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full throttle

  • full throttleFull Throttle
    By Deniz Tek
    Picador-Pan Macmillan Australia

    Deniz Tek’s autobiographical “Full Throttle” hits the bookshelves at a time when “Retaliate First”, the newest and most detailed story of his most storied band, Radio Birdman, hasn’t yet made it to the remainder bins at Big W.  It joins photographer George Munoz’s lavish coffee table effort, “When The Birdmen Flew”, and Chris Masuak’s “Faith and Practice in Bedlam” which are still available in stores. 

    Vivien Johnston'sthesis in a biography's dust jacket, "Radio Birdman", was long regarded as the defintive history but is years out-of-print and fetches big bucks on eBay. And while Your ABC still won’t screen “Descent Into The Maelstrom” - still the best rock documentary made in this country despite being disowned by two former band members -  it can be streamed on Apple TV or Prime.

    So it’s a crowded dancefloor on which to do The Moving Change.

    Tek has taken a different tack to most of those that have gone before. Rather than fixate on Birdman, “Full Throttle” tracks through its author’s time in military aviation and emergency medicine and casts a light on his solo bands and side projects. Appearances by the Birdmen are pre-flight or involve the final line-up and are fleeting. There’s no aggro and any contestable turf or uncomfortable issues are avoided.

    The first review of this book to appear online had an issue with "Full Throttle" lacking a coherent narrative. That critque was written by a Nick Cave fan who once described bands that sprang up in Birdman's wake as "oafish".

    On balance it probably does help if you know the Radio Birdman back story, but there’s enough meat on this book’s bones to maintain a casual fan's interest. The comment that there isn't enough self-reflection might carry weight, but there's also some surprisingly generous commentary about a former guitar partner who was integral to the Tek comeback album, "Take It To The Vertical".   

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The Living Eye


Right eye

Negative Approach (US)
Australian Tour
OCT
29 - The Baso, Canberra, ACT
30 - La La La’s, Wollongong, NSW
31 - The Chippo, Sydney, NSW
NOV
6 - Vinnies Dive Bar, Southport, QLD
7 - The Brightside, Brisbane, QLD
8 - Black Box Theatre, Nambour, QLD
Tickets


Shonen Knife (Japan)
“Re-cuttin’ Australia/NZ 2026”
OCT
28 - The Baso, Canberra, ACT
+ Turnstyle + Media Puzzle
29 - Crowbar, Sydney, NSW
+ Turnstyle + Media Puzzle
30 - Keystone 1889, Bathurst, NSW
+ Turnstyle + Media Puzzle
31 - Avalon RSL, Avalon Beach, NSW
+ Turnstyle + Media Puzzle
NOV
1 - King Street, Newcastle, NSW
+ Turnstyle + Media Puzzle + Nursery Crimes
24 - Trash Cult, Eaglehawk, VIC
7 – 8 Tidal Sounds Music Festival
w/ Hard-Ons, Bodyjar, The Porkers,
Youth Group, The Grogans + Peach Fur and more
Hoey Moey, Coffs Harbour, NSW

New Christs
NOV
21 - The Brightside, Brisbane, QLD
+ Suicide Country Hour
+  Mick Medew & The Ursula 4

The Bawdies (JP)
“This Is The Party” Australian Tour
6 - Factory Floor, Sydney, NSW
+ PocketWatch + Jupiter 5
7 - River Rocks 2026, Geelong, VIC
8 - Bergy Bandroom, Brunswick, VIC
Tickets

Joeys Coop
NOV 
29 - Junk Bar, Brisbane, QLD (arvo)

The Cribs (UK)
"Selling A Vibe" Australian Tour
OCT
4 - 170 Russell, Melbourne, VIC
5 - Factory Theatre, Sydney, NSW
6 - The Triffid, Brisbane, QLD
8 - Rosemount Hotel, Perth, WA

Mudhoney
Australia-NZ 2026
OCT
28 - Blue Smoke, Christchurch NZ 
29 - Meow, Wellington NZ 
30 - Totara St, Tauranga NZ -
31 - Harbour Hotel, Raglan NZ 
NOV
1 - Double Whammy, Auckland NZ

The Exploding Universe of Ed Kuepper
Ed Kuepper 50 Years Retrospective
RESCHEDULED
OCT
29 - Avoca Theatre, NSW 
30 - Canberra, The Street Theatre, ACT
31 - Wombarra Bowlo, NSW
NOV
4 - Adelaide, The Gov, SA
5 - Melbourne, National Theatre, VIC 
6 – Geelong, Barwon Heads Hotel, VIC
7 - Sydney, Factory Theatre, NSW
(matinee & evening shows)
13 - Fremantle, Freo Social, WA
15 - Brisbane, Princess Theatre, QLD
Tickets

Reverend Horton Heat (US)
Australian Tour
NOV
11 - Crowbar, Brisbane, QLD
+ The Linelockers
+ Jake & The Cadillacs
+ DJ Lori Lee
12 - The Gov, Adelaide, SA
+ The Satellites
13 - Factory Theatre, Sydney, NSW
+ The Johnnys
+ Pat Capocci
14 - Croxton Bandroom, Melbourne, VIC
+ The Johnnys
+ Ezra Lee & Jumpin' Jethro
15 - Theatre Royal, Castlemaine, VIC
+ The Johnnys

Hoodoo Gurus
"Rewind Tour - All Killer, No Filler"
+ Ratcat
+ The Stems
NOV
28 - Hindley Street Music Hall, Adelaide, SA
DEC
1 - Ice Cream Factory, Perth, WA
5 - Tumbalong Park, Sydney, NSW
6 - Royal Botanic Gardens, Melbourne, VIC
11 - Fortitude Music Hall, Brisbane, QLD
16 - Odeon Theatre, Hobart, TAS

The Saints 73-78
UK Tour with The Damned
NOV
25 - Brighton, Dome
27 - London, British Airways ARC
28 - Bristol, Beacon
30 - Manchester, Academy
DEC
1 - Newcastle, O2 City Hall
2 - Derby, Vaillant Live Derby
5 - Birmingham, O2 Academy

The Saints 73-78
Australian Tour
JAN
21 - Newcastle, King St
+ Chimers
22 - Sydney, Metro
+ Antenna
23 - Wollongong, Waves
+ The New Christs
29 - Brisbane, Tivoli
+ Tape / Off
30 - Gold Coast, Miami Marketta
+ Mick Medew & The Ursula 4
FEB
2 - Perth, Astor
+ Last Quokka
4 - Barwon Heads, Barwon Heads Hotel
+ dB4
5 - Melbourne, Croxton
+ Public Figures

 Public Image Ltd
Australia and NZ
JAN
20 - Auckland, Powerstation
22 - Brisbane, The Tivoli
23 - Sydney, Enmore Theatre
24 - Melbourne, The Forum
26 – Adelaide, The Gov
28 - Perth, The Astor

"Superpussy 2"
The Supersuckers
+ Nashville Pussy
+ Nine Pound Hammer
FEB 2027
18 - Crowbar, Brisbane, QLD
19 - Mo's Desert Clubhouse, Gold Coast, QLD
20 - Crowbar, Sydney, NSW
24 - Ed Castle, Adelaide, SA
26 - Barwon Club, Geelong, VIC
27 - Croxton Bandroom, Melbourne, VIC
28 - Young Street Tavern, Frankston, VIC

Respect The Rock Australian Tour
The Hellacopters + Gluecifier
MARCH
17 – Brisbane, The Triffid
18 – Sydney, Manning Bar
19 – Melbourne, The Croxton
20 – Adelaide, Ed Castle
Tickets

 

 

 

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