Alex Green photo. 
Now sharks are deadly, right? And no one wants to be butchered by a shark, but ya know what? Just don't get in the water and you're fine. Now a Grizzly on the other hand; they're gunna make a meal of you no matter what. They can smell you a mile away, they can run, they can swim, climb trees, open doors. Holy shit, if they’re after you, you’re screwed. Well that’s how I’d describe Nunchakka’s performance that night and Johnny Banicevic is the grizzly of all drummers. Gentle Ben my arse. He was like a Brazilian prized cage fighter up there. Pounding you into submission over and over again and he’s smiling while he does it. He is relentless. He’s so cool I don’t think he sweats. So fit he wouldn't blow out a candle.
Now there was something extra special about this show. Maybe it was the great mix and stage lighting. I’m not sure but it was a stand out gig for the entire year. The power, fitness, the finesse of this guy is outstanding. He is a machine. On this particular night he was Sarasvati like. Oh! Ray and Blackie we’re pretty bloody good too.
9. DAD. Disneyland After Dark at the Manning Bar.
Great live band, great songs, great stage act. Consummate professionals, great venue, great road crew, great sound guy and lights. Absolute killer crowd. A huge highlight for 2025.
8. Hellnation Hamilton Hotel, Newcastle.
Painstakingly put together by the team at Dogshot Productions. This gritty high energy event ran like clockwork. Great bands and venue. A ripper of a day. You should go to the next one! Early 2026.
7. A couple of songs I listened to a lot this year that gave me pleasure.
Lyrically I like the gritty pop tune from Ash Acid with the opening line of “I got a pink limousine and I don’t give a fuck about your self esteem” - Wait with the Sun. Overthinking by Acid Amora. Stunningly beautiful, vocally and lyrically world class.
6. I choose to do most of my talking on stage…
...so when it come to end of year Fuck You's, I don’t really have issues with inflatable beach balls, aging keyboard warriors, looking for a freshly baked pie after midnight, bands that rock n run or sound guys that bring their dog. I’ll save my only fuck you this year for Daniel Ek.
5. There were two compilations of note this year.
"Spankmag Vol 1" released by Rue Morgue Records: Twelve Aussie Punk Rock Bands. Cool artwork. Stand out track, “Hit and Run” by Orphyx. The second comp was “Indie Sounds from The Gong”. Released by Vinil Records, this one’s a bit of a creeper with plenty of ear worms on the CD. I have a soft spot for every band that is on this record but I have to say the Sweaty Bettys, Little Girl likes Her Brain, Misso and The Sugar Beats are absolutely fabulous.
4. Being on the road this year with 4 Gingers sounds tricky, even dangerous.
Well it wasn’t. We have watched Adam and Simon from The Strike-Outs and Evil Tone Records blossom over the years and this year was yet another step up. Keeping it real with a mighty fine mix of chivalry and spunk. Lads, we salute you! Click the link. Buy their stuff…
3. My musical taste is rather narrow. Generally twin guitars, festering somewhere between early Detroit & seedy St Kilda in the mid 80’s or nestled in the dirty backstreets of Nesodden, Oslo or Stockholm.
This means I can easily be accused of living under a rock and taking decades to find the next big thing. Two bands I fell for instantly this year were The Hangmen and The Sewergrooves. So if you have been living under a rock like me and dig anything from Rot TV to Imperial State Electric, track them down and give them a listen. On the other hand, if you have heard of them you will naturally be a fan and shame on you for not letting me know sooner.
2. To the front-of-house sound guys. Without you performing like a champ, we don’t shine.
A massive thank you to all of you… Keep Rockin’. Special thanks to a few of our favs this year. Phil, Mark and Richard; we salute you.
1. To all the Thommo’s out there.
To the true champions of supporting live music and live music venues. Those professional punters supporting the scene... you know who you are. We all know who you are. We love you!
Honourable mentions:
I acknowledge the OG’s, Godfathers of Aussie Yob Rock The Cosmic Psychos, I respect and enjoy The Chats and The Cosmic Boogie Tribe but when it comes to live shows the Silver Jubilee VeeBees are to me, the undisputed world champions of Grog Rock!
Album cover of the year goes to…
The Stripp - "Life Imitates Art"
Vale David Johansen.
The last three New York Dolls albums were in my opinion some of their best work. A master class of songwriting. Poetry in motion. Lyrically exquisite. If you haven’t heard these albums…you must! L.U.V
“One Day It Will Please Us to Remember Even This” (2006)
“Cause I Sez So” (2009)
“Dancing Backward in High Heels” (2011)
Rock n Roll ain't dead, it's on a one way ticket to Sweden and if it lives or dies is up to you. Support Live Music. There is plenty out there. Experience The Dark Clouds here.