Robert Brokenmouth
Barfly
Adelaide
The Barman sent me a message asking some folks to tell us all about our 2020 top tens.
Apart from new recordings from the likes of Hugo Race, Velatine and Michael Plater, and the other few I've written about during the year, I've not been listening to a lot of music. Read a lot (including the three books I've reviewed here - the best three music books I've read this year), including a few Stephen King, Clark Ashton Smith, John Wyndham and a few books on plagues past and present.
But really. 2020, huh? What a trip. So many dead. Wept more than a few times myself - but hey, my life's a doddle by comparison to the misery of so many.
But hey! First, we got to see an utterly evil President of the United States trainwreck, taint (and generally fist-fuck with studded gloves) any world-wide respect the USA ever had. I don't use the term 'evil' lightly.
Apart from being genuinely narcissistic and wilfully ignorant, Papa Ubu took great delight in splitting the country into a condition very close to civil war, while being utterly unmoved by the hundreds of thousands who got ill, and the thousands who have died, of which he is a goodly part to blame. If you wrote a modern take on Pere Ubu, Trump would be your starting point.
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- By Robert Brokenmouth
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Top 10 releases for 2020
Mark Fraser
Wrtiter for Redback Rock and Vynil Records label honcho
Bad Dreems- “Doomsday Ballet”
Snotty, raggedly beautiful, punkesque pop that's as honest as a day's work. One beautiful yellow and black splatter platter of endearing, edgy popnificence. Ten double plus!
Dune Rats - “Hurry up and Wait”
The perfect blend of pop and punk, that’s as catchy as a case of COVID. On permanent rotation.
Space Boozzies- “Living’ Up The he Coast”
Summer...beer gardens…downin’ tinnies on the bonnet of the EH wagon down at South Narra. The perfect beachin’ garage album for summer.
Gold Hearts- “Beach Butts” (single)
The Gold Hearts' sounds are pure 60s wahine surf pop...wahoos and all. Gorgeous.
Lachlan Edwards- “Once More” (EP)
From the very first, this is a total charmer. The title track is an instant creeper... gorgeous sparse guitar...semi-yearning vocals and cruisy riffs that crawl right on in.
Little Quirks - “Florence’s Town” (single)
Gorgeous vocal harmonies...that folk tinged heart warming popestry...and songwriting skills that are way beyond their years.
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- By Mark Fraser
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Frank Meyer, guitarist and vocalist
The Streetwalkin’ Cheetahs
James Williamson & The Pink Hearts
Online and TV producer
Stooges archivist
Los Angeles, CA
TOP TEN ALBUMS OF 2020
1. Armored Saint - Punching The Sky
My favorite metal band of 2020 was my favorite metal band in 1984…the mighty Armored Saint. This is their best in a decade and one of the best of their career. John Bush is the Paul Rodgers of metal, a swaggering bluesy beast over vintage yet modern power metal. I fucking love this band.
2. Kix - Midnight Dynamite Re-Lit
Producer Beau Hill went back and stripped away all that bad ‘80s reverb and my favorite Kix album it sounds the like AC/DC meets Aerosmith album it always should have. And the demos are way cool, junior!
3. Fiona Apple - Fetch the Bolt Cutters
The piano in the opening song “I Want You To Love Me” literally made me burst into tears when I first heard it. And every time since. Not kidding.
4. The City Kids - Things That Never Were
Best OC Punk band Leeds ever produced! These guys got a Social Distortion by way of Backyard Babies vibe that just won’t quit.
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CARRIE PHILLIS
Vocalist, Fangin' Felines
Wollongong, Australia
1) As far as 2020 goes, over all it has deepened my sense to an even greater degree about what really matters and how we spend our short time on this planet.
2) While I am still grieving the organic aspect of how live shows used to be, the upside is bands came to us via live stream!
3) Reigning Sound- live stream at B Side Memphis, presented by Goner Records. Having Reigning Sound play live in our lounge room one morning while wearing my PJs was a thrill!
4) "Vibrations, Yours & Mine" - Johnny Casino. Wonderful album by a wonderful human.
5) It was inspiring to see Australian venues working creatively to keep live music afloat. As much a struggle as it was/is for venues, musicians, crew to keep afloat…..
6) "My Love for You" - The William Loveday Intention (album.) Will there ever be a day that you’re hung like a thief? Good ol Billy Childish rides again!
7) "Shadow Show" - Silhouettes (album). Girl group trio from Detroit- love their blend of '60s garage psychedelia with their own modern twist.
8) Chimers' debut single "Mono". A Wollongong two-piece - a husband and wife and good mates of mine - released a ripper debut single!
9) Fangin Felines weekend live analogue recording at The Pin Shed with Jez Player. Pinheads was a fun experience.
10) March 2020 with Fangin' Feliners supporting The Schizophonics at Lalalas & Marrickville Bowlo. These will forever be remembered as not only really fun shows (also with Los Tones, Drop Offs & DJ Rusty & Boonge) but our last live shows, pre COVID. Lockdowns occurred the week after.
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- By Carrie Phillis
- Hits: 3448
1 - Celibate Rifles - “Extract from the Fungus”.
The moment it was released it went to no.1 in my charts.
2 - Drugs in Sport – “At Least We’ll Always Have Rock and Roll To Fall Back On” (OuttaSpace).
Label mates. Top, top pop album which I am playing every day.
3 - Chimers - "Chimers" (Poop Alley Records)
Was on the full time playlist for numerous weeks this year.
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- By Mark Horne
- Hits: 5323
PATRICK EMERY'S TOP 10
Nudity – Nudity Is God’s Creation – I ordered this through Richie Ramone’s Strangeworld Records on the basis of the name and a brief musical snippet alone. A re-release of a double album of choice cuts from 2005-2010, a smattering of Pagans-ish punk rock, Detroit garage, fuzzed out psychedelia and raga frenzies. My favourite vinyl purchase for 2021. The neighbours are still processing it.
Foggy Notion – great live band, great songs, talented players. By my count, we’ve seen them 10 times this year, with at least four shows cancelled due to you-know-what. New album out digitally, physical copy due March 2022.
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- By Patrick Emery
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Josie Jose photo
Best Albums of 2021 (not in order)
Blowers – “Blowers”
In the tradition of Jay Reatard and the Oblivions, Blowers are a band that proves less is more. Killer bare basics, as well as plenty of humour. One take, if there’s a mistake, fuck it, that’s the take. This LP is prime example of garage rock at its purists and best.
Civic – “Future Forecast”
After a few brilliant EPs it’s great to finally get a full Civic release. Combining elements of ‘90s Melbourne rock and US 2000s gunk rock, this stayed on the turntable for a good fortnight.
Cutters – “Australian War Crimes”
Six tracks clocking in at 10 minutes, including a diss on Rye, a suburb I don’t care for, and the title track, a reaction to revelations of Australian SAS soldiers’ behaviour in Afghanistan. Brutal and superb.
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- By Matt Ryan
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My Top Ten is all over the shop - non sensible and I’m sure a few were from years back, but I only just caught up!
1. Get Back by Peter Jackson
Stupendous all the way through.
2. McCartney 3,2,1
Stupendous all the way through.
3. Radio 2SER-FM
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- By Peter Black
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TOP TEN CIRCLES OF HELL FOR 2021
1:The circle of passive rebellion where the damned must battle eternally painful loopholes.
Reserved for DICKNOSERS, CHINWAGGERS, NECKBREAKERS and EAR RINGERS. A mask is a simple thing. You just embarrass yourself by failing to wear it correctly. Special shout out to dickheads who punch a hole in their masks to smoke cigarettes.
2: The circle of deep regret where the damned spread disease to their loved ones before spending eternity intubated.
Reserved for Antivaxers. Vax up or shut up you medieval floor lickers.
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MY YEAR'S END TOP TEN or maybe more, I never said I was any good at math. -JD Stayfree
1.) Dan Denton is published byPunk Hostage Press.
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- By JD Stayfree
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THE FARMHOUSE’S TOP TEN
Hello I-94 Barflies. What a shitty year it’s been. Charlie Watts’ passing makes me feel old and I type with a heavy heart with the passing a few days ago of my friend, the great guitarist John Nolan (Bored!, Powder Monkeys, Spencer P Jones and The Escape Committee and more recently Powerline Sneakers.) Last drinks, last smokes. R.I.P.
Thank fuck there is music. There have been numerous great releases this past 12 months, so here we go.
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- By Ron Brown
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Frank with The Streetwalkin' Cheetahs.
TOP TEN ALBUMS
Cheap Trick – "In Another World"
The masters of hard rock power-pop return with another banger. What year is this? How is it possible these guys are still so good?
The Wildhearts – "21st Century Love Songs"
Ginger is one of my favorite songwriters and this Wildhearts album is a ferocious reminder that he is still at the peak of his powers.
The Darkness – "Motorheart"
My favorite Darkness album since their debut, this one has swagger, hooks, and lots of blistering guitar riffs!
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- By Frank Meyer
- Hits: 4328
More Articles …
- Top Tens for 2021: Norro of Sydney yob rockers The VeeBees
- Top Tens for 2021: Chris Klondike Masuak (ex-Radio Birdman, Screaming Tribesmen, Hitmen)
- Top Tens for 2021: Chris Newton of Sydney mods The Smart Folk
- Top Tens for 2021: Ashley Thomson of Sydney '80s punks The Kelpies
- Top Tens for 2021: Keith Claringbold of The Smart Folk and The Amazing Woolloomoolosers
- Top Tens for 2021: Sydney musician Simon Li
- Top Tens for 2021: Sydney guitarist Vince Cuscuna of Jupiter 5, Sheek the Shayk, and more
- Top Tens for 2021: Marcus Fraser from Starcrazy
- Top Tens for 2021: Joey Bedlam of DollSquad
- Top Tens for 2021: Sydney's Celebrity Roadie Peter "Rossy" Ross
- Top Tens for 2021: The Barman of The I-94 Bar
- Top Tens for 2021: Steve Lucas of X
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