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john hoey

  • Died Pretty Live cvrDied Pretty Live – Died Pretty (Citadel)

    Live albums were things a band pulled out of its collective arse when members were short on ideas and had “contractual obligations” to a label. These days, they’re a  quaint anachronism in a market that treats digital singles as a currency.

    The only contractual obligation Died Pretty has these days is keeping their record label boss and manager, John Needham,in the lifestyle to which he is accustomed (that's a joke, John), so a live recording of a February 2008 performance of the cross-over album “Doughboy Hollow” at Melbourne’s Forum Theatre is probably of interest only to diehard fans.

    Guilty as charged but thousands of others will take the same plea.

  • silver and gold coverAlternative title: "He Gets by With Some Help From His Friends".

    Producer-guitarist Bruce "Cub" Callaway assembled a stellar cast for this, his 2013 return to recording after a lay-off, and it shows.

    John Hoey (Died Pretty), Warwick Gilbert (Radio Birdman), Paul Larsen (Celibate Rifles), Clyde Bramley (Hoodoo Gurus) and Julie Mostyn Gilbert (Flaming Hands) all played roles. Lesser-knowns Ian Johnson, Louis Callaway and Harry Rothenfluh also contributed drums.

  • cone on inCome On In – The On and Ons (Jem Recordings)

    It’s only January but “Come On In” is already a contender for 2025's Record of The Year.

    Granted, it’s not a “new” album as such - more a compilation of the band’s best songs from The On and Ons’ five previous releases with three new tracks appended - but don’t let that stop you. Odds-on that it’s going to smoke any other rocking pop you’ll hear in 2025.

    “Come On In” is the American debut release for the Sydney band on Jem, an imprint established on 1970 and since revived by one of its founders, Marty Scott. It’s also home to the likes of power-pop king Paul Collins, The Grip Weeds and Richard Barone.