Lonesome Sundown – The Breadmakers (Soundflat)

“Lonesome Sundown” is the ninth album for Australian rhythm ‘n’ blues ravers The Breadmakers and if you’re reading this outside Melbourne, Japan or Europe, you’ve probably never heard of them.

The Breadmakers have their origins in Victorian bands like Shutdown66, Cracked Jaffers and The Puritans and if there was a trademark available on the word “retro” they’d have dibs on it. They’ve been cranking up their valve amps to celebrate the roots of R ‘n’ B since 1989.

It’s not as if they haven’t done their share of touring, visiting Europe and Japan and well as most Australian capitals, but in these times of bands finding it hard to make ends meet when they go on the road, they’re stop at home types these days. “Lonesome Sundown” is on German label Soundflat so the international profile is there for those in the know. But these guys should be household names.

Roads, Stars – Asteroid B612 (Golden Robot)

The appearance of a new Asteroid B-612 studio album a full two-and-a-half decades after they were a going concern is a risky move, by any measure.

They didn’t tour much outside of the Sydney-Melbourne axis (except when they went to the USA) but if you saw Asteroid B612 live they left a lasting impression. Once they found their sound and came to grips with the studio, their records did, too. Over the years, Asteroids  established a loyal fanbase, mainly in Europe. 

The good news is that “Roads, Stars” works as a rock and roll record. It’s a fitting epitaph to the memory of late bass player Scott Nash.

Songs About Fucking Idiots - The Owen Guns (Outtaspace Presents/Booker Bastard Records)

Those in the know about The Owen Guns’ piss-take attitude and wild performances are have caused “Songs About Fucking Idiots to almost sell out its first pressing in a week.  It’s a signal that the drawbridge has been pulled up and the posts are manned in society’s ivory towers as The Owen Guns are poised to seize the palace.

“Songs About Fucking Idiots” is sitting at number-three on the Australian Independent Records Chart, along with safer (and nicer) acts like Pete Murray and Kate Miller-Heidke.  It’s a massive achievement and reflects on The Owen Guns’ loyal following.

The Owen Guns have been around since 2020, led by Sean St Leone (aka Sean The Bastard),  a raconteur and smart-witted cynic who somehow crosses Uncle Fester from “The Addams Family“ with Dave Vanian from The Damned and ex-Dead Kennedy Jello Biafra.  

The Big Shake Up! Vol 2 – The Dunhill Blues (Evil Tone/Outta Space)

Never mind the confusing title (Volume 2? Where’s Volume 1?) For those who are numerically challenged (guilty as charged) or not watching closely, this is the fifth full album for The Dunhill Blues. And their best yet, for a number of reasons.

Throughout their 20-odd year career, The Dunnies have been a shifting cast of players, with Dan (vocals and guitar) and Adam (bass and vocals) the constants. They could be a hit or miss proposition on any given night or recording session, depending on how many beers they had on board. 

The band’s mission was always to have fun while rummaging through garage rock’s trash - and if you didn’t like that, there were always Powderfinger gigs to fall asleep at.

Green Apple – The Pingers (Evil Tone)

Like an episode of that boring TV circle-jerk "QandA", there’s something to offend everyone on the debut album for Aussie punks The Pingers. Excessive drinking; scoring ecstasy from your mum and putting it in your bum; debates about who’s a cunt and who’s a fuckwit and; shitting your pants are among topics debated (and that’s just the first four songs).

Teagz (vocals), Casey (guitar and vocals), Ollie  (bass) and Steeno (drums) don’t come to praise punk rock, they come to colloidally evacuate its bowel, and they’re using base humour as a lubricant.

“Green Apple” is a barrage of rapid-fire punk that’s over in 20 minutes. It’s two girls and two guys with 10 original songs - one briefly reprised in death metal style so I suppose that makes it 11 - and a cover of “Phone keys smokes wallet” by The Frangipanis.

Ghost - Velvet Parade (Kasumuen Records)

In what promises to be a huge weekend, this Saturday (May 3) Velvet Parade will be in Adelaide ahead of their Japanese tour, supported by The Cold Field and Electric Badger. 

Velvet Parade is Cold Harbour's Vincent J. Kramer is on guitar, Fraudband's Don Drum is on drums, The Coves' Pete Azzopardi is on bass, Ashley Jones (from Matt Malone and The Holy Spirits) is on keys, and (former Adelaide boy) Ripley Hood on vox ...

Sorry, why is Rip a former Adelaide boy?

Well, he found the railway station, is what I heard...