"Let There Be Rock!" brings together three long-standing heavyweights of the Australian underground rock scene: The Celibate Rifles, Hard-Ons - Official and The New Christs in celebration of the life of Andrew Gillies.
"Gillsey", as he was more affectionately known, was a fixture at shows by all three of these iconic Sydney acts for over 30 years - the first decade as a resident of Sydney and the remaining two in the Northern NSW town of Uki. Even the tyranny of distance would pose no problem to Andrew’s enthusiasm and drive to see, and support, his musical heroes.
In addition to being a major fan of all these acts, young Andy also served as stage tech for the Hard-Ons touring Australia, Europe and the USA from the late '80s through the early '90s, a role he also commandeered for Ratcat, Ed Kuepper, Died Pretty and others.
A slipped disc while working as carpenter reduced his participation in such activity reduced him to more domestic tasks, though, he still continued to tour Europe with his beloved Hard-Ons working as their merchandise seller right up until 2017.
Andrew Gillies was my hero. He was the only person I had met besides my own father who was 100 percent unhindered by self-reflection nor self-appraisal. He had always adopted a sense of style that was so laid-back and undefined – and that was just because he really was never anything other than HIMSELF – and it was this amazing ability to be unaffected and unpretentious in the Sydney underground music scene, that made all the members of the Hard-ons adopt him as a true brother. The world has tragically lost a one-off gentle soul who made a profound mark on every person he met, too early. I love Gillsie. I can’t believe he is gone. - Ray Ahn (Hard Ons)
Joining The Celibate Rifles, Hard-Ons and The New Christs in this celebration of Andy’s life and making their Sydney debut at the same time will be the Bombed Alaskans; neighbours of Andrew in Uki and a supergroup of sorts featuring members of both The Celibate Rifles and The Eastern Dark.
It’s the proverbial sauce-of-choice on Gillies beloved falafel roll and its all going down in his honour Saturday May 5 @ Sydney University Manning Bar. Tickets on-sale 11.00am this Monday April 9 via feelpresents.com
Let There Be Rock!
Saturday 5th May: Sydney, Manning Bar
Tickets $40.00 + bf from feelpresents.com
8pm: Bombed Alaskans
9pm: The New Christs
10pm: Hard-Ons
