Newcastle band The Delta Lions have just released a brand new double A side single and are donating all the proceeds to the Indigenous Literacy Foundation. “Smoke Bombs” b/w “Mac & Laura” is up for grabs digitally at $A2 for both songs. It’s also available as a vinyl seven-incher and is the band’s first recording in two years.

Set up in 2011, the Indigenous Literacy Foundation is a not-for-profit charity without government or major corporate funding. It aims to raise literacy levels and improve the lives and opportunities of Indigenous children living in remote and isolated regions.

Delta Lions are touring buddies of Leadfinger and one of the best blues-rock bands to emerge from Newcastle in recent years. Details or how to buy the single are available via the links below.

The Delta Lions on the Web

The Delta Lions on Bandcamp

Guitarist for influential Michigan rock band the SRC, Garry Quackenbush, has passed away after a struggle with lung disease.

Best known for his work with the SRC (Scot Richard Case) in the late ’60s and early ’70s, Quackenbush had been under home care. Friends rallied earlier this month in Detroit to stage a benefit show.

SRC released three albums (“SRC”, “Milestones” and “Traveler’s Tale” – the latter without Quackenbush) during their run and two posthumous records (“Lost Masters” and “Black Sheep”) after their break-up. The surviving members staged some reunion gigs in recent years.

Quackenbush was recognised as a master of sustain and feedback and the band’s influence was particularly felt in Europe thanks to a string of album re-issues.

Leni Sinclair photo

For those waiting for the grooving Dave Graney to re-enter the rock world, wait no more. The Golden Wolverine, High Plains Drifter and The Savage Sportsman is reforming his hard-arsed but grooving 1990s chart outfit, The Coral Snakes, for a handful of shows.

Graney, Rod Hayward, Gordy Blair, Robin Casiander and Clare Moore were The Coral Snakes and they had a string of major label albums, pushing their way into the mainstream. They ain't afraid to be heavy and rock and roll is where Sir Dave hides  

Dave Graney 'n' the Coral Snakes 2015
AUGUST
7 & 8 – Memo Music Hall, St Kilda
SEPTEMBER
4 – Newtown Social Club, Sydney
5 – Lizottes, Newcastle
OCTOBER
23 & 24 – Crown & Anchor, Adelaide

They're one of Australia’s best bands, Leadfinger, have been working hard on a new album at Linear Studios in Sydney. The new long player's not long from finished but now it’s time to test the water with some of the new tunes and get some live rock action (otherwise known as beer and fun!!)

Along for the ride are their mates from Adelaide, The Pro Tools, whose ranks feature ex-members of The Exploding White Mice and the Bloodsucking Freaks.

The mini-tour's duybbed The Punk and The Rocker. Says "the rocker" Leadfinger leader Stew Cunningham: “These guys play an explosive mix of punk and hard-edged rock’n’roll with ("the punk") Pete ’The Stud' Howlett’s blistering guitar attack up front and loud.” That’s some recommendation.

Special guests on Thursday and Saturday night are some more Leadfinger buddies from Newcastle, The Delta Lions. Friday night’s guest at the Hammo Station Hotel in Newcastle are The Grounds.

Leadfinger + The Pro Tools
JULY
16 - Frankie’s Pizza by the Slice, Sydney + The Delta Lions
17 - Hamilton Station Hotel, Newycastle + The Grounds
18 - Dicey Riley’s Hotel, Wollongong + The Delta Lions

Europe might be getting a taste of a substantially reconfigured Radio Birdman this month but their former guitarist Chris Masuak isn’t standing still.

With a new album in the can (recorded with his band The Viveiro Wave Riders) the Spain-based Masuak is star attraction at a gig billed as “The Australian Rock Festival - The Legacy of Radio Birdman In Spain” on June 19.

Bar Flora Disco is the venue, in Masuak’s adopted home of Viveiro, and the gig will be shot for a forthcoming Birdman documentary by Australian filmmaker Jonathan Sequeira. Support will come from surf-punk outfit The Sonic Race.

The Jon Spencer Blues Explosion is back with a brand new album and Australian tour in August 2015. “Freedom Tower - No Wave Dance Party 2015” is the album name and reputed to be a product of spontaneity.

Rehearsed and polished in a string of secret gigs and unannounced opening slots in New York City theatres, hotel bars, and dives (often under assumed names), and recorded at the legendary Daptone House Of Soul in Bushwick, “Freedom Tower” is described as “a document of New York City, a chronicle of grit and terror and love!”