I really love this clip. I'd like the to see the footage from the whole show. Great Brisbane Band.
Tuesday, December 28, 2010
Thursday, December 23, 2010
Brisbane early punk label Shake Music explained by Rod Mcleod
SHAKEDOWN 1979-83:
How To Become The Local Legends That No-one Remembers!
This is the story of perhaps the most under-funded, under-achieving, no-time and no-talent label in the history of Australian punk rock. In the space of four years, the Shake/Savage label released seven vinyl singles and two cassette compilations, of which they probably sold as many copies each.
Much has been said about how the original punk music of the late seventies motivated the bored teenagers stranded in the mind numbing suburbs of the Western world, and this could be no more apparent than Brisbane circa 1977. Here in a city practically under police curfew, you fucked and fought, got stoned, got married or got out of town. It was breeding ground — but not for music or different concepts, more for hatred and intolerance. The "do it yourself" approach was the only way to go, for as sure as fuck, no one else was going to pull you out of the shit, and so through this philosophy, Shake Music along with Just Urbain and The Young Identities were born in all their deformed splendor.
1977, Peter Miller from Brisbane's outer Western suburbs was already a minor player in the city's punk music scene. He worked part-time at Discreet Music, one of only two local record stores that imported U.K and American music. He edited one of Brisbane's first fanzines, The Rat, and ran local punk gigs outside the premises of the Darra Cement Works. He was also trying his hand at managing Brisbane punk legends, The Leftovers. It's while working at Discreet one Saturday morning that Peter meets the McLeod brothers (Rod, Gavin and Clayton) from Brisbane's outer Southern suburbs. They range in age from 13 to 17, print t-shirts and have wild ideas of forming a band. With similar tastes in music, collaboration is set in place. Peter brings in Robert Lewis and Dave Holliday and the roller coaster begins. We don't want to keep world domination waiting.
Originally called Silent Noise, Just Urbain were: Peter Miller ~ vocals, Robert Lewis ~ guitar, Rod McLeod ~ guitar, Dave Holliday ~ drums, Gavin McLeod ~ bass.
This line up doesn't last long after initial rehearsals. Gavin becomes bass player in the fledgling Young Identities: Clayton McLeod on vocals and Dave Lawless on guitar. Another Dave, Dave Robinson, later replaces Lawless and Paul Murray is bought in on drums and here's where the fun begins. No one can play, outside Paul, a maniacal drummer in the mold of Keith Moon. The only decent piece of equipment is Dave Robinson's 50-watt Marshall. The early practice sessions are more about underage sex and drinking, and the songs tend to sound like the aforementioned pursuits. Rehearsals are wall-to-wall teenage fun with no real thought of playing live. A gig is organised at the 1978 Discreet Xmas party but before either band can get near the stage, Brisbane band The Hard-Ons trash the P.A.
Earlier in the year, Peter and Dave have covered the studio costs for The Leftovers "Cigarettes and Alcohol" E.P and its all agreed recording is the way to go. We find the cheapest studio in town and book 8 hours for $300. In that one session, Just Urbain, The Young Identities and late ring-ins The Bodysnatchers (Rod: guitar/vocals, Gavin: bass, school friend John Hunter: drums) record and mix the tracks that were to become the first three Savage Music releases; and doesn't it show! Our engineer was more likely used to producing radio jingles and voice-overs — not a bunch of snotty nosed freaks with no idea and too much enthusiasm. The singles are pressed at EMI custom in Sydney (100: Just Urbain, 300: Young Identities, 300: Bodysnatchers) and released as Savage Music 001, 002, 003 to worldwide apathy. It didn't seem like it at the time, but a new local label now existed.
It came as no real surprise when the records didn't sell. No press and no gigs didn't help. The first gig would come later at the 'Ready Steady Go' dance at Griffith University supporting The Leftovers. This created a handful of believers, but the Brisbane scene at this time is famous for its malice and mistrust between bands. The Savage Music mob were seen as hopeless amateurs, three chord punk thugs, too young and hopeless to be considered for live work in the city's pathetically undernourished music scene. So it is left to practice rooms and parties where the bands form their meager fan base. One such rehearsal session numbered over 40 teenaged fans, which resulted in some youthful vandalism, which in turn attracted five paddy wagons to haul our little gang off to the infamous Caxton Street Police Barracks. Phone books were used but not for their original intention.
Eventually, gigs do start to happen, though very infrequently. A favoured trick was showing up for other bands' shows, then through fair means or foul, stealing some precious stage time. These shows usually end up in smashed gear and drunken stage invasions by the growing number of pimple faced punters. Just Urbain are viewed as too weird, too uncontrolled. The Young Identities are seen as too young, too loud. So it is decided later in 1979, to return to the studios. Just Urbain's 'Hospital Bed' (004) E.P and The Young Identities 'New Trends' (005) E.P are recorded in Forest Glen Studios, 80km north of Brisbane at the recommendation of local band The Fun Things. Dave Robinson has departed The Young Identities and Rod takes over guitar duties. Our engineer, Mungo Coates, is a lot more encouraging, making the recording process much more fun. The singles are pressed again at EMI Custom. Covers are hand printed and limited release of 300 each. The label changes name from Savage Music to Shake Music but still nobody is buying. The world still hates us and we still hate them.
The Brisbane scene in 1980 is rapidly stagnating, so we try something different. Some smart arse buys a guitar tuner — now for that fourth chord! Just Urbain and The Young Identities go sideways a notch. The Young Identities have such a bad reputation for being underage, beer-guzzling trouble makers, that they change their name to Kicks. (The Young Identities last gig is at Fortitude Valley's infamous Pinocchio's. The ever increasingly psychotic Paul Murray leaves the stage mid-song to relieve himself, only to be forcibly returned by Clayton and Gavin.) Just Urbain after having nothing but bemused reactions from audiences decide to leave live work to a minimum and become studio wankers extraordinaire. The three chord thrash era is nearing its end for the Young Identities but they still like to play fast and so record two tracks 'Leather' and 'Godzilla' at Multi Media Studios in Spring Hill early 1980. Just Urbain return to Forest Glen to record 'Goddess' and 'Sounds Like' with new member Wolfgang Kuepper (brother of Ed) on synth. All four tracks are released later that year as a combined cassette E.P, in its own fetching hand stitched cloth bag (in McLeod tartan, of course!) this was Shake Music 006, easy and cheap, limited to a run of 50 and only distributed locally — but it does make its mark. Some people are starting to take notice.
The gigs for Kicks are still few and far between, but always memorable (stage fights, fans being thrown into the Brisbane River from a moored container ship, hecklers set upon by over zealous followers, etc etc) In 1980 a regular gig was established at a seedy subterranean gay bar called 'The Silver Dollar' in the heart of Brisbane's Fortitude Valley. Here once or twice a month Kicks crash through a set of originals along with a handful of Glam rock favourites from their pre-teen years. It is here that Just Urbain returns for their last ever gig. Facing a hostile bunch of the new Brisbane punk brigade, the unusual sounds of Just Urbain has the slack jawed audience not knowing where to look, let alone decipher what they are hearing. The band finish with a drone and The Silver Dollar shuts its doors three weeks later. Peter and David head for the UK and put Just Urbain on temporary hold. They would return later to create a fitting epitaph.
In 1981 an opportunity arises which nobody could refuse. A friend of Rod's has worked as a caterer for a run down bingo hall above the much-missed Silver Dollar and offers the area as a weekend venue. Running the place is approached with the same haphazard bravado as the label. The bingo hall is huge which makes it possible to put on some of Brisbane's newest unheard bands together with the more established groups from within the city's Art Rock Mafia. Violence by bouncers at the handful of other clubs around town made Bingo Pete's a welcome addition to what was passing as Brisbane's underground music scene.
The first gig in June features Michael O'Connell (ex-Apartments), Die Tanzen, The Flying Squad (with original Young Identities guitarist Dave Robinson), The Pits and Kicks. Having a band run venue with an open liquor licence and lenient entry requirements finds the place packed on opening night, but in typical fashion nothing goes to plan. The increasingly erratic Paul Murray has chosen this time for his final freak out — storming off by the gig. A replacement drummer (Mark Young) is quickly kidnapped from another band but after only four songs the brothers themselves are trading blows with most people believing this to be part of the usual mayhem.
Bingo Pete's continues changes name to The Factory for a further three months before the old blue haired bingo girls could no longer handle the filthy graffiti, smashed toilets and discarded syringes. The end of another wild adventure with no one to blame but ourselves and our no-good mates. Even offering to buy off the Valley cops couldn't save us.
Late 1981 and Kicks record and release their first vinyl since their name change. By this time most Brisbane bands are either art school fag hags, power pop poseurs or Detroit dickheads. But the band — forever slaves to their origins — still stagger around in their leather jackets and Chelsea boots. The whole Brisbane scene is stagnating so badly it smells. 'Return of the Action Man/The Secret' (Shake 007) is unleashed with more than a nod to the emerging Goth sound. Goth appealed more than anything else that was around because of its links to Glam and the fact that you didn't have to look like some fourth generation Wally who had just discovered punk rock. Kicks gain quite a following, gaining positive reviews in the street press but still have to deal with their troublesome reputation on stage. Live shows range from diabolical supports for interstate pretenders to all-in guest appearances by anyone who felt like mounting the stage. Now with a second drummer (Matt McGrorie) joining the band they try something different again. Sounding like a cross between The Glitter Band and Killing Joke, with regular appearances by Warren Lamond (ex-Leftover), Kicks stick out like a sore thumb on the lackluster Brisbane groove circuit.
By 1982 several like-minded bands are starting to appear in the shape of The Mystery of Sixes and Public Execution (whose debut vinyl single was to be produced by Rod). Another joint cassette single is released as Shake 008 coupling early Public Execution demos with two Kicks tracks (Kicks theme/Red Blood) from the Action Man sessions. With a photo copied cover, it is meant for nothing more than friends and only 25 are produced. This becomes the last official recording Kicks will release while the band existed.
Later in that year Peter and David have returned to Australia and set about recording The Final Program, the last shake Music single. With Robert Lewis long gone and missing it practically becomes Just Urbain Mk 1 again with Rod reverting back to guitar and Gavin in on bass. With this line-up it was once again back to Forest Glen to record "I'd Rather Stay Home And Watch TV" and "Obsession". Both songs are old Just Urbain mainstays and were backed with "Goddess" and "Sounds Like" to make the last Shake Music (009) EP. It seems like a full circle. The record is released in 1983 with a hand-printed insert and is possibly the rarest of Shake releases.
For Kicks the end is nigh. The Brisbane scene has become so stale; it is painful to continue. Still the band returns to the studio one more time with the new two-drummer line up they record "In Fear of God" and re-record stage favorite "Red Blood". It's like after all this in cheap studios playing shitty venues the band could find what buttons work. "God" is later released on Brisbane Punk compilation At the Solicitors Request LP in 1985. The last ever Kicks gig is the first we were ever offered by local alternative radio station 4ZZZ. It was a drunken shambles at the National Hotel in a city that should have been put out of its misery a long ago. It was time to put the band to bed once and for all. We came, we saw, we pissed off.
And that is basically it. All the bands you have just read about were never fondly remembered in Brisbane outside of a faithful few. It's been down to a handful of interstate overseas overseers to look back at this town's musical history to find and admire what was among the muck. Maybe there was not all that much to appreciate but for some short time back when nothing mattered some little shits left a mark in a big shithole!
Sunday, December 12, 2010
Jim Rockfords Reviewed in Rave
Jim Rockfords Moving at the Speed of sound
(Turkeyneck)
Motorbilly, post-punk rock & roll band delivers
The Jim Rockfords have accumulated a decent-sized local fanbase and are known to perform energetic and highly entertaining sets. The occasional incendiary guitar lick from Phill Wilson and Fred Noonan, combined with the kicking and screaming of harmonica enthusiast and frontman Junior Hickey, are proven to get punters moving. Their newest material, as heard on their debut 11-track Moving At The Speed Of Sound, provides a similar feeling to what you’d expect from one of their shows, taking cues from Etta James, Radio Birdman and the Flamin’ Groovies, they’ve perfected the art of garage punk rock and delivered it simply, effectively and straight into your face. This straight-up style coupled with rock-hard bass lines from the very talented Kylie Lovejoy and powerful beats from drummer Mitch “Mayhem” Humphrys pull together a sound that references the ’50s as much as now and won’t disappoint faithful motorbilly rockers.
LANAH MATHENY
Thursday, December 2, 2010
Sunday, November 28, 2010
XMAS party madness and other oddities
december 2010
Well as another year comes to an end we here at turkeyneck have finished all the years releases including the career spanning Blowhard compilation (which was 2 years in the making), Screamin' Stevie's 2nd album for turkeyneck and also a swag of newcomers to the label, Hell Crab City, The Prehistorics, Bertie page Clinic and The Jim Rockfords. So now thats all done and dusted what does 2011 hold instore for the little label that shouldn't. There is talk of a Murder Junkies australia only album, also an Insane Hombres collection, I Spit on your Gravy's magnificent Fruit Loop City and new recordings from our long lost adelaide contingent KAMIKAZE. A second album from Chucknee, Starsludge's debut and a Fred band Best of.
And possibly some compilations from Brisbane's overlooked early 90's scum rock heyday.
In the new Year Turkeyneck will be trying out a once a month Showcase residency at the Beetle Bar for Turkeyneck Bands and friends under the Banner of TURKEY-TIKI TIME Starting saturday February 5th more details to follow.
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NEW RELEASES Galore
November has been a busy month with the launch of Blowhards Best of Five Minute ride Thru Hell at the Jubillee and The Jim Rockfords launching theirs at The Powerhouse and for the hat trick The Bertie Page Clinic will be launching their debut at the Wickam Hotel on the 3rd of Dec.
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THE ANNUAL PSYCHEDELIC CRITMASS PARTY
Once a year this rolls around for all the turkeys to gather round the coop
and get slaughtered.
This year its being held at the BEETLE BAR 350 Upper Roma St
on Saturday Dec 18th. The Door admission is $10 but the first 50 payers get a free Turkeyneck CD. The Entertainment for the night is supplied by The Pineapples From the Dawn of Time, The Vaginabillies, The Prehistorics(Syd) Screamin’ Stevie’s Australia and the Fabulous Wayne Keys Show. Doors open at 8pm so come along and let your freak flag fly.
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Bertie Page Clinic joins the turkeyneck Roost
BERTIE PAGE CLINIC ROCKNROLL IN A G-STRING
This Debut 9 track album is instores early december featuring the one and only Miss Bertie Page. Available from turkeyneck Now
Bertie Page Clinic is the perverted child of burlesque and classic rock. Australian Cabaret star Bertie Page heads up this wicked little band of retrograde rockers. Their punchy tracks are a collaboration between Miss Page and composer Phill Wilson (Chucknee, Deep Blue Orchestra, founding member of BlowHard). These garage punk band combine the best elements of yacht rock, punk rock and poodle rock, pulled off with a Jim Steinman flair.The instrumental lineup features John Meyer (The Good Ship), Clint Morrow (The Soundcasters) and James Lees (Silver Sircus). Bertie leads the charge with her hard belting vocals and sees that her stable of fine young men are kept in line.2009 saw the Clinic playing shows up and down the east coast, disgracing venues in Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane, and playing with the likes of Spencer P. Jones (Beasts of Bourbon), and Spitfireliar.
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Monday, November 8, 2010
Jim Rockfords are Moving at the Speed of sound
The Jim Rockfords got together December 2007, When Fred (of 6fthick fame, though on guitars in the Rockfords, jumping up from the drummers stool in the Hick) and Junior, (a familiar voice and rocking harp player in the Blues scene) approached Kylie Lovejoy (Bassist for Lovejoy and Chick Flick) about bringing some toons they penned to life.. Phil Wilson (Blowhard, Chucknee) Greg Jard (Blowhard) on second guitar and the skins, then 3 weeks later they were thrown into their first gig. Originally under the guise of a side project, it then took on a life of it's own playing gigs galore treating audiences with a lethal dose of their Pineapple flavoured muscular Motorbilly Rock and Roll. They soon had a loyal following and a reputation as a high energy live act, pulling together a sound that references the 50's as much as the now, but never hanging off the coat tails of either. After a whirlwind tour of France, Drummer Greg fled from the constant gigging and Mitchy Mahem took over the skins. Touring down south and scoring some cool supports, New Christs, Lime Spiders, Hitmen, X, and even LA Guns. They had a ball as the closing act for the Greazefest, and looking real forward to their upcoming support with Reverend Horton Heat in December. But, now finally come October 2010 a well overdue Debut album 'Movin' at the Speed of Sound' has been recorded at Blackbox studios with Recording extraordinaire Jeff Lovejoy (Powderfinger, Cruel Sea, Regurgitator to name but a few, also Kylies Brother), released through Turkeyneck records and they are chuffed to be launching it this Sunday November 14 at the Powerhouse in an afternoon of Beer swigging, ass shaking and love making.. Rockabilly buddies the Ten Fours will be joining them, hitting the stage about 3.30, followed by the Rockfords who will rock your socks off.
Thursday, November 4, 2010
THE JIM ROCKFORDS JOIN THE TURKEYNECK ROOST
TN.22 THE JIM ROCKFORDSMOVING AT THE SPEED OF SOUND
Turkeyneck is proud to present you the future of the Bar Band."The Jim Rockfords" debut 11 track album "Moving at the Speed of Sound" This is hard edged R'nB' tinged garage punk. With a swag of songs full of regret, loss and booze filled redemption. This is maximum rnb crossed with boogie boogie heaviness, think Coloured Balls mixed with the Supersuckers. Led by the all singing' all harmonica slinging reprobate Junior Hickey and his cast of brisbane barflies. With a tight guitar based production and a solid as fuck rhythm section this album will not disappoint.
They'll be launching their masterwork on Sunday afternoon November 14th at Live Spark at the brisbane Powerhouse with the wonderful Ten Fours and entry is free.
Distributed in Australia by the Fuse Music Group
Available from November 15th at www.turkeyneck.com.au
Wednesday, November 3, 2010
BLOWHARD debut album Blowin Off available here on itunes.
Tuesday, November 2, 2010
NEW BLOWHARD ALBUM OUT NOW
TN.21 BLOWHARD Five minute ride Through Hell
Out from the ashes of Brisbane
Scooping the cream off their 3 albums and singles respectively, as well as various assortments from their EPs and countless compilation appearances which had propelled world tours to all corners of the globe, this 34 track compendium displays the very essence of their shift from ruckus punk rock to ska-punk and jazz-laden hardcore with rock ‘n’ roll’s core ingredients of guitar/bass/drums fused with a gargantuan horn-section propelling such 4ZZZfm staples as ‘Hornbag’, ‘Blowin’ Off’ and ‘Toxic Swing’. Included in this set is a selection of live favourites, including a reading of ‘Teenage Girlfriend’ with the Mayor of St Kilda, Fred Negro.
Housed with a 16-page booklet loaded with memorabilia, photos and extensive liner-notes, Turkeyneck is proud to introduce to you another page in Brisbane
Distributed in Australia
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