World Wide Woozle episode #499

Welcome back listeners. This episode is coming to you on what is the Australia Day public holiday so the content will all be music from this great southern land.

There are times to take yourself seriously and then there are times when you really need a laugh. Queensland punk band, The Chats, are hilarious. The haircuts, the lyrics, the low budget clips and their sense of humour all combine for uncomplicated music that you can mosh to and laugh at. If you're old like me and you remember bands like Frenzal Rhomb then this is for you. There's toilet humour in this one so don't bother if you're easily offended.

The Chats - The Clap - https://youtu.be/POM_98oi0oo

Cold Chisel are a fantastic and iconic Australian band. And while the power of Jimmy's voice and the soaring lines of Ian's guitar are fantastic, the using hero is keyboard player and songwriter, Don Walker. Don is the guy who wrote Flame Trees, Khe Sanh, Goodbye (Astrid Goodbye), Saturday Night and Cheap Wine (among others). He's also an accomplished solo artist. I was lucky enough, along with my mate DJ Plooky, to see Don play in Canberra in this next band. 

Tex, Don and Charlie - A Man In Conflict With Nature - https://youtu.be/2fIXxvhYP8A

The Preatures remain one of my favourite Australian acts. They have a great live show and a range of catchy tunes. This one's a slower tune but I really like the electric piano sound combined with Izzy's voice. When I saw them live she played this song solo which was good as we all needed a moment to catch our breath!

The Preatures - Your Fan - https://youtu.be/2fIXxvhYP8A

Year ago someone gave me some music from Byron Bay band, Parkway Drive. At the time i wasn't really into it. Maybe I thought it was a bit shouty and lacking in melody. Fast forward to now and I just heard a live version of the next tune which is great. I'm enthused now to go back and revisit their back catalogue. This doesn't sound unlike Volbeat so if you happen to like them, or just metal with a bit of melody mixed up in the aggression then give this a spin.

Parkway Drive - Void - https://youtu.be/cAY2bCmm8e0

VIka and Linda Bull are world class singers. They've been part of The Black Sorrows in the past as well as appearing on solo recordings and as backing singers for a number of very well known acts. This is from their 1994 album and the song was written by Mark Seymour...we'll get to him in a minute...

Vika and Linda Bull - When Will You Fall For Me? - https://youtu.be/MOgxx7WAGog

Mark Seymour was in a rather well known band called Hunters and Collectors. How can I describe the band? Rhythmic, industrial tinged, Australian pub rock? That'd be underselling them. I remember reading a book about the group and finding out that they took every decision on a consensus basis. No wonder there was internal turmoil! Regardless, there are quite a few Hunters songs that have what I would call an Australian sound. Hard to put your finger on maybe but it's dust, sticky pub carpet and good times all rolled up together.

Hunters and Collectors - Say Goodbye - https://youtu.be/8pp6hniAKHw

I clearly remember hearing silverchair for the first time. They'd just won a demo competition run by radio Triple J and success was theirs almost immediately. I was lucky enough to see them live very early on in their career at a gig in Adelaide. As you all know, silverchair went on to make it big all over the world. 

silverchair - Israel's Son - https://youtu.be/k2d6iwOSAfQ

Rock music doesn't need to be complicated. Since the blues had a baby called rock and roll simple yet catchy songs have made us smile, dance and tap our toes. The Cockroaches had the winning formula down pat in the 80s. 

The Cockroaches - She's The One - https://youtu.be/XoYgINT2Bac

Of course, my favourite Australian band is also my favourite band full stop. Rumours still abound about a new album and a tour but until I hear it from the horse's mouth I won't believe it. Rock and roll royalty folks....

AC/DC - Let There Be Rock - https://youtu.be/3f2g4RMfhS0

The last song this week came in at #9 on the Triple J Hottest 100 broadcast on 25 January. I chose it for a number of reasons. Firstly, I'd heard a lot of my younger work colleagues singing it. Secondly its the highest ranking song in the Hottest 100 that I actually like. And lastly, the lyrics man...the lyrics.

Thelma Plum - Better in Blak - https://youtu.be/ExMjEwymQ3A

There you go folks, a far from definitive Australian collection but hopefully an eclectic enough mix to keep you interested. What passes for normal programming will resume next time around when I will report back from seeing Geoff Tate play in Sydney. 

Right - I'm out of here - the bike won't ride itself...

Rock on

Rob

World Wide Woozle episode# 498

Today was the day. DJ ZedBoots flew off into the wide blue yonder, bound for London and the start of her career as a paramedic. It's an interesting feeling to be happy and sad all at once. I had a bit of a peaceful trundle on my bike to allow it all to seep in. I'm very, very proud of what she's achieved. A big shout out to all those who have supported her along the way, and continue to do so.

The Beatles - Hello, Goodbye - https://youtu.be/rblYSKz_VnI

As a result of listening to a podcast I've been checking out to a lot of early to mid-80s heavy metal that I missed out on. It's clear that many of them were influences on other bands that I enjoy so it's been a bit of a treat. If metal is your thing then you could do a lot worse than having a listen to Andy Dowling's podcast series, Nod To The Old School.

Sodom - Nuclear Winter -  https://youtu.be/86rzZHLSjfQ

I like bagpipes, I guess it's in my blood. Recently I've been listening to a fair bit of music that features not only Scottish pipes but a range of other types. They pop up in all sorts of music. Nightwish use them quite a bit to great effect. The ones in this tune are Irish Uilleann pipes. Uilleann is the Irish word for elbow and these pipes are played by moving a bellows with your elbow rather than blowing into them. They have a much smoother sound than Scottish pipes.

Nightwish - I Want My Tears Back - https://youtu.be/fV2C9_MAJ0E

A while ago I played you some music by New Zealand metal band, Alien Weaponry, who sometimes sing in Maori. This time I want to play you a track from Shepherd's Reign, who sing this one in the Samoan language. They are a bit more melodic than Alien Weaponry but the language still fits the sound very well. Having a sound a bit like Sepultura seems to work well and they are definitely a band to keep an eye on.

Shepherd's Reign - Le Manu - https://youtu.be/BSNb1LXXk40

Puddles Pity Party has a new song available. I really like this guy. His ability to reinterpret a song, keep a straight face and not blink is all rather special. And man oh man, he can sing. This isn't his best song but that's me being super-critical; it's still quality stuff.

Puddles Pity Party - I Want To Know What Love Is - https://youtu.be/_fJmbcIS-ZI

DJ SlimRollins put me onto Blondie's 2017 album which is called Pollinator. Well, well, well....what a revelation. I was unsure what to expect but it's one of the best complete albums I've heard in a long time. There are plenty of nods to their classic stuff without simply being a tribute to all their old hits. The production is excellent and this is a slick performance all round. If you can't hear Heart of Glass in this next one then clean your ears out.

Blondie - Long Time - https://youtu.be/1-nqMvrk3hA

And finally....this was on in the car today and it never fails to make me smile. I saw the musical on stage a very long time ago in Wellington (New Zealand) and I'd go and see it again any day of the week.

Ipi Ntombi Cast Recording - Shosholoza - https://youtu.be/6k2HVHyHI9E

Come back again next time as I discuss some of the following: eyebrows, Def Leppard, bikes and possibly employment as well. Or none of the above.

Rob

"No, his mind is not for rent
To any god or government
Always hopeful, yet discontent
He knows changes aren't permanent
But change is..." , Tom Sawyer, Rush, 1976. (RIP Neil)

World Wide Woozle #497

If you're not interested in a bit of a rant then you should avoid the next bit. Also if you think that the Daily Telegraph or commercial television (in general) constitutes real news, the the same applies.

It's hard to think about music at the moment. In fact, it's hard to think about anything other than the fact that Australia is burning. Not just a few fires but massive out of control blazes taking out an area bigger than Belgium. Or, for American readers; the area so far burnt is that of Vermont and New Hampshire combined. And it's still growing. We've seen communities only able to take refuge in the water at beaches, the biggest peacetime evacuations in Australian history, deaths, property loss and so much more. The scale of this disaster is hard to comprehend. It dominates the news, social media and the talk in the lunch room at work. Here in Canberra we have the worst air quality for a major city anywhere in the world and it's not going away anytime soon. People once obsessed with Facebook and Instagram now spend their time checking air quality and fire reports. Laying blame for this isn't all that complicated. Successive generations have refused to take serious action to address what causes climate change. Politicians on both sides of the major political ideologies have denied and obfuscated for decades and now we suffer. Everyone suffers. This isn't a problem that can be fixed tomorrow; it needed to be addressed years ago and some brave decisions made but they weren't. So do we allow our politicians, emboldened by a hysterical media and funded by those who play a major part in destroying our habitat to continue in this way? No. We need to change the way that our leaders interact. They are out of touch if they think that this is ok. If the Leader of the Opposition continues to lead with, "I wrote to the Prime Minister...." Stop writing to him. You work in the same building. Talk to him or at least pick up the phone. And if the other members of the Liberal and National Parties can't recognise the giant mess that the PM is making of the whole situation then they should all be voted out. Seriously, it's a complete farce that highlights the fact that our political system is broken. As for the uninformed people trying to blame The Greens for causing the fires by not allowing hazard reduction; three or four minutes reading (again, not the Telegraph) will reveal that this is a complete lie.

Everywhere we look we're overloaded with the fires. it's horrific, it's sad and it should make you angry. But you need to remember to look after yourself and those around you even in small ways. If you aren't directly involved then turn the TV off for a little while. There are a ton of good ways to help out in terms of donations of money or goods. So many people are doing great things and these help both the givers and the receivers. 

I'll admit that I'm struggling with the impact of the fires. As well as the news barrage, the fact that Canberra is almost continually blanketed in thick smoke is tough to deal with. My bike sits neglected at the door, our dogs yearn for a walk and everyone is stuck inside. Again, this is nothing compared to those in fire areas but you live your life where you are. Instead of being a downer, I'm going to play a few specially selected tracks this time around. These are the songs that I turn to when I'm not feeling great. The ones that make me smile or think of good things, people and places. I'll tell you a little about each one. If you're with me on Facebook then please feel free to share a song back with me that you find uplifting....and it doesn't have to be the Mormon Tabernacle Choir! You can comment on the blog too.

In 1984 I was fortunate enough to go to the 14th Australian Scout Jamboree outside Sydney. It was a long journey from country Victoria in a bus that broke down in Albury! At the Jamboree we built bikes and raced them, flew a light plane, went ziplining, got wet and muddy and generally had a great time being kids. The Jamboree had its own radio station and they took requests. My Patrol had this as our unofficial theme song and I'm sure the people running the radio station got tired of our constant requests for it...

Hoodoo Gurus - Like Wow, Wipeout! - https://youtu.be/vFnaNPGe4gQ

Queen was one of the first rock bands that I couldn't get enough of even though I only had their Greatest Hits LP. When "A Kind of Magic" was released it cemented my place as a fan. Funnily enough though, I go to this tune a lot and it isn't on either release. I like this one because it has the most awesome guitar riff. There's a great version of Def Leppard playing it at the Freddie Mercury tribute concert as well. A real foot stomper and never fails to put a grin on my face.

Queen - Now I'm Here (live 1975) - https://youtu.be/uvOuRt_BiRI

Like a lot of people I imagine, I grew up thinking that Blondie were a disco band as a result of their song, "Heart of Glass". I remember having my little mind blown when I discovered their other work and the fact that it was as much punk as it was anything else. Blondie were (are) truly unique. I like this song particularly because if you listen past the pop sounds you can imagine the Ramones singing it too. At least I can. The driving rhythm and the three chord verse is pure punk. Bands like Blink 182, Green Day and The Dollyrots can surely trace their sound back to Blondie as much as The Clash or The Ramones.

Blondie - Denis (live) - https://youtu.be/ZtlnNaTBrUI

"My Island Home" was written about an Indigenous Australian man living in the desert and missing his home on an island in Arnhem Land. It's a great track, admirably covered by Christine Anu, that's quintessentially Australian. During my first visit to Vanuatu it became clear that the people there had adopted it as well. It makes sense and as a Warumpi Band song and as one so loved by my home away from home it always makes me happy.

Warumpi Band - My Island Home - https://youtu.be/yZEodxUx2ME

Billy's reddest song I guess. This one is from what's probably his least popular album but I love it all the same. The original version of this song is from the 19th Century and Billy has updated it a bit as you'll soon see (click here to hear Billy talk about it). I learned about Socialism and Communism at university whilst studying politics. As a result I understand how both have been warped by many people around the world for their own nefarious purposes. My personal ideals of people being equal regardless of gender, colour or background were often at odds with many of my peers and the music of Billy Bragg and the good bits of socialism had a profound effect on me. In Vanuatu, one of my grandfathers told me that he liked me because I understood that all blood was red. That'll do me. Read the lyrics folks.

Billy Bragg - The Internationale - https://youtu.be/yAw0Ri4FSdM

ABBA? Yep....great band. They've got it all: terrific vocals, harmonies, pop, rock and a lot of energy. The synth line at the very start of this song chugs along like any number of heavy metal guitarists. I remember playing in a band years ago and throwing that into a song to see if anyone noticed ha ha! I like ABBA best when they are rocking out and this is one of the best examples. For those unconvinced maybe have a look at this live version.

ABBA - Does Your Mother Know That You're Out -  https://youtu.be/WkL7Fkigfn8

A throwback to my childhood up next. My Mum loved this song and still does. I remember that the b-side of the single was just the backing track! Wham were huge when I was in high school and playing them on the radio station at lunchtimes was always popular. Other than that it's just a great song with a good beat and again, it makes me smile.

Wham - Wake Me Up (Before You Go Go) - https://youtu.be/pIgZ7gMze7A

I'd never heard of Talking Heads until 1987 or 1988. A friend, with a broader tape collection than me (and a big boombox), played their "Little Creatures" album to me whilst we worked at a Scout Camp over Easter. This song has stuck with me ever since. I like the idea of listening to the highway breath!

Talking Heads - And She Was - https://youtu.be/cl3B_FTDKD0

Finally, in terms of songs that make me feel better, is this one from The Proclaimers. It's from 2018 and I know that some of you continue to be shocked that the band are still putting out records. Well, they are and they're full of great tunes. This one has the effect of making me homesick for a town that isn't my home and that I have no memory of visiting. It's an amazing thing to be able to write a song that evokes such strong emotions.

The Proclaimers - Streets of Edinburgh - https://youtu.be/7qTbLoyQ23g

So, welcome to a new decade. The music continues here at HQ World Wide Woozle. Thanks for listening and reading. Oh, we all really enjoyed the new Star Wars movie. I'll write more next time.

Rob

"The river runs red,
Black rain falls, On my bleeding land...", River Runs Red, Midnight Oil, 1990.