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Jann Uhelszki

The MC5 book verdict? It done kicked 'em out

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.

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Chimers Australian Tour
JAN
31 - La La La’s, Wollongong
+ special guests

I-94 Bar Records and Promotions presents
Grooveyard
+ Il Bruto
Smiths Alternative, Canberra
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- Feb 7
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+ Van Ruin
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- Feb 8
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I-94 Bar Records and Promotions presents
The Mick Medew & Ursula 4
"In The Zone"
NSW Album Launches
+ East Coast Low
+ Jupiter 5
Stag & Hunter, Mayfield
- Feb 14
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+ The Dark Clouds
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Marrickville Bowling Club
- Feb 15
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Bahne Super-Flex
+ DISGRACELand
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Brass Monkey, Cronulla, NSW
- Feb 15
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The D4
Australiasian Tour
FEB
NZ
7 - Totara Street Mount Maunganui
8 - JOE'S FARM, Whangamata
AUS
13 - The Brightside Brisbane
14 - Mary's Underground, Sydney
15 - The Tote, Collingwood Vic
NZ
21 - Meow, Wellington
22 - Rosemary’s, Taupō
28 - The Kaipara Tavern, Helensville
MAR
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Raglan
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MoshPit, St Peters (NSW)
- Feb 22
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Botany View Hotel
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The Beasts
Corner Hotel, VIC
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Manning Bar, NSW
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SoundPressing presents
Songs and Stories of Charlie Owen
Tasmanian Tour
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27 - Cygnet Bowls & Community Club, Cygnet
28 - The Grand Poobah, Hobart
MAR
2 Mar - Valentino Safe Co, Lilydale
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Joeys Coop
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The Union, Newtown
- March 9
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Kim Salmon’s Smoked Salmon
Australian Tour
MAR
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Laneway Music Festival, Gerry's Lane, Freo (Kim solo)
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APR
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11 - The Grace Emily, Adelaide - Tix
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Guitar Wolf
Australian Tour
MAR
21 - The Curtin, Melbourne
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5 - Prince of Wales, Bunbury, WA
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(5.30pm doors)
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The 5.6.7.8s
Australian Tour
MAR
20 – Sydney Crowbar
+ Psychotic Turnbuckles + Cheetah Beat
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21 – Powerhouse, Brisbane
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22 – High Country Hop Festival,
Beechworth, VIC
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23 – After Bar, Hobart
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25 – The Tote, Melbourne
SOLD OUT
26 – The Last Chance, Melbourne
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The Stranglers
50 Years In Black
2025 Australasian Tour
MAR
13 - Powerstation, Auckland. NZ
15 - Meow Nui, Wellington, NZ
16 - Christchurch Town Hall, Christchurch, NZ
19 - Enmore Theatre, Sydney
20 - The Tivoli, Brisbane
22- Forum, Melbourne
23 - The Gov, Adelaide
25 - Astor Theatre, Perth
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The Stems
East Coast Australian Tour 2025
APR
23 - Northcote Social Club
24 - Sydney Crowbar
25 - Gum Ball Festival, Hunter Valley, NSW
26 - Old Museum, Brisbane
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Cherie Currie
Australian Tour
with Hot Machine
SEP
5 - Rosemount, Perth
6 - Crown and Anchor, Adelaide
11 - The Corner Hotel, Melbourne
12 – Sydney Crowbar
13 – Brisbane Crowbar
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