“Punk Grandma” is a bubblegum-flavoured piece of punk fun from Brisbane icon Mick Medew (Screaming Tribesmen) and his musical and life partner Ursula (nee Collie, ex-Ironing Music). and it's out on all digital platforms including Bandcamp today.

The first single from “In The Zone”, the forthcoming album by Mick Medew and Ursula, due on 1 November on I-94 Bar Records, is an anthem for anyone who believes in growing old disgracefully.

Sung by Ursula, its pop-punk levity is laced with some stinging guitar from Mick Medew, backed by bassist Lois Andrews and drummer Stu Maclaughlin, who make up the live band, The Mick Medew and Ursula 4.

Says Ursula: “’Punk Grandma’ was written while I was in the house with the grandkids and Mick was on the deck working on the melody on his guitar. I ran out singing the chorus: ‘I feel young, I have fun. I’m not done!’”

The Mick Medew and Ursula 4 will launch “Punk Grandma” with special guests The Glycereens and Gen Jones at PFR Lounge in Fortitude Valley, Brisbane, on Saturday, October 19. Tickets via Humantix.

I'm one of the aging old arthritic punks who grew up on bands like the Adverts, Lords Of The New Church, the Clash, Disciples Of Soul, and The Godfathers, who all had vital and socially conscious messages about injustice in their rebel songs, so I was never that gung ho about all the corny and cliche, '90s skinny tie, booger rock exploitation the big corporations pushed upon the gullible public, that kinda just seemed to be squeaky clean, upper class rich people going through the motions of dyeing their hair green and rippin' off the Ramones some more.

Hard-Ons - currently undertaking the European leg of their 40th Anniversary tour - have released their new album “I Like You A Lot Getting Older”.

It’s the third album by the band's current line-up of Blackie, Murray, Ray and Tim, and follows 2021's ARIA top 5 debuting “I'm Sorry Sir, That Riff's Been Taken” and last year's “Ripper '23”. 

It’s on CD, digital format and in several coloured vinyl editions.  An exclusive limited edition green vinyl pressing (250 only, with different color on the cover) is available via the album's UK distributor. 

The new album's release precedes the recently announced 40th Anniversary Australian tour, and the Sydney SXSW premiere of the feature length documentary about the band, “The Most Australia Band Ever”. Additional screenings have been announced and all you need to know is below.

Australian sonic chanteuse Penny Ikinger is touring France and Spain in October 2024 to promote her latest album, "Travels and Travails".

Fittingly for an international tour, the record is a compilaiton of new and older material recorded around the world that showcases her collaborations with artists from France, Australia, Japan and the United States. 

Thje tour is in both solo mode and with a mostly French band, The Not, a high-energy outfit that came together in a seedy Paris bar. 

The Not features Penny’s long time musical collaborator Vinz Guilluy (Penelope Inc, Charles de Goal, the Holy Curse, and Bad Music with Rob Younger) on bass, Greek guitarist Roy Mitakidis (ex-Sonic Tramps), JB Didier (ex-Rhinosonics) on keys and Frantz Arnould (Whodunit) on drums. 

Penny Ikinger and The Not
France and Spain Tour
OCT
13 -  L'Alimentation Générale, Paris,
w/ Glenn Burns (AUS)
17- Funhouse, Madrid
w/ Jibaros (ESP) 
18 - La Casa De Sabica, Pamplona
19 - VIII. ZZ Rock Jaialdia, Zumarraga 
26 - Skate Parc Le Moulin du Rousseau,
Périgueux, FR 
(solo)
w/ Kosmik Twaregs (ESP)
Tickets

It was 45 years ago when Melbourne’s Little Murders released the single “Things Will Be Different” on Au Go Go Records. The single put Little Murders and Au Go Go on the musical map, quickly selling out two pressings and garnering praise from around the world, including from Greg Shaw's BOMP! magazine.

In 1981, Little Murders were the leading mod band in Melbourne and went on to release three more singles and the “STOP” album before disbanding.

Between then and now,  the reconstituted Little Murders have released eight studio albums, two compilations and a live record, toured Japan, had a documentary made about them, recorded in Los Angeles and had international and local artists record their songs for a tribute album. Which brings us to the here and now. 

The good news: The much anticipated Australian tour by ex-Lazy Cowgirls frontman Pat Todd and his band The Rankoutsiders is on. The bad news: The tour is restricted to one state.

Pat Todd’s Aussie solo dates with Mad Macka of the Cosmic Psychos were a stand-out of 2023 and he promised to be back. Unfortunately, limited time and economics mean Victoria will host all five dates of the run. 

So if you’re anywhere else, book an air ticket. If can't, take consolation that you’ll be able to stream a live-to-air on 3PBS-FM before the live shows proper start.

Pat Todd & The Rankoutsiders
NOV
6 – PBS live to air
7 – Trash Cult, Bendigo, VIC
7 - Shedshaker Taproom, Castlemaine VIC
8 – The Tote, Collingwood, VIC
9 – River Rocks, Barwon Club, Geelong
10 – St Kilda Bowls Club, St Kilda, VIC
11 – Last Chance Bar, Melbourne, VIC