Out of an Igloo and Into The Zone, Mick Medew 's passion for rock and roll continues to burn
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- By Robert Brokenmouth
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The Mick Medew and Ursula 4 livein Brisbane. Lucas Ciechanowski photo.
The Barman has put out Brisbane duo Mick Medew and Ursula's new record “In the Zone” on I-94 Bar Records. A bit of background (in case you're still sleeping off an Australia Day hangover...
Mick formed The Screaming Tribesmen back in 1981, and while there have been a number of members (including Ron Peno, Murray Shepherd and Mark Kingsmill), it's arguable that they're perhaps best remembered for their lives shows, classic 1983 single "Igloo", and 1987 album "'Bones and Flowers". Chris "Klondike" Masuak was a member from 1984-1989.
So, yeah, is this old-man rock? Curiously, the Tribesmen, and Mick's current releases with I-94 Bar, seem to find favour with younger folk these days as well. Curious, I decided to ask Mick a few questions.
The MC5 book verdict? It done kicked 'em out
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- By The Barman
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MC5 – An Oral Biography of Rock’s Most Revolutionary Band
By Brad Tolinksi, Jann Uhelszki and Ben Edmonds
(Hachette Books)
The MC5 finally made it into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2024. Or Hall of Lame, as we like to call it around here. As an institution, it really is a clusterfuck of inconsistency and the Five deserved to be there an eon ago.
You might argue that the band’s history, for the most part, was a contradiction of missed, ignored or mis-handled opportunities – and you’d be right. This much-anticipated tome is proof positive – if it were needed – of that.
Decent books about the Five are hard to find. The late Wayne Kramer had a go and succeeded to a degree (although parts smelt of revisionism). Bass player Michael Davis released his own equally harrowing autobiography, posthumously, that filled some gaps. Both books were single viewpoints, however. “MC5 – An Oral Biography…” is a shot at the big picture and fills a vacuum.
The On and Ons urge you to Come On In because the powerpop water is fine
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- By The Barman
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Come On In – The On and Ons (Jem Recordings)
It’s only January but “Come On In” is already a contender for 2025's Record of The Year.
Granted, it’s not a “new” album as such - more a compilation of the band’s best songs from The On and Ons’ five previous releases with three new tracks appended - but don’t let that stop you. Odds-on that it’s going to smoke any other rocking pop you’ll hear in 2025.
“Come On In” is the American debut release for the Sydney band on Jem, an imprint established on 1970 and since revived by one of its founders, Marty Scott. It’s also home to the likes of power-pop king Paul Collins, The Grip Weeds and Richard Barone.
When historical accuracy is A Complete Unknown
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- By Edwin Garland
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"A Complete Unknown"
Directed by James Mangold
Screenplay by James Mangold and Jay Cocks
New York City was Ground Zero for many of the significant 20th Century cultural upheavals, notable events and musical movements that exploded over the course of a few decades.
The late '40s brought on The Beat Generation of William Burroughs and Gregory Corso. The smoky jazz clubs spawned Dizzy Gillespie, Miles Davis, Charlie Parker and later John Coltrane who were smashing down the walls down and redefining music, in particular jazz.
A bit over two decades later, Max's Kansas City and CBGB gave rise to Patti Smith, Blondie, Ramones and Television, off the back of The Factory scene with the Velvet Underground.
It was late 1950's that birthed a folk movement in small coffee shops in and around New York City's East Village, with characters like Rambling Jack Elliott and Pete Seeger. Accoustic folk music, with its roots with The Carter Family and acoustic blues from the cottonfields and The Dustbowl, took root with intellectuals and hip kids from inner-city university campuses. The songs became anthems for the labour movement and civil rights activists - In particular the music of Woody Guthrie.
The USA was exploding with a new sense of wildness and free thinking embodied in new art movements. It was also a time when classic older bluesman like Son House and John lee Hooker, ignored and working hand-to-mouth shit jobs, were discovered by a new hip, young and white audience.
Guitar Wolf bring Jet Rock 'n' Roll back to Australian audiences
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- By The Barman
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Tokyo's incredible Guitar Wolf are returning to Australia on a five-state tour in March and April 2025.
Since forming in 1987 and releasing their first album on Memphis's legendary Goner Records in 1993, Guitar Wolf have taken their wild and dangerous sound to the world, working with labels like Matador and Third Man in the process.
Guitar Wolf have released 12 albums and are signed to a major label at home in Japan. They first toured Australia in the late '90s, when mainman Seiji (pictured right) rode onto the stage of a packed Tote Hotel on the back of a borrowed motorcycle.
Inspired by the ultra-violent records of '50s guitar wielding maniac Link Wray as well as motorcycles, Ramones, Johnny Thunders, the Cramps and Joan Jett,
Seiji has called their sound "Jet Rock'n'Roll". He explained in a 2012 interview: "I love jet plane. I love noisy music, too. So...there were records...many records...every record have no big sounds. So...easy to listen. I hate that! So! I add jet sounds. Bwaaaahng! Explosion!"
Guitar Wolf are icons. They have their own branded motorcycle jacket, the 613 GW (made by Schott NYC of New York, who made the iconic 613 Perfecto jacket worn by the Ramones) and are movie stars, starring in the 1999 low budget sci-fi horror movie "Wild Zero".
Top Tens for 2024: Melbourne solo artist and former Wet Taxis member Penny Ikinger
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- By Penny Ikinger
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Antoine Nguyen photo.
1. Radio Birdman - Manning Bar, Sydney
There was magic in the room that night: magic and love. Love from the audience who knew them as either family, friends, heroes, or all three. Everyone no doubt had different stories to tell but we were all there for the same reason - to bid farewell and to hear those songs played live one last time.
The songs that had formed a soundtrack to our lives. It led me to reflect on my own musical and life journey – is this really their last show? Am I heading that way too? I enjoyed being in the space and it brought back fond memories as I spent so much time in Manning Bar in the old days when I was studying at Sydney Uni with Louis Tillett. This show was so worth making the trip up to Sydney for! Great support from the Hard Ons too. Heartfelt thanks to everyone for a magnificent evening and beyond.
2. Mudhoney/Kid Congo - La Trabendo, Paris
It was a fabulous night at a cool venue in the beautiful le Parc de la Villette. I was staying in Paris and couldn’t believe my luck that two of my favourite bands would be sharing a bill. It was a stunning show, as you would expect. A crowded Mudhoney gig in Paris is much the same as one in Melbourne complete with t-shirts, leather jackets, jeans, boots, and slam-dancing, although the French seemed to have a certain je ne sais quoi about it all.
Top Tens for 2024: John Pettex of Brisbane label SoundPressing
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- By John Pettex
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I wish I could remember more of the first half of the year… Not sure if I should blame the Melbourne Bitter longnecks. Likely culprit. This is pretty close to a Top 10..
Big love to all involved in the SoundPressing projects and tours throughout the year. In particular Mark Spinks (Gravel Samwidge) and Skeleton Boy (Art Gray Noizz Quintet) who spurred an incredible split 7” that was mail ordered and posted to all corners of the globe.
Crunchy single "Hey Jack" released ahead of The Crisps shows
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- By The Barman
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Sydney via Berlin band The Crisps have released a single to coincide with their brief return run of gigs this weekend. "Hey Jack" is the song and it's available for download here.
The Crisps are bassist Graham Hood (The Johnnys), vocalist-drummer Stuart Wilson (New Christs, Lime Spiders, Chris Masuak's Dog Soldier), Dave Thomas (Doomfoxx) and guitarist Chris Nacard (Orange County). The shows are happening because Thomas is back in Australia from his adopted home of Germany. The band has plans to play Europe later in 2025.
Catch them in and around Sydney at Manly Boat Shed (January 24) with DISGRACELand and The MoshPit Bar (January 25 from 2-6pm) with The Research and The Sugar Beats before heading north to Woy Woy's Link and Pin Cafe with The Dunhill Blues and The FNCs on January 26 from 11am-5pm.
Top Tens for 2024: Legendary 2RRR announcer Big Daddy K of the Sydney Sounds program
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- By Kev Cherry
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I prefer to refer to the list as BIG DADDY K'a 0 SIGNIFICANT EVENTS OF 2024 rather than a top 10, as it's not ranked in any particular order. 2024 was a year of milestones with several Australian bands and institutions celebrating significant anniversaries. Hewre are a few:
1. Public Broadcasting Radio Station RYDE REGIONAL RADIO (2RRRFM)
The station that I have been involved with for 37 years, celebrated its 40th anniversary. Started by a lobby group and initially only broadcasting for a few hours a day from a garage in the grounds of Meadowbank TAFE. Since 1988, the station has been located at Henley Cottage, where it currently has two studios. It now broadcasts 24/7, featuring a wide range of musical genres and talk shows of local community as well as general interest, and runs a radio training course.
The station hosts several alternative rock music programs that would be of interest to I 94 Barflies, most notably “Sonic Stew” on Monday nights, “Virtual Unreality” on Friday evenings, “Timeslides” on Saturday afternoons, and, of course, my program, Sydney Sounds, at 2pm on Saturdays. (Several of the shows are podcasted, or you can stream them live via 2rrr.org.au and all the streaming radio apps).
- Top Tens for 2024: Melbourne writer and drummer with The Tommys, Robert Lastdrager
- Top Tens for 2024: Scotty Bradbury, drummer for The Dark Clouds
- Top Tens for 2024: Mine host at The I-94 Bar, The Barman
- Top Tens for 2024: Don Drum of Melbourne label Kasumen Records
- Top Tens for 2024: Ross Nelson of the Sonic Stew program on Sydney's 2RRR-FM
- Flashbacks galore as live album captures a magic Marrickville night for John Kennedy and his band
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