australian tour

After insane Australian tours in 2023 and early 2025, Tokyo's Guitar Wolf returns to Australia in March along with a new album, “MOREJET!”

Starting in erstern Australia, the run takes in the Gold Coast, Sunshine Coast and Brisbane, Sydney and Wollongong, and Bendigo, Castlemaine, Melbourne, and Balnarring. Supports include Alien Nosejob, Split System and Itchy & the Nits with more to be announced, 

“MORE JET!” is Guitar Wolf's first new album in seven years and will be released locally on Sorcerer Records . It's preceded by the first single "9pm Pornomag Planet", which is available now from the band's Bandcamp page.

Musical anniversaries are coming at us coming quicker than a Dee Dee Ramone "1-2-3-4" count-in, but there’s a special place in Australian rock and roll sensibilities for the 40^th birthday of the seminal Hoodoo Gurus album “Stoneage Romeos”.

The band has already unveiled vinyl and CD re-issues of the their debut LP and there’s a run of Australian dates in November and December this year on which the Gurus will reprise the long-player from go to whoa.

Originally released in March 1984, “Stoneage Romeos” featured the hits “Leilani”, “Tojo”, “My Girl” and “I Want You Back”. It reached #29 on the Australian Album Chart and went on to win Best Debut Album at the 1984 Countdown Awards. “Stoneage Romeos” has consistently appeared in the Top 10 on almost every Top 50 and Top 100 Australian album lists.

They’re still pinching themselves, but evergreen fans The Hard-Ons have been announced as punk pioneer TV Smith’s backing band for his April Australian tour.

Yep, Ray, Blackie and Murray and TV Smith will be powering thru 21st century renditions of The Adverts’ seminal punk rock catalogue including the 1977 classic “Crossing The Red Sea” album. Here's what two of them have to say about it:

Blackie: "As a young little fart being blown away by the shock horror of punk rock it seemed like every record I brought/heard was better than the last! Of course years later you shift back and forth and some lose a little power..

BUT a few stay with you .. you know every nano second of an album.. not just a track but an entire album!! That’s what Crossing the Red Sea with the Adverts is to me!! This tour coming up with TV Smith is a constant “pinch myself” moment. Excited!!!"

Ray: "TV Smith's songs always made a great impression for me. Passionate and intelligent social and political critique and observations that made me dance and think at once.

"The Adverts were the perfect band from 1977. That their songs do not sound dated at all is a testimony to their unique greatness. Words can't express how honoured I am to be able to be TV SMITH's bass player for one crazy Australian tour."

Read our TV Smith interview here.

TV SMITH'S ADVERTS
LIVE IN AUSTRALIA APRIL 2026
APR
2 - Young St Tavern Frankston  
3 - The Tote Collingwood (w/Alien Nosejob)
4 - Barwon Club Geelong (w/ Handgrenade Hearts) 
5 - Last Chance Rock'n'Roll Bar, Melbourne (matinee) 
8 - Hamilton Station Newcastle 
9 - Link and Pin, Woy Woy 
10 - Lansdowne, Sydney 
11 - La Las Wollongong -
(w/ Cammy Cautious and the Wrestlers)
Tickets

Explosive Japanese band King Brothers are returning to Australian shores for the first time since 2016 this month. A mix of blues and outta control ‘90s garage, King Brothers are an example of a band that take two genres with deep roots and manage to make a sound that sounds original. 

With a reputation for loose and rowdy shows, this run of gigs by the band from Nishinomiya City are a must see.

Lead singer and guitarist Keizo spoke to Matt Ryan via email.

He’s currently on the road in Japan and it’s Australia’s turn in June when boogie woogie and blues pianist extraordinaire Henri Herbert returns for live shows.

He's best known in Australian rock and roll circles for playing with The Jim Jones Revue, on their 2011 shows but on the global stage, the French-born and UK-raised Herbert is recognised for chalking up more than 100 million views on YouTube.

Herbert is now based in Nashville, Tennessee, and is constantly in demand in the USA. He'll mark his Australian shows with a formidable video single, a cover of the Jimi Hendrix classic “Fire”, which you can view after the MORE link

{youtube}mT-cjuIUL5M{/youtube}

Genre-hopping Spanish pub-rock/garage-punk/country/gospel/soul luminaries Los Chicos have released the new single "For A While" ahead of a looming album and seventh Australian tour.

“Never Too Much” will be the band’s eight long-player and was produced the great Mike Mariconda, guitarist of the Raunch Hands and producer of classic albums by the Cosmic Psychos, Powder Monkeys and New Bomb Turks. The album comes out on Cheersquad Records & Tapes on November 1.

Los Chicos, who have previously played Boogie and River Rocks festivals and toured twice with Radio Birdman, will be returning to River Rocks in Geelong and playing tour dates with Hard-Ons, Private Function, The Meanies, Mach Pelicanand the New Christs in November.  Tour dates in The Living Eye gig guide at right. Pre-order the LP here.

_{Those Meanies boys.}

_{Those Dicklord girls.}

As Covid lockdowns continue to wreak more havoc than Wally Meanie at a wine tasting, The Meanies have to rejig a whole bunch more dates of their “Better Late Than Never Desperate Measures Tour”. which was meant to start last month! The run now kicks off in regional Victoria in a couple of weeks, and then breaks until October, when it picks up in Adelaide,  and continues through November. What hasn't changed is that DickLord is the main support on all shows, bar Geelong.

The Meanies
"Better Late Than Never Desperate Measures Tour"
All shows with Dicklord except *
JULY
16 - Barwon Club, Geelong* + Poppin Mommas + Eyeroll
23 - The Eastern, Ballarat + The Dawdlers 
24 - Railway Hotel Macedon + Persecution Blues 
OCT
16 - Jive, Adelaide + Cull The Band 
22 - The Tote, Melb + Persecution Blues + Cheeky Geezers 
23 - The Tote, Melb + Super American Eagle + Sidesplitter 
NOV
12 - The Zoo, Brisbane
17 - The Basement, Canberra + Charlotte & the Harlots   
18 - Lansdowne, Sydney  + Blitz Babiez - 
19  - Narrabeen RSL + Tshitaki 
20 - Cambridge Hotel, Newcastle + I Hate People  
21 - La La La's, Wollongong + Ape Rib

_{Christopher Ferguson photo}

Hoodoo Gurus are poised to release their long-awaited new studio album, “Chariot of the Gods” on February 11. “Chariot of the Gods” is the band’s first album in more than a decade (the longest interval between Hoodoo Gurus’ albums in their history) and is available to pre-order today here.

“The last twelve months have been frustrating and nerve-racking for everyone but, for the Hoodoo Gurus, this dark cloud has had a silver lining,” says frontman   
Dave Faulkner. “Forced to rely on ourselves instead of the outside world for validation, there has been a creative rebirth within the band that has resulted in a string of singles and a new album.

“Most important of all, the musical bonds between the four of us have never been stronger. When the discussions are all about which songs we're sad about having to leave off the record, that's a damn good sign. I'm tellin' ya, folks, we've got a real spring in our step right now”. 

“Chariot of the Gods” is 14 tracks (17 on the deluxe double-vinyl edition) and the first full-length recording with relative new recruit to the Hoodoo Gurus’ line-up, on drums, Nik Reith. The tracklists for CD/digital and vinyl versions are below.

Fans across the globe can hear “Chariot of the Gods” played in its entirety for the very first time when eMusic Live streams a special event recorded at Damien Gerard Studios on the NSW Central Coast.

This June, promoters Troubadour are bringing Hugh Cornwell, the original singer, guitarist and principal songwriter of The Stranglers, to Australia.

Their events page rightly states: “As leader of The Stranglers, Hugh was the main songwriter of all the band’s most memorable songs across 10 stellar albums, all of which consolidated Cornwell’s stature as a unique songwriter and musician.

“His lyrics to 'Golden Brown', from the 'La Folie' album, and their multiple meanings, are a songwriting masterclass. Widely regarded as the poet laureate of punk, Hugh Cornwell has also built a substantial and singular body of impressive solo albums."

This June, promoters Troubadour are bringing Hugh Cornwell, the original singer, guitarist and principal songwriter of The Stranglers, to Australia.

Their events page rightly states: “As leader of The Stranglers, Hugh was the main songwriter of all the band’s most memorable songs across 10 stellar albums, all of which consolidated Cornwell’s stature as a unique songwriter and musician.

“His lyrics to 'Golden Brown', from the 'La Folie' album, and their multiple meanings, are a songwriting masterclass. Widely regarded as the poet laureate of punk, Hugh Cornwell has also built a substantial and singular body of impressive solo albums."

Something like 10 studio albums, and about as many live records. He's also written three novels (“Future Tense”, “Window on the World” and “Arnold Drive”) and three non-fiction books relating to The Stranglers (“Inside Information”, “The Stranglers Song by Song” and “A Multitude of Sins”.)

For younger Barflies, note that Cornwell made a guest appearance on Billy Nomates' “Metal Horse” last year. Cornwall’s most recent studio album is “Moments of Madness” and, there's a current live effort, “All The Fun of The Fair”.

Old farts might notice that Steve Albini produced his “Totem & Taboo” in 2012, and Gary Steel of Witchdoctor website rightly commented: "In a world of egotistic over-achieving and slack-arse under-achieving, Hugh Cornwell knows how to play it just right, and “Totem & Taboo”  is a master class in sticking to your guns and doing what you do well".

That comment may as well be about all of Cornwell's solo work: I might add that there's more than a small dollop of wry, inverted humour about Cornwell's work - but I'm sure you already know that. We spoke this week.

I-94 Bar: I'll apologise for asking so many questions about the past; I'm sure you're tired of the same ones so I've tried to find areas which I don't think have been looked at too much. You're a cricket fan, so you're obviously an honorary Australian. What is it that still draws you to the game - and what was it which got you hooked?

Hugh Cornwell: What attracts me to cricket is the wonderful order of the game, completely different from the music business. My father was a draftsman by profession, and used to work at home a lot, so he would have the cricket radio commentary on whilst he worked.

I-94 Bar: You've been playing steadily since the late 1960s. Where on earth do you find the stamina? I mean, performing takes a lot of effort... so what is it that drives you?

Hugh Cornwell: I try to keep fit and healthy, no more reckless living. And a good diet is important.

I-94 Bar: Could you tell us about the impact that Richard Thompson had on you?

Hugh Cornwell: Richard had a profound impact on me; he taught me to play bass.

I-94 Bar: Many Stranglers fans might not know that you in turn taught Jean Jacques Burnel to play bass. Still in the past, I notice that you were a fan of The Graham Bond Organization when you were a schoolboy - what was it that drew you in, and how did it affect your own music and songwriting? I'm assuming - and I could be wrong - that they were one of the bands which were more effective in mixing up r'n'b and jazz and sliding into prog?

Hugh Cornwell: The Baker/Bruce rhythm section was tops and Graham was a remarkable performer. I liked the way they mixed it up, as you say!

I-94 Bar: There's more than a small element of darkness to your songs, as well as irony and double-meaning. How has this worked for you? - and - any idea where this came from?

Hugh Cornwell: I have no idea where this has come from. Writing lyrics has become a sort of diary of my life.

I-94 Bar: In “When I Was a Young Man” (from “Moments of Madness” in 2022), there are some lyrics which absolutely floored me: "Mother, please forgive me/ For forgetting you forget/ Father, I forgive you/ For regretting that we met", and two other stanzas about (I assume) your mum and dad. Was this song autobiographical? could you elaborate at all?

Hugh Cornwell: Yes, this song is autobiographical - after leaving The Stranglers I had extra time on my hands and I spent it with my parents, and loved every minute of it.

I-94 Bar: How does it feel to be singing songs you wrote in 1975 alongside songs you wrote last year? 

Hugh Cornwell: I guess many artists do the same these days, so it has become standard practice.

I-94 Bar: There were several powerful cultural underground movements in 1976. At the time it seemed to us more likely that “something would burst” in the USA, but the Grundy Incident made the underground burst into the overground and changed the world. Back then, did you see it on TV yourselves? 

Hugh Cornwell: Yes, I did watch it, and felt the earth move.

I-94 Bar: What was the immediate result - for yourselves and for the cultural underworld in UK?

Hugh Cornwell: Suddenly the attention of the country's press was on what I was doing.

I-94 Bar: I know that, at the time, The Stranglers did not consider themselves “punk”. Looking back though, were they?

Hugh Cornwell: We did not know what we were. The press invented the term “punk”.

I-94 Bar: You've been a solo artist for 36 years, more than double the time you were in The Stranglers. One of the reasons you left was that “all the danger and risk had gone” (I'm referring to your autobio “A Multitude Of Sins” here) - this makes me wonder - is the danger and risk still there for you? 

Hugh Cornwell: There is risk every time I release a new album of songs: whether it will be recognized as being relevant or not.

I-94 Bar: Just on that, it strikes me that it's a very different thing to walk on with a huge jackhammer of a band alongside you (as you will be doing on the Australian tour)... and to walk on armed only with a guitar and an attitude. Was this difficult initially?

Hugh Cornwell: I began as a singer with an acoustic guitar to accompany myself, so solo acoustic shows come very naturally to me.

I-94 Bar: We're living in an era of enormous inequality, greed and selfishness - I think the worst era since the Second World War. Yet such human traits have been with us forever, it seems. What gives you hope for the future of us humans?

Hugh Cornwell: I don't have much hope for the human race. History repeats and so do human mistakes.

I-94 Bar: What was your first guitar - and do you still have it?

Hugh Cornwell: My first guitar was a home-made bass that cost me five pounds. I don't still have it.

I-94 Bar: Favourite guitar, and why?

Hugh Cornwell: Always will be a Fender Telecaster. The simplicity is its blessing.

I-94 Bar: Lastly, what advice would you give a musician heading into the industry today?

Hugh Cornwell: Don't give up the day job.

High Cornwall online

Hugh Cornwall
Australian Tour 
JUNE
10- – Theatre Royal, Castlemaine, VIC
12 - Corner Hotel, Melbourne, VIC
13 - Manning Bar, Sydney, NSW
14 - Crowbar, Brisbane, QLD
18 - The Gov, Adelaide, SA
19  - The Rosemount, Perth, WA
Tickets

And now let your fantastic plastic do some strutting: get your tickets to see him - and his band - here:

https://troubadourpresents.com/events/hugh-cornwell/

Rose Tattoo’s "Never Too Loud", released in 1997 through Repertoire Records in Germany, was a compilation spanning the band's career at the time. Now, 22 years on, the Hard-Ons join Rose Tattoo on their "Still Never Too Loud" tour heading out across Australia in March, April and May.

Thirty-five years since their formation, the Hard-Ons have amassed an unprecedented and never-to-be-paralleled 17 consecutive number-one releases on the Australian alternative charts, making them one of Australia’s most commercially successful independent bands. Their cult following extends into Europe and the UK, and as of 2019, their brand of unapologetic punk rock has never sounded better.

The band are fresh out of the studio having just finished recording their 12th studio album due to be released later this year.

Angry Anderson’s Rose Tattoo recruits, considered some of the best in the business, comprise legendary bass player extraordinaire Mark Evans of AC/DC fame, iconic guitarist Bob Spencer of The Angels & Skyhooks, as well as unbelievably talented maestro of rock mayhem, Dai Pritchard.

Rose Tattoo hit the high seas on the Monsters Of Rock Cruise out of Miami in late February and headed straight into the recording studios in March.

STILL NEVER TOO LOUD
Friday 29th March 2019 - Metro Theatre, Sydney NSW
Saturday 30th March 2019 - Waves, Wollongong NSW 
Friday 5th April 2019 - Shoppingtown Hotel, Doncaster VIC 
Saturday 6th April 2019 - Chelsea Heights Hotel, Chelsea Heights VIC 
Friday 12th April 2019 - The Gov, Adelaide SA 
Saturday 13th April 2019 - Capitol, Perth WA 
Friday 26th April 2019 - The Triffid, Brisbane QLD 
Saturday 27th April 2019 - Coolangatta Hotel, Coolangatta QLD 
Friday 3rd May 2019 - Diggers, Ettalong NSW 
Saturday 4th May 2019 - Cambridge Hotel, Newcastle NSW 
Tickets from rosetattoo.com.au
 

It’s been a long time between shows but Sunnyboys are re-emerging for a three-state Australian winter tour.  

When they last toured in 2020 Sunnyboys chose the salubrious surrounds of Taronga Zoo, Melbourne’s Forum and the like; this time though, the band will get down and sweaty playing intimate venues more akin to their breakout year of 1981.

Melbourne pop-rockers Even will join the fun in Sydney and Melbourne while former Screaming Tribesman Mick Medew will bring his band The Mesmerisers to Brisbane and Byron Bay. All shows are on-sale tomorrow May 6 at feelpresents.com

Sunnyboys
JULY
1 – Factory Theatre Sydney + Even
9 – The Corner, Melbourne + Even + Little Murders
15 – Great Northern, Byron Bay + Mick Medew & The Mesmerisers|
16 – Princess Theatre, Brisbane, + Mick Medew & The Mesmerisers
Tix here

Five of the eight Radio Birdman”Birdman  5-0” Australian tour dates have sold-out and the remaining three are poised to go the same way.

The run kicks off at The Croxton Bandroom in Melbourne this Friday. That show and Saturday at the same venue are down to their final ticket allocations. 

All three Sydney gigs and two Brisbane dates have had the House Full signs put up and Adelaide on June 23 is showing signs of going the same way. Extra shows are not being added so go here to buy.

It’s 30 years since the “Night of the Wolverine” album and to mark the occasion,  Dave Graney is reforming The Coral Snakes and going on the road to promote a vinyl pressing.           

Originally only available on CD, “Night of the Wolverine” was the breakthrough that took ex-Moodists leader Graney to overground success and his eventual crowning as Australia’s Kling of Pop.  

The 53-minute album will be pressed over four long player discs and isw available via Graney's Bandcamp.

Graney will be joined by original Coral Snakes Clare Moore on drums, Rod Hayward on guitar and Robin Casinader on keys and violin, and his frequent sideman Stu Thomas on bass.

“We will be playing two sets, the first being the 'Night Of The Wolverine' album and the second filled with songs that came before and after that breakthrough (for us) record,” Dave says.

Japanese post-punk indie rockers DYGL (pronounced “Day-glo”),  kick off their first Australian tour this week and their new album “Who's In The House?” is being locally released by Cheersquad Records & Tapes. It's on vinyl and in digital format and can be procured here.

Hailing from Tokyo, DYGL are one of Japan’s most internationally acclaimed indie rock bands. Formed in 2012, the four-piece has built a global following with their raw energy, heartfelt lyrics, and a sound that fuses indie rock and 2000s garage revival with a uniquely Japanese sensitivity.

Japan’s The Deadvikings return to claim their stake and expand their domination over Sydney this week with their ultimate heavy protopunk.

Their four-day Japanese invasion - their second in a year - starts at The Old Manly Boatshed on September 27 with locals Tshatki and 4 Barrel Hemi. Entry is free. 

Day 2 (September 28) sees a foray in to new territory via Paddington's Captain Cook Hotel sharing the helm with goth rockers RK Ally, Black Knuckles and Black Heart Breakers. Entry is $10 at th door. 

The third gig is a return to iconic inner west venue The Townie at Newtown on September 29, with Eightball Junkies and BUNT.Free entry.

Day 4 peaks at the empyrean of Sunday venues, Frankie's Pizza, in the CBD on September 30 with Stu G's Cloak & Dagger kicking off followed by cosmic sludge monarchs Lord Dodongo and US trio BOYTOY, making their Aussie debut. No cover charge. 

Japan’s premier exponents of voodoo rock, Baitones, are heading to Australia in October, playing shows in Melbourne, Brisbane and Sydney.

With two decades of rocking in their home country under their belts, Bailtones will be making their first foray overseas.

Likened to the Birthday Party crossed with Gun Club and the Cramps, Baitones recall all of the above but still manage to remain uniquely creepy and glitteringly sexy, as well. 

Ugly Things magazine says:

“If you're into Nuggets, Pebbles, The Sonics, The Cramps’ ‘Gravest Hits’ or ‘60s garage punk in general then you really should pick up this record, a Japanese band that takes this style and make it their own. This music has never sounded that hot before.“ 

Our spy who has caught them in the flesh in Japan adds:

“If Las Vegas was an outfit, these guys would be wearing it. Holographic gold lame, leopard skin, fishnets, abundant bare flesh trimmed with bones and fur adorn Baitones, like some mutant Mae West cannibal from the year 3000.

"Baitones create a fashion all of their own, part burlesque cutie, part jungle beast and part sci fi villain.”

Judge for yourself at these shows:

Bailtones (JPN) Australian Tour
OCT
4 – Old Bar, Fitzroy, VIC
5 – Brightside, Fortitude Valley, QLD
6 – The Duke, Enmore, NSW
7 – Zombie Cannibal Stay Gold, Sydney Road, Melbourne, VIC

_{Credit: @majortielve}

It's easy to forget just how good the Jesus and Mary Chain actually are; how many drop dead classic songs they have recorded. Then, on a Thursday night at the Sydney Opera House (no less), they ram a shit ton of their greatest hits down our throats and they still leave out a huge chunk of back catalogue just to spite you.

They make it look easy. But being this damn good is not easy.

Photo by @alltoz696 

Japanese madmen Guitar Wolf are bringing their brand of high energy rock ‘n’ roll to Australia for the umpteenth time. Inspired by ‘50s rock ‘n’ roll and ‘70s punk, Guitar Wolf always put on a balls-to-the-wall show, with energy and intensity that no-one can match MATT RYAN spoke with Guitar Wolf mastermind SEIJI via email on the eve of the tour.

I-94: I saw you guys at the Gaso in Collingwood back in 2023, and you’re coming back. I take it you must love coming here to come back so often and quickly?

Seiji: Of course! Australia is paradise for Japanese people, and I love the rock that was born from this country.

Urban and western troubadour John Kennedy kicks off his Australian run to promote “Live At The Marrickville Bowl” (I-94 Bar Records) this weekend.

Now living in Spain, Kennedy will play band gigs with his all-star The New Originals and solo/duo shows, hitting New South Wales, Victoria and Queensland.

First cab off the rank is an in-store thjis Saturday afternoon at Egg Records in Newtown - fittingly, just off King Street, which is a location Kennedy has immortalised in "The King of King Street". Most of The New Originals will join him. Full dates and ticket links after the fold.