
25 – Gum Ball Festival, Hunter Valley, NSW
26 – Old Museum, Brisbane, QLD
Tickets