Some of you know who Cradle of Filth is. Some don't. They're an extreme metal band from England. Well, they're a lot more than that, which is why I'm excited.

Think Slayer. Venom. The theatrical, symphonic show, the theatrics, the make-up. Like Venom, "they're big, but also mysterious". They started in the black metal area in 1991. And developed, taking on some of the different metal subgenres. 

We now have stock of "Address to the Nation", the new album from Chris Masuak and the Viveiro Wave Riders, after a slight delay in the manufacturing process. You can score a copy on CD here. If you prefer bricks and mortar shopping, try Redeye Records in Sydney and Off The Hip in Melbourne next week. 

 If you subscribe to the popular  notion that post-punk started in 1976, Gang of Four are to blame. Established in Leeds in England's north, Gang of Four - or Go4 - are widely recognised as originators of the genre with their potent political lyrics and stripped-down blend of funk, punk, dance and dub.

Originally singer Jon King, guitarist Andy Gill, bassist Dave Allen and drummer Hugo Burnham, there have been many G04 line-ups down the years. Founding member Gill is the only one remaining and he'll bring the band to Australia and New Zealand in November, marking the 40th anniversary of the debut album "entertainment!"

While we don't want to encourage you to read it these days, Rolling Stone magazine rated their debut album "entertainment!" as the fifth greatest punk album of all time. Pitchfork (it's a hipster bible but don't hold that against Go4) ranks it the eighth-greatest album of all time.

Go4 will play "entertainment!" In full plus selected songs from the band's other nine studio albums.

Our resident post-punk devotee ROBERT BROKENMOUTH is a dyed-in-the-wool Go4 fan. He spoke to Andy Gill about the band's history, recent output and what makes its music tick.

Trans-global pop combo Fast Cars will play live in Australia for two shows only in October, promoting their new album “Soft”.

Principal members Fabian Byrne (based in Australia) and Di Levi (who lives in the UK) will be joined by friends and various supports for a gig at Marrickville Bowling Cub in Sydney on October 12, and as part of the Modtoberfest bill at the Lansdowne Hotel also in Sydney on the afternoon of October 20.

Byrne and Levi will be joined by original bass player Dave Pye and drummer Pete Bennett (ex- The Welcome Mat). The first 50 payers at the Bowlo will receive a Fast Cars CD of rarities and outtakes and tickets are on sale here.

Supports for the Marrickville Bowlo show are Love Minus Zero (launching their “No Limit” album and a single) and The Smart Folk.

Originally a part of the 1980s Sydney mod scene, Fast Cars reformed over the Internet as a recording unit around Byrne and Levi in 2016 and have released two albums so far.

There will be a a special encore cinema screening of "Descent Into The Maelstrom" at the Sedition 2019 Festival in Sydney on September 21 - part of a three-film offering that will bring together some unlikely bedfellows. And we don't mean past and present Radio Birdman members...

To complement the screening of "Descent", producer Jonathan Sequeira is putting together some of the documentary's extra material for a short film about the Darlinghurst underground music scene and The Funhouse, called "Let the Kids Dance".

"This will be a ONE OFF SCREENING only. Some of the material might be in the extras, but the film itself is ALL NEW and will only show at Sedition!," Sequeira said. 

Capping it off will be a screening "Murder Ballads", the story of the creation of Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds’ album of the same name, featuring exclusive interviews with Nick Cave and Kylie Minogue, among others. This could be the first and last time The Dark Lord Cave, The Budgie and the Birdmen appear on the same silver screen at the same time. The venue is the Palace Cinema at 17 Oxford Street, Paddington, and it runs from 7-11pm. 

One of the most influential and groundbreaking bands to rise from the British punk scene in the late '70s was Gang of Four.

To celebrate the 40th Anniversary of their debut album “Entertainment!”, the UK dance-punk pioners will play the album in full with other“hits” on an Australasian tour in November.

Gang of Four
Australia-NZ
NOV
2- PERTH Rosemount
5- ADELAIDE Lion Arts Factory
7 - BRISBANE The Zoo
8 - SYDNEY Manning Bar
9 - MELBOURNE Croxton
12 - AUCKLAND Tuning Fork
13 - WELLINGTON San Fran