Last weekend I headed off to take part in the annual "Sydney to The 'Gong" bicycle ride. I guess it's one of those iconic events that every cyclist should do once. And once will be more than enough for me. The 82km course is lovely and has just the right balance of climbing and flat sections. However, there were simply far too many riders out there. Even with sections of closed road it was heavy traffic pretty much the whole way and it was slow. We saw a couple of serious accidents out there caused by a combination of inexperience, high numbers and a couple of big descents. I enjoyed catching up with some of the crew from Pollie Pedal and when my mate Robbie Chantelle and I got the chance to let loose on some of the climbs it was fun. Other than that, for me it was a bit like Sydney's City to Surf run - do it once and then move on.
Sloan - If It Feels Good Do It - https://youtu.be/xXJ9UoQCY5s
A shout out to DJ Chief who is playing bass for the production of the musical "We Will Rock You" which starts this evening in Canberra. You can catch the show at the AIS this week. Then you can probably go and check out the movie "Bohemian Rhapsody" to get your fill of all things Queen. Watch out for Mike Myers in "Bohemian Rhapsody". If you remember his role in "Wayne's World" then you'll get a kick out of his part in the Queen biopic.
Def Leppard / Brian May - Now I'm Here - https://youtu.be/IhR5gPjwSSk
I've played a couple of songs for you from Brazilian outfit, "Blues Beatles". Well, they're back with footage from a recent live gig. I have to take my hat off to these guys. It's one thing to sound good in a studio but to pull this off live is something else. If the show doesn't get your toes tapping then you have no soul.
Blues Beatles - Live 2018 - https://youtu.be/4xTfjzKcKxc
Slayer are on their final tour. What a night it must be with them bringing along three other giants of the metal scene in Obituary, Anthrax and Lamb of God. You'd think that a walk through a biohazard wash would be needed after they're all done with assaulting your ears. The Guardian recently described Slayer like this; "From the discordant malevolence of their trademark riffs to the reliably unapologetic grimness of the lyrics, Slayer's sound is seminal and ageless." (full article here) Who am I to argue? Slayer started on a path of frenetic, buzzsaw metal with imagery from nightmares and they've remained on course for 37 years. Truly music for anyone from disaffected teens to the disinherited of the world to those just in a bad mood.
Slayer - Skeletons of Society - https://youtu.be/yeroe3obM64
US singer/songwriter Kurt Vile has been on my "must listen to" list for a while. Well the timing is right as he's just released a new album called, "Bottle It In". Kurt also has a collaboration out with Aussie artist Courtney Barnett which I must make time for. Here's a track for you all to listen to; please let me know what you think. There's a bit of a Lou Reed vibe here....maybe...it's pretty chilled.
Kurt Vile - Bassackwards - https://youtu.be/pOFWHty4XFQ
There was an election in the USA today. Politics there (and here) just gets more and more bizarre. I noted that Neil Young posted recently that he really would rather Donald Trump not use his song "Rockin' In The Free World" as part of his campaign. This made me think of a couple of songs. One is a re-working of the song that we recorded many years ago now. Scot describes it as more of a sequel than a cover and I think he's right. Here's a live version. I think it's time for a sequel to the sequel.
The Dark Violence of Beauty - Rocketing the Free World (live 2007) - https://youtu.be/cp0kx3pSz7c
The other track that Neil's comment made me think of is from Redgum. Something about the line, "...this isn't the land I was told it would be, it's not so equal and not so free..". That could've as easily been referring to the USA as to Australia.
Regdum - The Long Run (live) - https://youtu.be/FLrJa-fKIvw
Vovoid are from Canada and they are described as thrash/prog. That description led me to one of their most recent songs, "Obsolete Beings". They certainly aren't the easiest band to describe but I guess if you like Dream Theater, Queensryche and Faith No More then there's more than a little here for you.
Vovoid - Obsolete Beings - https://youtu.be/8ToK9VLJcxU
John 5 is an amazing guitarist. You may know of him from his work with Marilyn Manson. And if you do, you may be surprised at how much of a virtuoso he is at any number of styles. He's also absolutely prodigious in terms of recorded output. Try these few tunes and you may end up coming up for air in a couple of months only having scratched the surface of his music.
John 5 - Noche Acosador - https://youtu.be/8HwAyDy3qTg
John 5 - Jerry's Breakdown - https://youtu.be/j49brlQpsoc
John 5 - This is my rifle - https://youtu.be/pVPvCctULYk
I really like it when bands are happy to take a chance on making a music video that's a bit "out there". Halestorm are a seriously good hard rock/metal band. A cursory glance at some live footage reveals a band that rocks hard so it was pretty cool to see their latest clip for "Do Not Disturb". If you're looking for newish bands carrying the torch for maximum rock and roll then Halestorm should be on your list.
Halestorm - Do Not Disturb - https://youtu.be/WZNb8A48USo
Whilst we're having a look at what I consider to be well made video clips then here's one that I keep coming back to. There's plenty to discover in this clip and I like the song too.
Nightwish - Storytime - https://youtu.be/5g8ykQLYnX0
I probably should've realised that the BBC would have a decent YouTube channel when it comes to music...and they do. I've spent a fair bit of time exploring a whole range of live performances from Boyzone to Paul Weller to Seasick Steve. There's lots to enjoy and the majority are live radio or TV performances. I'd struggle to name a favourite but here are a couple you might get a kick out of.
Boyzone - Dancing (Kylie Minogue cover) - https://youtu.be/2D8GPyQRvos
Iggy Pop - Lust for Life (live) - https://youtu.be/_lJqBsrShys
KT Tunstall - Black Horse & The Cherry Tree - https://youtu.be/FGT0A2Hz-uk
Well there you have it folks; hopefully plenty of music to keep you entertained and amused for a while at least. I'd like to tell you what's coming in the next episode but to be honest I have no idea at all. It depends on what stands out over the next few days. Feel free to send me something to check out.
Thanks for listening,
Rob
"Rock and roll ain't noise pollution,
Rock and roll will never die...", Rock & Roll Ain't Noise Pollution, AC/DC, 1980.
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