Holiday In Australasia: Oz and NZ dates for Dead Kennedys

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By The Barman

The Barman

19 April 2025

Hits: 275

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...

• tour
• australian
• new zealand
• dead kennedys
• 2025

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The Handsomest Man in Rock and Roll returns

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By The Barman

The Barman

19 April 2025

Hits: 167

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.

• handsome dick manitoba
• heavy medication records
• ghost highway recordings
• the dictators
• manitoba's wild kindgom
• back on broadway

Mazinga brings a dose of cosmic cool with their comeback record

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By The Barman

The Barman

18 April 2025

Hits: 619

Chinese Democracy Manifest: Greatest Hits Vol 2 – Mazinga (self released)

Born in the 1990s Basement Scene of Ann Arbor, Michigan, and honed in countless dive bars across the wide expanses of The Great Lakes State, cosmic punks Mazinga have re-emerged after a decade break with their second long-player. The title, “Chinese Democracy Manifest: Greatest Hits Vol 2”, is a mouthful but the record packs a big enough punch to make your teeth rattle.     

The band calls it "Maximum Cosmic Punk". Coffee farmer Deniz Tek labels it “tight as hell with great rhythm playing behind killer solos” and drums that remind him of the late Scott Asheton.

• stooges
• asheton
• ann arbor
• deniz tek
• ron asheton
• chris box taylor
• mazinga
• Chinese Democracy Manifest: Greatest Hits Vol 2
• kathy asheton
• von bondies
• scott morgan's powertrane

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Faulty Australian Music Vault does nobody credit

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By Robert Brokenmouth

Robert Brokenmouth

17 April 2025

Hits: 1137

Sometimes, we think we have a grasp of something when we simply don't. And meaning, which we think we understand, slips out of our hands as readily as an eel (understandably) reluctant to grace our dinner plate.

Earlier this month, Sydney's favourite rock 'n' roll pollie, PM Albanese, said that the Coalition were “delulu with no solulu”. 

Poor bloke wasn't really advised too well with that one. See, the meaning is now in fact the reverse; that delusion really is the solution. Although meanings, especially with slang, can twist and slide out from under like an eel.

In the middle of Adelaide is Victoria Square, with the obligatory statue of the late queen. It also boasts the poxy (and recently-moved) “Three Rivers” fountain.

Originally built to commemorate the 1963 visit of the king and queen, in true Adelaide fashion the monstrosity was finally unveiled in 1968.

• kim salmon
• nick cave
• australian music vault
• chris walsh

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Where have all the good times gone? Peter Simpson's album answers the question

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By The Barman

The Barman

05 April 2025

Hits: 966

Good Times Gone Bad – Peter Simpson (Verified Records)

It was in a review of ex-Dubrovniks member Peter Simpson’s “Return of the Diletante” EP that we asked, ‘Where’s the full-length album?’, and “Good Times Gone Bad” is the answer. The good news is that it was worth the eight-year wait.

“Good Times Gone Bad” winds the sonic clock back to Australian underground rock’s halcyon days of the 1980s, when guitars were blaring out of pubs on every second inner-city corner and even permeating mainstream radio. A more simple time with simpler songs, and of course, most good times inevitably do go bad.

At times, “Good Times Gone Bad” sounds like The Dubrovniks with less of thefr latter-day gloss. Inevitable, really, with Simpson front and centre and old bandmates Chris Flynn and Boris Sudjovic along for the ride on backing vocals. That said, it’s a Peter Simpson record. He wrote all nine songs, plays guitars and sings.

• dubrovniks
• boris sudjovic
• chris flynn
• peter simpson

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The Owen Guns are mouthing off again

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By The Barman

The Barman

13 April 2025

Hits: 743

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 owen guns
• outtaspace records
• me and my big mouth
• songs about fucking idiots

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This Is Real? Lame Sunnyboys tribute act spreads fake news about Jeremy Oxley's passing

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By The Barman

The Barman

12 April 2025

Hits: 4054

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.

• sunnyboys
• jeremy oxley
• sunnyboys shakin
• fake news

An Old Romantic triumphs in Adelaide

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By Robert Brokenmouth

Robert Brokenmouth

12 April 2025

Hits: 2883

Soft Cell supported by Marc Almond
The Gov, Adelaide
Friday 11 April 2025
Words & Photos: Robert Brokenmouth

This will be a brief review - I got other writing to do. But you need to know. If for any reason you've hesitated about buying a ticket, I can only repeat what I said about seeing the Sex Pistols and Frank Carter:

JUST GO.

They play Enmore Theatre in Sydney on Sunday, Fortitude Music Hall in Brisbane on Tuesday, and the Palais in Melbourne on Thursday.

• australian tour
• 2025
• marc almond
• soft cell

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Asteroid B-612 re-launch with a single, 25 years on

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By The Barman

The Barman

11 April 2025

Hits: 1229

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).

• johnny casino
• asteroid b612
• golden robot
• park bench gods

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