The good news: The much anticipated Australian tour by ex-Lazy Cowgirls frontman Pat Todd and his band The Rankoutsiders is on. The bad news: The tour is restricted to one state.

Pat Todd’s Aussie solo dates with Mad Macka of the Cosmic Psychos were a stand-out of 2023 and he promised to be back. Unfortunately, limited time and economics mean Victoria will host all five dates of the run. 

So if you’re anywhere else, book an air ticket. If can't, take consolation that you’ll be able to stream a live-to-air on 3PBS-FM before the live shows proper start.

Pat Todd & The Rankoutsiders
NOV
6 – PBS live to air
7 – Trash Cult, Bendigo, VIC
8 – The Tote, Collingwood, VIC
9 – River Rocks, Barwon Club, Geelong
10 – St Kilda Bowls Club, St Kilda, VIC
11 – Last Chance Bar, Melbourne, VIC

_{Original image by Leni Sinclair.}

A few hours before the clueless moguls of the music industry rattle their jewelry at a black-tie knees-up in Cleveland to officially induct the MC5 into the Rock and Roll Hall of Lame, a more appropriate commemoration will take place in the band’s home state of Michigan.

Friends and supporters will gather at Memorial Park in Lincoln Park - the city where Rob Tyner (Derminer), Wayne Kramer (Kambes), Fred Smith and Dennis Thompson (Tomich) attended high school - from 3pm on the afternoon of October 12.

Rock noir extraordinaire exponents, Gentle Ben and His Shimmering Hands, kick off their Australian East Coast tour to promote their album “Brut” at The Cactus Room in Melbourne tonight with Screensaver and Tali & The Arms.

After that it’s off to Major Tom’s in Kyneton (September 21). Marrickville Bowling Club in Sydney (with The Holy Soul on September 27) and The Bearded Lady in hometown Brisbane (with Refedex and Anna & The Morphics September 27).

The band fronted by Ben Corbett (SixFtHick) is fresh from a blistering run of 13 shows in France including the prestigious Binic Festival (pictured above).

Gentle Ben & His Shimmering Hands
SEP
20 – The Cactus Room
Tickets
21 – Major Tom’s, Kyneton
– Major Tom’s
27 – Marrickville Bowling Club, NSW 
Tickets
28 – The Bearded Lady, West End, QLD
Tickets

Genre-hopping Spanish garage-punk/country/gospel/soul luminaries Los Chicos are set to tour their home away from home, Australia, for the seventh time this November, and will release their eighth album, “Never Is Too Much”, to coincide.

Produced by Mike Mariconda (guitarist of the legendary Raunch Hands and producer of classic albums by the Cosmic Psychos, Powder Monkeys and New Bomb Turks). “Never Too Much” is out on Cheersquad Records & Tapes on November 1.

Aussie fans were left amazed earlier this year when Zeke landed Down Under for the first time in 20 years, and it’s Europe’s turn when they go on the road in October and November for a 27-date tour.

German label Hound Gawd is marking the occasion with a vinyl-only single, “Snake Eyes”, on October 4. It follows “Ride Hard Ride Free” on the same label.

Neither track will be streaming and the physical product is available from the label here.

Zeke is a hardcore institution, forming in in Seattle in 1992 and cranking loud, fast and heavy punk rock with a hint of blues. Original members Blind Marky Felchtone (vocals and guitar) and Donny Paycheck (drums) have been joined by Jason Freeman (bass) and Jeff Hiatt (guitar).

We've had a sneak preview and glued-on fans will be happy to hear that “Snake Eyes” is as uncompromising as ever, with a whirlwind rhythm and a tidal wave of fast guitars. Flipside “The Knife” is on the same scale but strikes at an even more furious pace. 

Click MORE for tour dates.

Your favourite cowpunks The Johnnys are back for their first Sydney show since 2023 and it’s at their spiritual home, Marrickville Bowling Club, with a killer line-up, presented by The I-94 Bar. Tickets are on sale here.

Joining The Johnnys will be high-energy Melbourne veterans Brando Rising, launching their self-titled album, and the internationally-credentialled swamp rockers Pete Ross & The Sapphire, signed to French label Beast Records but now living in Sydney..  

The show is a home town return from the injured list for bassist Graham Hood, who is bouncing back from a wrist operation.

All is well with Hoody after the equivalent of a grease and oil change, He, Slim and Billy have been in the studio over winter, working with producer Phil Punch to preparing a vinyl re-issue of their debut  album, “Highlights of a Dangerous Life”. 

The gig will be the Sydney debut of Brando Rising, with singer Ripley Hood and bassist Tony "The Kid" Robertson (of Hitmen and The Naked Lunch) back on what was their home turf for many years. 

Peter Ross and his crack outfit are fast making a name for themselves in Sydney and played a memorable support to Charlie Owen at a sold-out Django Bar that still has people talking.

Book your ticket often and early to save and make admission on the night a breeze. Cheap drinks and even cheaper thrills from The Johnnys under The Bowlo's Coppperart ceiling. What else could your heart desire?