Mad Macka has earned a place in Brisbane’s gutter music scene. From the backslamming yob rock of The Onyas to the under-rehearsed The Egos, hjs ascent as guitarist in the Cosmic Psychos (the band The Onyas always wanted to be) and solo singles like this have made him a poster boy for lovers of dirty six-string mayhem.
This is just great.
Just 150 were pressed - there were two types of cover available - one to commemorate a gig, with a faux '70s bootleg cover. There was the standard disc and sleeve edition, and bugger all of a deluxe edition. There's a handful of copies of the "standard" left. You deffo need this in your collection.
The deluxe edition is, as always with Seedy product, is a bit like dipping into Santa's sack (though not quite so seasonal). First, the vinyl came in different colours. There's this great poster, "a parody of a '72 Japan tour poster"; a Japanese Obi (that's one of those titling things that go around the left edge.
“Feed The Dog” b/w “Coming Back” – Bored! (Fantastic Mess Records)
Before the recent passing of principal member Dave Thomas, Bored! had probably faded somewhat from the collective underground music consciousness.
There was a collection of live material out on Spanish label Bang! that did address that but, being a mail order thing, it was probably only heard by diehard Australian fans. This posthumous, limited-edition single from committed boutique label Fantastic Mess rights this wrong and is a fine tribute to Dave.
If the Scandi-Rock-meets-punk thing is over somebody forgot to tell P.R.O.B.L.E.M.S. And just as well. This one presses a boot to the windpipe and doesn’t let the victim up until he’s out of air and long done squirming.
There’s something timeless/placeless about this stuff but the fact the single was recorded in Sweden had me convinced P.R.O.B.LE.M.S. were another hair, denim and leather outfit off that country’s esteemed production line. I was impressed to find out they’re from somewhere that’s arguably even more isolated (Portland, Oregon) and that their ranks contain Pierced Arrows and Poison Idea members. As do most bands from Portland, Oregon.
Fancy some cock rock in a double-serving? This double A-sided split-single puts Gold Coast/Far Northern New South Wales misfits, Raygun Mortlock, intp bed with trashy Brisbane brat-beaters, The Dirty F Holes. Who wears the strap-on in this aural version of "50 Shades Of Grey" isn't clear but the consummation of this relationship isn’t pretty.
“I’ve Got Cock If You Want It” sits astride a repeating guitar figure and lets it all hang out. There is no fancy foreplay introduction or acoustic guitar filigree at the bridge in this ball of sludge. It has a direct, shout-along chorus (you can guess the words) that's interrupted only by a tightly-coiled guitar solo that takes the song out.
If there’s the strong stench of familiarity about a couple of these songs it’s because they were on Ich Bin Ein Esel’s essential debut album “Why?” on the same label a couple of years back. Even if you’ve some of them before, four tracks by this German-obsessed Brisbane supergroup (Boondall Boys, The Dangermen, The Onyas) on a 7” EP is good value.
Our favourite Canadian-born guitarist, Chris Masuak of Radio Birdman/Screaming Tribesmen/Hitmen fame, has a cheap and cheerful film clip doing the rounds online for the B side of his "Another Lost Weekend" single on Spanish label New H. Here's "Animal".
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The re-tooled line-up of The Dictators is touring Europe right now - on the back of a new single. Now billed as Dictators NYC, the band’s “Supply and Demand” b/w “Kick Out The Jams” is available as a limited edition 45 or download.
The new line-up formed five years ago without founding Dictators member Andy Shernoff and is Handsome Dick Manitoba (vocals), Ross “The Boss” Friedman (guitar), J.P. “Thunderbolt” Patterson (drums) and Dean Rispler (bass.) It’s the first studio recording by any form of the band in 15 years.
The A side was written by Handsome Dick Manitoba, Ross The Boss and Jake Manitoba and is backed by a live take on the MC5 nugget, recorded in San Francisco. You can order the digital download here and the seven-inch from label Striped Music here. And while on the subject of all things Dictators, an expanded edition of “Go Girl Crazy!” is in the wings. More info on that soon.
This is a strictly limited edition (250 copies) double-headed tribute to Aussie icons Beasts of Bourbon and GOD that hits the spot like a depth charge in a bathtub.
Newcastle band The Delta Lions have just released a brand new double A side single and are donating all the proceeds to the Indigenous Literacy Foundation. “Smoke Bombs” b/w “Mac & Laura” is up for grabs digitally at $A2 for both songs. It’s also available as a vinyl seven-incher and is the band’s first recording in two years.
Set up in 2011, the Indigenous Literacy Foundation is a not-for-profit charity without government or major corporate funding. It aims to raise literacy levels and improve the lives and opportunities of Indigenous children living in remote and isolated regions.
Delta Lions are touring buddies of Leadfinger and one of the best blues-rock bands to emerge from Newcastle in recent years. Details or how to buy the single are available via the links below.
Here’s a freaked-out, lo-fi, mindfuck of a 45 that does Brisbane’s reputation for sonic mayhem no harm. Ex-Hekawis and Shutdown ’66 bassist James Pierce leads the trio on this monstrous single.
