Bobby Soxx - Learn To Hate In The 80's 7''

USA raw n' raunchy punk.  This music certainly has an edge to it - could easily slot into Mr Weird and Wacky.  Bit of an attitude but you get that. 

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Exploding White Mice - Nest Of Vipers

This Adelaide garage band hit my head with the perfect sound.  The 80's were lacking in many things, but the EWM restored the balance.  Thank you.

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Nick Kent & The Subterraneans - Self Titled 7''

Nick Kent was a notorious journalist and one of the few to herald the coming of 'punk' rock.  Always spoke his mind but maybe that was due to the excessive quantity of drugs consumed (self confessed). His vinyl output (with band in tow) is restricted to this lonely jagged release.  But, it's good - very good.

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Mystery of Sixes - I Don't Know You/Skull In My Cave EP

Mystery Of Sixes are full of rumour and inuendo.  Originating in 1980, their first single 'Azaria' was banned from airplay by the Australian Broadcasting Tribunal as the case against Lindy Chamberlain was still in progress.  Adding to the rumour mill, there was talk of the band stealing a PA system then burying it in a backyard. The band were then blackballed in Brisbane.  4ZZZ (the local community radio station) wouldn't play their first single, shops wouldn't sell it (except for the wonderful 'Skinny's') and venues wouldn't let them play.  Eventually someone else was charged with the theft - so they were then let back on to 4ZZZ.


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Fast Cars - Annual EP & Saturday's Girl 7''

Hard to find Aussie punk.  Doesn't get any faster than this.  Sorry!  Released in 1980 on Method Records.

Download 'Annual'

Download 'Saturday's Girl'

They had two other releases: Another single plus a Live Tape.  Get them here.

Man or Astroman - Project Infinity

So, what is a cult band?  Any idea?  Well, that question can be answered with this band.  They're classic cult.  Not necessarily their best album, but which one would it be?  Output is extensive so you may as well listen to the one that I have heard more than any other.  Electric guitars all round (none of that acoustic crap here), big bass and thumping drums.  Don't expect vocals!

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The He Dark Age - The Dog's Breakfast

Released in 1989 on vinyl from Brisbane (Queensland).  That's about all I knew at the time.  The cover was dark (that was good at the time - it meant the music would be deep!).  Further investigation reveals that it was two guys: a collaboration between Paul Newsome and Tony Milner.  They had a cassette release prior to this ('Ecce Homo') which I do not have.  So you'll have to make do with this conversion from my LP.

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No - Once We Were Scum Now We Are God

The world of Ollie Olson is wide and varied.  This contribution occurred with his band 'No'.  The album was packaged in a high quality plastic sleeve.  Very fancy.  As for the music - experimental, jagged, confronting (-ie- wired and wasted).  You may like it - or you may not.

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No - Glory For The Shit For Brains

You have to admit - the album names for this band are a lot of fun.  Can't say the same for the music, but you get that.  I have used this title occasionally in conversation - try it, you are guaranteed strange looks.  That's the same reaction you will get with the music.

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No - Self Titled (Live EP)

'No' now do their thing live.  Actually, I prefer this over the other releases.  It's got energy and not too long.  There's only so much of this band you can take.

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Orchestra Of Skin & Bone - Self Titled

More of the same from Ollie Olson & Co.  More listenable - perhaps.  Either way, it's a shame the output of No & OOSAB has not been collected and re-issued. 

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Interstellar Villains - Collected

After the Scientists, Tony Thewlis formed the Interstellar Villains, going off in a musical direction much more rooted in '60s rock, psychedelia and surf music.  This is the sum total of all their recordings.  The first release was a single 'Like Flies on Sherbet', closely followed by the mini LP 'Right Out Of The Lobster Quadrille'.  After the LP 'RevLover' in 1980, Tony teamed up with Diggory Kenrick and Robert Coyne to form Venus Ray.  Unfortunately, I do not have anything by this band.  There's another thing to chase down.  Not a bad thing!

Download (Pick n' Choose)

The Effigies - Haunted Town EP

Crunch.  Bang.  Zowee.  This EP kicks butt - and then some.  Based in Chicago, the Effigies put out a number of releases but this (their first) is the one that really counts.  Saw them live one night with the memorable moments being in the 'mosh pit' and the fact that the band members were so intrigued with my knowledge of Aussie punk.  They all rated the Scientists, Radio Birdman and The Saints!  That makes sense.

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The Frowning Clouds - Listen Closlier

One of my favourite albums from the past few years.  Bring back the sixties!  This band hails from Geelong (Australia) and have considerable output since this, their first album.  Both covers included here.  You REALLY will like this and probably venture forth to get all their singles/albums.  Don't fight the urge.

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Electric Frankenstein - The Time Is Now

Can't resist posting an album (any album) by Electric Frankenstein.  They're just so darn solid.  Garage band heaven.  Everything to like.  I won't hear a bad word uttered by anyone about these guys.  First album (contains their first EP) - just go with the flow.  Don't get me started on all their album covers.  Gold.

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Bring Philip - Endoscopy (Mini LP)

Hard to describe this form of music - probably a bit wired and somewhat wasted.  Disjointed.  Jagged.  Obscure.  Experimental.  Funk-punk.  Uhmmm ... I dunno. 

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Strutter - Motherfuckers From The Bowels Of Hell

Nice cover huh?  Strutter were a highly regarded raw rawk n' roll band in Brisbane during the 90's.  Dick Richards supplied the lungs and also worked in Rocking Horse Records - the mainstay alternative music shop in Brissy.  This album punches in all the right places and is totally wired and wasted.

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The Aampirellas - Snatching Defeat From The Jaws Of Victory

After Strutter, Evil Dick moved onto this band.  Really like this album but it's what followed that presses the buttons: The Hits.  Kapow.  Two brilliant albums that you MUST get:  'Living With You Is Killing Me' and 'Hikikomori'.  Both these albums are readily available so no download is provided.  You'll only be able to get a download of this featured album.  Not all that bad.

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Dorian Gray - The Emperor's New Clothes 7''

In 1984, AuGoGo records released this little gem.  The label was a beacon in Melbourne (Australia) and released bucketloads of great alternative bands.  Dorian Gray was one of them - but they never did anything after this single.

Download Single

James Baker Experience! (Oh No! It's The ...) - I Can't Control Myself! 7''

In  1985 James released this classic single.  He drummed with the Victims, Scientists, Le Hoodoo Gurus, Dubrovniks etc etc.  His style is unmistakable, timeless and a part of my life.  Pure brilliance.  

Download Single

The Dubrovniks - 4 Albums!

Life after the Scientists exists.  This band is essentially the Scientists minus Kim Salmon (Roddy Radalj (aka Ray'Da), Boris Sujdovic and James Baker).  That's my kind of super-band.  Every one of their albums (only 4) kicked.  Can't imagine a music collection without their stuff - consider yourself complete.

Download 'Dubrovnik Blues' 1989

 Download 'Audio Sonic Love Affair' 1990

 Download 'Chrome' 1992

 Download 'Medicine Wheel' 1994

The Ears - Singles

More Aussie punk.  An album of their early stuff never eventuated so you'll have to make do with their first two singles.  They sell for silly $$ on eBay and such.  Don't bother - it's all about the music which you will (of course) find here.  The Ears (and particularly Sam Sejavka) featured on the Dogs In Space movie - an absolute classic.

Download Singles ('Leap For Lunch' & 'Scarecrow')

Xero (Zero & Xiro) - Collected

Now, what do I remember about this band?  Well, they featured Irena Luckus, Lindy Morrison and Robert Forster (Go-Betweens) and John Willsteed (Go-Betweens and Halfway).  They supported The Cure when they played at The Festival Hall in Brisbane.  I thought they were very cool (and quirky) so I went out and got their Xiro cassettes ('Half The Profits' & 'Religious Wars') plus the 'Lust In The Dust' EP (as Xero).  Do you think you can find any of their stuff now?  No way.  No re-ish on ceedee or anything ('Lost in the Dust'!!!).  Criminal.  This will have to do then.

BTW: There is another release : 'Live At The Cement Box Theatre' - that's also included.

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The Nauts - Self Titled

From the ashes of Supernaut this outfit emerged in 1978.  Inventively dropping 'Super' to come up with their band name but no one knew about it (nor cared).  That wasn't the case with their former band - everyone wanted a piece of them (especially the young teenybopper girls).  Realising they were in a musical rut the band members ventured forth with this incarnation.  It must be downright frustrating 'cos this superior release fell on deaf ears.

BTW - must also upload all the Supernaut stuff.  Remind me please teamsters!

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The Black Diamonds - Singles

Could this be the greatest punk band of all time?  This Aussie group from the 60's only released two singles but boy oh boy .... crunch, bang - total devastation.  I'm not the only one to rate them so high - you'll probably do the same.

Check out their video for 'I Want, Need, Love You'
         (it's also included in this blog entry)

and, also worth checking out are Tymepiece (the band that evolved after the dream faded).

Download Singles

Boris Sujdovic - Desperate Girl

Boris has a CV as long as your arm - notably time with The Scientists, Rockets, Dubrovniks, Beasts of Bourbon etc.  This album is absolutely infectious and features a 'guitar side' and 'bass side'.  That's odd but not really with Boris!  He's a rock solid bass player and his solo outing have been mixed.  This LP only release will end up on continuous rotation - enjoy then get all his other releases (at least they're easier to find).

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