Archive for the ‘’ Category

See My Friends – Ray Davies (Universal)

It’s interesting to observe the different approaches currently being taken by various legendary artists to keep their legacy alive and breathing. Just today, in a JB-Hi store, I was confronted by the number of box sets, greatest hits compilations, re-packaged and re-mastered albums. There’s duets albums, tribute albums and albums matched with books, DVD’s, bonus downloads and t.shirts. It feels... Read the full story

Book Review – Hey, You In The Black T-Shirt – Michael Chugg

Of course, this review must come with the disclaimer that I know and like the author – but you would be hard pressed to find too many people that have spent any time in the Australian music business that couldn’t say the same thing! That’s actually one of the many interesting things to emerge from this book – even when Michael Chugg chronicles his falling out with people, whether they be wives... Read the full story

Jon Spencer Returns

It’s easy to forget just how great the Jon Spencer Blues Explosion were as a live band, but we can all be reminded when they return for a tour in January. Yes, it has been a long time between drinks and squealing theremins but The Jon Spencer Blues Explosion are finally heading back down-under appearing at the Sydney and MoNA/FOMA Festivals and at most major cities including Melbourne where JSBX... Read the full story

Cyndi Lauper Returns in 2011

Cyndi Lauper is returning to Australia for a number of performances from March 2011. Lauper has always been an interesting artist, balancing quirkiness with commercial smarts and always willing to take artistic risks in pursuit of new musical adventures. In view of this she’s exhibited surprising longevity. Lauper was the first artist to have five top ten singles from a debut album which included... Read the full story

Joe Cocker and George Thorogood Join Forces

Joe Cocker is a highly regarded artist but in some ways he’s perhaps under-rated. He’s been a regular visitor to Australia and he’s almost regarded as part of the furniture which probably doesn’t reflect the real quality of his output over a long career. The Grammy, Golden Globe and Academy Award winning artist has 21 studio and four live albums under his belt, his unmistakable bluesy soul... Read the full story

Reverend Horton Brings The Heat

Recently, The Reverend Horton Heat, aka Jim Heath, had something along the lines of what he calls an epiphany. He’s a little tired of being taken so seriously. Well, maybe not seriously, exactly, but you get the idea, and lately he’s noticed that some of his funnier, country-tinged songs were his biggest crowd pleasers. Besides, being entertaining is what this is all about, right? Formed... Read the full story

Doobie Brothers On Tour

In March 2011, Australian audiences will have the chance to see The Doobie Brothers take the stage in a string of live and intimate theatre shows. The Doobie Brothers will also be headlining the closing night of the Clipsal 500 in Adelaide on Sunday 20th March. As one of the most popular California pop/rock bands of the ’70s, The Doobie Brothers evolved from a mellow, post-hippie boogie band to a... Read the full story

Hawkwind Sideshows

When Hawkwind was announced in the line-up for the Golden Plains Festival eyebrows were raised. And now the fans of the space-rock band can rejoice at the prospect of sideshows in Melbourne and Sydney. From the streets of Ladbroke Grove in the late 60’s, to the fields of Stonehenge and The Isle of Wight in the 70’s, through punk and then on to the rave culture of the 80’s and 90’s, Hawkwind... Read the full story

Wire Tour Australia

Wire have been described as the only real subversives of the punk rock revolt. It’s been suggested by Pop Matters that while much of that revolution quickly became mired in clumsy politics and caricature, Wire retained their importance and integrity through “reconceptualizations of song structure and content and their expansion of the possibilities of performance.” They pushed rock in directions... Read the full story

Belinda Carlisle Come Comes To Australia

We didn’t see this one coming. Belinda Carlisle, lead vocalist for 80s pop band The Go-Go’s and, for a time, a phenomenally successful solo artist, will perform in Australia in 2011. It’s an unexpected tour and one that will take in many suburban venues and pretty much avoids the inner city. I actually think she would have some curiosity value for city audiences as well, but that’s not... Read the full story

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