This year marks the 50th birthday of Brisbane’s community radio station 4ZZZ and a series of huge musical events will be held over October and November.

The 4ZZZ Joint Effort concerts played an integral part of the station’sstory in the 70’s and 80’s, providing live music fans in Brisbane with the best value for money events in town and  bringing together local and interstate original artists. Traditionally held at the University of Queensland campus refectory, these events set the tone for the healthy live music scene Brisbane enjoys today.

Original joint effort promoter, David Darling, is curating a special 4ZZZ joint effort event at the Hamilton Hotel on Saturday, 8 November. Tickets are on sale here and here’s the line-up:

Dave Warner’s from the Suburbs
A participant in  in the original 4ZZZ UQ concert events in the 70’s and 80’s sharing joint effort bills with the likes of Mental as Anything and Razar, Perth’s suburban boy Dave Warner and will be performing with the original “Mugs Game”-era band, From the Suburbs. 

X
One of the most influential bands to emerge from the late 1970s Sydney underground rock/punk explosion, the music of X has well and truly stood the test of time. Frontman Steve Lucas has put on many memorable shows in Brisbane and with his band will be performing the seminal 1985 album “At Home with You” plus other classics from the back catalogue.     

The Survivors
Formed in 1977 in the first wave of Brisbane punk bands, The Survivors played a part in many of the original 4ZZZ joint effort events before disbanding in late 78’

He original trio of Jim Dickson (Radio Birdman and the New Christs), Greg Williamson and Bruce Anthon will stage a very special reunion to help wish 4ZZZ a happy 50th.

Lindy Morrison and Comrade Xero
Lindy Morrison and Irena Luckus first worked together in the Brisbane band Zero in 1978 at the peak of the post-punk explosion, naming themselves after the London-based anarchist anarcha-feminist newspaper.

Zero’s first gig in the back lane of Wellington Street in Petrie Terrace, Brisbane was shut down by the police. To be in Zero, you needed good running shoes.

Zero practised daily and performed frequently before Lindy left the band in late 1980 to join The Go-Betweens. Lindy drummed on the first six albums with The Go-Betweens until 1989.

Lindy Morrison and Irena Luckus continue their spirit of rebellion together through art and music.

The Black Assassins
Keen exponents of punk’s DIY ethos, The Black Assassins formed in the middle of 1981, just one week before their first gig at the QIT Campus Club, and had a set of eighjt songs together from their three rum-soaked rehearsals.

The Courier Mail’s review of their shambolic performance described The Black Assassins as “undoubtedly the ugliest, vilest and most loathsome four ‘musicians’ to scar a stage with their presence”. 

The Black Assassins proudly adopted the title of Brisbane’s “ugliest” band and are yet to be challenged for it. Their songs are simple, raw, and sometimes shocking, providing a satirical humorous take on society, culture, and politics.

Wearing their trademark black balaclavas (years before TISM) The Black Assassins played around Brisbane in the early ‘80s, including supporting the Dead Kennedy’s at Festival Hall, and played the only 4ZZZ Joint Effort ever held in Sydney in 1989.

The Black Assassins don’t take themselves seriously, have no shame about their musical abilities, and aim to have as much fun as they can. Expect an ugly, loud, raw, energetic, entertaining show. Bring your ear plugs!

Pineapples from the Dawn of Time
One of Brisbane and Queensland’s great oddball creations, The Pineapples’ one and only album release “Shocker” has become a bizarre landmark in Queensland rock history, with the single “Too much acid” becoming something of an underground anthem.

Two years ago, bass player and Brisbane music icon Rod McLeod passed away, and the band will be reforming in tribute for this event.