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the breeders

BARFLY TOP TEN: James McCann of James McCann and the New Vindictives

2018? This year all blurs into one for me , like being a passenger down the river with the occasional stop off to play, talk, refuel and get back on and cruise.

The cruise hasn't been steady, it's been rocky. More than any other time - or for some time.

The boat feels like it lost i's rudder and all the Generals on the field are nowhere to be seen; what would they say, what would they want us to do? I think we all know the answer to that.

So, here is my attempt to make neither head nor tail of the year 2018 so far...
Top Tens for 2024: Joanne Bennett of Sydney band The Jane Does

Top Ten for 2024 in order of event

The Breeders at Enmore Theatre
Starting off with "Saints", ending with "Divine Hammer" and everything you’d want to hear in between.

Grazza-Fest at The Great Club
We lost a beautiful man last year so we all got together to celebrate Graham Bowditch the best way we know how. With the music he loved. Held on the weekend of his annual BBQs, the bands were: The Strike-Outs, Hellebores, The Glycereens, Rocks, The Pink Fits, The Hard-Ons, and they all provided a great night of entertainment.

Recording with The Jane Does at Rancom St Studios
The studio is owned by Garth Porter from Sherbet and we had the opportunity to record a song ("Around the Bend)" there for an upcoming pop culture doco by Larry McGrath called "Yesterday’s Highway". We had Tim Carr as producer and he worked his magic with us.

Human League at Enmore Theatre
Managed to score a last-minute ticket to this one thanks to my bandmate Matt. Performing the classic "Dare" album in full plus a selection of their other songs. Given that it’s mostly done on synths they were able to replicate their sound perfectly.
Top Tens for 2024: Melbourne solo artist and former Wet Taxis member Penny Ikinger

_{Antoine Nguyen photo.}

1. Radio Birdman - Manning Bar, Sydney
There was magic in the room that night: magic and love. Love from the audience who knew them as either family, friends, heroes, or all three. Everyone no doubt had different stories to tell but we were all there for the same reason - to bid farewell and to hear those songs played live one last time.

The songs that had formed a soundtrack to our lives. It led me to reflect on my own musical and life journey – is this really their last show? Am I heading that way too? I enjoyed being in the space and it brought back fond memories as I spent so much time in Manning Bar in the old days when I was studying at Sydney Uni with Louis Tillett. This show was so worth making the trip up to Sydney for! Great support from the Hard Ons too. Heartfelt thanks to everyone for a magnificent evening and beyond.

2. Mudhoney/Kid Congo - La Trabendo, Paris
It was a fabulous night at a cool venue in the beautiful le Parc de la Villette. I was staying in Paris and couldn’t believe my luck that two of my favourite bands would be sharing a bill. It was a stunning show, as you would expect. A crowded Mudhoney gig in Paris is much the same as one in Melbourne complete with t-shirts, leather jackets, jeans, boots, and slam-dancing, although the French seemed to have a certain je ne sais quoi about it all.

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The Living Eye

Right eye

The Crisps
JAN
24 - Old Manly Boat Shed
(6.30pm)
+ DISGRACELand
25 - MoshPit Bar, Sydney
+ The Research + The Sugar Beats
(2-6pm)
26 - Link and Pin, Woy Woy
+ Dunhill Blues + FNCs
(11-5pm)

John Kennedy & The New Originals
Live at the Marrickville Bowl Tour
JAN
25 - Side B Vinyl Bar, Blackheath, NSW
SOLD OUT

“Hotter Than Donut Grease Tour”
Grand Pricks
+ Dave Favours & The Roadside Ashes
+ The Tall Stories
JAN
21 - Tamworth Hotel, Tamworth

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
Tickets
- Feb 7
+ The On and Ons
+ Van Ruin
(city debut)
- Feb 8
Tickets

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
Tickets
+ The Dark Clouds
+ Jupiter 5
Marrickville Bowling Club
- Feb 15
Tickets

I-94 Bar Records and Promotions presents
Dr Psychedelic Poodle (JPN)
+ Jupiter 5
+ Cheetah Beat
MoshPit, St Peters (NSW)
- Feb 22
(2pm)
Tickets

The Beasts
Corner Hotel, VIC
- Feb 21
Tickets
Manning Bar, NSW
- Feb 22
Tickets

Joeys Coop
+ The Finalists (single launch)
The Union, Newtown
- March 9
(5pm, free)

Kim Salmon’s Smoked Salmon
Australian Tour
MAR
7 - Lyric Lane, Perth - Tix
8 - Gerry's Gold Neighbourhood
Laneway Music Festival, Gerry's Lane, Freo (Kim solo)
8 - Mojo's, Fremantle - Tix
9 - The River, Margaret River (Kim solo)
14 - Bridge Hotel, Castlemaine, Vic - Tix
20 - Smiths Alternative, Canberra - Tix
21 - La La La's, Wollongong - Tix
22 - Petersham Bowling Club, Sydney - Tix
30 - Barwon Club, Geelong - Tix
APR
4 - Bearded Lady, Brisbane - Tix
5 - Vinnie's Dive Bar, Gold Coast - Tix
6 - Bangalow Bowlo, Bangalow, NSW - Tix
11 - The Grace Emily, Adelaide - Tix
12 - Northcote Social Club, Melbourne - Tix

Guitar Wolf
Australian Tour
MAR
21 - The Curtin, Melbourne
(w/ The Prize + The States)
22 - Bambra Music Festival (afternoon)
22 - Jerkiest 10, Barwon Club Hotel, Geelong
23 - Singing Bird Studios, Frankston VIC
(w/ Gnome + more! All Ages show, 4-9pm)
24 - Thornbury Picture House, Melba
(W/ "Wild Zero: screening)
25 - Trash Cult, Bendigo
(w/ Poppin' Mommas)
27 - The Bridge Hotel, Castlemaine, VIC
(w/Leon)
28 - Brisbane Crowbar
(w/ The Onyas + Eyes Ninety)
29 - Factory Floor, Sydney
(w/ Antenna + The Crankees)
APR
3 - Crown and Anchor, Adelaide
4 - Seasonal Brewing, Perth
(w/ Zerodent & The Murderbirds)
5 - Prince of Wales, Bunbury, WA
(w/ Turd!)
6 - Buffalo Club, Fremantle, WA
(5.30pm doors)
Tickets

The 5.6.7.8s
Australian Tour
MAR
20 – Sydney Crowbar
+ Psychotic Turnbuckles + Cheetah Beat
Tickets
21 – Powerhouse, Brisbane
Tickets
22 – High Country Hop Festival,
Beechworth, VIC
Tickets
23 – After Bar, Hobart
Tickets
25 – The Tote, Melbourne
SOLD OUT
26 – The Last Chance, Melbourne
Tickets

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
Tickets

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
Tickets