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
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