classic and rare Australian popular music from the 1950's, 1960's. 1970's and beyond..including rock and roll, pop, beat, rock, surf and progressive, plus contemporary artists, new releases, reviews and other fun stuff

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Showing posts with label Garage-Rock. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Garage-Rock. Show all posts

Thursday, September 19, 2024

The Clarion Set (The Story Of Australian Independent Label Clarion 1965-1974)

 


Compilation of the pioneering 60s/early 70s Australian independent Clarion label. A smorgasbord of driving R&B, sunshine pop, studio psychedelia and progressive rock recorded in Perth, Western Australia. Based in Perth, teenager Martin Clarke was working at a local radio station when he converted a spare bedroom into a makeshift recording studio. That modest early venture evolved into Martin Clarke Recording Studios, which opened in 1962 to become Perth's first professional recording facility. By the time the studio purchased a four-track in 1966, Clarke had launched the Clarion label, working with a constant stream of solo singers and beat/R&B groups. With a raised profile after Perth TV personality Johnny Young had a national hit with the Easybeats-penned 'Step Back', Clarion signed a number of promising new acts that included The Valentines (featuring a pre-AC/DC Bon Scott) and Young's TV colleague Robbie Snowden. Clarion went on to have a number of regional and national successes, releasing interesting music into the 70s (British expatriates The Birds and Chalice, plus local progressive rockers Fatty Lumpkin) before Clarke wound down the label and relocated to England. 

'The Clarion Set' assembles the pick of the label's roster, with choice selections from the aforementioned acts as well as female-fronted folk rockers Gemini, powerhouse R&B/soul vocalist Ray Hoff, pre-Valentines garage band The Spektors and in-house psychedelic experiment The Vegetable Garden. (Amazon review)

1965-1967

1-1 Russ Kennedy And The Little Wheels– I've Got My Eyes On You (And I Like What I See)

1-2 The Times – Glad, Not Sad

1-3 Ray Hoff & The Off Beats– Bama Lama, Bama Loo

1-4 The Spektors– Gloria

1-5 Johnny Young– Cara-lin

1-6 Mort And The Mobees– Choose Who I Like

1-7 Terry Walker With The The Hi Five– Long Time Gone

1-8 Ray Hoff & The Off Beats– The Uncle Willie

1-9 Glen Ingram With The Hi-Five– Skye Boat Song

1-10 The Kompany– Tell Her No

1-11 Russ Kennedy And The Little Wheels– I've Been Watching You

1-12 Ray Hoff & The Off Beats– My Good Friend Mary Jane

1-13 The Spektors– On My Mind

1-14 Johnny Young– Step Back (demo)

1-15 Russ Kennedy And The Little Wheels– Little Wheel

1-16 Maggie Hammond– Go Laddie

1-17 Glen Ingram With The The Clan – Take This Hammer

1-18 Colin Cook– Cry I Do

1-19 The Valentines – Every Day I Have To Cry

1-20 Ray Hoff & The Off Beats– Looking For My Pig

1-21 Mort And The Mobees– Can't You See

1-22 Maggie Hammond– High Flying Bird

1-23 The Valentines – I Can't Dance With You

1-24 Johnny Young– Good Evening Girl

1-25 Ray Hoff & The Off Beats– Tossin' And Turnin'

1-26 Russ Kennedy And The Little Wheels– Too Much Monkey Business

1-27 Glen Ingram With The The Clan (8)– That It's Me

1-28 Robby Snowden– No One Really Loves A Clown

1-29 Maggie Hammond– You Won't Be Leaving

1-30 Ray Hoff & The Off Beats– Ain't Doin' Too Bad Pts. 1 And 2

1967-1969

2-1 Johnny Young– Hold On

2-2 The Proclamation– King Of The Mountain

2-3 The Valentines – Love Makes Sweet Music

2-4 The Kompany– The Family Way

2-5 The Clan – Peeping Tom

2-6 Chris James – Da Doo Ron Ron

2-7 Ray Hoff & The Off Beats– Love, Love, Love

2-8 Johnny Young– Come On Up

2-9 Robby Snowden– Talkin'

2-10 Glen Ingram– I'll Be Doggone

2-11 The Birds– No Good Without You

2-12 The Valentines – Sookie Sookie

2-13 Johnny Young– Craise Finton Kirk (Royal Academy Of Arts)

2-14 Robby Snowden– Sunshine Rides On A Trolley

2-15 The Troupadours– Come Home Baby

2-16 Colin Cook– You Baby

2-17 Ray Hoff & The Off Beats– I've Got To Get You

2-18 The Soul Purpose – Hip Huggin' Mini

2-19 Robby Snowden– Do You Want To Dance

2-20 The Troupadours– Near To Me

2-21 The Valentines – Peculiar Hole In The Sky

2-22 Johnny Young– Geno Pts 1 And 2

2-23 The Clan – Sunday Afternoon

2-24 Robby Snowden– Just A Little

2-25 The Troupadours– Little Boat

2-26 The Kompany– Little Joe The Boxer

2-27 Strawberry Fair– Come Back And Shake Me

2-28 The Proclamation– Tea And Sympathy (Don't You Worry)

2-29 Johnny Young– Every Christian Lionhearted Man Will Show You

2-30 The Valentines – She Said

2-31 Colin Cook– Riot In Cell Block Number 9

1969-1974

3-1 The Birds– Magic Words

3-2 Chalice – In My World

3-3 Swingshift – Somebody To Love

3-4 The Vegetable Garden– Hypnotic Suggestion

3-5 Gemini – Sunshine River

3-6 Willpower – Soul Finger

3-7 The Soul Purpose – Boogaloo Down Broadway

3-8 Strawberry Fair – Things We Said Today

3-9 The Vegetable Garden– Even Stevens

3-10 Fatty Lumpkin– Got To Get Back T' Nellie

3-11 Chalice – Ebenezer

3-12 The Birds– Dust In My Pants

3-13 Gemini – Twelve Thirty (Young Girls Are Coming To The Canyon)

3-14 Chalice – Mr. Won't You Help Me

3-15 The Soul Purpose – Share

3-16 Willpower – Spinning Wheel

3-17 Swingshift – We Can Work It Out

3-18 The Birds– Rene

3-19 Fatty Lumpkin– Don't Knock My Boogie

3-20 Chalice – Nearly Gone

3-21 Gemini– Butterfly Wings

3-22 Swingshift – Here, There & Everywhere

3-23 The Birds– I See The Rain

3-24 Chalice – Nine To Five Girl

3-25 Fatty Lumpkin – Millionaire




Sunday, January 19, 2020

So You Wanna Be A Rock'n'Roll Star - various Australian artists...the last and first post

The Aussie Music Blog is winding down and I won't be posting any more. Thank you to all the visitors and readers who have stopped by over the years and left supportive comments, I do appreciate them. 

For this last post I am sharing again the very first post from this blog (originally posted in December 2012), the compilation album "So You Wanna be A Rock'n'Roll Star", one of the most popular posts from the blog. This now very rare 82 track compilation presents some of the more popular and obscure music from the 1960's and is the perfect anthology for fans of classic Australian music. This version is in FLAC with all artwork. The MP3 version can be found on the original post HERE.






 


Wednesday, November 28, 2018

Sydney-based surf band Forest Hall release new single and music video “Broke Forever”

Sydney-based surf band Forest Hall recently released their new single and music video “Broke Forever”. This is the first offering from the bands sophomore EP. Broke Forever serves as an anthem for the youth with relatable lyrics and themes. Written in the Blue Mountains of New South Wales, it’s quite easy to feel the bands character and drive behind the release.

We’re hoping people enjoy the song sonically and can relate to the lyrics, being young and broke but still managing a fun time. We want to transport people to a 1960’s garage near the beach.”




Having been compared to heavy weights such as Wavves & Queens of The Stone Age, the band is most favoured for their punchy, lo-fi garage rock vibes and were finalist in Hhhhappy Magazines “Needle in the Hay” during 2017. The single is also accompanied by a music video that stars Australian internet sensation and comedian Freindlyjordies who undertakes various activities of youthly nature which ties into the theme of the song itself.  




After playing the local Sydney circuit for some time and gearing up to release their Sophomore EP, Forest Hall are a promising collective to keep your eyes on.




Thursday, October 18, 2018

Central Coast-based indie-rock trio IVY release fuzz-laden frenetic new cut ‘Sinners Grin’


Central Coast-based indie-rock trio IVY have recently released their fuzz-laden frenetic new cut ‘Sinners Grin’ – produced by Mitta Norath (Endless Heights, Introvert, Eat Your Heart Out)

Combining hard-hitting garage-infused rock n’ roll with psychedelic and blues inspired riffs, ‘Sinners Grin’ is another huge leap forward for the group, made up of its unapologetic walls of searing guitars, thumping rhythmic section and howling hooks from charismatic front man Kane Brown.  



Since 2015 inception, IVY have become a mainstay on the East Coast touring and boutique festival circuit, supporting Violent Soho, British India and The Delta Riggs, and gracing the stages of Bluesfest, Mountain Sounds Festival and Snowtunes. Their previous tracks have been supported by the likes of triple j, MTV and worldwide radio. 

I love the punch this has and it's high energy”. - Claire Mooney - triple j (AUS)

Prepared to be entranced in some quality indie rock swagger”.

Savage Thrills (AUS)

FOLLOW IVY

Friday, April 6, 2018

Yes Yes Whatever reveal new single 'Mushrooms'...breakneck speed rocker!


Melbourne garage rockers Yes Yes Whatever are set to release new single ‘Mushrooms’, the unruly new follow-up to debut single ‘Lacklustre’.

‘Mushrooms’ is a boisterous race from start to finish, a bruising punk-infused riff and contagious chorus set off by punchy, undeniably danceable percussion. The band’s knack for the anecdotal is in full force, shining through in their trademark tongue-in-cheek, self-aware lyrics.

Front man Oscar Galt describes the essence of the track:

"Mushrooms is a cautionary tale exploring the ramifications of experimentation with psychedelics when young and impressionable. It's essentially about losing your mind while your more relaxed friends remain unaffected, and how that changes you."

"A rocker that just chugs along at breakneck speed and by the time you recover the only thing left to do is hit that replay buttonWe All Want Someone to Shout For (USA)






The band spent late 2017 carving out their niche in the Melbourne music scene, winning attention for their irreverent perspective and brazen sound. Off the back of single ‘Lacklustre’, they cut their live teeth supporting the likes of RAT!Hammock, Househats and BATZ, making appearances at venues such as The Old Bar, Melbourne and The Workers Club, Geelong.


FOLLOW YES YES WHATEVER

Monday, March 19, 2018

Melbourne-based indie-punk group Househats drop new party jam 'Stop'



Following on from their critically praised debut cut 'All Together', Melbourne-based indie-punk group, Househats, have just unveiled their new single 'Stop' - recorded and mixed by the same All Together team of Dan Caswell (Horace Bones, DIET.) and Michael Badger (King Gizzard & The Lizard Wizard, IV League).

Taking cues from the trio's staple influences Eddy Current Suppression Ring, Omni and Parquet Courts, 'Stop' combines elements of garage-rock and post-punk, while also blending well-crafted pop sensibilities, that are sure to inspire many rowdy house party sing-a-longs.




Drummer Joshua De Laurentiis describes the motivation behind the track:

"Life can often just get away from you, and Stop is about really dialling back the hectic speed in this age of post-millennial malaise and trying to get yourself back on track"

Debut single 'All Together' was strongly supported across all of the triple j platforms (with high rotation on triple j unearthed and multiple spins on some of triple j's biggest programs Goodnights, 2017 with Richard Kingsmill, Home & Hosed) along with love from worldwide radio and tastemaker blogs.

They've shared stages with The Gooch Palms and Mike Noga (The Drones), and to coincide with this release, Househats will perform at Sydney Road Street Party, Cruisin' For A Boozin' and By The Meadow.


FOLLOW HOUSEHATS

Friday, September 8, 2017

Sydney-based punk-rock trio Whispering Jackie release new single "Breaking Up"



Sydney-based punk-rock trio Whispering Jackie have recently released their new single ‘Breaking Up This Time’. Recorded and mixed by Daniel Antix (Gay Paris, Sound of Seasons) at Def Wolf Studios, Sydney, ‘Breaking Up This Time’ is the lead track lifted from their forthcoming sophomore EP ‘For The Moment’ (due late-2017)

Combining elements of punk, grunge and garage-rock, ‘Breaking Up This Time’ takes cues from the likes of the group’s staple influences Magic Dirt, Sonic Youth and Hole, whilst melding more modern sounds of White Lung, Best Coast and DZ Deathrays.

Stream the track on SOUNDCLOUD HERE



Front woman Sare Jackie describes the inspiration and meaning behind the track:

“Breaking Up This Time describes being in an on-off relationship and the ambiguity of not knowing where you stand. The song is sung from my point of view where I'm the one that's being left, and I'm pleading with them to stay, even though I know deep down it's not the right thing for me. It's a situation that heaps of people find themselves in, so I wanted to write a song about that struggle. Everyone's afraid of being left alone.”

Whispering Jackie’s 2016 debut EP ‘Social Isolation’ was received warmly by the Australian punk community, with single ‘Casino Mate’ getting spun on triple j’s ‘short.fast.loud’, 4ZZZ, FBi, RTR and various other community stations.

Marty's take: If it's a good dose of punk-rock you need to get the adrenaline pumping then these guys have the energy to deliver it.




“Part of me is somewhat concerned about Sare's vocal chords, but I feel that is the essence of punk rock. This is ruthless. Nice one!”
Josh Merriel – triple j (AUS)
“That's a serious set of pipes!”
Lachie Macara – triple j (AUS)


FOLLOW WHISPERING JACKIE


Friday, January 20, 2017

Hoodoo Gurus...Electric Soup..The Singles Collection



Hoodoo Gurus (referred to as "The Gurus" by fans), formed in Sydney in 1981, by the mainstay Dave Faulkner (songwriter, lead singer and guitarist) and later joined by Richard Grossman (bass), Mark Kingsmill (drums), and Brad Shepherd (guitar, vocals, harmonica). Their popularity peaked in the mid to late 1980's with albums Mars Needs Guitars!, Blow Your Cool! and Magnum Cum Louder.

Hoodoo Gurus had a string of acclaimed pop-rock singles including "Leilani" (1982), "Tojo" (1983), "My Girl" (1983), "I Want You Back" (1984), "Bittersweet", "Like Wow - Wipeout!", and "What's My Scene?". After touring the United States from 1984 onwards they gained popularity on the U.S. college rock circuit[4] with singles "Come Anytime" (1989) reaching No. 1 and "Miss Freelove '69" (1991) reaching No. 3 on the Billboard Modern Rock Tracks chart.The Gurus’ biggest Australian hit single was their 1987 Top 3 hit song "What's My Scene?" or, as modified for the National Rugby League 2000s theme, "That's My Team".

Hoodoo Gurus' iconic status on the Australian rock scene was acknowledged when they were inducted into the 2007 ARIA Hall of Fame. Their induction announcement stated that the Gurus were one of the most "inventive, lyrically smart and exciting" bands from Australia. From 1960's power pop, and wild garage punk to hard driving rock and funky psychedelic kitsch their music stood out from Sydney's Detroit-inspired bands.










                                                                           

Tuesday, January 10, 2017

Do the Pop! The Australian Garage-Rock Sound 1976-87



For collectors of compilation albums, you can't go past this amazing collection of gems and rarities from the "other" side of pop. Over two decades before the White Stripes and the Hives made 'garage-rock' the new buzz-word, numerous Australian bands were cranking out a raw, high-energy music which had all the elements that the kids are hankering for today.

Isolation can breed some pretty amazing music and if you're looking for proof, look no further than this magnificent compilation chronicling 12 incredible years of the incomparable Oz garage/punk scene. Rarely is Australia's scene ever mentioned in the same breath as those of New York or London. Whereas New York's was art-centered and London's was fashion-centered, the Aussies put the music firmly up front and centre, right where it belongs. 

Although few of the bands which show up here may be familiar to the casual listener (the exceptions probably being Radio Birdman, The Saints, and The Celibate Rifles), you may find yourself scrambling to get your hands on everything you can by the rest. There's not a duff track to be found anywhere here and if songs like The Lime Spiders' "Slave Girl," The Fun Things' "Savage," The Screaming Tribesmen's "Igloo," or The Exploding White Mice's "Burning Red" don't put some lead in your pencil, you may want to have someone check you for a pulse. 50, count them, tracks that will certainly quench your thirst for a good dose of garage rock.

I remember having many of these as vinyl singles in my own collection which have now (sadly) moved on to other music aficionados. It's good to hear these again, they bring back some sweet memories.