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Saturday, 30 November 2013

THE CRACKAJACKS



At the height of punk/new wave mania (admittedly still an underground phenomenon) The Crackajacks tore on to the inner-city Melbourne scene like a cyclone in late 1979. As a group of young guns formed specifically to play the music of the original rockabilly cats, and the more obscure examples at that, they were unprecedented in Australian terms and pretty close to being the purist specimens of an embryonic rockabilly revival worldwide. Pure in the sense that they were delving deep into a generation past, using the hepped up southern boys who had dive bombed back into obscurity as their template.

At the time the proliferation of golden era rockabilly releases now available was a mere trickle, the music for all intent dead and buried despite the occasional commercial flare-up of a Major Matchbox, Shakin' Stevens or Queen's "Crazy Little Thing Called Love". The above were like approximations of the era, The Crackajacks delved deeper. Primarily though guitarist Warren Rough, already a veteran of the 'ockabilly' outfit The Autodrifters and their inspirational sorties to Hound Dog's Bop Shop, (a West Melbourne Oldies record shop without equal anywhere in the world), the members and particularly Rough became well versed in rockabilly folklore. The other original members were Charlie Paine on bass and Mick Black on drums with the enigmatic Rick Newton becoming the perfect real gone focal frontman.

Things moved fast in those days and Au-Go Go Records and Missing Link, working in tandem, were standing by to jump on anything with a street credibility pulse to put on a 45 rpm single. So it happened that The Crackajacks, mere months after their first real gigs, were hustled into a small backyard studio to record. A few weeks later however, at the larger York Street Studio under the hand of engineer David "Daffy'' Williams, the group laid down an absolute powerhouse rendition of "Long Blond Hair" and a pretty fine "Stranger Than Fiction". "Long Blond Hair" was a classic in its original form by Johnny Powers who had also been known in Australia, (probably due to the whim of the legendary Lee Gordon and his Leedon label) as Johnny "Scat" Brown while "Stranger Than Fiction" sprung from the mind of "Groovey" Joe Poovey, an equally potent rockabilly original.

With the singles release in March 1980, it became Au Go Go's biggest seller with rave reviews at home and abroad. Newton opined at the time "It'll be hard to find a follow-up" - time has proven him right. What the band did with these two fairly obscure songs was to create a synthesis into the excitement of their own era. When The Stray Cats came along not long after that transformation was complete - it was rockabilly with a new wave punk attitude. So it came to pass that "Long Blond Hair" became both the band's anthem and albatross. A deal was fixed up for a 'real' record company Astor to take on the single and try and break it to a larger market but mainstream radio proved resistant.

Astor lost interest in taking up their option on an album being funded by Missing Link, partly as sale of the company was pending to the multi-national Polygram anyway. Subsequently the single was issued for a third time under a new deal Missing Link made with the larger indie Powderworks and their distributor RCA. This new release at least found a fresh flip side for the single and was supported by a video clip, nonetheless one reviewer remarked "this song has been around so long the girl in question must have gone grey by now".

Changes in line-up found bassist Peter Patter [Peter Beulke] coming in towards the album's 'Little Heart Attacks' completion and playing four tacks on it, although by the time it was released, Jack Cracka held down the bass slot. At last, with an album ready, a new single was released. "Can't Do Without You / Go Cat Go". It was a solid effort that lacked the flair of "Long Blonde Hair" - if the latter had failed to ignite the larger world what hope this? Adding to the problems were the distribution woes of Powderworks who had decided to set up their own Australia-wide independent network. Missing Link and The Crackajacks album were caught in the middle of the change and in truth, the momentum of the band had dissipated.

Also not helping the situation was a lovingly crafted but unexciting album cover by artist Jeff Fisher and the decision to NOT include the original version of "Long Blonde Hair" on the album, rather a tricked-up studio mix. How many copies of 'Little Heart Attacks' escaped is a matter for conjecture, no real royalty statements ever came from Powderworks to clear that mystery up. The band continued to perform, adding and subtracting a few members here and there, even coming back for a revival tour in 1989, by which point Newton was Rick O'Shea (having fronted a more countrified outfit called The Crummy Cowboys for a few years) and Rough a veteran of more rootsy outfits, notably The Paramount Trio. Missing Link released a compilation album 'Rockabilly Ricochet!' which contained all their studio recordings and unreleased material.

Members

Rick Newton (vocals, guitar), Warren Rough (guitar), Charley Paine (bass), Mick Lyon (drums), Peter Platter [Peter Beulke] (bass)




SINGLES
''Long Blonde Hair / Stranger Than Fiction'' 1980 Astor 
''Long Blond Hair / Stranger Than Fiction'' 1980 Au-go-go 
''Can't Do Without You / Go Cat Go'' 1981 Missing Link 
''Long Blond Hair / Wash Machine Boogie'' 1981 Missing Link 

ALBUMS
'Little Heart Attacks' 1981 Missing Link






KEVIN BORICH EXPRESS


Kevin Borich was born in 1948 in Huapai northwest of Auckland on New Zealand's North Island, he attended secondary school at Rutherford High School in Te Atatu, a suburb of Auckland. In 1961, at the age of 12, Borich recorded a private single on Astor Records with two sisters, Judi Donaldson and Sue Donaldson (later as New Zealand duo, The Chicks). As a guitarist, Borich formed The Mergers in late 1963 with fellow students, Brett Neilsen on drums and Trevor Wilson on bass guitar. Initially they performed overs of The Shadows material as an instrumental band after school and on weekends. Kevin is of Croatian descent. With the addition of vocalist/rhythm guitarist Phil Key, The Mergers with Borich on lead guitar/vocals, Neilsen on drums/vocals and Wilson on bass guitar, were eventually renamed as The La De Das in 1964 in Auckland, New Zealand. In June 1965 they recorded their debut single, "Little Girl", and later that year added Bruce Howard on keyboards.

 From 1966 to 1967 they had five New Zealand top 10 hits, "How is the Air Up There?", "On Top of the World", "Hey Baby", "All Purpose Low" and "Rosalie". By 1968 they were based in Sydney and recorded their concept album, 'The Happy Prince', in 1969 on EMI. Line-up changes occurred with Borich and Key joined by Peter Roberts on bass guitar and Keith Barber on drums by 1971's Australian Kent Music Report top 10 hit single, "Gonna See My Baby Tonight".

It had been written by Borich, who had established a reputation as "Australia's guitar hero supremo" and regularly performed "All Along the Watchtower" using Jimi Hendrix' interpretation of the Bob Dylan song to close The La De Das' live set. In late January 1972, they appeared at the inaugural, Sunbury Pop Festival and featured on the subsequent double album, 'Sunbury', released in October by EMI/HMV. The La De Das recorded further albums and singles and despite critical acclaim had little chart success, only Borich remained throughout until he disbanded the group in 1975.

After The La De Das, Borich toured with John Paul Young & the Allstars for some months before forming a new band Kevin Borich Express in early 1976 by Borich on lead guitar, lead vocals and occasional flute with Harry Brus on bass guitar (ex-Amazons, Blackfeather) and Barry Harvey on drums (ex-Wild Cherries, Chain). They recorded a track, "The End of Me" before Brus and Harvey were soon replaced by Reuben San Fiansco on bass guitar and Gil Matthews (ex-Billy Thorpe and The Aztecs) on drums.

Subsequent line-ups were typically for a three piece with a succession of bass guitarist and drummers. They released their debut single, "I'm Goin' Somewhere" in October using Fiansco, and John Annas on drums (ex-Wendy Saddington Band), following in March 1977 was their debut album, 'Celebration!' with Annas, and Tim Partridge on bass guitar (ex-Mighty Kong, The Johnny Rocco Band). The album was favoured by critics and peaked in the top 30 on the Australian albums' charts. In early 1977, Borich supported the tour by UK rock guitarist, Jeff Beck; this was followed in October by supporting the Rockarena tour with Santana, Fleetwood Mac and Little River Band - Borich was invited on-stage to jam with Carlos Santana.

In May 1978, the band toured USA in support of Australian heavy rockers, AC/DC, with Annas, Paul Christie on bass guitar and keyboard player Tim Shafer (ex-Gary Wright Band). This line-up recorded, 'No Turning Back' which was released in March 1979. By mid-year, Partridge had returned with both Christie and Shafer departing, and together with Annas, Borich recorded 'Live!', using the 2JJ mobile studio equipment over performances in Melbourne and Wollongong. 'Live!' contains one of the most incendiary and atmospheric versions of ''Little Red Rooster'' ever recorded along with a number of Borich standards.

In July, Kevin Borich Express appeared on Renée Geyer's album, 'Blues License'. A European tour by Kevin Borich Express resulted in a compilation album being released in Germany. After the tour, John Watson (ex-Heavy Division) replaced Annas on drums and the band recorded, 'Angel's Hand' in November 1979. Similar line-up changes continued into the early 1980s with Michael Deep replacing Partridge in April 1980. This line-up collaborated with solo artist Dutch Tilders to record 'Blues Had a Baby and They Called It Rock'n'Roll' in 1981 on RCA Records. Kerry Jacobsen (ex-Dragon) replaced Watson on drums for 'Shy Boys Shy Girls' mini-LP in late 1981.

By mid-1982, Annas returned on drums, with Steve Balbi on bass guitar, and Andy Cowan on keyboards. Later that year, Borich on guitar joined The Party Boys which was formed by previous band member Paul Christie (ex-Mondo Rock) on bass guitar, drums and backing vocals, Harvey James (ex-Sherbet) on guitar and Graham Bidstrup (The Angels) on drums. Initially a side-project, The Party Boys, had top 10 success with singles, "He's Gonna Step on You Again" (#1, 1987), "Hold Your Head Up" (#7, 1987) and albums, 'Live at Several 21sts' (#9, 1983), 'The Party Boys' (#1, 1987).

Consequently, Kevin Borich Express output and touring was reduced during the 1980s. In 1989, Borich left The Party Boys and appeared in Jimmy Barnes band for the 1990 Two Fires tour. Borich won 'Best Guitarist' at the 1977 and 1978 Australian Rock Music Awards. Borich continues to perform at Australian and international events in 2011 wooing audience with his flawless shows featuring longtime friend Harry Brus on Bass and his son Lucius Borich on Drums.

This lineup released a double CD & DVD under the banner Borich X Borich Live At The Basement. KB still utilises a spectrum of Australia's best musicians at different times including, John Annas returning on drums with Ian Lees on bass guitar (ex-Moving Pictures), and with two former members John Watson and Harry Brus. He released, 'Live at the Big Kahuna' in 1995. A studio album was released in 1998, 'Heart Starter', appeared with Lucius Borich of COG on drums and Ben Rosen on bass guitar touring to promote it. KB won the Heritage Award at the 1999 Australian Blues Music Festival and was inducted into the Australian Blues Foundation Hall of Fame in 2003. Tim Partridge died in 2020.

Members

Kevin Borich (guitar, vocals, flute), Harry Brus (bass), Reuben San Fiansco (bass), Tim Partridge (bass), Tim Ayers (bass), Bob Jackson (bass), Paul Christie (bass), Lindsay Osbourne (bass), Michael Deep (bass), Steve Balbi (bass), Tim Schafer (keyboards), Andy Cohen (keyboards, sax), Barry Harvey (drums), Gil Matthews (drums), John Annas (drums), John Watson (drums), Kerry Jacobsen (drums), Adrian Cannon (drums)





SINGLES 
''I'm Goin' Somewhere / Scene From Star Crossed Lovers'' 1976 Image
Goin' Down Town / Goin' Down Town - Long Version'' 1977 Image
''Mon Ami / Goin' Down Town'' 1977 Image
''No Turning Back / I Can't Wait'' 1978 Mercury
''Silver Dime / Caught In The Middle'' 1979 Mercury
''My Mama Is A Jazzer / Social Disease'' 1979 Mercury
''One More Dream / Angel's Hand'' 1980 Mushroom
''Shy Boys Shy Girls / Gone Fishing'' 1981 Mushroom
''Getting So Excited / Theme X'' 1982 Mushroom

ALBUMS 
'Celebration!' (#28) 1977 Image
'Lonely One' (#51) 1977 Image
'No Turning Back' (#48) 1979 Mercury
'Live!' 1979 Avenue Records
'The Blues Had a Baby' [with Dutch Tilders) (#96) 1980 Eureka
'Angels Hand' (#92) 1980 Mushroom
'Shy Boys Shy Girls' 1982 Mushroom
'Live at the Big Kahuna' 1995 KB
'One Night Jamm Live' 1999 Kevin Borich
'Heartstarter' 2000 Kevin Borich
'One Night Jamm Live' 1999 Kevin Borich 
'Nomad' 2004 KB 
'Live at the Basement' 2009 SG Productions
'Duets' (#66) 2023 Kevin Borich 




References

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kevin_Borich


BJERRE


Lindsay Bjerre was a singer/guitarist in bands, The Sunsets, Tamam Shud and Albatross. He went solo for a few years in the mid 70s where he released a number of singles and two solo albums 'Hard Times' and 'Stealing The Hours' on the Phillips label. In 1977 his single ''She Taught Me How To Love Again'' reached the top 40.




SINGLES 
''She Taught Me How To Love Again (#31) / Youthful Charlie'' 1977 Philips 
''I'll Take You Higher / Old Soul'' 1977 Philips 
''Not So Easy / Wasting The Magic'' 1978 Philips 
''You Won't Dance With Me / Down The Ghetto'' 1979 Philips 

ALBUMS 
'Stealing The Hours' 1977 Philips
'Hard Times' 1979 Philips 




References

http://top100singles.blogspot.com.au/


THE BIRTHDAY PARTY


The Birthday Party (originally known as The Boys Next Door) were an Australian post-punk band, active from 1978 to 1983. The nucleus of the band first met at the private boy's school Caulfield Grammar School, in suburban Melbourne, in the early seventies. A rock group was formed in 1973, with Nick Cave (vocals), Mick Harvey (guitar), and Phill Calvert (drums), with other students John Cocivera, Brett Purcell and Chris Coyne (on guitar, bass and saxophone respectively). Most were also members of the school choir. The band played under various names at parties and school functions with a mixed repertoire of David Bowie, Lou Reed, Roxy Music, Alice Cooper and the Sensational Alex Harvey Band, among others.

After their final school year in 1975 the band decided to continue as a four-piece group, with friend Tracy Pew picking up the bass. Greatly affected by the punk explosion of 1976 which saw Australian bands The Saints and Radio Birdman making their first recordings and tours, The Boys Next Door, as they were now called, began performing punk and proto-punk cover versions, such as "Blitzkrieg Bop" and "Gloria", and a few original songs. By November 1977 their set was dominated by fast original new wave material, such as "Sex Crimes" and "Masturbation Generation". The Boys' second guitarist, Rowland S. Howard, joined in 1978, and about this time, the group's sound changed dramatically.

The addition of Howard's guitar was certainly a catalyst (his later use of audio feedback being a hallmark of the group) but there were other changes, as well: their sound drew upon punk, rockabilly, free jazz and the rawest blues, but defied concise categorisation. Many songs were driven by prominent, repetitive basslines and frenetic, yet minimalist, drumming. Though the band was tightly rehearsed, the instrumentalists often sounded as if they were on the verge of collapse, this quality only emphasising the newfound mania of Cave's singing, and his expressionist lyrics. In producer/engineer Tony Cohen they found a willing accomplice to their experimentation and their refusal to repeat themselves; and in manager Keith Glass they found an enthusiastic financial backer. Glass' label Missing Link Records released all of the early Birthday Party records.

 The Boys Next Door's best-known song, "Shivers", written by Howard, and first performed and recorded by his band The Young Charlatans, was banned by radio stations because of a reference to suicide. After recordings and moderate success in Australia (including hundreds of live shows) they headed for London in 1980, changed their name to The Birthday Party and launched into a period of innovative and aggressive music-making. Some sources say the band took its new name from the Harold Pinter play The Birthday Party; others (including Ian Johnston's Cave biography) state it was prompted by Cave misremembering, or intentionally misattributing, the name to a non-existent birthday party scene in the lengthy Dostoyevsky novel Crime and Punishment.

 In a 2008 interview Roland S. Howard gave his own recollection: "The name The Birthday Party came up in conversation between Nick and myself. There's this apocryphal story about it coming from a Dostoyevsky novel. It may have had various connotations, but what he and I spoke about was a sense of celebration and making things into more an occasion and ritual". They resided in London, with trips back to Australia and tours through Europe and the U.S. before relocating to West Berlin in 1982. Above the barely controlled racket, Cave's vocals ranged from desperate to simply menacing and demented. Critics have written that "neither John Cale nor Alfred Hitchcock was ever this scary," and that Cave "doesn't so much sing his vocals as expel them from his gut".

Though Cave drew on earlier rock and roll shriekers—especially Iggy Pop and Suicide's Alan Vega—his singing with the Birthday Party remains powerful and distinct. The single "Release the Bats" came out during the emergence of the gothic scene. This song about "vampire sex" was promoted by an advert with the words "Dirtiness is next to antigodliness". Their 1982 album 'Junkyard' was inspired by American Southern Gothic imagery, dealing with extreme subjects like an evangelist's murdered daughter. Certain songs like "She's Hit" have bluesy qualities but the atmosphere was both decrepit and sinister. For the Birthday Party, things had changed. Calvert was ejected in 1982; he was reportedly "unable to nail down the beats for 'Dead Joe' to everyone's satisfaction", and Harvey moved to drums.

When Pew was jailed for drunk driving and petty theft early in 1982, Chris Walsh, Barry Adamson and Howard's brother Harry replaced him for live appearances and brief studio work. Pew rejoined the band in July. The 'Mutiny' EP contained lyrics evoking blasphemy, words which were as dark as the gothic poems of Lautréamont. The title track portrayed a dirty heaven with rats and trash. In 1982 a spin-off group with Lydia Lunch, Honeymoon In Red, recorded an album which was eventually released in 1987. Harvey and Cave were reportedly so unhappy with the mixing and overdubbing done after their involvement that they requested their names be withheld from its liner notes. Howard and Pew apparently had no objections to being credited by name.

A tour in January 1983 found the group return to a five-piece, with Jeffrey Wegener playing drums and Harvey returning to second guitar. Wegener did not remain with the group, however, and they returned to a four-piece soon after. Later this year, Blixa Bargeld from the German band Einstürzende Neubauten played guitar on the track "Mutiny in Heaven". Tension between Cave and Howard soon came to a head, but it was Harvey who first left the group – their final tour saw Des Hefner on drums. The Birthday Party disbanded in late 1983, due in part to the split between Cave and Howard, as well as work and drug-related exhaustion.

Several groups rose from the Birthday Party's ashes: Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds (featuring Cave, Harvey, Adamson, Bargeld and briefly Pew), Crime and the City Solution (featuring Harvey and Howard, later just Harvey) and These Immortal Souls (featuring Howard). Due in part to their legendary status and to the continuing success of Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds, The Birthday Party's back catalogue has been re-released on CD several times. Mick Harvey has overseen releases of rare or previously unissued recordings ("Live" and "John Peel" CDs). Tracy Pew died from injuries caused by an epileptic seizure in 1986. Rowland S. Howard died in 2009.

Members

Nick Cave (vocals, sax), Mick Harvey (guitar, drums, keyboards), Rowland S. Howard (guitar, backing vocals), Tracy Pew (bass), Phillip Calvert (drums), Chris Walsh (bass), Barry Adamson (bass), Harry Howard (bass), Jeffrey Wegener (drums), Des Hefner (drums), Blixa Bargeld (guitar)




SINGLES
''Mr Clarinet / Happy Birthday'' 1980 Missing Link
''Nick The Stripper / Blundertown'' 1982 Missing Link 

ALBUMS
'Prayers On Fire' (#96) 1981 Missing Link 
'Junk Yard' 1982 Missing Link
'It's Still Living' 1985 Missing Link





References

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Birthday_Party_%28band%29

Friday, 29 November 2013

LISA BADE


Lisa Bade is a rock and blues artist that has been known for her raw singing style that sometimes been compared to an artist as Janis Joplin. Lisa Bade started as backing singer for the artist Mark Gillespie who later produced her first single ''Traveller In The Night / Stormy Bed'' and contributed a couple of songs on Lisa Bades debut album 'Suspicion' (1982). The album was recorded in USA with star musicians as Mick Ronson, Steve Lukather, Peter Frampton, Jeff Porcaro and Mike Porcaro. The New York recorded single "(That Ain't) No Way To Treat A Lady" written by Bryan Adams failed to make impact on the American charts. It was also released in Canada.

Lisa Bade was support act to Little River Band the same year. She has later been singer in bands as Wilbur Wilde's Blowout, The Mark Gillespie Band, Pink Cadillac and her own formed cover band Love Stars. Among other artists she has been touring with are Australian Crawl and John Farnham.  'Suspicion' was rereleased on CD in 2002, by A&M but is currently out of print. Although this album is definitely one for collectors due to the involvement of prominent guest musicians of great interest, Lisa also has a lot to offer on her solo disc musically.




SINGLES
''Traveller In The Night / Stormy Bed'' 1980 WBE 
''Willow / Pile-Up On The Highway'' 1982 Wheatley 
''No Way To Treat A Lady / Losin' Feelin' 1982 Wheatley 
''Walk Away / Never Looked So Good'' 1985 Freestyle 

ALBUMS
'Suspicion' 1982 Wheatley 




References

http://rockonvinyl.blogspot.com.au/2014/10/lisa-bade-suspicion-1982.html


RAY ARNOTT


Raymond "Ray" Walter Arnott is an Australian rock drummer and singer-songwriter. Ray grew up in Brisbane and played with Glenn Weatley of Masters of Apprentices fame in the Vacant Lot and also with the Chelsea Set whose claim to fame was supporting the Easybeats. Ray moved to Melbourne with the Chelsea Set in 1966. Ray left the band to join the Browns, who were the backing band for the Virgil Brothers, Johnny Farnham, Colleen Hewitt, Wendy Saddington, and Oliva Newtown John. Ray did a stint with Matt Taylor in the band Genesis and Gulliver Smith in Company Caine. In late 1970 he replaced original drummer Mark Kennedy in the renowned Australian progressive rock group Spectrum, and he remained with them until they split in early 1973. He sang backing and lead vocals with the band, as well as drumming, and he contributed several songs to their repertoire.

Arnott left Spectrum to join Mighty Kong, a new band formed by ex-Daddy Cool members Ross Wilson and Ross Hannaford, but the new group was very short-lived and broke up soon after recording its only LP in late 1973. Ray then recorded with Rick Springfield and Phil Ochs and was produced by John Fishbach, who had worked with Stevie Wonder. 

Arnott took over the drum stool from the original drummer in two of the most prominent Australian groups of the period, The Dingoes in the mid 1970s and Cold Chisel in 1983 and recorded the 'Twentieth Century' album with the band and toured extensively. During the late '70s to mid '80s, Arnott served as the drummer for George Young (brother of Angus and Malcolm Young of AC/DC) and Harry Vanda doing many projects including Cheetah, John Paul Young, Choirboys, and Flash and the Pan. Ray also recorded two solo albums for Alberts with Angus Young playing lead on Rock N Roll Gal from the album 'Rude Dude's, which also featured Jimmy Banes, Ross Wilson, Pete Wells, Ace Follington, Warren Pig Morgan, Ronnie Peel, Harry Vanda, and Graham Parker's horn section.

Cold Chisel frontman Jimmy Barnes took on Arnott for his first two solo releases, the 'Bodyswerve' album in 1984 and 'For the Working Class Man' album in 1985. Ray toured extensively with Jimmy Barnes and co-wrote one song for the 'Bodyswerve' album.Stephen Stills recorded one of Ray's songs ''Flaming Heart'' for his album 'Right By You' in 1984 after Jimmy Page heard the song and recommended it to Stills. Ray now lives in the Northern Rivers of NSW and works as a youth counsellor and music therapist, and still continues his songwriting and also plays locally. In July 2015 Ray was interviewed by The Australian Rock Show. Ray has several exciting new projects coming out in 2023.




SINGLES 
''On The Run / Boogie On'' 1979 Alberts

ALBUMS 
'Rude Dudes' 1979 Alberts, 
'Rock 'N' Roll' 1984 Alberts 




References

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ray_Arnott


ROBYN ARCHER


Robyn Archer (born Robyn Smith), AO, CdOAL born in 1948 in Prospect South Australia is an Australian singer, writer, stage director, artistic director, and public advocate of the arts, in Australia and internationally. She began singing at the age of four years and singing professionally from the age of 12 years, everything from folk and pop and graduating to blues, rock, jazz and cabaret. She graduated from Adelaide University and immediately took up a full-time singing career. Archer has a Bachelor of Arts (Honours English) and Diploma of Education from Adelaide University. She was first heard on record singing lead vocals on Headband's 1971 single ''Waltzing Matilda / You Scratch My Back And I'll Scratch Yours''.

In 1974 Archer sang Annie I in the Australian premiere of Brecht/Weill's The Seven Deadly Sins to open The Space of the Adelaide Festival Centre. She subsequently played Jenny in Kurt Weill's Threepenny Opera for New Opera South Australia where she met English translator and editor John Willett. Since then her name has been linked particularly with the German cabaret songs of Weill, Eisler, and Paul Dessau and others from the Weimar Republic, a repertoire which Willett guided her to.

She signed with Larrikin Records and released two albums,' Take Your Partners For... The Ladies Choice' and 'The Wild Girl In The Heart'. Her one-woman cabaret A Star is Torn (1979) covering various female singers including Billie Holiday and her 1981 show The Pack of Women both became successful books and recordings, the latter also being produced for television in 1986. She played A Star is Torn throughout Australia from 1979 to 1983, and for a year at Wyndham's Theatre in London's West End. Archer has continued to sing a wide-ranging repertoire and in 2008/2009 gave a series of concerts including iprotest! (with Paul Grabowsky) and separate German and French concerts with Michael Morley. All were sell-outs and critically acclaimed.

Robyn has written and devised many works for the stage from The Conquest of Carmen Miranda to Songs From Sideshow Alley and Cafe Fledermaus (directed by Barrie Kosky to open the Merlyn Theatre at the Malthouse in Melbourne). In 1989 she was commissioned to write a new opera, Mambo, for the Nexus Opera, London. In 2008 her play Architektin premiered in Adelaide and in 2009 she devised the Tough Nut Cabaret for a production in Pittsburgh, USA.

Robyn Archer is also a director of arts festivals in Australia and overseas. Her career took this turn accidentally, with an invitation while she was performing her show Le Chat Noir in Canberra to direct the National Festival of Australian Theatre which was hosted by the national capital. She directed the 1993, 1994 and 1995 editions and this began a string of Artistic Director positions at the Adelaide Festival of Arts (1998 and 2000), the Melbourne International Arts Festival (2002–2004). She created Ten Days on the Island, an international arts festival for Tasmania, spent two years as Artistic Director of the European Capital of Culture, and advised on the start-up of Luminato in Toronto. In 2007 she created The Light in Winter for Federation Square in Melbourne and in July 2009 was appointed Creative Director of the Centenary of Canberra 2013.

She is in frequent demand as a speaker and public advocate of the arts all over the world, and her Wal Cherry and Manning Clark Memorial Lectures in 2008/2009 have increased that status. She was a commentator at the inaugural broadcast Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras for the ABC, Australia. She has been a television guest on The Michael Parkinson Show, Clive James at Home, Good News Week (ABC); Adelaide Festival 1998 (ABC National three-part series), the David Frost New Year Special, The Midday Show, Tonight Live, Review, Dateline, Denton, and Express. On 1 April 2016 Robyn Archer AO was inducted into the South Australian Music Hall of Fame.




SINGLES 
''Waltzing Matilda / You Scratch My Back And I'll Scratch Yours'' [with Headband] 1971 Pepper 
''Things Are So Slow / Outback'' 1977 Larrikin 
''Sweet Solitary Blues'' 1986 ABC 
''Eating On The Plane / Mrs Bottle's (Absolutely Blurtingly Beautiful World Beating) Burp'' 1990 ABC

EPs 
'Excerpts From A Star Is Torn' 1982 Cube

ALBUMS 
'Take Your Partners For... The Ladies Choice' 1977 Larrikin
'The Wild Girl In The Heart' 1978 Larrikin
'A Star Is Torn' 1980 Trafalgar Records
'Tonight: Lola Blau' 1980 Trafalgar
'Robyn Archer Sings Brecht' 1981 EMI
'Rough As Guts' 1981 Armada Records
'Robyn Archer Sings Brecht Volume Two' 1984 EMI
'Mrs. Bottle's (Absolutely Blurtingly Beautiful World-Beating) Burp' 1990 ABC
'Ancient Wonders' 1993 Larrikin
'Keep Up Your Standards!' 1997 Larrikin
'Classic Cabaret Rarities' 2019 Rouseabout Records




References

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Robyn_Archer


Thursday, 28 November 2013

ROBYNE DUNN



Robyne Dunn (born 1963) is a jazz singer, songwriter and pianist living in the Blue Mountains west of Sydney. She is probably most famous for having recorded a version of ''Stairway to Heaven'' (the ‘Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds’ version) but is also responsible for a number of jazzy folky poppy style records which in their own way salute Burt Bacharach, Elton John, Elvis Costello and Kate Bush as much as Led Zeppelin. She emerged in the late 80’s via Mushroom Records and recorded her five-track debut self-titled EP in 1987. She was nominated for the 1990 ARIA Award for Best Female Artist with her debut album 'Labour Of Liberty', In 1992, she also recorded the song "You and Me" with Geoff Robertson & Kevin Bennett for the Yoram Gross movie Blinky Bill: The Mischievous Koala. Albums that followed were: 'Stowaway' (1994), 'Spindrift' (1997) and 'Songs from The Belfry' (2007). These days she enjoys the occasional gig.




SINGLES
''My Spark And Me / Walk Alone'' 1989 Mushroom 
''History / Famous Big Trouble'' 1989 Mushroom 
''My Spark And Me / The Street'' 1990 Mushroom 

EPs
'Robyne Dunn' 1987 Mushroom

ALBUMS
'Labour Of Liberty' 1989 Mushroom
'Stowaway' 1994 MDS
'Spindrift' 1997 EMI
'Live At The Basement' 2002 Laughing Outlaw Records
'Songs From The Belfry' 2006 Laughing Outlaw Records






THE MIGHTY REAPERS


When US actor and designer beer salesman Jim Belushi was in Australia, he took time out to sit in with one of this city`s favourite blues and soul combos, The Mighty Reapers. Belushi had been tipped off back in the US by Dan Ackroyd, as presenter Jake Elwood of the nationally syndicated "House Of Blues" radio programme who had been featuring the Mighty Reapers album released in the US on Terra Nova Records. The Mighty Reapers were formed by "Continental" Robert Susz out of the ashes of the Dynamic Hepnotics back in 1988.

The Hepnotics had shot to the top of the Australian charts with "Soul Kind Of Feeling", the biggest selling Australian single in 1985, and the most broadcast single on Australian radio in 1986. The Mighty Reapers were in constant demand for festival and club dates throughout Australia and when international blues and R&B artists came to town it`s more than often that the Reapers were chosen to support or back them. This list of luminaries includes B.B.King, Margie Evans, Stevie Ray Vaughan, Lucky Peterson, Clarence Gatemouth Brown, Bobby Radcliff, Hubert Sumlin and Mojo Buford, Lonnie Mack, Johnny Copeland, Little Charlie and the Nightcats, Big Jay McNeely, Louisiana Red and Billy Branch, Buddy Guy, Screaming Jay Hawkins, Albert King, John Hammond, John King Cleary, Joe Louis Walker, Billy Boy Arnold, The Holmes Brothers and many, many more.

The Reapers released four albums in their own right as well as their highly acclaimed collaboration with US blues and soul diva Margie Evans. In Australia you can find the Reapers on Rufus Records with whom they built a long and very successful association. In the USA the Californian based Terra Nova label has released all the Reapers' albums and they have received extensive airplay on college and public radio. Vito Portolesi died in 2018.

Members

Dave Brewer (guitar, vocals), Antero Ceschin (drums), Clayton Doley (Hammond organ), Fabian Hevia  (percussion), Vito Portolesi (bass), Sammila Sithole (percussion), Robert Susz (vocals, harmonica), Rob Woolf (keyboards), Hamish Stuart (drums), Richard Ruhle (drums)





ALBUMS
'The Mighty Reapers' 1993 Rufus Records 
'Trouble People' 1994 Rufus Records 
'You Gotta Reap' 1996 Rufus Records 
'The Hurt Is On' 1998 Terra Nova Records

 





Wednesday, 27 November 2013

ASTEROID B-612


Asteroid B-612 was formed in 1992 in Sydney. By the following year the line-up of Michael Gibbons on guitar, Grant McIver on lead vocals, Scott Nash on bass guitar, Darren Pierce on drums and John Spittles on guitar, recorded their debut self-titled album. It appeared on Destroyer Records. According to Australian musicologist, Ian McFarlane, they were "playing its brand of hard-edged Detroit-inspired 'sonic rock action'... Without falling prey to the pitfalls of such an established form, the band overlayed its bedrock of raunchy 12 bar blues with textbook riffs and searing, dual lead guitar workouts." They issued a split single, "Crash Landing" with a track ''Rock Action'' by fellow Sydney rockers, Brother Brick on B side on the Brain Salad Surgery label.

By late 1994 Stewart Cunningham (ex-Proton Energy Pills, Brother Brick) had replaced Gibbons on guitar and Ben Fox replaced Pierce on drums to record their second album, 'Forced into a Corner'. It was co-produced by Spittles, Lindsay Gravina and Dave Thomas for Destroyer Records, distributed by Shock Records, at Birdland Studios, Melbourne. The group signed with Melbourne-based label, Au Go Go Records, which issued their five-track EP, 'Teen Sublimation Riffs', in 1995. The group toured the United States supporting garage rockers, Gas Huffer. Cunningham left in mid-tour in late 1996.

The group's "third and best album", 'Not Meant for this World', appeared in October 1996 and had been recorded with Cunningham before he left. Mike DaRonco of AllMusic observed, "On top of their added approach of angst and speed, provided their take on a grittier, straight forward approach of rock 'n' roll in the vein of The Stooges, Blue Oyster Cult and The New York Dolls." The Barman of I-94 Bar website opined, "its original incarnation suffered from a lack of balls in the bottom end".

After the album appeared Ken Watts (ex-Valvolux) joined on guitar, and they continued touring in early 1997. McIver left during that year and was replaced by John's brother, Grahame Spittles on lead vocals. In November 1997 they released a single, "September Crush", with the members adopting performance names, Ben "Barn Stormer" Fox, Scott "Galveston" Nash, "Deluxe" Grahame Spittles, Johnny "Casino" Spittles and Ken "the Killer" Watts. A six-track EP, 'Different Licks for Different Chicks', followed in February 1999 on Rambling Records. They recorded their fourth studio album, 'Readin' Between the Lines' (2000), with Kent Steadman (of Celibate Rifles) producing for Full Toss Records. I-94 Bar's Roberto Calabro felt, "it's a great collection of songs. A record that opens the sonic possibilities of this band, going from the unbeatable hi-energy rock 'n' roll trademark to psychedelic numbers, from hard-driven mid-tempo to melodic songs with continuity." The group disbanded in 2004.

In late 2019 Golden Robot Records released all of the back catalogue for the first time on all digital platforms worldwide, this relationship was 20 plus years in the making with Golden Robot Owner Mark Alexander-Erber once owning the famous Iron Duke Hotel in Sydney where Asteroid B-612 would once play. Golden Robot has now released all of Johnny Casino's albums (Asteroid / Secrets / Easy Action / Solo) on all digital platforms. Bassist Scott Nash died on 28 December 2022.

 Members

John Spittles (guitar), Scott Nash (bass), Jason Slattery (vocals), Darren Pierce (drums), Michael Gibbons (guitar), Grant McIver (vocals), Ben Fox (drums), Stewart Cunningham (guitar), Ken Watt (guitar), Grahame Spittles (vocals)




SINGLES
"Crash Landing" 1995 Brain Salad Surgery
"Straight Back to You!" 1996 Broken
"September Crush" 1997 Au Go Go Records
"So Long, Goodbye" 1999 Full Toss
"Outcast" 2000 Full Toss

EPs
'Teen Sublimation Riffs' 1995 Au Go Go Records
'Different Licks for Different Chicks' 1998 Rambling Records

ALBUMS
'Asteroid B-612' 1993 Destroyer
'Forced into a Corner' 1994 Destroyer
'Not Meant for this World' 1996 Au Go Go Records
'Readin' Between the Lines' 2000 Full Toss





References

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Asteroid_B-612

LIONEL LONG



Lionel Long was born in Burwood, New South Wales in 1939 to Ernest Sydney and Aileen G.H. (née Ellis-Lynch) Long. He grew up in Bondi with his mother Aileen and father Ernest who was an accomplished violinist. He went to Christian Brothers School where he was an A-grade student and won many scholarships to continue his education. On completion of his high school years, Long decided to go and work as a jackaroo in the Hunter Valley and then into the expansive outback of Queensland where he also honed his skills in singing and playing guitar.

Long returned with his family to Sydney, where he attended Hawkesbury Agricultural College, studying commercial art and marine biology. He learned to play the guitar with his long-time friend Gary Shearston. Both young men had a fondness for country and folk music and shared song verses at the Long family home at Rose Bay. It was here where the idea arrived to pen their book Australian Bush Songs.

While studying at Hawkesbury Agricultural College, Long's musical talent was recognised by Ron Wills of EMI Columbia, and he was signed to the music label. Wills had previously produced the breakthrough Australian country hit "Pub With No Beer" by Slim Dusty and had also signed Frank Ifield to the label. Long's friend Gary Shearston also went on to fame, recording on the CBS records label.

The 1950s and early 1960s saw folk music become popular in Australia with the success of American folk revivalists such as the Weavers and the Kingston Trio and, later, Bob Dylan, Joan Baez and Peter Paul and Mary. The Australian folk music scene's popularity was aided by the international success of the Australian group The Seekers. Australian musicians and producers started to research and rediscover Australian folk music from the 18th and 19th centuries, such as "Botany Bay", "Bound For South Australia" and the most famous of all Australian folk songs, "Waltzing Matilda". It was this folk music revival that made EMI Columbia insist that Long move away from his love of country music and record folk music.

In 1958, Long released his first singles. Through the EMI Columbia label, he released many albums from 1961 to 1970, meeting critical acclaim and becoming Australia's most popular performer of traditional "bush music". After his first LP in 1961, 'Waltzing Matilda', and his second in 1962, 'Wild Colonial Boy', Long had established himself as a household name. In 1963, he released his third LP, 'The Bold Bushrangers: Songs of Wild Colonial Days', which featured Australian artist Sidney Nolan's Ned Kelly on the sleeve. In 1964, he was presented with a gold record by EMI Records for his first LP 'Waltzing Matilda'.

Many of Long's albums featured accompaniment by other musicians, including Dave Guard of the Kingston Trio (who emigrated to Australia in the early 1960s), guitarist and teacher Don Andrews and jazz legend Don Burrows. During the 1960s, Long's profile was boosted by appearances on many TV shows, including the Channel 9 music program Bandstand. In 1962, the rocker Johnny O'Keefe suffered a breakdown after disagreements with the producers of his Johnny O'Keefe Show. While O'Keefe convalesced, Long took over as host of the show, retitled Sing Sing Sing, for a year. Soon after O'Keefe returned to host the show in early 1963, Long's popularity was so strong that he was given his own TV program titled Music Time, which aired for a year. Around this time, Long married Carole Newgrosh.

In 1964, Lionel Long released another LP, this time not entirely Australian folk songs, 'Songs of the Sea'. This album was dedicated to Lionel's early memories of fishing off the coast of New South Wales near Port Macquarie and his boyhood adventure of trying to sail from Sydney to Newcastle (130 km) in a rubber dinghy at the age of 10. Lionel was a keen sailor, having owned boats and spent much time sailing and fishing with friends, many of whom were famous recording artists in their own right.

'Long Ago: Folk Songs of the British Isle' was Lionel Long's 1965 album, and featured him playing a custom-made 6-string lute he purchased in the UK. A photograph of Lionel with his 6-string lute featured on the album cover for this LP and two later ones. 'A Sunburnt Country' was Lionel's next album, which returned to Australiana, its title taken from Dorothea Mackellar's famous poem My Country which featured on the LP as a spoken track. Banjo Paterson's The Man from Snowy River also featured as a spoken track.

In 1966, Lionel Long's next album was 'Amberwren and Other Folk Songs'. His 1967 release 'Today' included the song ''Follow the Wind'', a Bee Gees song that was on the B side of ''Wine and Women''. In 1970, Lionel Long released one more album on the EMI Columbia label, 'Close Up', before signing with RCA and releasing four folk music albums, 'The Man From Snowy River', 'Australia! Australia!', 'Brandied Plums' and 'The Best of Lionel Long'. He also released several singles on RCA.

Lionel Long re-signed with EMI in 1980 and released his final album, 'High, Wild and Handsome', which featured guitarist Tommy Emmanuel, a version of "Let It Be" by the Beatles and the well-known Kermit the Frog song "Rainbow Connection". Lionel performed his music well into the 1980s, appearing at the Sydney Opera House in 1987 and travelling to Nashville, Tennessee, to work with the LeGarde Twins on various recording deals. Lionel Long was awarded the Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM) in the 1993 Australia Day Honours, with the citation, "for service to the performing and visual arts" Lionel Long died on 1 January 1998 at Sacred Heart Hospital in Darlinghurst, Sydney. He was cremated after a small service at the Eastern Suburbs Memorial Park in Matraville, Sydney.





SINGLES
''Hi-di-derry-down-dey / I Love You Best Of All'' 1958 Columbia
''The Bunyip / Searching'' 1959 Columbia
''The Ballad Of Cobb And Co / The Girl With The Auburn Hair'' 1959 Columbia
''Mighty Pyramid / The Note On The Woolshed Wall'' 1959 Columbia
''Botany Bay / Ring-A-Ling'' 1961 Columbia
''Boll Weevil / The Drover's Dream'' 1963 Columbia
''True, True Loving / Love Is An Eagle'' 1965 Columbia
''Missin' You / Got A Feelin'' 1967 Columbia
''To The End Of The World / Somewhere In A Rainbow'' 1968 Columbia
''Nick The Greek / Bindi-i-i'' 1970 Columbia
''Old Colonial Chair / The Gunner And The Baron'' 1974 RCA
''Cash And Co. / 10,000 Miles'' 1975 RCA

EPs
'Lionel Long' 1964 Columbia

ALBUMS
'Waltzing Matilda' 1961 Columbia
'The Wild Colonial Boy' 1962 Columbia
'The Bold Bushrangers (Vol.1) - Songs Of Wild Colonial Days' [with Patricia Cook, Dave Guard, Don Andrews] 1963 Columbia
'Songs Of A Sunburnt Country' 1964 Columbia
'Songs Of The Sea' 1964 Columbia
'Long Ago: Folk Songs of the British Isle' 1964 Columbia
'Amberwren And Other Folk Songs' 1966 Columbia
'Today' 1967 Columbia
'Close Up' 1970 Columbia
'Walkabout' 1970 Columbia
'The Man From Snowy River' 1973 RCA
'Brandied Plums' 1974 RCA
'Australia! Australia!' 1975 RCA
'High, Wild And Handsome' 1980 Axis






References

Lionel Long - Wikipedia



NAZXUL


Nazxul is a black metal band from Sydney that was formed in 1993 by guitarist Adrian Henderson, keyboardist/guitarist Lachlan Mitchell, drummer Steve Hughes (ex-Mortal Sin, Slaughter Lord) and Dalibor Backovic on vocals and bass. A self-titled demo (1994) appeared through Vampire Records. Soon after guitarist Greg Morelli from Sydney thrash band Grungeon joined the fold. Nazxul began work on an album called 'Totem' that was released in 1995. Originally envisioned as a mysterious studio-bound project, the group only appeared in publicity photos as shadowy figures or draped facelessly in cloaks.

Further material was written, during which time Backovic departed and two new members joined, singer Morte from an avant-garde black metal group called Bestianity and guitarist Rev. Kriss Hades from the notorious Sydney death metal band Sadistik Exekution who were experiencing one of their well-known self-imposed dormant periods. This line-up produced the EP 'Black Seed' in 1998 and late in the year played live for the first time at a show in Sydney, with Henderson moving to bass guitar.

Hughes left the group after this to pursue a career in stand-up comedy and soon left Australia to live in the UK. His replacement was Peter Kostic (ex-Front End Loader). Almost immediately, Nazxul was booked to support Finnish extreme metal group Impaled Nazarene on part of an Australian tour. In a remarkable turn of events, Kostic's other band was then approached to tour with British rock group Skunk Anansie over the same period but declined due to the drummer's commitment to Nazxul; the Skunk Anansie tour was in turn cancelled when the group suddenly split up. Morte was fired after this tour and Backovic returned for Nazxul's appearance at the Metal for the Brain festival. In the meantime, 'Black Seed' was re-released with several live tracks recorded during the tour added to the track listing. The cover was slightly amended with the iconography rendered in gold instead of green. After playing a final show for the year all activity from Nazxul then appeared to cease abruptly.

The band was not at an end however. Four tracks of dark ambience, recorded by Henderson, Mitchell and Morelli, were released on a split EP with Melek Tha in 2004. The same year, Nazxul regrouped with a new line-up that included Henderson, Morelli and Mitchell plus two former members of Wollongong black metal band Secretain, Daniel Lomas (vocals) and Luke Mills (guitar), and drummer Tim Yatras from another Wollongong band called Battalion. Originally booked to tour with Dimmu Borgir, the Norwegian band cancelled its visit but several months later Nazxul undertook a tour with Adelaide based gothic metal band Virgin Black instead. Nazxul then became dormant for some time since. Mills continued to play in various black metal bands and Yatras was the drummer with Lord between 2005 and May 2009.

In 2008 Nazxul reformed and were listed as the national support to the Australian leg of Mayhem's tour; this tour was cancelled however. The band completed work on the long-awaited 'Iconoclast' album, first mooted in 1998, during the year. Greg Morelli died in a motorcycle accident in the early morning hours of 20 November 2008 after hitting a greasy patch of the road during a severe storm on Parramatta Road in North Strathfield. Morelli had only just completed guitar parts for the 'Iconoclast' album, before his death. Nazxul has asked everyone who listens to "Oath (Tides Resurrection)" to think of Morelli. The song is in honour of him.

'Iconoclast' was released in mid-2009 by German label Eisenwald Records. Guitarist Petar Peric (ex-Infernal Method) replaced the late Morelli, and drummer John McLaughlin replaced Tim Yatras. International touring went ahead at the end of 2009 with shows in England, Germany, the Netherlands, Belgium and Russia. Nazxul's third album titled 'Irkalla' was released in March 2021.

Members

Adrian Henderson (bass, guitar, keyboards), Lachlan Mitchell (keyboards, guitar), Dalibor Backovic (bass, vocals), Steve Hughes (drums), Greg Morelli (guitar, keyboards, vocals),Rev. Kriss Hades (guitar), Morte (vocals), Daniel Lomas (vocals), Luke Mills (guitar, vocals), Mitchell Keepin (guitar), John Mclaughlin (drums), Peter Peric (guitar), Peter Kostic (drums), Tim Yatras (drums)




EPs
'Black Seed' 1998 Hekal Xul Records
'Quickener of the Dead' 2010 Seance Records

ALBUMS
'Totem' 1995 Vampire Records
'Iconoclast' 2009 Night Birds Records
'Irkalla' 2021 Seanace Records





References

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nazxul


MARIO MILLO


Mario Daniel Millo was born in May 1955, to Italian parents, and was raised in Sydney. He was taught to play mandolin at age five by his father, he learned guitar at eight and fronted his first band, The Menu, at Mitchell High School, Blacktown, when 12. The band won the 1969 2SM Pepsi Pop Poll or 'Battle of the Bands' held at the Sydney Stadium. As a result they signed a contract with a Sydney agency, and, renamed as The Clik, released a single, "La De Da / Yes Sir" on Festival Records in November 1969. Their second single, "Mary Mary / Uptight Basil" was issued in March 1970. They were hired by Coca-cola and, as The Fantasy, promoted orange-flavoured Fanta in a series of TV ads, "Fancy Nancy". The Fantasy toured Australia and New Zealand but disbanded in 1971. Millo travelled around Europe for six months and returned to Australia in early 1972 to reform The Clik with a new line-up of Garry Adams on lead guitar, Doug Bligh on drums (both ex-Galadriel), and Phil Cogan on bass guitar. Justin McCoy replaced Adams on lead guitar, however The Clik separated in October 1973.

Millo joined the Sydney-based pop group Sebastian Hardie to replace their founding lead guitarist, Graham Ford after they had released a debut single, "All Right Now / The Professional" on RCA. With Millo, Sebastian Hardie included Alex Plavsic on drums and his brother Peter Plavsic on bass guitar. They released a second single, "Mermaid On The Sand / Day After Day" in April 1974. By that stage, Toivo Pilt had joined on keyboards, Millo had taken on lead vocals, and Sebastian Hardie began playing more original progressive rock material. They became Australia's first symphonic rock group and released their debut album, 'Four Moments' in August 1975. The album, produced by former member, Jon English, peaked at #13 on the Kent Music Report Albums Chart. "Rosanna", written by Millo, appeared on the related Singles Chart.

The band released a second album, 'Windchase' in February 1976 which had less chart success, the group split in June. After a court case over use of the name Sebastian Hardie, Millo's new group was called Windchase with Pilt joined by former bandmate (The Clik) Doug Bligh on drums and Doug Nethercote on bass guitar. Windchase released 'Symphinity', in June 1977, which had a heavier jazz-fusion sound but did not chart. The group disbanded in October and Millo began his solo career. Millo and Jon English worked on the soundtrack for the 1978 TV series Against the Wind – English also had a starring role in the period drama.

The album reached #10 and its associated single "Six Ribbons" peaked at #5. Against the Wind was screened in the United Kingdom and through Scandinavia, where it was translated a''Mot alla vindar'' (1980). Both the album, its title track and "Six Ribbons" peaked at #1 on the Norwegian albums and singles charts respectively. "Six Ribbons" and the album, peaked at #4 on the Swedish charts. Millo and English toured Scandinavia in 1980 using English's backing band, Baxter Funt. Millo recorded the track, "Rebecca" for the various artists' 'Australian Guitar Album' released in 1979, it was issued as a shared single with Harvey James' "Let It Go". Millo's debut solo album 'Epic III' appeared in November on Polydor Records, he engineered and produced the album using Jackie Orszaczky on bass guitar and Mark Kennedy on drums.

"Life in Your Hands" had been issued as a single in August but neither album nor single had any chart success. Millo followed with his second solo album, 'Human Games' in March 1983. His third solo album, 'Oceans of the Mind', was released in 2002. Millo provided electric and acoustic guitars, mandolin, lead vocals and Hammond organ; he wrote all the tracks and produced the album for Red Moon Music. His band members were Jeff Camilleri on bass guitar and backing vocals and Robbie Siracusa on drums and percussion. Guest musicians were David Hirschfelder on Nord synthesiser and Dave Wilkins and Jess Millo on backing vocals.

In 1984, Millo released the original soundtrack for World Safari II: The Final Adventure, a film documentary by Alby Mangels. He followed with the soundtrack of television mini-series, A Fortunate Life in 1986. Millo developed a successful career in television and film soundtrack composition and production, winning six industry awards for work in The Lighthorsemen (1987), G.P. (1989), Brides of Christ (1991, two awards), See How They Run (1999) and Changi (2001). Brides of Christ won an Australian Record Industry Association (ARIA) Music Award in 1992 for 'Best Original Soundtrack Album' - Millo was nominated for the same award in 1997 for G.P. and in 2002 for Changi. In 1994, Millo, Pilt and the Plavsic brothers briefly reformed Sebastian Hardie to perform at a progressive rock festival, ProgFest, in Los Angeles, which was recorded and eventually released as 'Sebastian Hardie – Live in L.A'. in 1997. They played material from 'Four Moments', 'Windchase', 'Symphinity', and 'Epic III'.  Another reunion occurred in 2003 when supporting the British art rock band, Yes on their Australian tour.





SINGLES
''Six Ribbons / Mary's Theme'' [with Jon English] 1978 Polydor 
''Life In Your Hands / Sogno D'amore (Love In Dreams)'' 1979 Polydor 
''Rebecca'' Razzle 
''You / People Like Us'' 1982 Wheatley
''Breaking Away / People Like Us'' 1983 Wheatley

ALBUMS
'Against The Wind' [with Jon English] 1978 Polydor
'Epic III' 1979 Polydor
'Human Games' 1983 Wheatley
'World Safari II' (TV Documentary Soundtrack) 1984 Powderworks
'A Fortunate Life' (TV Soundtrack') 1986 Polydor
'The Lighthorsemen (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack)' 1987 Festival
'Shame' (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack) DRG Records
'Brides Of Christ' 1991 (TV Soundtrack) Silver City Records
'Music From The Television Series "GP"' 1996 Silver City Records
'Paws' ((Original Motion Picture Soundtrack) 1997 Larrikin Entertainment Pty Ltd.
'Oceans Of The Mind' 2001 Red Moon Music
'Changi - Music From The ABC TV Series' 2001 Universal Music
  



References

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mario_Millo


Tuesday, 26 November 2013

TONY BONNER


Tony Bonner (born 23 November 1943) is an Australian television, film and stage actor and singer. Bonner became famous in the 1960s children's television series Skippy the Bush Kangaroo, later moving on to lead roles in the dramas Cop Shop and Skyways. In 1968 he recorded the album 'Introducing Australia's Tony Bonner' which featured a cover version of the Bee Gees song "Wine and Women". He later appeared with Barry Gibb on an episode of Bandstand. Later in his career Bonner appeared in several stage musicals including Annie Get Your Gun and How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying. In 2017 Bonner was appointed a Member of the Order of Australia for significant service to the performing arts as an actor, to surf lifesaving, and to the community through charitable organisations.




SINGLES
''Myst'ry Man / Would You Love Me Girl'' 1968 Festival

ALBUMS
'Introducing Australia’s Tony Bonner' 1968 Festival




References

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tony_Bonner


THE PYRAMIDIACS


The Pyramidiacs was formed at the end of the 1980s with Eddie Owen on guitar, Phil Byrne on vocals and guitar, Mick Baty on drums and Mick's brother Steve on bass. Steve didn't stay long and was replaced by Kendall James. After a few party gigs Baty pulled the pin and was replaced by Luke Owen. They went into hiatus for a while and then reformed with Bob Susnjara on bass and Baty returning.

Based in the Sydney suburb of Fairfield, Australia, they took upon a musical idolization for the Replacements, Teenage Fanclub, Big Star and Matthew Sweet. In 1990 they entered a band competition held at Eddie's Uni. By winning first prize they had a enough money to cut a single ''Can't Keep A Hold Of You'' released by Zero Hour. It did surprisingly well reaching #11 on the alternative charts. Soon after Byrne departed and was replaced by guitarist Mick ''Funter'' O'Regan. The following year saw the Pyramidiacs' album, 'All You Want', released through Pink Flamingo Records before their 1995 European tour. 

Members

Eddie Owen (guitar, vocals), Bob Susnjara (bass, vocals), Mick Baty (drums), Mick O'Regan (guitar), Kendall James (bass), Luke Owen (drums)




SINGLES
''No Soul / Forever Gone'' 1991 Zero Hour 
''Can't Keep A Hold On You / Out Of Sight'' 1991 Zero Hour 

EPs
'Krunch!' 1993 Pink Flamingo
'Superstar' 1995 Pink Flamingo
'Pyramidiacs Vrs Challenger 7' 1998 Tomboy Records

ALBUMS
'All You Want' 1994 Pink Flamingo






SEGRESSION


Originally known as Eezee, the band had recorded an EP in 1993 and the 1995 album 'Rise From Darkness'. The group had also played support shows with Morbid Angel, Machine Head and Deicide. The line-up at this time was Christiaan Rand (bass, vocals), Sven Sellin (guitar), James Broadbent (guitar) and John Buckley (drums). The group decided to change its name after moving into in a thrash direction in mid-1994. Formed from a conjunction of the words "segregated" and "aggression" (which was later a track on the fourth album), Segression announced its new name on New Year's Day 1996 and played its first show, at the Cambridge Hotel in Newcastle, a few weeks later. By this time, Broadbent had been replaced by Shane Partridge. Some of Broadbent's playing appears on the first album, which was already underway. A show in Sydney with Fear Factory and a rigid touring schedule that took in several centres in regional New South Wales followed. The album 'L.I.A'., an abbreviation for lesson in aggression, was released in October 1996.

In 1997, Segression continued to tour solidly, featuring on several shows of Mortal Sin's comeback tour at the same time as working on its second album. 'Fifth Of The Fifth' took its name from a prediction that the world would end on 5 May 2000 and was released in September. The album consolidated the band's success on the Australian metal scene and also saw the introduction of the nu metal elements into their music.

During 1998 the group played a national support tour with Ozzy Osbourne and late in the year John Buckley was asked to leave due to personal issues, opening the door to Adrian Herbert. Segression toured with Strapping Young Lad soon after, and with this new line-up, Segression then headlined one of the First annual Australian Metal Festivals - Metal For The Brain. Then the band toured nationally with Fear Factory and toured most of Australia doing their own shows or playing smaller festivals. The latter part of 1999 was spent writing and recording a new album and playing live rarely.

The early part of 2000 was spent touring with Soulfly which culminated in Chris Rand being asked to perform the song "Bleed" with Soulfly at the Sydney Big Day Out. The 'Smile' album surfaced in early 2000 during a national tour with Slipknot. The album was released to critical acclaim on Roadrunner Records' Australian development label Dark Carnival. The relationship with Roadrunner soured almost immediately and Segression was forced to do virtually all of the promotion for the album itself but due to the hugely successful tour with Slipknot the 'Smile' album went on to become the most successful of their career, and to this date it is still one of the highest selling metal albums released in Australia.

Segression toured extensively behind the 'Smile' album and in fact were voted Best live band, Best Guitarist and Best Vocalist in a public poll held in a high-profile music magazine. After being announced as part of that year's Metal for the Brain festival, Segression decided to withdraw from the show, instead announcing a move to the United States after a final near sold-out Australian tour.

Segression moved to Chicago in early 2001 and played some club shows on their own as well as with Hatebreed and Shadows Fall. Although these shows were a success they were mainly there to write and record new material which ended in a week-long recording session at Chicago's Groove Master Studios where Disturbed and Sevendust had recorded albums. They returned to Australia in May to tour nationally with Pantera and Corrosion of Conformity. Adrian Herbet decided to leave the band after he could no longer dedicate fully to the band and was replaced by Keith Owen. June 2002 saw the release of the band's fourth album 'Segression'. After a particularly large touring schedule for the album, Segression played a final show in December in Wollongong NSW. After the show the band had gone into the studio to record a follow-up album. This album took a new direction, putting Segression in an unofficial hiatus.

In late 2003, Segression announced that the band was on indefinite hold. With the addition of bass player Michael Caruana, all members of Segression created Side Effect X, a melodic heavy rock band. The new band was announced during the 2003 Musicoz Awards and participated in the 2004 Live 'n Local unsigned bands competition on Channel Ten's Video Hits. That group released a single, "Turn the Page" and an album called 'Life' featuring music videos for the songs "Get Off Me", "Waste Of Time" and "Golden Skies". After a few shows and a small push by the band for this album they decided to go their separate ways, leaving both Side Effect X and Segression up in the air with no plans for either band to tour or play shows again.

In mid-2009 a new Myspace and Facebook page became active, and rumours went around that the band was back together. This was later confirmed with an official Facebook page post stating that singer/bass player Chris Rand, guitarist Shane Partridge and drummer Adrian Herbet had in fact reformed the band and in Oct 2009 the band announced on their Myspace that they will be playing a return show at Sydney's Gaelic Club. Segression's return show on 30 November 2009 was completely sold out.

After the success of this show the band decided to return full-time adding guitarist Michael Katselos (Fozzy) with long term guitarist Sven Sellin opting out of the reformation (as he was concentrating on his two other bands, Veil and Sentient). In November 2010 Segression were confirmed as the "Special Guests" on the December 2010 Australian east coast tour by Fozzy which features WWE star Chris Jericho and Stuck Mojo guitarist Rich Ward.

A new album titled 'Never Dead' was released through Riot/Warner on 22 April 2011 and was preceded by a special iTunes only single, "Hero Anthem" on 18 March 2011 which debuted at #2. According to the band's Facebook and Myspace postings," this album is just us being us completely" and it was produced by singer/bassist Chris Rand. "Never Dead" was possibly one of the band's most critically acclaimed albums and sold very well, reaching #1 on iTunes charts and selling out in retail outlets. The band then proceeded to play selected shows to great crowds, although the number of shows had been limited. The music video for "Blood Lace Black Day" was ranked #21 in the ABC's RAGE top 50 clips of 2011. 2012 - Guitarist Sven Sellin returned to the band replacing Shane Partridge. In January 2013 the band started recording their 6th studio album with a release expected sometime in 2014.

In early of 2014, Segression needed a drummer that could play the new material. Sven's longtime friend Adam (Adz) Bunnell, who also plays drums in Sven's other bands (Veil/Fuelled Within/Raising Bodhi) replaced Adrian Herbert and jumped at the opportunity to play the bands new powerful and dynamic sound, and started recording drums for the new album immediately.

As of March 2014, with all the songs completed and recorded, the album moves into the final stages of mixing and mastering. With a release expected for the beginning of Spring, the new album entitled "Painted in Blood" will be the bands most solid, ultra tight, bone crushing album ever released, In late September 2014 the band announced a release date of October 4. But a few days later then pushed the album to its official release date of Friday 10 October. Presale orders for the album started on the 27th of September. The music video for the opening title track of the album was released on the 7th of November.

Members

Christiaan Rand (bass, vocals), Sven Sellin (guitar), James Broadbent (guitar), John Buckley (drums), Shane Partridge (guitar), Adrian Herbert (drums), Keith Owen (drums), Michael Katselos (guitar), Adam Bunnell (drums)




ALBUMS
'L.I.A.' 1996 Oracle
'Fifth of the Fifth' 1997 Oracle
'Smile' 2000 Roadrunner 
'Segression' 2002 Murder Machine 
'Life' 2004 Murder Machine 
'Never Dead' 2011 Warner
'Painted in Blood' 2014 Murder Machine 





References

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Segression