Album reviews

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first-supper-last The recognition of Lobby Loyde as a pivotal figure in the history of Australian rock and roll has been belated and largely posthumous. Inducted into the ARIA Hall of Fame, he died soon after. The consolidation of his recording history onto CDs that played a big part in giving him recognition is just about complete with this re-issue of the first recording (1972) by his ace outfit Coloured Balls on heritage label Sandman.

Details: By The Barman; 02 February 2014; Hits: 5499

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5.4k views

revolutions

Beware reformations. Nostalgia is huge so trying to recapture past glories looks tempting on paper, but the reality often falls well short. Not so this 2012 re-assembly of Chocolate Watchband with four pieces of their 1966-67 line-ups in place on a redoubtable Scottish label. The band does sound markedly different to its original recorded persona. Drop the preconceptions and prejudices, however, judge this on its merits, and it works just fine.

Details: By The Barman; 01 February 2014; Hits: 5255

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5.2k views

cd-haka-d They’ve been described as “sexy blues rock” and who's to argue with that assessment of Mustang Jerx? No strangers to touring outside their home of Japan after forays into Europe and the USA, in early 2014 they’re prepping for a second visit to Australia and they’ll be bringing this, their latest record.

Details: By The Barman; 25 January 2014; Hits: 6318

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6.3k views

tv academy That one of New York City's most visionary and inspired guitar bands has to hawk its own live CD at their sporadic live shows is a curious fact-of-life, and almost as puzzling as why they're not a bona fide mainstream success.

Details: By The Barman; 13 January 2014; Hits: 5581

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5.5k views

Sunnyboys-Our-Best-Of There are obvious life lessons in the saga of the Sunnyboys and they’ve been related so many times that they probably don’t bear repetition here. If you’re a fan, you’ll know them all anyway (the results of crashing and burning, the enduring nature of brotherly bonds, the power of redemptive love.) If you’re not, you can wise up, musically speaking, with this collection.

Details: By The Barman; 10 January 2014; Hits: 6908

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6.9k views

There's a lot of competition but this might just be one of the best Australian releases of 2005, certainly in the (self-imposed) sub category of Voodoo Psych Garage. Think multi-layered fuzz guitar entwined around chunky organ chords and you're in the neighbourhood. As good as their debut EP "Ladies May We Introduce Ourselves" was, "Sonic Seducers" is a quantum advance with the songs sounding more rounded, and the band much more in control.

Details: By The Barman; 10 January 2014; Hits: 5595

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5.5k views

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The Living Eye

Right eye

The Crisps
JAN
24 - Old Manly Boat Shed
(6.30pm)
+ DISGRACELand
25 - MoshPit Bar, Sydney
+ The Research + The Sugar Beats
(2-6pm)
26 - Link and Pin, Woy Woy
+ Dunhill Blues + FNCs
(11-5pm)

John Kennedy & The New Originals
Live at the Marrickville Bowl Tour
JAN
17 – Smiths Alternative, Canberra, ACT
Tickets
18 – Marrickville Bowlo, NSW
Tickets
25 - Side B Vinyl Bar, Blackheath, NSW
SOLD OUT

Chimers Australian Tour
JAN
31 - La La La’s, Wollongong
+ special guests

“Hotter Than Donut Grease Tour”
Grand Pricks
+ Dave Favours & The Roadside Ashes
+ The Tall Stories
JAN
21 - Tamworth Hotel, Tamworth

I-94 Bar Records and Promotions presents
Grooveyard
+ Il Bruto
Smiths Alternative, Canberra
Tickets
- Feb 7
+ The On and Ons
+ Van Ruin
(city debut)
- Feb 8
Tickets

I-94 Bar Records and Promotions presents
The Mick Medew & Ursula 4
"In The Zone"
NSW Album Launches
+ East Coast Low
+ Jupiter 5
Stag & Hunter, Mayfield
- Feb 14
Tickets
+ The Dark Clouds
+ Jupiter 5
Marrickville Bowling Club
- Feb 15
Tickets

I-94 Bar Records and Promotions presents
Dr Psychedelic Poodle (JPN)
+ Jupiter 5
+ Cheetah Beat
MoshPit, St Peters (NSW)
- Feb 22
(2pm)
Tickets

The Beasts
Corner Hotel, VIC
- Feb 21
Tickets
Manning Bar, NSW
- Feb 22
Tickets

Joeys Coop
+ The Finalists (single launch)
The Union, Newtown
- March 9
(5pm, free)

Kim Salmon’s Smoked Salmon
Australian Tour
MAR
7 - Lyric Lane, Perth - Tix
8 - Gerry's Gold Neighbourhood
Laneway Music Festival, Gerry's Lane, Freo (Kim solo)
8 - Mojo's, Fremantle - Tix
9 - The River, Margaret River (Kim solo)
14 - Bridge Hotel, Castlemaine, Vic - Tix
20 - Smiths Alternative, Canberra - Tix
21 - La La La's, Wollongong - Tix
22 - Petersham Bowling Club, Sydney - Tix
30 - Barwon Club, Geelong - Tix
APR
4 - Bearded Lady, Brisbane - Tix
5 - Vinnie's Dive Bar, Gold Coast - Tix
6 - Bangalow Bowlo, Bangalow, NSW - Tix
11 - The Grace Emily, Adelaide - Tix
12 - Northcote Social Club, Melbourne - Tix

The 5.6.7.8s
Australian Tour
MAR
20 – Sydney Crowbar
+ Psychotic Turnbuckles + Cheetah Beat
Tickets
21 – Powerhouse, Brisbane
Tickets
22 – High Country Hop Festival,
Beechworth, VIC
Tickets
23 – After Bar, Hobart
Tickets
25 – The Tote, Melbourne
SOLD OUT
26 – The Last Chance, Melbourne
Tickets

The Stranglers
50 Years In Black
2025 Australasian Tour
MAR
13 - Powerstation, Auckland. NZ
15 - Meow Nui, Wellington, NZ
16 - Christchurch Town Hall, Christchurch, NZ
19 - Enmore Theatre, Sydney
20 - The Tivoli, Brisbane
22- Forum, Melbourne
23 - The Gov, Adelaide
25 - Astor Theatre, Perth
Tickets

The Stems
East Coast Australian Tour 2025
APR
23 - Northcote Social Club
24 - Sydney Crowbar
25 - Gum Ball Festival, Hunter Valley, NSW
26 - Old Museum, Brisbane
Tickets