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
Aussie Crooner Dioni Premieres Lyric Video for “Shades of Melancholy (George Priniotakis Chillout Remix) “
Compared to ’60s icons Dusty Springfield and Sandie Shaw, the Renaissance woman from Sydney has traveled extensively throughout Greece, performing in ancient theatres and stadiums in support of bands such as Faithless, Soft Cell, and The Chemical Brothers. Dioni has performed as a solo artist in Australia, France, Germany, Greece, and Qatar. She has a multilingual repertoire (including seven languages) and the ability to sing in multiple genres.
In 2001, Dioni co-founded her group Astyplaz, of which she is still the lyricist and vocalist. She soon caught the attention of veteran promoter Gilles Petelle, formerly of BMG Canada. Dioni played around the world, including Quebec City and Montreal, where her label Chic Vinyl Records is based. Dioni has since released two albums, Name Your Slippers and Bi, with Astyplaz (Universal and EMI, respectively), and a third collaborative EP. Dioni has also had tracks featured in numerous compilations, including the internationally recognized Buddha Bar XI series. More information on Dioni is available on her official site www.dionimusic.com
SOULELLA RELEASES DEBUT TRACK - LOVE (SOULELLA REMIX)
Australian Aboriginal culture has brought the world music through some iconic and legendary musicians from a variety of different genres such as country, reggae, rock, hip hop, indie, folk, soul and much more. However, it is very rare if not unheard of to find an Indigenous artist who is female and has a passion for writing, composing, performing and producing EDM in particular TRANCE. . . except for Soulella, she does it all! Soulella (pronounced Soh-ella) is one of the very few of Australia's first emerging female Indigenous Electronic Dance Music (EDM) composer & producer of trance music. Hailing from Kununurra, a small country town in the Kimberley's far north of Western Australia, she has only been producing EDM for a little under a year since her move to the big smoke of Sydney. She found her passion for producing EDM since beginning her Bachelor of Music with a major in Composition and Music Production at the Australian Institute of Music.
Otherwise known as Thaylia (Contemporary Folk Singer/Songwriter) she is also a vocalist and acoustic guitar guitar player but more recently has found her LOVE for producing electronic dance music and now she is ready to introduce herself along with her first track called Love (Soulella Remix). The track is a remix of an original folk song she wrote and released in 2014 called Love and was written, produced and mixed by Soulella. Available now for free download (or by donation) via www.soulella.bandcamp.com
Renée Geyer is an Australian singer who has long been regarded as one of the finest exponents of jazz, soul and R'n'B idioms. She had commercial success as a solo artist in Australia, with "It's a Man's Man's World", "Heading in the Right Direction" and "Stares and Whispers" in the 1970s and "Say I Love You" in the 1980s. Geyer has also been an internationally respected and sought-after backing vocalist, whose session credits include work with Sting, Chaka Khan, Toni Childs and Joe Cocker. Rock historian Ian McFarlane described her as having a "rich, soulful, passionate and husky vocal delivery". Geyer's iconic status in the Australian music industry was recognised when she was inducted into the ARIA Hall of Fame on 14 July 2005, alongside The Easybeats, Hunters & Collectors, Smoky Dawson, Split Enz and Normie Rowe. "It's A Man's Man's World" was her second album, released in 1974 to critical acclaim. See also previous post "first album"
Kevin Borich Express was formed in early 1976 by Borich on lead guitar,lead vocals and occasional flute with Harry Brus on bass guitar (ex-Blackfeather) and Barry Harvey on drums (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 on drums.Subsequent line-ups were typically a three piece with a succession of bass guitarist and drummers.They released their debut single, "Goin' Somewhere" in October using Fiansco, and John Annas on drums (Wendy Saddington Band), following in March 1977 was their debut album, Celebration! with Annas, and Tim Partridge on bass guitar (Mighty Kong, The Johnny Rocco Band).The album was favoured by critics and peaked in the top 30 on the Australian albums charts.
The Glorious are ready for American success with their forthcoming album “Falcon” due out January 8th. Compared to sweetly sublime stylings of The Jayhawks and Real Estate, the Aussie band has teamed up with producer Julian Mendelsohn (Paul McCartney, Belle & Sebastian) on this upcoming album.
Listen to the premiere of “Toward Neptune” here. (Los Angeles, CA) November 30, 2015 - The Musebox today announced the premiere of “Toward Neptune”— the finely crafted pop single from Australia’s The Glorious. “Toward Neptune” is the second release from Falcon, the Melbourne band’s forthcoming full-length album co-produced by Julian Mendelsohn (Paul McCartney). Neil Rogers of The Australian Mood, notably said The Glorious create a “captivating sound with great songs, soaring harmonies, and heartfelt playing.”
“Toward Neptune” is a chronicle of a journey into deep space. Inspired in equal measure by George Harrison's 'Beware of Darkness' and the Ridley Scott film 'Prometheus', It is a literal exploration of an imaginary mission to our farthest planet. Produced by singer-songwriter Dave Mather and Julian Mendelsohn (Kate Bush, Paul McCartney), the song bristles with metallic guitars, spacey keyboards and a dead-eye unison vocal by Mather and drummer Dan Gard'ner. The clenched-fist rhythm section nails the track down while the melody floats in dreamy echo, evoking a mixture of bliss and dread as the song moves toward the outer reaches of the universe. Founded in Melbourne in 2004 by Mather and longtime friend and collaborator Dan Gard'ner, The Glorious began as a vehicle for Mather's songwriting before evolving into a full band. The band's lineup solidified with the addition of Joel Loukes (bass) and Danny Stain (guitar). Find out more and download FREE tracks on their website HERE.
The Saints originated in Brisbane and were founded by Chris Bailey (singer-songwriter, later guitarist), Ivor Hay (drummer), and Ed Kuepper (guitarist-songwriter) in 1974. Alongside mainstay Bailey, the group has had numerous line-ups. In 1975, contemporaneous with the United States' Ramones, The Saints were employing the fast tempos, raucous vocals and "buzz saw" guitar that characterised early punk rock. With their debut single, "(I'm) Stranded", in September 1976, they became the first alleged punk band outside the US to release a record, ahead of better-known acts including the Sex Pistols and The Clash. They are one of the first and most influential groups of the genre. In early 1979, the Saints had imploded, leaving Bailey to continue the band, with a variable line-up. All Fools Day peaked in the Top 30 on the Australian Kent Music Report Albums Chart in April 1986. Bailey also has a solo career and had relocated to Sweden by 1994. The band was inducted into the Australian Recording Industry Association (ARIA) Hall of Fame in 2001. click here for more information Wikipedia listing Website - SaintsMusic.Com
Avalanche were a Melbourne based boogie-rock band that released only one album and had a short life span from 1976 to 1977. With the break-up of The Bootleg Family Band in November 1975, Tony Naylor, Geoff Cox and Clive Harrison recruited Adrian Campbell and began gigging as Avalanche in early 1976. The band's catchy boogie/pop/rock sound was displayed on the singles 'Sweet Baby Brown Eyes' (July 1976), 'Landslide' (October 1976) and 'Good For Me Good For You' (March 1977), and on their self-titled album in September 1976.
The album was released on the Bootleg label. Their line up changed a few times and their most known member was drummer Geoff Cox who went on to a career in television. Tony NaylorGuitar/Vocals 1976 - 1977 Clive HarrisonBass/Vocals 1976 - 1977 Adrian CampbellLead Vocals 1976 - 1977 Geoff Cox Drums1976 - 1977 Barry CramDrums1977 - 1977 Gerard McCabeKeyboards 1977 - 1977 John BarnesDrums1977 - 1977 Graham Thompson Bass1977 - 1977
Rose Tattoo, led by Angry Anderson, formed in Sydney in 1976 with Leigh Johnston on rhythm guitar, Tony Lake on lead vocals and were led by slide guitarist Peter Wells—who had just departed as bass guitarist of heavy metal band Buffalo. Drummer Michael Vandersluys completed the line-up and Ian Rilen from Band of Light joined on bass guitar. . Their sound is hard rock mixed with blues rock influences, with songs including "Bad Boy for Love", "Rock 'n' Roll Outlaw", "Nice Boys", "We Can't Be Beaten" and "Scarred for Life". Their first four albums were produced by Harry Vanda and George Young who also worked with AC/DC. They disbanded in 1987, subsequently reforming briefly in 1993 to support Guns N' Roses on an Australian tour. They reassembled again from 1998 and have since released two more studio albums. According to Australian rock music historian Ian McFarlane, Rose Tattoo are "one of the most revered bands of all time. The Tatts played peerless, street-level heavy blues with the emphasis on slide guitar and strident lyric statements". Guns N' Roses, L.A. Guns, Keel, Nashville Pussy, Motosierra, Pud Spuke Helen Schneider, and the Uruguayan band The Knight's Night have covered Rose Tattoo songs. On 16 August 2006, they were inducted into the Australian Recording Industry Association (ARIA) Hall of Fame. Six former members have died in recent years including four of the original recording line-up, Dallas Royall (1991), Peter Wells (2006), Ian Rilen (2006), Mick Cocks (2009), and Lobby Loyde (2007), who was a member between October 1979 and September 1980, and Neil Smith (2013), who played bass temporarily prior to Loyde.
The Ferrets were an Australian pop-rock band from Melbourne and Sydney, formed in 1975 and disbanded in 1979. They are best known for their début #2 hit single "Don’t Fall in Love" in 1977. Philip Eizenberg (guitar), Kenneth Firth (bass guitar, backing vocals), Billy Miller (vocals, guitar) and David Springfield (guitar, backing vocals) formed The Ferrets and were soon joined by drummer Rick Brewer. Ken Firth, Phil Eizenberg and Billy Miller had been involved with the Australian stage production of Jesus Christ Superstar (1972—1974) which also included Jon English and John Paul Young. Firth (bass guitar, backing vocals), Miller (vocals, guitar) and Dave Springfield (guitar, backing vocals) were all members of hard rockers Buster Brown (which also featured vocalist Angry Anderson later of Rose Tattoo). In 1975, the trio left Buster Brown to join with guitarist Eizenberg and formed The Ferrets. Drummer Rick Brewer (ex-Zoot) joined in 1976 together with Miller’s sisters Jane Miller (backing vocals, keyboard) and Pam Miller (backing vocals). They were now a seven-piece band. After favourable reactions from audiences in Melbourne and Sydney, The Ferrets produced a demo tape that caught the attention of Ian "Molly" Meldrum talent coordinator for ABC-TV series Countdown. Meldrum signed them to Mushroom Records and started producing their début album Dreams of A Love on 19 July, 1976. After nearly a year, production was still incomplete, so The Ferrets took over (assisted by recording engineers Tony Cohen and Ian MacKenzie) and Meldrum was attributed as "Willie Everfinish" on the album cover. Album production was finalized on 15 August 1977. Meldrum had carefully crafted their first single’s A side "Lies" taking weeks but the B side "Don’t Fall in Love" (written by Ian Davis and Firth) was rushed in three hours. The Ferrets premiered on Countdown in an episode compèred by Jon English however, they used their B side. "Don’t Fall in Love" quickly sold out its initial pressing and many customers wanted a copy of The Ferrets' début album – there was concern at Mushroom Records as Meldrum had not organised an album cover: a white hand stamped cardboard sleeve was issued with a promise of the album artwork to follow! The Ferrets released a promo as the single rocketed to #1 on Melbourne’s charts and #2 Nationally. They were awarded with "Best Australian TV Performer" at the 1977 King of Pop Awards for their Countdown appearances. Although generally remembered for their biggest hit, their follow-up single "Janie May" reached #19 in Melbourne and was on Countdown episode of 13 November 1977 (featured infamous 'Prince Charles Interview'). Their debut album Dreams of a Love achieved Gold record status and the long awaited album cover depicted a model (Wendy Bannister) holding a snarling ferret on her shoulder. [From Wikipedia] Track Listing 01 - Prelude 02 - You Belong With Me 03 - Bye Bye Baby 04 - Lies 05 - Killing Ourselves 06 - Janie May 07 - Dreams Of Love 08 - My Old Dog 09 - El Quicko 10 - Don't Fall In Love 11 - The Children Play 12 - Just Like The Stars 13 - Magic In The Sand 14 - Are You Looking At Me (Bonus Side A single)
Stars were a country and rock band formed in Adelaide, South Australia in 1975 and disbanded in 1979. Founding members were Glyn Dowding on drums; Malcolm Eastick on guitar and vocals; Mick Pealing on vocals; and Graham Thompson on bass guitar. They were joined by guitarist, songwriter, Andrew Durant in 1976 and relocated to Melbourne. Thompson then left and was replaced by a succession of bass guitarists including Roger McLachlan (ex-Little River Band) and Ian McDonald. They were touted as the "rock'n'roll cowboys" and played the local pub and club circuit. They were noticed by Little River Band's guitarist Beeb Birtles and were signed to Mushroom Records. Birtles produced their debut single, "Quick on the Draw" which reached the Australian Kent Music Report top 30 in July 1976. Their second single, "With a Winning Hand" peaked into the top 40 in October. The band's debut album, Paradise, peaked at No. 11 on the Australian Kent Music Report in 1978 and included their highest charting single "Look After Yourself" which reached No. 21 on the related singles chart. Their second album, Land of Fortune, was released in 1979 but did not reach the Top 50. By that time Durant had been diagnosed with cancer, the band had their last performance on 5 November and Durant died on 6 May 1980 at age 25. A tribute performance by Stars members and other Australian acts followed in August and a double-LP, Andrew Durant Memorial Concert was released in 1981. It peaked at No. 8 on the albums chart with proceeds donated to Andrew Durant Cancer Research Foundation. Post Stars, Eastick joined Broderick Smith's Big Combo (1979–1982) and later provided guitar for different artists including Max Merritt and Jimmy Barnes. Pealing formed his own band Mick Pealing and the Ideals (1980–1981), they were also a backing band for Renée Geyer, he then formed The Spaniards (1983–1986) and worked with other artists including Eastick. McLachlan toured with Cliff Richard in 1978, worked with John Farnham (1987–1988), briefly rejoined Little River Band (1998–1999) and was a member of Mighty Oz Rock with Pealing in 2004. click here for more information
Hush were a very successful 1970's Australian Glam Rock group and became famous during frequent appearances on the ABC TV show Countdown for live concerts and teenagers. During their peak they were more popular than AC/DC, and actually toured with them as headliners.
Hush were formed, with Keith Lamb on vocals, in the Sydney suburb of Seven Hills in 1971 as a five piece band including a keyboardist. Keyboardist Chris Nolan had previously been with a band called Grandmars Observers. Hush first came to attention when they made the NSW finals of Australia's national rock band competition Hoadley's Battle of the Sounds in 1972. They first made the Australian charts in October 1973 with their own composition, "Get The Feeling". By this time they were down to the "classic" four-piece line-up of Keith Lamb (vocals), Les Gock (guitar), Rick Lum (bass) and Chris "Smiley" Pailthorpe (drums). By the time they made No. 1 on the charts in September 1975 with a rocked up, driving version of Larry Williams' Bony Moronie, they were riding the wave of the glam-rock craze in Australia.
They were well placed to make an unforgettable performance on pop TV show Countdown's early colour episodes with their colourful outfits. In 1976 they added a second guitarist, Jacques De Jongh. Rick Lum left soon after. The band broke up in 1977.
In August 2004, Hush reformed for the Nordoff-Robbins charity event. The line-up was Keith Lamb, Rick Lum, Smiley Pailthorpe and Les Gock performing together for the first time over 25 years. Les Gock's son Adam joined them on stage.
In September 2006, Hush played Australia wide with many other artists who appeared on Countdown during the seventies in the Countdown Spectacular Tour.
Down Under Nuggets is a collection of 29 gems from the heyday of Aussie sixties music. From garage to punk, surf, mod, beat, psychedelic and just plain groovy! Many well known artists like The Easybeats, The Atlantics, Bobby and Laurie, Bee Gees, Wild Cherries, Cherokees, The Loved Ones, Purple Hearts, Missing Links, MPD LTD plus a few more lesser known for you to discover. I'm not going to say much more about this release so I'll let the track listing do the talking. Enjoy!
The Master's Apprentices–Buried And Dead2:39
The Elois–By My Side2:15
The Black Diamonds–I Want, Need, Love You3:00
The Atlantics–Come On2:54
The Purple Hearts–Early In The Morning2:08
The Missing Links–Wild About You2:36
The Creatures –Ugly Thing3:18
The Lost Souls–This Life Of Mine2:41
The Moods –Rum Drunk2:19
Derek's Accent–Ain't Got No Feeling2:14
The Bee Gees*–Like Nobody Else2:35
Barrington Davis–Raining Teardrops2:29
The D-Coys–Bad Times2:54
The In-Sect –Let This Be A Lesson2:42
Steve & The Board*–I Want2:37
Toni McCann–No1:49
Peter & The Silhouettes–Claudette Jones2:04
The 5*–There's Time2:18
Bobby & Laurie*–No Next Time2:25
MPD Ltd*–I Am What I Am2:25
The Cherokees –I've Gone Wild2:41
The Loved Ones –The Loved One2:51
Phil Jones & The Unknown Blues*–If I Had A Ticket2:39
The Throb –Black3:11
The Blue Beats –She's Comin' Home2:24
The Easybeats–Sorry2:35
Bobby James Syndicate*–Hey Hey Hey2:31
The Wild Cherries–Krome Plated Yabby2:58
The Sunsets –The Hot Generation (Soundtrack Version)5:29
This brilliant album , Rock'n'Roll Sandwich, which Glenn A.Baker rightly lauds as "one of Australia's finest rock albums; a fiery, cohesive work dominated by the superbly talented Kevin Borich and carried off by the reliable gutsiness of Ronnie Peel and Keith Barber." Touring around the new LP, released in November 1973, the La De Das enjoyed their most successive period in their career, including supports for Elton John and Suzi Quatro on their Australian tours. Tracks: "No Law (Against Having Fun)" (Kevin Borich)"" "The Place" (Kevin Borich - Keith Barber) "Searchin' "(Kevin Borich) "She Tell Me What to Do "(Kevin Borich - Keith Barber) "Temple Shuffle" (Kevin Borich) "To Get Enough" (Kevin Borich) "Who's The One You Love? "(Kevin Borich) Recorded at the Doncaster Theatre and EMI Studio 301, Sydney Producer by Rod Coe Engineered by John Taylor read more on Milesago here see also from this blog:
Sebastian Hardie were Australia's first symphonic rock band. They formed in Sydney in 1967 as Sebastian Hardie Blues Band but dropped the 'Blues Band' reference when they became pop-oriented. By 1973 they developed a more progressive rock style, and later performed as Windchase, but disbanded in 1977. An early member of Sebastian Hardie was Jon English (vocals, rhythm guitar), who starred as Judas Iscariot in the Australian version of the stage musical Jesus Christ Superstar in 1972, he subsequently had a solo career as a singer, actor and playwright. A later member, Mario Millo (lead guitar, mandolin, vocals) became a multi-award winner for his television and movie music.
Sebastian Hardie's other early members included Graham Ford (lead guitar), Peter Plavsic (bass guitar) and his brother Alex Plavsic (drums). After English and Ford had left, the Plavsic brothers were joined by Millo and Toivo Pilt (keyboards). With their addition, Sebastian Hardie developed extended progressive rock tracks to become a symphonic rock group before they released their definitive album Four Moments in 1975, which peaked at No. 13 on the National albums chart. They followed with a second album Windchase in 1976, but it had less chart success. Millo and Pilt formed the band, Windchase, to release Symphinity in 1977, it was a heavier jazz-fusion album but didn't have chart success and they disbanded.
Critics have pigeonholed Pirana as mere Santana clones, and while comparisons are understandable and the influence of Santana is obvious, this arguably did the group a considerable disservice. Its dynamic and rhythmic performance at the definitive Sunbury music festival in 1972 drew inevitable comparisons to the Latin-rock champions of Woodstock, due in no small measure to their superb performance of Santana's "Soul Sacrifice". But there was much more to Pirana than that facile categorization allows. Beyond that, we can hear examples of fine, melodic songwriting -- mainly from keyboardist Stan White on the first album, but consummately taken over by guitarist and vocalist Tony Hamilton on the second -- that displays a diversity of influences while still keeping the band's innate individuality. For a start, Tony Hamilton's guitar was never less than wonderful. He sang commandingly, with soul, atop Jim Yonge's fluid drumming, supported by the anchorage of Graeme Thompson's throbbing bass. Keyboards were vital to the Pirana sound, and Stan White and his successor, Keith Greig, provided rich Hammond organ reinforcement for the overall feel of the band. In Pirana, members came and went, but it is essentially the core band comprising Duke-Yonge, Thompson, Hamilton and Greig (who replaced Stan White after the first LP), who made the records and sustained the bulk of the band's performing tenure, and must be most remembered as the definitive entity. Pirana's first recordings were as the backing group for Greg Quill's 1970 solo album Fleetwood Plain. They signed to Harvest in 1971 and issued two singles. Here It Comes Again (May) was reputedly the first local single released in stereo, and can still be found on Raven's Golden Miles compilation CD.
In concert they were always regarded as a top-drawer act; they went down a storm at the inaugural Sunbury rock festival, and their live version of Santana's "Soul Sacrifice" earned them a track on the Sunbury '72 album. EMI issued their second LP Pirana II in November 1972, by which time Richard McEwan had replaced Hamilton on guitar. Andrew James replaced Greig in 1973 and Phil Hitchcock replaced Graeme Thompson on bass in 1974. The band continued to work on the dance and pub circuit, but they didn't record again, and they eventually broke up in late 1975. (from Original article by Paul Culnane on Milesago)
Sydney 1970-75 Stan White (keyboards) 1970-1971 Keith Greig (keyboards) 1971-72 Jim Duke-Yonge (drums) 1970-1973 Tony Hamilton (guitar) 1970-75 Graeme Thompson (bass) 1970-75 Phil Hitchcock (bass) 1974 Andrew McCue (keyboards, flute) 1973 Richard McEwan (guitar, vocals) 1972 Paul Spetter (drums) 1973
The origins of BUFFALO began in Brisbane, Queensland in 1966 when mates, Dave Tice (vocals) & Pete Wells (bass) played in a band called THE ODD COLOURS. When this band dissolved, Dave & Pete had a brief stint in STRANGE BREW (66/67) and then formed THE CAPITOL SHOW BAND later in ’67 which became highly successful in the local market.
The band's major recording break came in March 1972 with BUFFALO signing to the prestigious UK label, Vertigo. This was very significant at the time because BUFFALO were the first band to sign with the label outside of the UK. Their ’stablemates’ included BLACK SABBATH and URIAH HEEP. The band immediately went into the United Sounds studios to record their first album with producer, Spencer Lee.
Prior to the album being released, their first single “Suzie Sunshine” backed with the non album track, Chuck Berry’s “No Particular Place To Go” was released early in April to wet fans appetites. The single received little airplay with the radio station programmers virtually ignoring it, much to the annoyance of the record company, the band and their management. In order to gain more airplay, Phonogram put on a bash for the media at the Paddington Town Hall on 28/5/72 featuring BUFFALO performing live as well as CHAIN, SPECTRUM & COLOURED BALLS.
In May, the album “Dead Forever” was released and received good reviews, although the cover caused quiet a stir, setting the scene for even more controversy on later albums. BUFFALO liked their music loud and this was imparted to fans on the back cover by stating “play this album LOUD!“ Live, the BUFFALO volume was loud like a huge stampede and they soon had the reputation as being Australia’s loudest band.
