| Author | Message | ||
     John Flood Member Username: Floodjo Post Number: 7 Registered: 05-2005 |
Another band from Aus who should be huge are Knievel (poxy name - doesn't even remotely convey what their music is all about!). Their album "The Name Rings a Bell that Drowns out your Voice" is fantastic - no weak spots, skip over tracks or wasted words. And - just think about that title.... Samples here : http://www.inmusicwetrust.com/label/knievel.html but Google the album title for lots more | ||
| Michael Leach Member Username: Mike_l Post Number: 5 Registered: 05-2005 |
Yeah, saw Knievel live once, by accident, and they rocked - melodically too. Of course, hardly need mention the Triffids in this context. Go-betweens & Triffids. That's all you need under the category 'Australia, 80s'. | ||
| William Member Username: Weesam Post Number: 9 Registered: 05-2005 |
Ed Keupper (from the Saints). Character Assassination is a great record. | ||
| Kurt Stephan Member Username: Slothbert Post Number: 16 Registered: 04-2005 |
I don't think they were criminally ignored though I'm not sure how popular they ever got worldwide (they got some college radio airplay in the U.S. in the late '80s), but what do people here think of Hunters & Collectors? They were kind of a "macho" band (my perception as an outsider, anyway) but 'Human Frailty" had some stuff that wasn't that far away from what the GoBs were doing. | ||
| William Member Username: Weesam Post Number: 10 Registered: 05-2005 |
what about the worst of Aussie music? I lived there for a few years and it seemed every time I went into a pub Khe Sahn (Cold Chisel) was playing. Hate It. Hate it. Can't stand Cold Chisel, can't stand Barnsey (or Farnsey). Typifies the insularity of Aussie Music and the attitudes of Joe Public that likes that shit - and doesn't buy the Go-Betweens. There is a lot of good stuff in Oz, I'd see a lot of it in the Newtown or Annadale Hotel. It's just doesn't sell... | ||
| Trevor Boyd Member Username: Trevor_boyd Post Number: 5 Registered: 05-2005 |
The Church have to be the most criminally under-rated...their new album due out in September "Uninvited, like the clouds" is the best thing they have done in years. The Jack Frost stuff that Kilbey did with Grant is great too. | ||
| Trevor Boyd Member Username: Trevor_boyd Post Number: 7 Registered: 05-2005 |
As well as The Church, what about The Triffids, Underground Lovers, Glide, Ups and Downs, Custard, Sidewinder, The Earthmen, Smudge, Died Pretty, The Saints, Falling Joys, The Crystal Set, The Bhagavad Guitars, The Fauves, Clouds,Screamfeeder...the list is endless. | ||
| spencer roberts Member Username: Spence Post Number: 12 Registered: 05-2005 |
Dave Graney n The CorAL SNAKES, AND THE MOODISTS OF COURSE, 2 FISTED Art available on http://www.wminc.com.au/catalogue3.shtml | ||
| Michael Leach Member Username: Mike_l Post Number: 6 Registered: 05-2005 |
I never rated th Church much - but saw Marty Wilson-Piper solo in a small pub recently, again, by accident, and he was amazing. He's a major songwriting talent, obviously negelected in a band dominated by Kilbey. Reminded me of the incredible string band. Beautiful songs. | ||
| Peter Senning Member Username: Peter_senning Post Number: 2 Registered: 05-2005 |
Fans of The Go-Betweens will probably like Simon Bonney's two solo albums: "Forever" from 1992 and "Everyman" from 1994. Simon Bonny was the lead singer of Crime & The City Solution. Who again were a great band in their time... Another criminally overlooked Australian band is the more recent The Dreamdayers. Their brilliant "All Things Come" album is definitely worth checking out. | ||
| Roger Griffin Member Username: Roger Post Number: 10 Registered: 11-2004 |
knievel - Hear, hear! Classic singles: Something Good Must Come & Chance Meeting http://www.knievel.com.au/ Also the band I've been holding the torch for on my site for years: Widdershins - Greg Appel's Smithsy post-Lighthouse Keepers outfit. Hid their light under a bushel - you know the story. See http://members.ol.com.au/rgriffin/Widdershins/index.html | ||
| John Flood Member Username: Floodjo Post Number: 9 Registered: 05-2005 |
Thanks Roger - wasn't aware of the "No one's going to understand...." CD at all - let's see if I can get my excited claws on it here in CH! Also didn't realise that Wayne Connolly played on and produced GW's "In your Bright Ray" until today thanks to a Wayne Connolly interview here : http://www.ozmusicproject.net/magazine/interview.asp?int=134 Then I went and checked the credits on the album and sure enough, there's Wayne....amazing what you can learn on a hot, stifling Sunday afternoon! Would love to see Kinevel live - have they ever ventured to mainland Europe? I learnt about them on my one & only trip to Aus in 2001 - saw an ecstatic review of "The Name Rings...." in Juice magazine, checked it out and bought it. Still love it - every last note. | ||
| Paul Blake Member Username: Pablake Post Number: 1 Registered: 05-2005 |
Anyone know where you can pick up the new knievel online? Can't find anyone selling it.... Thanks | ||
| John Flood Member Username: Floodjo Post Number: 10 Registered: 05-2005 |
Paul : By "new Knievel" do you mean something other than "No one's going to understand...." (which seems to be out a couple of years)? Anyway, I'd like a copy too so someone let us know - ta. | ||
| Paul Blake Member Username: Pablake Post Number: 2 Registered: 05-2005 |
Yes - when I posted I didn't quite appreciate that it was released in '02. Anyway I was able to order a copy from Sanity - http://www.sanity.com.au/product.asp?intProductID=462661&intArtistID=7220 | ||
| Donat Member Username: Donat Post Number: 48 Registered: 11-2004 |
The Apartments. | ||
| Geoff Holmes Member Username: Geoff Post Number: 5 Registered: 05-2005 |
Wonderful band that, the Apartments. Hey, and didn't the guy in that used to be an ex Go Between? No doubt someone here will have the full story. Don't forget Big Heavy Stuff. Greg Atkinson, from Ups and Downs, has finally decided that its "cool" to write perfect pop songs again as he has on the last 2 albums, "Dear Friends and Enemies" and "Size of the Ocean". Also don't forget the Panics. Sounding somewhere between the Go Betweens and The Triffids. New album, out in August/September will be a scorcher going by the songs they are playing live. A perfect band for the Go Betweens to tour Australia with. As good as the REM/Go Betweens tour combination of '89 I would say (Hint, Hint). | ||
| andrew mills Member Username: Tillsley Post Number: 2 Registered: 05-2005 |
the panics are superb. can't understand why they've had no attention here in the uk. "give me some good luck" sounds to my ears like classic stone roses. | ||
| jelena topcic Member Username: Jelena Post Number: 3 Registered: 05-2005 |
i quite like the apartments as well. i think it was john wil(l?)steed who replaced vickers on bass in '87. | ||
| John Flood Member Username: Floodjo Post Number: 12 Registered: 05-2005 |
Paul Blake: Thanks for the sanity check, Paul. I'll ask them if they'll send it to Switzerland...why wouldn't they! Saw it on amazon.de for 29 Euros and is an Australian import, takes up to 6 weeks. So Sanity must be quicker (they are much cheaper). Let's see... Don't know either the Apartments or the Panics but anything between GBs and the Triffids can't be bad | ||
| Matthew James Lobb Member Username: Matthew_l Post Number: 1 Registered: 06-2005 |
Bands currently unfortunately overlooked: David McCormack and the Polaroids, and The Fauves. Last year, McCormack's 'The Truth About Love' and The Fauves' self-titled LP were virtually passed over even by Triple J. I don't know why. | ||
| Randy Adams Member Username: Randy_adams Post Number: 33 Registered: 03-2005 |
Taking down notes here . . . . It sounds like I need to particularly check out Knievel, Panics and Fauves (love that last name!). John Flood, race out and get either "Fete Foraine" or "Life Full of Farewells" to get the idea about the Apartments. The GoBees' connection is Peter Milton Walsh who was in the band briefly and appears only on "The Sound of Rain" which we only get to hear via a crummy acetate. He is the very fine songwriter (and perhaps somewhat less fine singer) who makes the Apartments what they are. | ||
| Pádraig Collins Member Username: Pádraig_collins Post Number: 5 Registered: 05-2005 |
Randy, be wary with The Fauves, great name or not. I got one of their early albums (possibly their debut) and it's almost uniformly crap. The reason I bought it though is that I had earlier bought a second hand single by them called The Charles Atlas Way which is, no kidding, one of the greatest pop songs I've ever heard. Someone else here will have a better knowledge of what to get and avoid by them. Knievel are great, as was their precursor The Welcome Mat. I saw Knievel live supporting The Bats a couple of years ago. What a wonderful night with two great bands in an inner-west Sydney pub... even if The Bats did not play 'Courage' despite my repeated shouting out for it (I'd had a hard day which began with a 6am flight on a propeller plane to Canberra; a resoundingly unsuccessful day's work in our lovely capital and a flight back just in time to meet The Bats in the Thai restaurant beside the venue - I knew from their website that they liked Thai food and took a chance that they'd be there!). The Panics are very good from what I've heard. Their website (www.thepanics.com.au) has six MP3s posted there which gives a good flavour of the band. | ||
| Michael Leach Member Username: Mike_l Post Number: 7 Registered: 05-2005 |
Of course, best debut album for an Australian band can be none other that The Triffids' Treeless Plain...(unless it wasnt their debut, just realised im assuming that). Either way, I'd need that in any desert island scenario. What a corker! If only it had 'beautiful waste' on it ... it could be sanctified as a holy object. Incidetally, I think 'bw' is possibly the best Australian love-related song, ever. | ||
| Randy Adams Member Username: Randy_adams Post Number: 34 Registered: 03-2005 |
Wasn't "Treeless Plain" preceded by a zillion cassette collections? I'm hoping somebody gathers those up (or at least the best moments) and releases them. If the Triffids did a lot of previous recordings, it probably isn't fair to compare "Treeless" with other folks' debuts. Thanks for the info and the warning Padraig. I'll first attend to Knievel and the Panics and leave the Beasts for a moment. How far is Canberra from Sydney? I have only been on a few propeller plane rides and never for very long--not pleasant. | ||
| John Flood Member Username: Floodjo Post Number: 13 Registered: 05-2005 |
Randy - thanks for the tip - will try to get hold of those Apartments albums. At http://www.tt.net/hot/apartments.html some interesting sounding snippets. Where are they now though - last output in 1997, it seems. Have just ordered Knievel's "No one's going to...." and The Panics' "A House on a Street..." with Sanity . Let's see how long they take to get here (I'm in Switzerland). Itching to hear them.... Sanity have nothing by the partments at all, they've never heard of them! I had a short Email exchange with them and have told them what little I know of the Apartments. | ||
| Randy Adams Member Username: Randy_adams Post Number: 37 Registered: 03-2005 |
John: Your questions require the response of someone much more expert on the Apartments than myself. David Nichols would be ideal. My understanding is that Peter Milton Walsh has just given up on the music scene. I suppose he wants to eat. I believe I obtained my Apartments CDs from one of the Amazon sites. | ||
| Greg Adams Member Username: Greg_adams Post Number: 2 Registered: 06-2005 |
Speaking of David Nichols... I nominate the constellation of bands that includes The Cannanes, Nice, Ashtray Boy and Crabstick. Crabstick's "Stud or Houseboy?" is a personal fave of mine. I also think the Bee Gees' early recordings are underrated. | ||
| Pádraig Collins Member Username: Pádraig_collins Post Number: 7 Registered: 05-2005 |
Randy, Canberra is about a 35 minute flight from Sydney on a 737. On a prop plane it takes about 50 I think. It was only my second ever - and hopefully last - prop flight. The first was from Southend (outside London) to Dublin in 1987. How we did not join Glen Miller in Davy Jones locker I will never know. Greg, I was recently at a party in Sydney which was populated by political/union/media operatives and one man who stood out like a sore thumb. Though I was sure I recognised him I had to ask someone who he was as his scruffy black hair did not fit the party look. It was Steve Cannane. | ||
| tricko Member Username: Tricko Post Number: 3 Registered: 05-2005 |
hey roger griffin, nice to see mention of the widdershins. they never seem to come up any more, but "ascension" was a terrific album. don't suppose it will ever come out on cd... | ||
| teaky ffog Member Username: K80 Post Number: 2 Registered: 05-2005 |
i was going to say i thought australias most ignored and underrated band was the cannanes! but someone already said it alot of the bands you guys are mentioning though I wouldnt say are necessarily ignored? most of them anyway dont want worldwide rockstar status anyway, but it is sad when it takes ten years for ppl to realise them | ||
| Matthew James Lobb Member Username: Matthew_l Post Number: 2 Registered: 06-2005 |
Padraig, glad to hear you thought so highly of The Fauves's 'The Charles Atlas Way'. Your caveat to Randy could only possibly be for the group's debut, Drive Thru Charisma? After that disappointing foray, the group made an amazing follow-up entitled The Young Need Discipline which hasn't aged that well although its bottom-end-heavy art-rock and oddly literate lyricism still transfixes me years on. This is where curious pop lovers should take note: thereafter The Fauves metamorphosed into an idiosyncratic and perenially on-form pop band whose albums (many produced by Knievel's Wayne Connolly) would sell poorly, but passionately divide their cultish fans from the naysayers. They reached a commercial peak in 1996 with the pop-rock LP Future Spa which was bolstered by three so-called (and I dispute this) novelty singles - 'Dogs Are the Best People', 'Self Abuser', and 'Don't Get Death Threats Anymore'. The group followed this album with what seemed a perversely middle of the road pop record, Lazy Highways, which had more wonderful pop singles including the aforementioned 'The Charles Atlas Way'. This album would be an ideal first port of call for the curious pop lover. Their next move was an edgier, self-produced electronic/guitar LP, Thousand Yard Stare, my personal favourite. Amazing lyrics and unparalleled pop songs sounding unlike any other band. Another worthwhile LP - though it is a no-frills rock album - is the band's self-titled effort from last year. It has all the hallmarks that make The Fauves so endearing and compelling: Andrew Cox's voice rasping with a paradoxical mix of sardonic wit and goose-bump-pricking honesty; a few meandering power ballads; and more consistent examples of what are arguably the finest lyrics in Australian music. Don't write off The Fauves, whatever you do! | ||
| Peter Senning Member Username: Peter_senning Post Number: 4 Registered: 05-2005 |
I would like to add a few other Australian bands that should appeal to fans of The Go-Betweens: The Someloves, Dom Mariani, The Summer Suns, The Stems and not least The Hummingbirds. The former share members like Dom Mariani and Kim Williams and most of them have been produced to perfection by Mitch Easter. This is beautifully crafted, guitar oriented indie pop with memorable hooklines. | ||
| Pádraig Collins Member Username: Pádraig_collins Post Number: 9 Registered: 05-2005 |
Matthew, yes, it was Drive Thru Charisma that so disappointed me. I will check out the others though. Nobody here has mentioned Richard Davies in the ranks of unheralded Australians. Has anyone out there even heard of him? Apart from people who I've introduced to Davies' music I've not met a single person who has any record by him or has even heard of him. His solo albums (three of them) are downbeat pop genius, his album with Eric Matthews under the name Cardinal is orch-pop heaven and his two (I think) albums with The Moles are angular art-punk-pop that would probably be hailed as the next big thing if they emerged now. Davies is now studying law in Boston. Law's gain is definitely our loss. | ||
| Matthew James Lobb Member Username: Matthew_l Post Number: 3 Registered: 06-2005 |
I'm not sure how well known they are outside Australia (and as for their last few albums, you could punch me for saying so), but You Am I were the flagship of Australian music for a long while there in the '90s. In fact they looked so artistically invincible in their heyday it seemed astonishing when they finally fell from grace with recently mediocre studio albums. But their second and third LPs Hi-Fi Way and Hourly Daily still rank, widely, as Australian classics. | ||
| teaky ffog Member Username: K80 Post Number: 3 Registered: 05-2005 |
hello peter senning, its funny you should mention kim williams and dom mariani. kim used to play in a band called bashful but now hes started another project called 'love letters', and he plays at the pub down the road from me all the time. dom mariani is in a band called the majestic kelp who seem to be getting pretty big here now, also their side project band the burton cool suit ( all these bands would have websites im sure). also dom's sons bands 'the flairz', theyre all around 12 i think but still very popular | ||
| david nichols Member Username: David Post Number: 51 Registered: 09-2004 |
Greg Adams - thanks very much for your kind words re: Crabstick (and The Cannanes, who I haven't been a member of for almost ten years, but I agree, a good band for a lot of the time and undoubtedly better/more listenable since I left). There have been two more Crabstick LPs more recently though the band broke up in the early 90s. I am thinking of doing a CD compilation sometime. As for the idea of 'criminally ignored' bands, I kind of reject that notion these days (particularly in regard to groups that broke up ages ago), though all the names thrown up on this thread have been very interesting to me. No-one's mentioned The Reels for crying out loud! My favourite Australian groups these days, 'criminally ignored', ignored, or otherwise include Panel of Judges, The Bites, royalchord, Jonathan Michell, The Muddy Spurs, Flywheel, Small World Experience, and of course New Estate. If bands 'need' support, these bands need support. Which is not to say that's a reason to buy music. They're all great, as well. | ||
| Roger Griffin Member Username: Roger Post Number: 11 Registered: 11-2004 |
hey tricko.. nice to read your appreciation of Widdershins' Ascension. It may be coming out on CD in the near future. Watch this space. Thanks all those cheering on Knievel - I'll let Wayne and Tracy know they are still loved. They are keeping a low profile at the moment. | ||
| Roger Griffin Member Username: Roger Post Number: 12 Registered: 11-2004 |
And another thing: Wayne also produced a lot of Fauves records including Lazy Highways, which I consider to be one of the Australian albums of the 90's. | ||
| tricko Member Username: Tricko Post Number: 6 Registered: 05-2005 |
the reels first records were unbelievably ahead of their time. i saw a band on "rage" the other night that had swiped that chirpy, staccato synth and guitar style (can't remember the name of the band, though), so it could be that the 80s revival might put the spotlight back on them. | ||
| Greg Adams Member Username: Greg_adams Post Number: 4 Registered: 06-2005 |
David Nichols wrote: "There have been two more Crabstick LPs more recently though the band broke up in the early 90s. I am thinking of doing a CD compilation sometime." I have the album on Blackbean & Placenta, but not "Discoverooster." I didn't realize until recently that "Discoverooster" had actually come out. I remember it first appearing in a highly suspicious FGAO catalog as a new FGAO release. John Henderson solicited orders for it and then it never materialized. I was one of many, many people who got ripped off sending mailorder money to FGAO. Does Henderson still have the "Stud or Houseboy" tapes? I'd offer to reissue it myself if I had any extra time this summer. I just transferred it to CD-R a week or two ago and it turned out okay. The phrasing is so unusual on that album, I have to ask: Did you guys write the lyrics first and then set them to music? | ||
| david nichols Member Username: David Post Number: 53 Registered: 09-2004 |
Greg,I really had no idea that record made it to the 'catalogue' stage! JH paid us to record a single (which he pressed then destroyed - someone asked me to sign a copy in 1996, the first time I'd ever been aware it existed) and the album (intended to be a CD) Discoverooster, which he simply did nothing with. We issued it as an LP on 555 three or four years ago. It is easy to see JH as a rip-off scoundrel, which he is, but it's not that simple - he paid a lot for those recordings to happen, then did nothing with them. I don't think he has the tapes of Stud or Houseboy. But I have no idea who does. JH is a suitable case for study in himself, the indie label egotist taken to the absurd extreme. He would cultivate his heroes (I know he had lo-o-o-ong correspondences with Martin Bramah, of the Blue Orchids/Fall, and Lora Logic about putting out new records or reissuing old ones, which in both cases came to nothing)and then at a certain time just give up on them completely. Most unusual person. May I say, on the whole a very charming person, too. Re: lyrics/music - I was out of the loop on that one as James and Michael wrote the songs without me. One thing I do know is the engineer mixed it with the vocals way too loud. Anyway, this is probably not the place to be meandering in this way... | ||
| Jeff Whiteaker Member Username: Jeff_whiteaker Post Number: 83 Registered: 10-2004 |
glad someone up above mentioned nice. i've been into them for quite a long time. i remember bringing them up here in the past, singing the praises of their miniscule but fascinating recorded output, and i got like 2 responses, so i'd say that qualifies them for being criminally underrated. and then we have the apartments. i'd love it if someone reissued and remastered the first apartments album. it's an incredible record, but the cd i have has this incredibly thin sound that kind of works against the lushness of the songs. but, being that they are so criminally ignored, i don't see that happening at any point during my lifetime. | ||
| Randy Adams Member Username: Randy_adams Post Number: 44 Registered: 03-2005 |
Meanwhile, I just got my copy of Richard Davies' "There's Never Been a Crowd Like This." Because it's my strongest era knowledge-wise, I have to relate this to 60s things. It definitely sounds like I'd find lots of Move and Idle Race stuff in Mr. Davies' record collection. I wonder if Sondre Lerche has been listening to him. I like Davies better. Quite lovely. Thanks, Padraig, another winner. I've also had two listens to The Cannanes' "Communicating at an Unknown Rate." How does that stack up in their ouvre? I definitely have not heard it sufficiently to have a real feel other than it seems to offer some fairly attractive songs in a totally unproduced presentation. Waiting on the Fauves, Knievel and another Richard Davies. Concerning the Apartments, I think the best thing to do is for folks with real audiences to start covering Walsh's faultless songs. The first Apartments album does have a thin sound as Jeff says, but Peter also hadn't quite worked out how to sing on that one either. Great songs. | ||
| Pádraig Collins Member Username: Pádraig_collins Post Number: 13 Registered: 05-2005 |
You're welcome Randy! Glad you took the plunge. | ||
| David Matheson Member Username: David_matheson Post Number: 17 Registered: 12-2004 |
Yes, to the mentions of The Lighthouse Keepers and The Stems. Also like to add The Riptides, Club Hoy and Archie Roach, although of course he is not a band but a solo artist. | ||
| kuba a Member Username: Kuba Post Number: 11 Registered: 05-2005 |
I think Art Of Fighting should be given more attention. Their 2004 album "Second Storey" is a beautiful record. It got a UK release a month or two ago and received some great reviews (including 4,5/5 at Drowned in Sound). | ||
| Donat Member Username: Donat Post Number: 51 Registered: 11-2004 |
Knievel are in bargain bins across most Brisbane CD shops, so they're not too hard to come across and never more than $5 a pop. The Apartments first LP is one of the most amazing records I have ever heard- easily in my top 5 Australian albums list. I disagree with the slightly tinny sound. The LP sounds fine to me. I don't own a CD copy as yet, but I heard from someone [won't name names] that there was talk of an Apartments remaster series, as Hot records have recently remastered early Celibate Rifles and Ed Kuepper albums. The reason why I said the Apartments is that their 1993 album 'Drift' sold something to the tune of 5,000 in France, but less than 500 in Australia. Now that's what I call criminally ignored. | ||
| Richard Member Username: Double_hipness Post Number: 3 Registered: 06-2005 |
Born Sandy Devotional by the Triffids is still one of my all time faves, am I allowed to mention NZ bands here, what about The Chills. If you're not familar with them try The Heavenly Pop Hits compilation | ||
| david nichols Member Username: David Post Number: 60 Registered: 09-2004 |
Richard, no, NZ bands are not relevant. They are from NZ. | ||
| David Matheson Member Username: David_matheson Post Number: 19 Registered: 12-2004 |
Who is going to start the thread of criminally ignored NZ bands? | ||
| Peter Senning Member Username: Peter_senning Post Number: 6 Registered: 05-2005 |
This thread should be reserved for Australian bands given its subject. I've started up another thread called "Other Criminially Ignored Bands" covering the rest of the world. May I suggest that NZ bands such as The Chills and Jean Paul Sartre Experience are covered in that thread? | ||
| fsh Member Username: Fsh Post Number: 17 Registered: 05-2005 |
There's this Irish band from New Zealand called U2 who have been criminally ignored by the world at large, while their lesser talented compatriots The Golden Horde have gone on to achieve worldwide fame and fortune with multi platinum selling albums like 'The Chocolate Biscuit Conspiracy'. Their lead singer has recently been very successful with others in lobbying G8 leaders to cancel the debts of the world's poorest nations. Like him or loathe him, that's no mean feat. | ||
| Randy Adams Member Username: Randy_adams Post Number: 47 Registered: 03-2005 |
Really getting into the Cannanes' "Communicating at an Unknown Rate." It's one of those records I have to hear a few times before I realize I love it. Which I do. | ||
| John Flood Member Username: Floodjo Post Number: 20 Registered: 05-2005 |
Got The Panics "A House on the Street..." in the post all the way from Aus. today (I'm in Switzerland). Never heard of them until I read about them here. Can hear immediately why it appeals to GB fans. Only had one listen so no definitive opinions yet but certainly sounds like my kind of music (maybe they reminded me of Bright Eyes in places but I hate comparisons - the only real test is the effect the music has on your senses /soul). | ||
| John Flood Member Username: Floodjo Post Number: 21 Registered: 05-2005 |
Also received Knievel's "No One's Going to....." in the same delivery as the Panics. Well, I started this thread with Knievel and, even on one listen, I know I'm going to love this....great sound and feel not a million miles from the virtually faultless "The Name Rings a Bell...." | ||
| Randy Adams Member Username: Randy_adams Post Number: 49 Registered: 03-2005 |
I got "The Name Rings a Bell . . . " yesterday and have listened 3 times. At this moment, my feeling is that there is a blandness to the record, particularly with the anonymity of the lead vocalist's sound. It sounds to me like the album would profit from an even more polished recorded sound and also some well-chosen instrumental fills, i.e., there's too much reliance on strummed chords here (and I love strummed chords). We'll see what I think in another week. I've ordered two more Cannanes things, I believe including one with David Nichols onboard. "Communicating at an Unknown Rate" is a total delight--no blandness here. Haven't ordered the Panics yet. Running into some problems getting the Fauves. The second Richard Davies ("Telegraph") showed up yesterday also. It's superficially a bit more conventional in sound but that man is really brilliant. I have his final record on order now. I can't imagine why he wants to freeze his soul in a legal career; I know of what I speak. | ||
| david nichols Member Username: David Post Number: 62 Registered: 09-2004 |
I must say of the 3 Richard Davies albums the first never grabbed me, I don't know why, the second I thought was magnificent, and I really really liked the third, too, though from talking to friends/anyone who cares about RD I am in a minority holding that third album in such high esteem. Have you heard the Cardinal album. | ||
| Pádraig Collins Member Username: Pádraig_collins Post Number: 14 Registered: 05-2005 |
Randy, though I do like Richard Davies' first album a lot, I think Telegraph is no less than a masterpiece. Cantina, which I'm listening to right now, sends shivers down my spine it is such a joyously perfect pop song. I'd love to know what the lyrics are about: "Trying to fit two size nines into two size tens"; "Living on Mexican rice and a cheap gasoline" etc. Barbarians is not as immediate as the first two, but pretty soon reveals itself as cut from the same pristine cloth. Cardinal's sole album is not far short of a masterpiece. | ||
| Pádraig Collins Member Username: Pádraig_collins Post Number: 15 Registered: 05-2005 |
ps As for Richard Davies' legal career; well, a man's gotta eat. His brilliant way with a pop melody is seemingly too high-brow for radio programmers and the average music buyer. Hopefully though, like Cathal Coughlan, Davies' day job will provide him with enough income that he can still occasionally release records. (I've got a cousin who loves being a circus acrobat, but the pay is not too good. So six months a year she is a lawyer in London, and the other six she is a circus acrobat in Canada). | ||
| Michael Bachman Member Username: Michael_bachman Post Number: 12 Registered: 01-2005 |
Nobody mentioned The Lucksmiths yet. They are decent. | ||
| John Flood Member Username: Floodjo Post Number: 22 Registered: 05-2005 |
Randy - couldn't agree less with the Name Rings a Bell...! Hope it improves for you. I still love it - really and truly. And I've heard it a few hundred times by now. I wonder what bits of our biology determine our reaction to music... I think I need to order something by Richard Davies - sounds too good to miss. Telegraph seems to be the one to go for. | ||
| Randy Adams Member Username: Randy_adams Post Number: 50 Registered: 03-2005 |
Yes, "Telegraph" is quite excellent. It is currently assigned duty in my car for the commute. My second listen was the one which really knocked me out. I seem to almost always need several listens before I've gotten something (unless it's so predictable and ordinaire that I didn't need to listen to it at all). I think I was first put off by the use of electric guitar and somewhat more heavy-ish drums. It will probably be a few months before I can say whether I like the first or the second album better. And I haven't heard the third yet. A co-worker (another lawyer--we're ALWAYS asking ourselves why we chose this occupation) sent me an interview with Richard Davies in which he explains his decision to finish law school which thoroughly satisfies me. I DO understand not wanting to ruin what you love by doing it to death. I'm glad to hear that Cathal Coughlan has a source of income; I'd really wondered about him. John, you are right: what makes us respond so viscerally to some things and then go deaf for others is a mystery. Have you run down any Apartments albums yet? It will be interesting to see what you think of them. As I was writing this, my copy of the Cannanes' "Trouble Seemed so Far Away" showed up. I'm looking forward to that. This particular thread has been really helpful for me. I've got New Estate and Royalchord on my list now but not sure how easily I'll be able to get the latter. Amazon doesn't acknowledge their existence. | ||
| david nichols Member Username: David Post Number: 64 Registered: 09-2004 |
royalchord are about to start their US tour. See http://www.royalchord.com/start.html The recent album seems available from Shock http://www.shock.com.au/releases/info.asp?release_ID=125349 Mia Schoen (of New Estate fame) is also about to begin a US tour, starting in Baltimore tomorrow. | ||
| Pádraig Collins Member Username: Pádraig_collins Post Number: 16 Registered: 05-2005 |
John, Telegraph is the one to start with alright. It was the first Davies album I got. It arrived in the post one day at the radio station I worked for at the time and I played it straight away because the press release with it said he was Australian. I thought it was a classic on first listen - something I've only thought about a handful of albums ever - and I still do. Back to the Fauves for a moment. While looking for something else (possibly a Bear In The Big Blue House CD) in the kitchen boombox pile the other night I came across another Fauves album I'd forgotten I'd bought. I've only played it once that I can remember. I'll have another listen soon and let you know how it is. I remember listening to it in Red Eye Records in King St when it first came out in 2002, liking what I'd heard and deciding to buy it when the price came down! Red Eye is a great shop, but maddeningly expensive. | ||
| Matthew L. Member Username: Matthew_l Post Number: 4 Registered: 06-2005 |
At the risk of sounding a groveler, may I suggest the Fauves's online shop as a convenient place to buy their records. Simply go to www.thefauves.com and click on the "buy" icon to view their available discography. From reading your posts Randy, I heartily recommend Lazy Highways, although Thousand Yard Stare is great too, but with heavier guitars and analogue synths. One thing worth mentioning: The Fauves's official fanzine, Shred, is absolutely crucial reading and can be found on their merch. section. The band's frontman, Andrew Cox, is a master of hyperbolic and candid music-industry yarns. | ||
| Roger Griffin Member Username: Roger Post Number: 18 Registered: 11-2004 |
Matthew L., I second your nomination of Lazy Highways. Throughout 2000 I listened to it literally every day at work, along with a best of Dave Graney disc I compiled. Lazy Highways just gets better with every listen. Coxy and The Doctor are in fine form - nostalgic without being misty eyed, rueful without bitterness. Poignant is not a word that is often used in the same sentence as The Fauves but it fits for this album, esp. "Show You Round The Compound". | ||
| Randy Adams Member Username: Randy_adams Post Number: 51 Registered: 03-2005 |
David, thanks for the Royalchord tip. They will be in my town 11 days after the Gobees! I have already lassoed a friend into going and I assume I'll be able to get a CD at the show. Matthew, thanks for the tip on the Fauves. I supposedly have one of their CDs on order through an Amazon Marketplace dealer but then got this mealy-mouthed BS about the disc being on "back order." I thought Marketplace listings were supposed to be for things people actually have in stock. I can't remember which one I ordered, except that I know I avoided their first. I must say a name like "Thousand Yard Stare" is good enough to buy on that basis alone. Anyway, I'll try the Fauves' own website if I can't go through a more conventional channel. I haven't tested it, but I've assumed that the fact that I'm in another country makes direct purchases from a band's own website difficult or impossible; this is also what stymied me with Royalchord. Regarding Dave Graney, I purchased one of his things when I was vacationing in London last summer. It's the one with "Drugs are Wasted on the Young." It's so vividly different than the Moodists that I just wasn't prepared at all and only played it two times. I listened to it again for the first time in almost a year a couple weeks ago and was very entertained. Sometimes it really is just a matter of being in a receptive mood. I'm really stoked about seeing the GoBees in the tiny and very historic Troubadour tomorrow night. I can't think of a place I'd rather see them here (although I'm sure THEY'D like the Hollywood Bowl). | ||
| Pádraig Collins Member Username: Pádraig_collins Post Number: 17 Registered: 05-2005 |
I'm listening to The Fauves' Footage Missing album right now. It's very good. I'll iPod it. | ||
| david nichols Member Username: David Post Number: 65 Registered: 09-2004 |
New Dave Graney and Clare Moore album out in a few weeks. | ||
| spencer roberts Member Username: Spence Post Number: 19 Registered: 05-2005 |
RocK and Roll is where I hide. End of. | ||
| Geoff Holmes Member Username: Geoff Post Number: 11 Registered: 05-2005 |
Has anyone mentioned Machine Translations yet? | ||
| Michael D Member Username: Michael_d Post Number: 2 Registered: 06-2005 |
Anyone after hard to get Australian stuff, check out: www.redeye.com.au they will mail around the world and have have a great selection of hard to get and rare stuff. Also, I'm not sure if any one has mentioned the Future Spa album by the Fauves, which was as close to a breakthrough as they have had so far, and up there with Lazy Highways. | ||
| Rob Member Username: Rob Post Number: 29 Registered: 12-2004 |
Someone at the top of this thread abused Cold Chisel. Well shame and derision on you. Chisel is a remarkable band, which although uneven in output created some wonderful poetry from the unpromising clay of Aussie beer/sex/road songs. And they spoke about everyday workingclass lived experience, something the GBs and their like don't tend to do. Unless you're an everyday workingclass tortured genius like Robert Forster. Don Walker is also a genius, although I think many Australian GBs fans would shudder at that description. I did too, for years, until I shed a few long held prejudices. It's a bit like mods vs rockers, when you are young you reject anything which doesn't come from your tribe. Chisel was massively popular on chart and live figures in the Australia of the 80s, when I was preening myself listening to the Associates, Echo and the Bunnymen, the Triffids and the GBs. They were rock and roll, dirty, smelly, crude and foul, and massively popular. I was gossamer, acerbic, cold, self-regarding, misunderstood and prone to metaphor, preferring the little-known and obscure in music. I grew out of this phase!!! I learned to appreciate what I'd abhorred. It's worth trying Chisel if you haven't had the prejudices I've had: they are a kind of Springsteen/Who mixture, with reggae and Whitesnake thrown in at times. They are cousins to AC/DC, Australian relatives of Thin Lizzy. And completely themselves. Now that's got to be a labelling exercise offensive enough to make them worth trying out. "East" is by far their best, although all their stuff has gems. (ps, Like the Who they have a dumbarse screamer of a lead singer, although without the sex appeal of Daltrey... and a brilliant, cultured songwriter who put the words in his mouth... although without the weirdnesses of Townshend.) | ||
| Peter Azzopardi Member Username: Pete Post Number: 113 Registered: 09-2004 |
I saw Don Walker support Paul Kelly in my home town of Geelong several years ago, and I was floored by his set (much more than Kelly's). One song in particular, called "We're all gonna die" (I think) appealed to my adolescent misanthropy very much. Regrettably, I haven't checked out anything of his, or any Chisel albums since. I know Tom Morgan (Smudge, Sneeze, Godstar, plus some Lemonheads co-credits), a songwriter I greatly admire, is a big fan of "East" so I think I might finally pick it up the next time I see it, Rob. I guess it's hard to shake that redneck tag. For those non-Australians who are unaware of the band, their number "Khe Sahn" is THE Australian beer-drinking anthem, along with Australian Crawl's "The Boys Light Up" and Jimmy Barnes' (Chisel's "dumbarse screamer of a lead singer") "Working-class Man". And yet, Creedence are considered cool by most indie rockers; I love 'em, despite the knowledge that all the neo-Nazis at my high school that used to give me a hard time played it at their parties. A personal note regarding Cold Chisel: when I hear "Flame Trees" playing on a radio somewhere I get chills up and down my spine. A friend from high school who was a young firefighter died fighting the Linton bushfires of 1998. They played this song at his funeral (he was a big Cold Chisel fan). | ||
| Geoff Holmes Member Username: Geoff Post Number: 12 Registered: 05-2005 |
Rob, I think Cold Chisel really don't belong in this thread, since they are not criminally ignored, at least in Australia. I loved "Cheap Wine" and "East" when they came out and I was in year 10. But when I heard a band like the Go-ees talk about "a world of books, of silent times in thought", that rang far more bells for me than "Sitting on the beach drinking rocket fuel". I would hazard a guess that most of our fellow writers on this site are the same. Ditto the Bunnymen and the Triffids for me. Having said that, I was at a mate's 50th the other day and a best of Cold Chisel was out. I did think I'd have to re listen to that stuff again!! | ||
| William Member Username: Weesam Post Number: 22 Registered: 05-2005 |
Cold Chisel don't belong in this thread. Their records are criminal! Just an awful band. As for Barnsey...A working glass Glaswegian, sorry, Ozzie Mate...urm living in the South Of France. | ||
| Matthew L. Member Username: Matthew_l Post Number: 5 Registered: 06-2005 |
I think Cold Chisel actually do belong in this thread, as being a Criminally critically Ignored Aussie Band... perhaps. IMHO the song 'Flame Trees' is a classic. Smudge, abovementioned, were truly terrific but Morgan's work elsewhere (other than co-writes for Lemonheads) sadly pales against the greater pop of Manilow, You Me Carpark Now and a handful of Smudge EPs. Maybe Morgan grew scared of skill. Got the fear. Made annoying joke songs. Stopped trying. But Smudge are well worth investigating. Pollen were a guitar-based pop quartet from the Gold Coast who made a fine album of beautifully produced pop splendour, The Glorious Couch Life. They broke apart through frustrated unrecognition. The Melniks were a pop culture referencing band, trading in irony and smart-slackerdom before they were trite qualities, whose garagey recorded works and shambolic live shows made them a Brisbane institution to too few. Peter Fenton (formerly of Crow) probably deserves wider recognition. And the song 'Flame Trees' is a classic. | ||
| William Member Username: Weesam Post Number: 23 Registered: 05-2005 |
"flame trees is a classic" do you have a mullet, drive a ute and own a blue heeler? | ||
| Michael D Member Username: Michael_d Post Number: 3 Registered: 06-2005 |
The Melnicks had albums called (from memory: "Have you ever noticed how Gordon from Seseme Street looks exactly like the guy from Hot Chocolate" & "Melnicks Shmelnicks" ...and they covered "Mr Plow" Gold. | ||
| Randy Adams Member Username: Randy_adams Post Number: 54 Registered: 03-2005 |
Last night I saw Royalchord in a tiny place in Hollywood. It was just the two writers--no bass or drums. Unfortunately only about six or seven people actually listened to them which pissed me off a bit since they'd come so far. They were the last act on a night with two or three preceding them. They got an hour. They were fairly unpolished but I enjoyed them anyway. I did avail myself of the opportunity to buy their CDs and got a copy of everything they had which I am now absorbing. I even have a refrigerator magnet! Their next date is in the desert at a little place where the likes of Lucinda Williams will play (Pappy & Harriet's in Pioneertown). I don't know why people go there; maybe for the drugs. I don't have a car that I can depend on getting there. I know nothing about Cold Chisel, but they sound pretty unappealling to me. I like the arty effete types and usually only like the trashy bands when they are so bad it cannot be believed--like Hawkwind or Sweet. Like Howard Devoto said, "my mind, it ain't so open that ANYTHING could crawl right in." | ||
| Matthew L. Member Username: Matthew_l Post Number: 6 Registered: 06-2005 |
William, I do not. But do you have a short-back-and-sides cut, drive a Land Cruiser and own a Chihuahua? Or wear scarves and spectacles to affect tastefulness? | ||
| William Member Username: Weesam Post Number: 24 Registered: 05-2005 |
nah, I dress like the cop from Village People | ||
| Matthew L. Member Username: Matthew_l Post Number: 7 Registered: 06-2005 |
I'm curious William, what's your take on the Whispering Jack album? | ||
| John Flood Member Username: Floodjo Post Number: 26 Registered: 05-2005 |
Well, the Panics is turning out to be a very good recommendation so now have ordered Telegraph (by Richard Davies) and a couple of Apartments CDs (A Life Full of Farewells and Apart (really like the snippets of Apart on their web site). Itching to have them in my claws! | ||
| Geoff Holmes Member Username: Geoff Post Number: 13 Registered: 05-2005 |
I wondered what you would think of the Panics, John. They have a new album, "Sleeps like a curse" out here in Auz in early July. It most probably won't see international release just yet so I'd advise their website. I think its www.panics.au or something similar. The 2 early e.p.s are great too althought, now you have the album, you'll find alot of the same stuff on them. There's also a "single" of "Kid you're a dreamer". "Crack in the Wall" e.p. was the last release but its not as lush as the album - more charcoal than honey. | ||
| Michael Member Username: Michael Post Number: 18 Registered: 08-2004 |
I have a cultured mullet, drive an astra (holden-non-ute) and have a nova scotia duck tolling retriever and I reckon Flame Trees is pretty good. East - is very good - particulary Ita and My Baby. I have not heard anyone talk about the Lighthouse keepers for a long time but they were my favourite band at the time, mid-eighties. The bass guitarist whoever he was was v good. One of the Widdershins guys went on to the Cruel Sea I notice from the link. Smudge - I have the T-Shirt. Ingrown (Slight Return) is fantastic Lemonheadsesque but more heartfelt. | ||
| William Member Username: Weesam Post Number: 25 Registered: 05-2005 |
Whispering Jack? Barnsey, Farnsey..can't stand either. | ||
| John Flood Member Username: Floodjo Post Number: 28 Registered: 05-2005 |
Thanks for the info., Geoff. Some of the Panics tracks sound so familiar to me now - cannot believe I'd never even heard of them until a matter of weeks ago. Great find. The new album lists only 8 tracks - maybe a few long songs? Look forward to hearing it regardless. The GoBetweens have no real history of long songs now that I think of it - Darlinghurst Nights is probably their longest ever. Grant has a couple of long ones but they didn't work for me (The Pawnbroker, What went Wrong) http://www.thepanics.com.au/disc_06.htm | ||
| Rob Member Username: Rob Post Number: 30 Registered: 12-2004 |
Just to add more fuel to the fire, there ARE some bits of John Farnham's stuff that I like. Although most is garbage. He's a kind of Australian Tom Jones, or more accurately Johnny Hallyday (of France). Similarly lengthy careers for each of these aging bellowers. Jones at least became famous outside the UK, Hallyday although a massive star for many years in his home country is still completely anonymous outside French territory... Just as Farnsey is immediately recognisable to most Aussies between 30 and 70, and Mr. Nobody once he goes overseas. Farnham started more in the Cliff Richard teen idol position in the early 60s, although the size and power of his voice links him much more to Tom Jones. A couple of the more fraught late 60s numbers suited his melodramatic manner very well: his version of "One [is the loneliest number]" is great, a bit like the Damned's "Eloise". On the other hand his greatest smash from this period was a stupid novelty song about a domestic servant, "Sadie the Cleaning Lady". He has never been a songwriter, he comes from a showbiz tradition rather than anything Dylan-based! In the 70s his career nosedived and eventually he joined the Little River Band, who had some Eagles-style musical ideas in 1970s Australia and successfully sold them back to Americans in that decade. He was never really a rock singer as such, and it's funny to see him singing with Jones (as he has done several times). I don't think anyone would ever throw their underwear at Farnham. Or if they did, the underwear would be grey and very baggy. He's just "The Voice" (as he was labelled in the 80s by his management); there's no sex appeal. Someone then linked Farnham up with 80s bam-bam production and power ballads, and the direst and most succesful period of his career began, lasting about fifteen years. He is a vastly popular artist on 80s revival radio in Australia now. Some truly awful stuff at this stage of his career. Interestingly enough as commercial radio changed in the late nineties and ceased playing his new songs, he himself started playing a judicious selection of Stax and Motown hits. These suit his voice well. He has even managed to find some homegrown soulful material to put alongside them on his recent CDs. Radio (and his public) still prefers his old stuff from the 80s. I wonder if he's ever met Grant and Robert? Maybe at a European summer festival? | ||
| david nichols Member Username: David Post Number: 66 Registered: 09-2004 |
For my money his finest moment was 'Things to Do'/'One Minute Every Hour' in '74. Vanda and Young composition/production. That and 'Age of Reason' - great Todd Hunter/Joanna Piggott number. | ||
| Gerard Hennicke Member Username: Umooku Post Number: 1 Registered: 07-2005 |
How about Hey Mook ? http://www.heymook.com | ||
| Geoff Holmes Member Username: Geoff Post Number: 14 Registered: 05-2005 |
Joanna Piggott!!!! Now that's a name from the past!!!!!!!!!What about the XL Capris!?!?!? I've only got 1 album, "Where is Hank?" which has Red Bikini Runaway, Police Exhibit and the title track (oui e hank?.)I only just saw the album this arvo and wondered if you can get it on c.d. Good one David. By the way, loved your book on the Go-ees. | ||
| Michael D Member Username: Michael_d Post Number: 4 Registered: 06-2005 |
I can't believe I forgot to mention The Paradise Motel. http://www.allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p=amg&sql=10:eb6uaknkam3l If you can find anything by them, buy it. | ||
| Matthew L. Member Username: Matthew_l Post Number: 8 Registered: 06-2005 |
I think alot of people on this message board would like The Zebras, whose self-titled debut LP is available on Lost and Lonesome records: http://www.newherenowlive.com/lostandlonesome/ A beautifully jangly pop group, slightly twee and with memorable tunes. They're terrific and from little ole Brisbane. | ||
| button down Member Username: Buttondown Post Number: 18 Registered: 09-2004 |
Don Walker's lone solo album We're All Gunna Die is a classic. Very dark, it pisses on anything Nick Cave has released in the last 20 years. Songs are more enduring than image, nick. No one's mentioned Spencer P Jones yet (ex-Johnnys, Beasts of Bourbon). Probably my favourite australian songwriter around at the moment. Rumour of Death and Fait Accompli are must haves. Guest musicians up the wazoo - Rowland S Howard, Graham Lee, Billy Ficca, Brian Ritchie, Conway Savage. | ||
| Matthew L. Member Username: Matthew_l Post Number: 10 Registered: 06-2005 |
I certainly second button down's Spencer P. Jones nomination. He's in outstanding form at the moment. | ||
| Steve Thornton Member Username: Fnarf999 Post Number: 1 Registered: 09-2005 |
The Lucksmiths are a damn sight better than "decent". They're terrific. Marty's the best songwriter since the Go-Bes, and Tali White is just about the loveliest singer ever. Even when playing stand-up drums, which frankly is hard to fathom. Their last record "Warmer Corners" is pure genius. Nobody mentioned the Sugargliders yet. Their string of Sarah singles is untoppable. | ||
| Adam Sanderson Member Username: Adam_sanderson Post Number: 2 Registered: 09-2005 |
Lots of good bands mentioned here. I used to be fond of The Died Pretty. Out of the Unknown was a great single. | ||
| abigail law Member Username: Abigail Post Number: 5 Registered: 06-2005 |
where's the love for the dirty 3? Their first few albums where incredible, especially the self-titled dirty three album and horse stories. I saw them live a few years ago (supporting nick cave i think) and they blew him away. | ||
| Geoff Holmes Member Username: Geoff Post Number: 19 Registered: 05-2005 |
Warren out of the Dirty 3 plays, or has played for, that Cave man. He was also, briefly, in the criminally ignored Blackeyed Susans when the late great David McComb was still out the front singing. I saw them twice with the guest accordian player. Once was at the 3 weeds in Rozelle years ago(1990?). I think they were supporting My Friend the Chocolate cake, a great gig all round. It was one of the most compelling performances by ANY band I've ever seen. It looked like that at any second they were all going to drop their instruments and murder each other!!!The other time was at the Annandale shortly after, which, I think, would have been one of the first gigs by the Dirty 3, supporting the Susans. | ||
| Pádraig Collins Member Username: Pádraig_collins Post Number: 42 Registered: 05-2005 |
Geoff, or anyone else who knows the answer, did David McComb play on any, or all, the Blackeyed Susans albums? Which ones, if any? I know nothing about them, but adore The Triffids and David McComb's solo album. | ||
| Pádraig Collins Member Username: Pádraig_collins Post Number: 43 Registered: 05-2005 |
I have been to the band's website in the meantime. I did not know they were still going. It seems that David McComb featured on, at most, their first two EPs. Are they any good? Are they available anywhere? | ||
| Donat Member Username: Donat Post Number: 82 Registered: 11-2004 |
David McComb played on their first two EPs which made up their debut album WELCOME STRANGER (On Torn & Frayed - I think - too lazy to get up and check) and David also plays on all of the tracks on their second album ALL SOULS ALIVE. Shock records in Australia should stock both. His solo album LOVE OF WILL is a must have, but try to avoid paying Ebay prices for it, as it can fetch upwards of $50 a copy. It was deleted shortly after it was released. | ||
| Pádraig Collins Member Username: Pádraig_collins Post Number: 44 Registered: 05-2005 |
Thanks Donat. | ||
| John Flood Member Username: Floodjo Post Number: 32 Registered: 05-2005 |
A friend I introduced the Go-Betweens to recently (he preferred Rachel... to Liberty Belle - he'll never hear Liberty Belle in the context I first heard it though way back in the 80s) Anyway, he returned the favour by lending me some Red House Painters - the Retrospective double album. Pretty bloody marvellous it is too, especially the track New Jersey. I'm trespassing here though as they are from America not Aus. What the hell, all good music deserves a plug. | ||
| Hugh Nimmo Member Username: Nemo Post Number: 1 Registered: 07-2005 |
John If you enjoy Red House Painters be sure to check out the wonderful 'Ghosts of the Great Highway' by Sun Kil Moon which is fronted by Mark Koselek who was the singer/songwriter in Red House Painters. A superb album which includes at least two of my favourite Koselek tracks ( Glenn Tipton; Carry Me Ohio.) As a big fan of Australian and New Zealand music, I have been following this thread for some time and have added substantially to my collection of criminally ignored aussie bands as a result. A big thank you to all concerned. | ||
| gareth w Member Username: Gareth Post Number: 5 Registered: 05-2005 |
Big fan of Red House Painters here John. There is an Aus link too. Mark Kozelek, singer/songwriter with RHP, did a great acoustic album of AC/DC covers. Try and find it if you can. Does a great job of the songs (all Bon Scott era) with 'Rock n Roll Singer' and 'Up to My Neck in You' sounding better than the originals. | ||
| Donat Member Username: Donat Post Number: 83 Registered: 11-2004 |
Pádraig, I forgot to make mention of the fact that The (McComb-era) Blackeyed Susans are fantastic and that All Souls Alive would be the first one to chase down. | ||
| Hugh Nimmo Member Username: Nemo Post Number: 2 Registered: 07-2005 |
John The AC/DC covers album by Kozelek that gareth w is referring to is called 'What's Next To The Moon.' | ||
| Randy Adams Member Username: Randy_adams Post Number: 79 Registered: 03-2005 |
From time to time, I revisit this thread to note down more names of people to investigate. My exploration of the peerless Richard Davies has taken me backward to his work with the Moles and with Eric Matthews, as Cardinal. CDs of this music have just arrived and, yet again, I am amazed at what I am hearing. | ||
| Pádraig Collins Member Username: Pádraig_collins Post Number: 60 Registered: 05-2005 |
Randy, what are the extra tracks on the Cardinal album like? I have the original album, which I love, and am wondering about getting the re-issue (and boy does it piss me off that I end up buying my favourite albums several times - 16 Lovers Lane being the worst offender; cassette, vinyl and twice on CD). | ||
| Randy Adams Member Username: Randy_adams Post Number: 80 Registered: 03-2005 |
Padraig, the extra tracks are mostly demo type things done on a four track by Davies, Matthews and drummer Robert Fay. Think of Robert & Grant's 1979 "lost album" but the sound is better. Some of them are merely rougher versions of the songs on the album. However, there are a couple of additional songs: "Willow Willow," "Tribute to a Crow" which is brief but suggestive of Mole, "Say the Words Impossible" which comes in both demo form and a version released on a b-side with vocal takes so burdened with background noise that it is necessary (and painfully audible) to pan them in and out whenever they appear in the song. You will suddenly hear this loud hiss and then you know "ah, it's time for a vocal line." This is a fairly nice minor key song incidentally. "Sweatshirt Gown"--another shortie--opens with some very nice doo-wop acapella harmonies. The extra tracks will not make you forget the regular album but you'll have to get it just because . . . . | ||
| jerry hann Member Username: Jerry_h Post Number: 22 Registered: 07-2005 |
I really enjoyed Sleepy Jackson last year. Are they big in Australia? Randy-Richard Davies whst's the best album to start with? | ||
| Randy Adams Member Username: Randy_adams Post Number: 85 Registered: 03-2005 |
Jerry, the answer to your question depends on your personal musical preferences. If your favorite thing is acoustic singer/songwriterish stuff, I recommend "There's Never Been a Crowd Like This." It will be singer/songwriter with a twist. If your favorite thing is singer/songwriterish stuff but you like the arrangements to be more electric/electronic, I recommend "Telegraph." You still get the twist, of course. If your favorite thing is psychedelia, get one of the Moles' collections. I recommend the 2 CD "On the Street." The sequencing of the songs on the first disc in this set is better than on the "Untune the Sky" set (which includes most of the same songs) because it leaves until the end the couple of songs where you might want to ask "Richard, is there a song happening here?" If your favorite thing is string-quartet decorated melodic pop and/or a more melodic version of Big Star's 3rd, I recommend the Cardinal disc. The one disc I don't recommend you start with is "Barbarians" because that is Davies' most conventional set. It's not at all bad but it does not really convey his freewheeling manner with song structure and lyrics like the other things do. | ||
| Pádraig Collins Member Username: Pádraig_collins Post Number: 68 Registered: 05-2005 |
Jerry, Telegraph is a work of pop genius and will most likely be recognised as such in about 20 years time. Buy it now so you can tell your kids/grandkids that you were always into it. I won't tell them that you came to the party 7 years after the first release! | ||
| jerry hann Member Username: Jerry_h Post Number: 23 Registered: 07-2005 |
Thanks Padraig and Randy, I'll try and get Telegraph, I need something new to inspire my musical juices. | ||
| jerry hann Member Username: Jerry_h Post Number: 25 Registered: 07-2005 |
Thanks guys (Randy and Padraig). Got telegraph today via Amazon's marketplace for Ł4:00 (inc postage), best thing I listened to in ages, I'll order the other cd's now.really like the band 2 guitars(one acoustic) base, drums and organ-great sound.I'm really looking forward to listening to it again as I've only had one listen and that was in the car. | ||
| John Flood Member Username: Floodjo Post Number: 33 Registered: 05-2005 |
I haven't been on these boards for a while - too busy. Belated thanks for the Red House Painters and Sun Kil Moon info. above. I too got onto Telegraph via this topic. Likewise the Panics & the Apartments - all great stuff. | ||
| Pádraig Collins Member Username: Pádraig_collins Post Number: 80 Registered: 05-2005 |
As the person who first recommended Richard Davies on this board I am delighted that so many people have been converted. Not since I tipped Metallica for the top 20 years ago have I felt so pleased with myself. | ||
| Randy Adams Member Username: Randy_adams Post Number: 97 Registered: 03-2005 |
Ok, Padraig, I'll ignore the Metallica reference . . . . But Richard Davies is just pure great. In my view he is very high up on the list of criminally underrated music artists period, Australian or otherwise. And thank you very much for that tip. Still waiting to get a Panics CD. The Fauves fell a little flat for me. I'm probably too old to enjoy them. John & Jerry, I share Padraig's delight at your concurrence regarding Davies' work. And the Apartments, well, I just recently compiled a pair of CDs of Australian music for a friend and I restrained myself by only including two songs. I love the mental picture of putting the sheets in the fridge and sleeping on the roof in "Something to Live For." Is Brisbane really that hot in summer? | ||
| Pádraig Collins Member Username: Pádraig_collins Post Number: 81 Registered: 05-2005 |
I have only spent a few days in Brisbane (January 1999) and it was indeed ferociously hot. I went to the cinema just to escape the heat on the evening I arrived. And then fell asleep. I may just have to visit Brisbane again soon. Seven years between visits is too long. | ||
| Randy Adams Member Username: Randy_adams Post Number: 98 Registered: 03-2005 |
Must have been a great movie. | ||
| Pádraig Collins Member Username: Pádraig_collins Post Number: 83 Registered: 05-2005 |
Unfortunately it was. I am ashamed to say that I fell asleep at Life Is Beautiful. Blame the weather. I woke up as the end credits were rolling. | ||
| Peter Senning Member Username: Peter_senning Post Number: 8 Registered: 05-2005 |
Michael, thank you very much for your tip on The Paradise Motel! I would encourage anyone on this message board to start with their 'Flight Paths & Reworkings' album. If you're a fan of The Go-Betweens, Mazzy Star and Luna you'll most probably like this very much. | ||
| Donat Member Username: Donat Post Number: 110 Registered: 11-2004 |
Brisbane's been annoyingly hot this summer - I'm hoping that Sydney'll be a little more sedate in a few weeks' time. Yes, Randy - it does get that hot.  | ||
| Paul B. Member Username: Paul_b Post Number: 12 Registered: 10-2004 |
Sydney at 45 degrees is much better than Brisbane at 35 degrees. Its no fun trying to dry yourself after a cold shower and sweating so much that there’s no point using a towel in the first place. | ||
| Mark Leydon Member Username: Mark_leydon Post Number: 40 Registered: 05-2005 |
Mecry May - a fantastic new Sydney band playing at The Excelsior Hotel in Surry Hills tonight (March 9). Soulful, but with a Brit-pop sensibility. The frontman is a star in the making. You heard it here first! | ||
| Andrew Kerr Member Username: Andrew_k Post Number: 48 Registered: 04-2005 |
Being a bit lazy here (could just go to Google), but prefer some info direct from the esteemed members of this board. Tiny Town. Any info? I have a 12" 4 track bought for pennies years ago. Quite good, Australian and a bit like the G-B's SMAL in feel. Now my turntable is spinning again (a 10 year old friend of my son asked me what it was the other day!) i'll be dragging that one out again. And a very belated response to Kurt (May last year) regarding Hunters and Collectors. I bought the 45 'Throw your arms around me' when I was in Australia in '86. I loved it and (possibly) still do, but is it fairly unreprentative of other things by them then? | ||
| david nichols Member Username: David Post Number: 85 Registered: 09-2004 |
Tiny Town started out as a band called The Supports, contemporaries and friends of the GoBs, probably some of the same attitude and ideals, went through a few permutations and names, moved to Britain and started releasing stuff as Tiny Town... from memory a flexidisc, two singles, a 12" EP and an LP, all very good. Certainly a Brisbane sound, as much as The Apartments or Four Gods did. Or the Riptides for that matter. Peter Loveday was the singer/ I suppose main songwriter, he has released two albums recently both highly recommended, he lives in Barcelona, you could buy his records from him online I'm sure. Hunters and Collectors. First couple of records quite funky/what people might have later called 'industrial', people saw them as being a little in the Birthday Party camp (BP were pretty funky when they tried a la Pop Group) band split and the remaining members decided that the previous stuff had been too arty and exclusive, and went on to produce a quite excellent and also quite different record, Jaws of Life. Tight, still funky in a sense but songs were shorter and lyrics less obtuse, set the scene for them thereafter, atypical ballad Throw Your Arms... came out just after this album (and wasn't on it as I recall but might be on CD versions or something) and was rerecorded and reissued a few times (just like The Reels' Quasimodo's Dream) because no-one could understand why it wasn't a huge hit but it has always been regarded as a classic. A number of albums thereafter, good sense of melody, very good players, strong appeal for middle class/suburban audiences or at least that's how it looked... a lot of people (I would say needlessly) put off by Mark Seymour's voice which isn't the most commercial but certainly distinctive. Seems like they are about to reform but not sure to what end (new album? Just live shows? Don't know). I would certainly recommend first album (they released a 12" EP prior to that, which is included on CD version; if buying vinyl, be aware that people often seem confused between the EP and the first LP as both just have band's name written on the cover and the vinyl LP came as a 33 1/3 LP with an additional 45 12" in a gatefold.) Jaws of Life is also tremendous - a definite classic. Not sure about the others. I believe almost all their songs can be heard online via a semi-official website that wouldn't be hard to track down. | ||
| Geoff Holmes Member Username: Geoff Post Number: 62 Registered: 05-2005 |
Human Frailty was the album with the first recorded studio version of Throw Your Arms Around Me(or as was sung, Mey!). It was the first album after Jaws of Life. Wasn't there some live ep before that and after Jaws of Life that had a live version of the song too? Then there was the remake that came out years later that was, effectively, Throw Your Arms around MEEE. The Crowdies and The Finns were/are well known to include it in every second tour or so. | ||
| david nichols Member Username: David Post Number: 86 Registered: 09-2004 |
It was a live album, The Way to Go Out I think. There was a live video at the same time, when such things were seen as innovative. Yes they recorded TYAAM at least twice in the studio and no doubt there are many live recordings. Crowded House came close to recording and releasing it. Peter Loveday: http://www.peterloveday.com/buyit.htm There are some things to listen to there, too. | ||
| David Matheson Member Username: David_matheson Post Number: 56 Registered: 12-2004 |
I'm surprised that Throw Your Arms Around Me never became a hit. Irishman Luka Bloom has recorded a version of it. Yes, Jaws Of Life is a great album, especially Betty's Worry (The Slab). | ||
| Todd Slater Member Username: Todd_slater Post Number: 34 Registered: 01-2005 |
I saw the band live around the time Jaws of life came out early to mid 85' I think. Queensland Uni Refectory on a Triple Z joint effort (from a hazy memory possible support was the mighty STEMS). The Hunters' were in the phase of discarding their former sound (industrial funk) and reinventing a new one. The Jaws of Life was based on a truck that ran into a house in the Northern Territory I think. They were a great live act back then with a killer band. It always amuses me now to see former guitarist Michael Waters standing in a guitar factory in an advertisment for insurance, usually on the pages of a glossy magazine. I think Human Frailty was as good as it got for them music wise. There were some great songs after that, but I don't think they ever made a record as cohesive as that again. The image of Mark Seymour in a 'Jackie Howe' singlet with his head under the bonnet of a HR Premier Holden screaming 'You don't make me feel like a woman anymore' was a defining image for the band and always amusing at gigs, as a chorus of a drunk predominately young male audience would wail back in unison. Another great criminally ignored Melbourne band from the period was Painters & Dockers with a great frontman in Paul Stewart. They were incredibly fun live. The Reels were one the great Australian bands, fullstop. | ||
| Hardin Smith Member Username: Manosludge Post Number: 23 Registered: 03-2006 |
Didn't notice them on my quick scan through this thread, so howzabout Mental As Anything? I always thought they were cool...are they still around? I thought the Apartments' "...Farewells" disc was great, but didn't quite connect with "Drift". I prefer the lusher sound of "Farewells" and the songwriting seems stronger, more fully formed. Also, what it the best Triffids disc to get? Sandy Born Devotional? I have "Calenture" and like it well enough... | ||
| Pádraig Collins Member Username: Pádraig_collins Post Number: 212 Registered: 05-2005 |
Hardin, you need all The Triffids' albums. But Calenture and In The Pines are the best in my opinion. They are, respectively, the band's most and least polished albums. They also have a good compilation album called Australian Melodrama. | ||
| Randy Adams Member Username: Randy_adams Post Number: 210 Registered: 03-2005 |
"Drift" is my least favorite Apartments disc by a long distance. "Fete Foraine" is my top choice but both "Apart" and "The Evening Visits" are really fine albums too. For the Triffids, I vote for BSD. No familiarity with Mental's records. | ||
| Hardin Smith Member Username: Manosludge Post Number: 29 Registered: 03-2006 |
Thanks Randy and Padraig! I will check those discs out - you all are going to cost me a lot of money! (I already need to join some kind of 12 step group)... | ||
| David Matheson Member Username: David_matheson Post Number: 58 Registered: 12-2004 |
Todd, I think the Hunters & Collectors song 42 Wheels (on the Jaws of Life album)was about a truck driver who drove his truck through a pub in Alice Springs after he was kicked out. Regarding The Triffids, I also recommend Born Sandy Devotional. | ||
| Todd Slater Member Username: Todd_slater Post Number: 35 Registered: 01-2005 |
Thanks David, I knew it was a truck going through some sort of dwelling. It was a great record at the time, although I'm not sure how it stands up now. As for the Triffids I love all their records, but Born Sandy Devotional is a standout as is In the Pines. They sound remarkably sparse and fresh in 2006, a mere twenty years after being recorded. |