LEADFINGER LAUNCH NEW RELEASE IN MAY
Combining power pop, rock n roll and traces of blues and country, Australia's Leadfinger will release their new eight track CD "Through The Cracks" via the Music Farmers label on May 24th. The trio is led by guitarist/vocalist Stew Cunningham who you should know from his work with Proton Energy Pills, Brother Brick, The Yes Men, ect. Joining him is a rock solid rhythm section comprised of Wayne Stokes (Thumlock, Roads) on bass and Steve O'Brien (Monstrous Blues, Tumbleweed, The Unheard) on drums. Recorded locally at an old farmhouse on the New South Wales South Coast, the band have captured their true live sound across the eight tracks and are looking forward to unleashing the first local release. Leadfinger's previous album "Floating Life" was released by Bang Records in Spain and the label are also releasing new material from the group (different tracks recorded in the same sessions as '"Through The Cracks") later this year. There will be some launches for 'Through The Cracks' early in June. Check the Living Eye at right.
 
NEW MITCH BIO REVIEWED
KEN SHIMAMOTO has the lowdown on the new bio of Mitch Ryder here.

BEASTS BREATHE LAST BREATH?
The Beasts of Bourbon look to have swaggered around a stage for the last time. The band blew out the final show of their recent European tour with various members swearing things were done and dusted. There's some happier footage at The Barman's Rant blog.

THE SPECIMENS NO MORE
Also broken-up: Melbourne's very rockin' The Specimens, with various members said to be moving onto new propjects.

SEKRET, SEKRET AND THE MOFFS COLLECTIONS IN PIPELINE
Expect 2CD collections from early '80s Australian psychedelic post-punk outfit Sekret Sekret and mid-'80s pastoral Sydney sky-gazers The Moffs within the next few months on Aussie label Feelpresents. The Sekret Sekret compilation will comprise all four singles plus selections from four radio and/or live recordings - some 20+ unreleased songs. The Moffs collection, entitled, 'The Collection' will comprise all the released recordings including 1984's six-track cassette plus other rare recordings. Both releases will be accompanied with booklets containing extensive liner notes, photos and other memorabilia. STOP PRESS: Watch for a forthcoming series taking I-94 Bar patrons inside the '70s punk scene of inner-city Sydney soon, courtesy of Sekret Sekret singer David Virgin.

MORE GRANEY AND MOORE WITH NEW ALBUM, TOUR
The Lurid Yellow Mist...featuring Dave Graney and Clare Moore is releasing a new album on Illustrious Artists in June. It's called "We wuz curious" and features soon-to-be-classics like "lets kill god again", "you had to be drunk", "bring me my liar", "I was a country boy", "I come from the clouds", "I'm in the future now", "I like to be haunted". CD launch dates are June 12 (Annandale Hotel in Sydney) and July 5 (The Toff in Melbourne.) Dave Graney, Clare Moore and Stu D are playing through April and May with Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds on the European leg of their tour.

JOHNNY AND THE SECRETS BACK AT WORK
Spiritted Sydney guitarist Johnny Casino is back recording another Secrets album - a follow up to the fantastic "New Clothes Old Shoes" The big fella is also toasting the inclusion of an Asteroids B612 song ("I Just Don't Know Bout Gurls") on the farewell Hellacopters long player "Head Off". Respect!

FAREWELL ED AND JEFFREY AT BRISBANE SHOW
Having successfully reproduced Honey Steel's Gold as part of the inaugural Don't Look Back series, Ed Kuepper returns to matters at hand, namely the promotion of his equally good (if not better) album, "Jean Lee & the Yellow Dog". This time, though, Kuepper will be performing in duo mode with his drumming buddy Jeffrey Wegener. The territory is different too with the veteran duo venturing to Europe as support to Nick Cave & the Bad Seeds (himself promoting a fantabulous new album Dig! Lazarus! Dig!). Before they leave however, Kuepper and Wegener will perform one final Brisbane show, Friday 9th May at the Troubadour. Ed & Jeffrey will perform without a support and instead, will play two sets, reminiscent of their highly successful Troubadour residency back in 2006.Tickets are on sale now from the venue and oztix.com and are just $12.00 or $15.00 at the door. 

NEW SHOP STOCK: THE VEEBEES
Canberra Yob Rockers The VeeBees are the latest addition to our shop. We have copies of their new album "Get It In Ya" (which appends the "Fair Dinkum Rock 'n' Roll" EP) plus their earlier mini-album "Crack Us Anotha" for the price of a couple of beers. Both stack up with the likes of The Onyas and the Cosmic Psychos. Rock out to classics like "Shootin' An' Rootin'", "Hey Mate" and "Beer 'O' Clock". Reviewsed here and for sale here.

STEMS IN LONDON FOOTAGE
Check of The Barman's Rant blog for footage of The Stems on their recent world tour, plus lots of other stuff. Catch them onm the Australian East Coast this week.

BORED AT WORK? STREAM THE LATEST I-94 BAR PODCAST
The new edition (episode 12) of Drunk and Disorderly is up. Stream, download or subscribe to it here or using the player thingie directly at right and cop anearful of such delights as Digger & The Pussycats, the Hydromatics, Screamin' Stevie and the Credit Union and our '60s Oz punk vault track for this edition, Laurie Wade's Cavaliers.

NEW CHRISTS SPECIAL SYDNEY SHOW
The New Christs play a rare two-set show at the Surry Hills Excelsior in Sydney on Sunday May 4 from 5.30-9pm as a farewell before their European tour. Admission is just $10 and there is no support. They'll be airing new songs up close and personal, so don't be late. STOP PRESS: European tour dates announced in the Living Eye at right.

MORE BURIED TREASURE: JOHNNY THUNDERS
The latest edition of the fab repository of live and demo gems Buried Treasure Podcast is up and it focuses on J.T. Get it here.

NEW CHRISTS COOKING IN WARM UP FOR EUROPE
The New Christs have wound up a few weeks of Australian shows and are scheduled to head off to Europe in May. THE BARMAN caught them with The Holy Soul and French visitors Dimi Dero Inc at Annandale in the second-last gig before Europe and his review is here.

DARK AND STORMY NIGHT IN SYDNEY
Leone Carmen, Dimi Dero Inc and Penny Ikinger Inc dished up the right stuff for fans of the eclectic, rocking and dark when they came together at the Surry Hills Excelsior in Sydney. Read the review here.

AIN'T THAT FLAMIN' GROOVIE? MAGIC CHRISTIAN ARRIVES
Well, that's Cyril Jordan on guitar with San Francisco band Magic Christian. What's more he was joined by Eddie Munoz (Plimsouls) and Clem Burke (Blondie et al) for appearances at this year's SXSW extravaganza in Austin, Texas. DAVID LAING was there to see them and filed this report.

SUPERSUCKERS LIVE
Our New York City correspondent ARTHUR S was lucky enough to catch Supersuckers at a recent Big Apple show. You'll find his review here and it's a nice primer if you live in Australia and are awaiting their imminent tour.

NEW TO THE SHOP: RARE GHOSTMEN (KELPIES/NEW CHRISTS) EP + THE PURVEYORS OF PURE FILTH
We have limited abd very cheap ($A10 in Australia, $A12 overseas) stock of the mega rare Ghostmen EP on sale in the shop. This one-off band couples three-quarters of Sydney punk band The Kelpies with the scything lead guitar of Big Al Creed (Hell Crab City, New Christs, Panadolls) for a six-track gem. This was a giveaway for last year's almost Kelpies reunion and not available anywhere else. Plus, the Chris Masuak-produced debut EP for The Purveyors of Pure Filth won't cost you much more. Check out The Shop, prices include post and packaging and there's a pile of liquidated stock going cheap.

HARD, SWEET AND STICKY - AND ON A STAGE NEAR YOU
The US and Europe see them regularly - and once again it's Australia's chance to host what might be the best live band in the world, The BellRays. Bassist (and guitarist on the new album "Hard Sweet And Sticky") Bob Vennum speaks to PATRICK EMERY about touring and the new CD here. The album review is here. STOP PRESS:First live review of the Aussie tour is here.

UNBELIEVABLY BAD VISITS THE GOAT IN EXILE
Australia's best print 'zine interviews Lubricated Goat mainman Stu Spasm in his adopted home opf the US of A. There's plenty more in issue seven as well and we review it here.

DOUBLE DOSE OF JAY REATARD PLUS SOME DIRTBOMBS
On yer bike: PATRICK EMERY cycles across Melbourne to catch Jay Reatard (twice) and the Dirtbombs. Read why it was worth it here.

VOODOO LUST'S RETURN
A belated (blame The Barman) but beaut review by SIMON LI of Voodoo Lust's reunion at Sydney's Empire Hotel is live. Read it here.

NIAGARA REVISITED IN PICTURES
View a gallery pf photos from the one-off Austyralian show by Niagara backed by the Hitmen, coiurtesy of RICHIE VAN YORRICK and COLONEL GALAXY here.


FIRST REVIEW OF THE BELLRAYS AUSSIE TOUR
Things are off to a Hard Sweet & Sticky start. Words are by THE BARMAN and the photo is by RICHARD SHARMAN. Get it here.

JAY REATARD'S BARBECUE VISIONS
Memphis punk Jay Reatard is heading to Australia on the back of his album "Blood Visions" and the country's kangaroo population has reason to be very afraid. PATRICK EMERY finds out why here.

ONE MORE TOP TEN
Washington D.C.-based I-94 Bar regular DOUG SHEPPARD has come up with a beauty. Read the last of our Top 10s for '07 here.

STOOGES SING FOR MADONNA
Watch their Rock and Roll Hall of Fame performance, read THE BARMAN's commentrary here.

HITMEN, SUPERSUCKERS AND RAVEONETTES SHARE TOP BILLING FOR CHERRYROCK
Melbourne's annual Cherry Rock festival in AC/DC Lane is on again with the Hitmen, The Raveonettes and US visitors The Supersuckers sharing top billing with the like sof X and DevilRock 4 on the undercard. Sunday, April 20 is the date.

HELMET HEAD DOWN UNDER
One of the hardest bands on earth, Helmet, will regale Australian eardrums with their pulversiing rock and roll in April-May. Detais here.

MICK COLLINS AND THE DIRTBOMBS HAVE YOU SURROUNDED
Detroit's Dirtbombs have swept back to Australia and have a new album in the racks. "We Have You Surrounded" is a chunky bunch of glam rock paranoia. MICK COLLINS tells PATRICK EMERY why living in the US of A ain't all beer and skittles here and why INXS still rock his world.Plus, read the album review of "We Have You Surrounded" here

MICK FARREN/DEVIANTS, SST LA PUNK SCENE BOOK REVIEWS
"Keep It Together" is the title of the well-researched Deviants/Mick Farren/Pink Fairies Rich Deakin tome while "Enter Naomi" is Joe Carducci's book about SST/LA punk scene photographer Naomi Peterson. KEN SHIMAMOTO reviews both here.

THE STEMS HIT THE EAST COAST IN A HURRY
Perth's impossibly great Stems hit the Australian East Coast for a run of three shows on return from their world tour. Catch 'em at Annandale in Sydney on April 25 (with The Pink Fits and The Dolly Rocker Movement - what a bill!), Northcote Social Club in Melbourne on April 26 (with The Pink Fits and the Tash Mints - another killer bill!) and at the Apollo Bay Festival in Victoria on April 27. Watch this space for a review of the new single from their "Heads Up" album, check out the world dates in The Living Eye at right.

ANOTHER HITMEN REVIEW
BEN MERWOOD made a 4000km from Perth to Sydney to catch the pairing of the Hitmen and Niagara at The Crest Hotel, Sylvania. Read his review here.

VISITORS AMONG BELLRAYS SUPPORTS
Supports have been announced for the BellRays Australian tour and heading the list are The Visitors and Screamin' Steve and the Credi Union (ex-Hekawis) for the March 20 Brisbane show. The Mess Hall and The Ripping Dylans are on the Sydney undercard (March 14) with Rocket Science playing on the bill in Melbourne (March 18.) Ticketing detils here.

HITMEN, NIAGARA PAIRING PULLS IT OFF
Everybody made it alive to the finish line when the Hitmen played a one-off Sydney show with special guest vocalist Niagara (ex-Dark Carnival, Destroy All Monsters.) The added bonus of a reconstituted Visitors was a bonus, reports THE BARMAN here. The pre-gig Niagara interview is here.

DOUBLE DOSE OF SONIC YOUTH AND THE SCIENTISTS FOR YA!
Can you handle it? PATRICK EMERY saw the "Don't Look Back" pairing of Sonic Youth ("Daydream Nation") and The Scientists ("Blood red River") in Melbourne, while THE BARMAN caught up with the caravan in Sydney. They both lost their hearing and their marbles. Go read the Melbourne review here, the Sydney one here. Weep if you weren't there.

DON'T LOOK BACK PAIRING PROVIDES A NIGHT TO CHERISH
The night the Ed Kuepper-Died Pretty pairing hit Melbourne's Forum will stick in the collective consciousness, according to reviewer PATRICK EMERY. RICHARD SHARMAN provides the photos. Reviewed here. The Sydney review by tHE BARMAN is here.

BIRDMAN RARITIES SOUGHT
Longtime Radio Birdman archvist George Munoz is seeking contributions of memorabilia, photos and ephemera for a project he's compiling. Contact him here.

RON PENO REVISITS "DOUGHBOY HOLLOW"
A near capacity Sydney crowd Did Look Back when Died Pretty and Ed Kuepper reprised "Doughboy Hollow" and "Honey Steels Gold" respectively. THE BARMAN was there and shares his view here. Read the show preview with frontman RON PENO here.The album has just been re-issued with a bonus disc and is reviewed here.

RIFLES ROCK THE HARBOUR
Carol "Anglo" Smith caught the Celibate Rifles on their Australia Day Weekend Sydney Harbour cruise. Check out the footage, read the review here.

GOING PSYCH AT THE TOTE: FROWNING CLOUDS AND THE DOLLY ROCKER MOVEMENT IN MELBOURNE
Melbourbne live music punters got treated to a wild night with the teaming of Geelong's Frowning Clouds and Sydney's fab Doilly Rocker Movemment. PATRICK EMERY was there.

STOOGES FOR BOOKIES REUNION?
Detroit will see the return of some of that city's most important music from one of its most influential venues of the '80s, Bookie's Club 870. Could a celebration of the long-closed venue's 30th anniversary draw some huge names? Read on...

KLONDIKE'S NORTH 40 HITS SAN FRAN, NEW JERSEY AIRWAVES
"The Straight Path" is getting airplay on WMFU New Jersey and KALX San Francisco. There's also a killer review in Melblourne's "Beat" street paper here. Get with the program, grab a copy in our shop.

PIERCED ARROWS MAKE AUSTRALASIA THEIR FIRST TOUCHDOWN
Rumours of their retirement were grossly exaggerated and Fred and Toody Cole's first post-Dead Moon band, Piereced Arrows, makes its debut outside trhe USA with a January tour of Australika and New Zealand. PATRICK EMERY grabbed some online time with Fred and asked him for the lowdown on the jaunt Down Under. Read it here.

THEY ARE THE ROCK AND ROLL SOLDIERS: HITMEN RE-ASSEMBLE
The long-awaited resumption of the Hitmen's War Against the Jive finally happens in Australia in December. THE BARMAN cornered all five members to talk about their deluxe double CD re-issues of their first two albums as well as toring and recording plans here.

JEFF JAREMA ON (AND AS) DYLAN
OK, we're back on deck and alive after the Xmas-New Year tribulations. Just. Jeff's work email is bouncing so you can tell our irregular "I Want Everything Louder Than Everything Else" columnist that his Bob Dylan piece is up. Jeff, if you're there, can you drop us a line from another address? That firewall is crazy! Read about His Bobness and re-issues here.

EARL WAS BORN OUT OF TIME: AN APPRAISAL OF THE JOYS OF MOTORBIKIN' AND THE NEW CHRISTS
What does the New Christs' stunning recorded and live legacy have to do with riding two wheels on the open highway? EARL O'NEILL tells all in his column series (aptly called What The Fuck!?). Catch the latest one here.

SOLID AS A ROCK: HITMEN RETURN TO AUSSIE STAGES
More than 15 years later, the re-constituted Hitmen blow away crowds on their Drop The Top, Step On The Gas tour of the Australian East Coast. Read about THE BARMAN'S wrap-up of the Wollongong and Sydney gigs here.

RADIO BIRDMAN SPECIAL: ON THE ROAD IN THE US OF A
Get up close and personal with Radio Birdman with the inside story via tour diaries by good mates ANDY 'MORT" BRADLEY (the band's 1970s soundman) and RON SANCHEZ in our special double-header report. Dig it here.

XMAS PODCAST AVAILABLE NOW
We've whacked up another I-94 Bar Podcast, just in time for Xmas. Listen to it via the embedded player at right or grab it directly as a download here.

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