Simon Hobbs

Punk Ska

Easy Star All-Stars - Easy Star’s Lonely Hearts Dub Band [Easy Star Records]

The Easy Star All-Stars are a present-day dub band whose musical versatility, instrumental prowess, fine vocal harmonies and superb rhythm section have seen them become a top international reggae act since debuting in 2003. Formed originally as the studio band for Easy Star Records in 1997, they remained a studio entity until releasing their first concept album in 2003.  This was the complete dubbed-up versioning of Pink Floyd's masterwork, Dark Side of the Moon. Easy Star's Lonely Hearts Dub Band is their latest LP and like it's Beatles' template, it is a stroke of genius.  With guest vocalists like Luciano, Frankie Paul, Max Romeo, Ranking Roger and the legendary U Roy contributing to the 13 tracks, Lonely Hearts will sit well amid your music collection, whether you're a Beatles tragic, a Rasta or simply a reggae enthusiast. 

PunkSka

Crazier than GG, more PC than Ian, it's the punk & ska news. One of the stalwarts of the punk rock scene, the hard-working, heavy-touring Pennywise released a real WTF statement recently. After 19 years, nine albums and thousands of shows around the world, vocalist Jim Lindberg has decided to step down as lead singer. A statement from the band reads, "as the three remaining members of Pennywise, we feel that we are not done delivering our message to our fans. We will begin our search for a new singer immediately. We will continue to tour the world and we are looking forward to writing new music."

As mentioned previously, Byron Bay knucklemen 50 Lions are performing in Canberra for the first time at the Tuggeranong Youth Centre on Sunday November 8 (AA). Joining them on the night will be Baltimore's bastard sons Trapped Under Ice. Forming during the metalcore craze of 2005, 50 Lions have remained faithful to a more traditional hardcore crunch (think Madball or Cro Mags) and have gained a fearsome live reputation. For a sneak preview of what to expect at this gig, check out the new songs they've posted at their myspack, http://www.myspace.com/50lions.

While not strictly punk or ska-related, Think Tank is a massive charity event at the ANU Bar (Saturday November 14) that has a strong message about the dangers of drink driving and a great goal to raise money for and awareness of the National Brain Injury Foundation. With 19 bands across two stages, there will be something for every musical penchant. Participating bands include Casino Rumblers, The Vee Bees, Ebola Goldfish, Goulburn-core's finest Never Trust A Bunny and many more.

Ska tragics, sit tight and listen keenly because this reminder is for you. Taking place over the Melbourne Cup Day long weekend (Sunday-Monday November 1-2), the second annual Ska Nation Festival features some of the best ska, bluebeat, dancehall, rocksteady and reggae bands from across the world. Ska Nation, the biggest ska event to be held in Australia for some years includes local and international artists, DJs and the biggest "sound system" to be seen at a ska event in many years. Participating bands include California's Chase Long Beach, Canada's One Night Band, Dan Potthast (guitar/vox MU330), Area 7, High Tides, Calico Jacks, The Reefs, The Resignators and The Ska Vendors. Get your tickets now from Moshtix and for more information visit www.skanation.com.

In the dying decade of the last century (that's the 1990s, kids), swing and big band music had somewhat of a revival and one of the biggest bands to emerge from that was the Cherry Poppin' Daddies. We haven't heard from them in a while, however, the band has just released an album of ska songs. Skaboy JFK: the Skankin' hits of the Cherry Poppin' Daddies is released in celebration of the bands 20th year in the music business. Skaboy will combine four new recordings with tracks from the group's earlier catalogue, reflecting all the waves and varieties of ska: traditional/bluebeat, 2-Tone, third wave. There are even funky Fishbone-esque hybrids for good measure. For further information or to purchase the LP directly from the band, visit http://www.daddies.com. With Skaboy the Daddies plan to reconnect with a ska audience that is largely aware of the band as merely a swing band.

Finally, don't miss The Toxicmen when they channel the legendary Misfits for their Halloween bash at The Basement (Friday October 30). Fiends and ghouls are invited to get into the spirit of the evening and dress in their best ghoulish attire, sporting devilocks and skeletal makeup. Also appearing are Oxygen Thief, Buttnugget and Johnny Roadkill.

Oi Oi that's yer lot!
SIMON HOBBS

Next deadline is November 16. Send news, views, gig promos and abuse to rudebwaay@gmail.com

Punk Ska

Boss sounds to wreck the town, here comes another punk and ska news column. There'll be plenty of wreckin' going on this month, with a heap of hardcore gigs hitting the 'berra, so let's get straight to it. First up, on Tuesday October 6 it's the Sike Your Mind Tour, going down at the Southern Cross Woden Basketball Stadium and featuring Deez Nuts, Miles Away, Antagonist AD, In Trenches and Blkout!.

Then on Friday October 9 Slamfest! hits The Basement. This killer gig pits the paddy-punk of Sydney's Rumjacks against the folk-rockin' punk of Melbourne's Hornswagglers. Joining them will be local scrappers Hoodlum Shouts and All In Brawl.

Also on Friday October 9, across town at the Tuggeranong Youth Centre, the always uncompromising Terror will be joined by Stick To Your Guns and Against (AA).

Local punk/metal act Final Lies have their debut CD out this month and two tracks are already generating interest, ranked #3 and #5 on the current triple j Unearthed punk chart. They have two launch shows lined up - Thursday October 15 at Tuggeranong Youth Centre with Westralian's Break Even, on their The Bright Side Tour, together with I Exist and Vera (AA) and then Friday October 16 at The Basement with Escape Syndrome and Corporate Takedown (18+).

The second of the three Slamfest! events to take place this month will be going off on Friday October 23 at the ANU Bar. Germany's hardcore heroes The Spermbirds team up with Mid Youth Crisis, A.V.O. and I Exist (18+). Then it's back to The Basement, on Friday October 30 where Slamfest! presents another Halloween Misfits Tribute show, once again featuring The Toxic Men and this time joined by Oxygen Thief, Buttnugget and Johnny Roadkill.

It's time we returned to the rhythm-o-matic skank of the sound of ska. Firstly, shock news with BBC6 Music announcing that Prince Buster has experienced a stroke (though his manager has not yet confirmed that this has happened). Not much detail, but Gaz Mayall (The Trojans/Gaz's Rockin' Records) recently said during an interview, "he's stuck in Miami with health problems, I don't know what's going on...".

New York City's ska ambassadors The Slackers have announced a new collection titled Lost & Found. The set will include "redos, remixes and new rarities" from the band's catalogue dating from 1998 to 2007. No release date for the record has been announced yet.

Finally, New York crust-punk-metal-ska act Leftover Crack are coming to Australia, bringing their catalogue of two LPs, three EPs and a handful of split releases with some of punk's most influential artists. All the controversial antics that surround LOC aside, the band has always sent a clear message of anti- racism, anti-sexism and anti-homophobia while still finding a way to be offensive to a government they don't see eye to eye with. Unfortunately not all the band can make it to Australia. Stepping in is guest guitarist Frank D (Star Fucking Hipsters), who's hinted at playing songs off their catalogue as well as pre-LOC, Choking Victim. The Crack Rock Steady kings will not make it to Canberra but local crackers should get to The Arthouse in Melbourne (Sunday November 15 [18+]) or the Bald Faced Stag in Sydney (Monday November 16 [Lic/AA]). Tickets go on sale Monday September 28 through Moshtix.

"True ska is music with a soul"
Prince Buster

Oi Oi that's yer lot! 

SIMON HOBBS
Next deadline is Monday October 19. Send news, views, gig promos and abuse to rudebwaay@gmail.com

PunkSka

Harder than the hard, hard as hard can get, it's the BMA Punk n 'Hardcore' column.

Deutschland's hardcore/punk legends The Spermbirds are finally touring Australia for the first time in 29 years! Inspired by early Britpunk bands like The Ruts, Angelic Upstarts and The Buzzcocks, as well as the punk sounds coming from the US through bands like Minor Threat and Black Flag, the Spermbirds were born in 1983 with a classic '80s punk/thrash melodic sound. Several releases and a few lineup changes later, the original lineup of the band are taking up the 16 year old invitation to play down under. Touring in October, with Melbourne's Mid Youth Crises (formerly One Inch Punch), you can catch them at the ANU Bar (Friday October 23) with A.V.O. and I Exist. There is a possibility that Toe To Toe could also appear. Check out the Spermbirds at their myspack - www.myspace.com/spermbirds.

Re-emerging from the late '90s, Lagerfest is back for another round. The Basement, in Belconnen, plays host to five bands on Saturday September 5. Melbourne's degenerate punks Thundabox, Sydney's Dunhill Blues, the recently reformed Butt Nugget, The Toxicmen and All In Brawl will be appearing in no particular order on the night. Besides the bands, your $10 at the door gets you in for beer promotions, CD giveaways and the Annual Lagerfest Champion Jug Drinker.

Since 2005, Byron Bay's 50 Lions have been a hardcore band on the rise. This fierce five-piece eschewed the metalcore craze that was prevalent at the time of their formation and instead went for a more traditional hardcore sound, taking inspiration from the likes of New York greats Cro Mags and Madball. Together with US band Trapped Under Ice, 50 Lions will tear up the Tuggeranong Youth Centre this Sunday November 8 (AA). Tickets from Moshtix outlets and www.moshtix.com.au.

Before that, the Tuggeranong Youth Centre will host Perth's Break Even on Thursday October 15 (AA). The band are touring in support of their just-released debut album, The Bright Side, taking in five states in a month.

Italian hardcore outfit Gold Kids have announced a November tour. Joined by Ghost Town on their trek around the country, they can be seen at the Majura Community Centre in Dickson on Friday November 13. No further details.

Bridge Nine Records are combining and re-releasing Agnostic Front's first two genre-defining albums, United Blood (1983) and Victim in Pain (1984), as a single CD. Check back at http://www.bridge9.com/ for more details as they come to hand.

Hatebreed released For The Lions, a covers album, on Monday May 11. The band give their rendition of tracks by The Misfits (Hatebreeders), Cro-Mags (It's the Limit), Bad Brains (Supertouch/Shitfit), Black Flag (Thirsty and Miserable'), Sick Of It All (Shut Me Out) and loads more. Visit Bombshell Zine to see the full tracklisting.

Oi Oi that's yer lot!
SIMON HOBBS

Next deadline is September 28. Send news, views, gig promos and abuse to rudebwaay@gmail.com

PunkSka

Taking the skinheads bowling, it’s the punk ‘n’ ska news. For those with the inclination to travel for their music, take note! The band whose moniker is scrawled across countless leather jackets is coming to Australia this October. Forming late in 1976 as the United Kingdom Subversives, UK SUBS have been touring the world and recording constantly for over 30 years without the compromise and watering-down that affected so many of their contemporaries. Still led by the inexhaustible 65-year old legend Charlie Harper, this band refuses to ‘lie down and die.’ See them when they play at The Excelsior Hotel, Sydney (18+) with The Rumjacks on Thursday October 8, then with The Bladderspasms on Friday October 9. Otherwise, get to The Arthouse in Melbourne (Sunday October 11, 18+) where they’re joined by Bastard Squad and No Idea. Tickets available from www.oztix.com.au & Oztix outlets.

Melbourne also plays host to Ska Nation, held this Melbourne Cup Day long weekend (Sunday November 1 and Monday November 2). Participating bands include California’s Chase Long Beach, Canada’s One Night Band, Dan Potthast (guitar/vox MU330), Area 7, High Tides, Calico Jacks, The Reefs, The Resignators and The Ska Vendors. For more info, visit www.skanation.com. Tickets for Ska Nation go on sale in August with a limited amount of reduced priced tickets.

Sadly, local hardheads Hard Luck have called it a day, playing their last gig at Bar 32 with Eye Gouge, Eat A Brick and Johnny United on Saturday July 25. Since forming five years ago, the band has toured our nation numerous times and sold thousands of records.

Coming this October, the Sike Your Mind Tour will bring together five top hardcore acts from Australia and New Zealand. Canberra’s leg of the tour brings Deez Nuts (Melbourne), Miles Away (Perth), Antagonist A.D. (NZ), In Trenches (Melbourne) and relative newcomers to the East featuring members of Miles away – Blkout. It all goes down at the Southern Cross Woden Basketball Stadium, Tuesday October 6 (AA). Tickets on sale from www.stomp.com.au and Landspeed Records.
Melding no-frills hardcore and new generation metal, LA’s tireless and tour-hungry TERROR will tear up the Tuggeranong Youth Centre (AA) this Friday October 9. Joining them will be fellow Americans Stick To Your Guns and Queensland’s Against. Tickets on sale from Moshtix.

More free music from the web! No Idea Records released the compilation Pretend Record for download at
http://www.noidearecords.com/bands/releases/va-pretendrecord.php on June 5. These 15 free tracks have so far been downloaded over three thousand times and include such acts as Dear Landlord, Wormburner, Screaming Females and Dead Friends.

Burning Hearts punkers, Raised Fist (formed 1993, in Sweden) will release their new LP Veil of Ignorance on Monday September 7. This 14 track ‘wall of sound’ is the band’s fifth album. The opening track Friends and Traitors can be previewed here: http://www.burningheart.com/raisedfist/index.php

Those that have purchased tickets to see the NOFX/Bad Religion tour later this year will now also get to see one of Fat Wreck Chords latest signings, with Compton five-piece Pour Habit joining the bill. The group have a nice ‘90s flavour to their punk sound with a hint of early Offspring. You can hear them at their myspack: http://www.myspace.com/pourhabit

Oi Oi that’s yer lot!
SIMON HOBBS
Next deadline is August 24. Send news, views, gig promos and abuse to rudebwaay@gmail.com

PunkSka

They've got the sun and they've got the palm trees. They've got the weed and they've got the taxis, but we've got the BMA Punk & Ska News. As the temperature drops to nine below zero, Belconnen is the place to be for some winter warmth. Kicking things off with a steel-capped boot will be The Toxicmen and reunited local legends Buttnugget at the Pot Belly Bar on Saturday July 18. It's also a reunion of sorts for the old school Canberran skate scene so get along and check out the bands, the classic photos of Dave Pang that captured the scene and claim your chance to win an old school sk8 deck. Skating starts from 2 pm.

The following Saturday will be the first of a once-a-month gig at The Basement, called Slamfest. Slamfest will feature punk, psychobilly, ska, oi! and hardcore from in and around Australia. Some of the bands scheduled to play in the next few months include hardcore heavyweights Toe To Toe, Central Coast psychobillys Checkered Fist and Wollongong punks Topnovil. The first Slamfest takes place Saturday July 25 and the killer lineup includes Casino Rumblers, The Vee Bees, The Rumjacks and The Toxicmen.

Local ska souljahs, Final Warning packed their bags and shifted their war to Melbourne a few years back, but they've just sent news from the front that their all-new 19 track album Militant Ska is out now and eight songs are available for free download at www.mp3.com.au/finalwarning, where they're also number one (with a bullet) on the www.mp3.com.au Oz ska charts and number four on the punk charts. The album, Militant Ska, can be obtained by visiting the band's myspace page.

Ska band Chase Long Beach have just released their first album for Victory Records. The 11 track Gravity Is What You Make It is similar in sound and style to the rock-infused ska ditties pumped out by the likes of Reel Big Fish and Mighty Mighty Bosstones, only with female vocals. Hear the tracks We've Got Pockets Like Nobody's Business and Where's My Time Stick at the group's myspace page and while there, check out the videos (www.myspace.com/chaselongbeach). Since 2002, the band's been working hard from their home turf of southern California, reaching out to live audiences worldwide, resulting in a musical phenomenon and energetic live performance providing an answer to the next wave of ska-punk. Chase Long Beach have released two EPs: Attack Of The Fuzzy Things (2004) and Chase Long Beach Hosts A Molotov-Cocktail Party (2006), plus the full-length LEBEC (2007), produced by Aaron Barret (Reel Big Fish). Order their new LP here - http://www.victoryrecords.com/webstore

Wrapping up, you should still be able to find tickets to see ska legends The Specials at the Enmore Theatre, Sydney, on Monday July 27.

There's even some for the Bad Religion/NOFX show, Wednesday September 30 (AA) at the Hordern Pavilion, Sydney.

Oi Oi that's yer lot!

Simon Hobbs

Next deadline is July 27. Send news, views, gig promos and abuse to rudebwaay@gmail.com.

The Versionaires We Come Again

The Versionaries are a ragga/dub soundsystem consisting of New Zealand DJ/producer Christian Burns and New York Toaster/MC Barrington Calia. As their name suggests, it’s all about different versions and coming up with a master rhythm, before dubbing, reforming and remixing each subsequent version. If dubbed-out, drawn-out and dull reggae ramblings aren’t your thing, this is a nice selection of dubbed upbeat tunes that is something like a cross between Massive Attack and Beats International. Mixing deejay toasting, male and female vocals, this 13-track excursion on the version is worth a listen.

PunkSka

Possessing a permit to bury and a license to kill, it’s the Punk & Ska news… murderer style. Returning in September are two of contemporary punk rock’s champions: NOFX and their mentors Bad Religion. Tickets for the joint tour are selling fast with one of two Melbourne shows already sold out. You can still get tickets for when they play at the Palace Theatre in Melbourne on Wednesday September 23 [18+] and Sydney, for an all ages show at the Hordern Pavilion on Wednesday September 30.

Local shows coming up include US touring veterans Flipper a tANU Bar Friday June 12 and the Drunk And Disorderly Tour 2009 featuring Deez Nuts and The Amity Affliction at Weston Creek Community Hall on Friday July 3 – AA. Also appearing will be Break Even, Ligeia (US) and Louie Knuxx. Tickets available from Moshtix, Oztix, Landspeed Records and the Music Shop or call 1300 762 545.

The overdue new album from Rancid (six years!) is out Tuesday June 2. The 19 track Let the Dominoes Fall is the band’s seventh longplayer and judging from teaser videos released to date, the band has mellowed somewhat, perhaps showing their age. Decide for yourself by watching the video for first single Last One to Die .

Alternative Tentacles have a DVD out from skate punk legends TSOL (True Sounds of Liberty, for those playing at home). Nudity, cross-dressing and obscenity abound in this captured live show from March 1991. Includes a mini-interview with the late drummer Todd Barnes, killer SoCal skate footage spanning 1989 through 2001 and bonus digital footage from a show in 2000. Point yer clicker to http://www.alternativetentacles.com/product.php?product=1687 for details.

Missing for the past five years, Down By Law have a new album on the way. A statement from the band reads, “we’re going to record a full-length for Jailhouse Records. It’ll be a long, slow process, but it’ll happen. We’ve already recorded a few songs.”
Local punk stayers, Bladderspasms added a second guitarist to their lineup this year. Nigel, from Sydney’s Rule 303, has joined and the band hopes to have a CD out soon. Don’t miss when they next perform, supporting UK legends The Varukers, together with All In Brawl, Eye Gouge and Rust (Syd) on Friday June 5 at the ANU Bar. Tickets available at the door ONLY and they’re open from 7:30pm.

In ska news Melbourne’s The Ska Vendors called it a day, playing their final show at the Williamtown RSL on Friday May 15. It’s where they’d played a lot of their gigs and they were joined on the night by past members and other Melbourne ska performers.

Pressure Drop Records recently re-released two LPs from the late, and sometimes great, Laurel Aitken; Ska With Laurel and Laurel Aitken Says Fire. On Monday May 18 they re-released two more LPs, The High Priest Of Reggae and Scandal In Brixton Market (with Laurel alongside Girlie). These first saw the light of day in 1970 and it looks like they will feature original artwork and numerous bonus tracks – such as Moon Rock and Cut Up Munno on the Scandal… LP, and the very rare (and very average!) Skinhead Invasion on the High Priest… LP, which originally came out on a Nu Beat blank only and usually commands three figures on the rare occasions that it appears for sale.

Oi Oi that’s yer lot!
SIMON HOBBS

Next deadline is June 15. Send news, views, gig promos and abuse to rudebwaay@gmail.com.

[Foreign Dub/MGM]

New Zealand comes through with some great sounding reggae. US reggae vocalist Snypa Levi’s first solo offering since settling in New Zealand and collaborating with NZ band Dubwize to record their debut album in 2001 starts a little slow, then continues on to be quite a lively collection of vocal and toasting styles. Sixteen Rastafarian influenced compositions, of which Rasta... be Militant, Can’t Take, Get Down To It, I Press On and the closing version, Dub Of Athens were the highlights for this reviewer. Not every track’s a winner, so try before you buy!

PunkSka

Coming from town, your face turned to this sound.  On your way up or on your way down, I want you to turn to this station for identification.  For your musical headucation, it’s the punk ‘n’ ska news.

Legendary limey punks The Varukers have confirmed they’ll appear at the ANU Bar, Friday June 5.  Being their 30th anniversary tour, they will have a limited edition tour CD on sale. Sydney band Rust and local troublemakers Bladder Spasms, All In Brawl and Eye Gouge will kick things off.  Tickets available at the door ONLY and they’re opening at 7:30 pm. Don’t miss out.

I’ve previously mentioned the squabbling in the camp of The Specials 30th anniversary reunion tour. Well, incredibly, they’re on their way downunda for their first ever Oz tour but disappointingly, it appears founding member, keyboardist and creator of the iconic 2-Tone label, Jerry Dammers, won’t be coming – his name being conspicuously absent from any reports I’ve read. That’s the only change to the ‘original lineup’ of the band though, as Terry Hall (vox), Neville Staple (toasting, backing vox), Lynval Golding (rhythm guitar/vox), Sir Horace Gentleman (bass), Roddy Radiation (lead guitar) and John Bradbury (drums) are all coming. Any self-respecting ska fan will want to see this. Two shows only, at the Enmore Theatre, Sydney July 28 (AA) and The Palace Theatre, Melbourne, July 30 (18+).  They’re also playing Splendour in the Grass.  Tickets are already on sale and for the UK leg of the reunion tour, they sold out in a day! So be quick and slick and don’t bring your walking stick. Visit www.ticketek.com.au for details.

Anti-Flag’s new LP will be called The People or the Gun and is out through Side One Dummy on June 9. The ten-track collection is the band’s seventh full length release. Visit anti-flag.com for details or check www.sideonedummy.com for presales. BTW the Special Presale Package Bundle includes the album, exclusive t-shirt, poster and a limited edition EP, with a portion of the proceeds from every preorder donated to Amnesty International. All preorders will receive an advance download of the unreleased song Bring Down Their Wall Again.

The new NOFX album, Coaster (Fat Wreck Chords/Epitaph) is in stores now. The track Creeping Out Sara can be heard on the youf network, triple j, but visit their myspace to hear The Quitter.

What’s with this 30th anniversary tour thing!?! US proto-punks, San Francisco band Flipper (right), are bringing their grungy interpretation of punk rawk to the ANU Bar on Friday June 12.

Finally, the long-awaited Porkers DVD, Persistence is Futile, is back on track and should be out this year.

Oi Oi that’s yer lot!

Next deadline is May 1. Send news, views, gig promos and abuse to rudebwaay@gmail.com.

Various Artists - 100% Dynamite!: Dancehall Reggae

The Soul Jazz label manages to find the freshest roots, reggae and dancehall tracks to furnish their releases every time. The latest in their 100% Dynamite series - this time it’s dancehall colliding with hiphop in the Big Apple - is 13 tracks of hard-to-find, soundsystem booming musical treats for your dancing feets. Bluntworthy beats and deliriously droll deejay dribble will see this release becoming a part of any dancehall reggae follower’s record collection. This reviewers pick? Fuschnickens Ring the Alarm, but the tracks by Supercat, Shinehead, Shaggy, Born Jamericans and Rayvon are right up there.

PunkSka

Last chance to dance to the bluebeat dance. It’s the final ska ‘n’ punk column for noughty-eight so put on your dancin’ shoes and let’s boogaloo at the barbeque, because it’s good for you and you know it’s true. The debut album from San Francisco skankers The Impalers (featuring ex-members of Lets Go Bowling, Skanking Pickle, and The Rudiments) is now out on Axe Records. Blood, Rum & Reggae draws obvious comparisons to Hellcat’s heavy-reggae heavyweights, The Aggrolites, but The Impalers have a much ‘cleaner’ interpretation of this Jamaican music and singer Cindy Chi has one of the sweetest and strongest sounding voices, channeling JA singing legends like Phyllis Dillon and Hortense Ellis. Twelve tight tracks, so visit www.axerecords.com for samples.

The new Propagandhi LP is ready for an early 2009 release on Fat Wreck Chords. A statement from the band reads, “For the first time in the last ten years we have completed a record on schedule! It is a killer record! Everything went really well. We’re really excited for everyone to hear it. We will begin touring all over the place in February 2009. Prepare yourself!”  When they were last here, playing the Civic Youth Café in 1997(RIP), I was stuck visiting family in Queensland. Bloody Christmas… grumble grumble… So it’s a good thing that they’ll be heading back to Canberra for an all ages show on Friday February 20 at the Weston Creek Community Centre.

Also out on Fat Wreck Chords is a Swingin’ Utters collection of rare 7” singles, B-sides, album outtakes, compilation songs and covers, entitled Hatest Grits: B-Sides and Bullshit. That’s 26 tracks, nine previously unreleased, liner notes on each song from band members, past and present, photos and so on. You can download two tracks now, at www.fatwreck.com/record/detail/734 .

Reel Big Fish have finished up work on a new ten song serving of high-energy covers, which they’ve dubbed Fame, Fortune and Fornication. As well as the band’s signature ska takes on mainstream bands (this time it’s the like of Poison, The Eagles, Tom Petty and Slade et al) they also pay tribute to ska’s forefathers, with versions of Desmond Dekker’s Keep a Cool Head and The Maytals’ Monkey Man. It’s due out on January 20. Can’t tell you what label they’re on as their myspace declares they’re still unsigned!?!

If you’re looking for something to do on December 20, go support you’re local scene at Rock for RADD at the Holy Grail in Civic. It’s for a great cause and you’ll catch the likes of Outcome Unknown, The Toxicmen, The Vee Bees, The Rumjacks, Mafia, Charlie Greaser, Casino Rumblers, slick Central Coast psychobillys Checkered Fist and many more. Visit www.myspace.com/rockforradd for further details.

Finally, if you thought that Obama’s election in the USA meant we’d be spared anymore Bushit, think again. In October, Biff signed a controversial new bill strengthening anti-piracy efforts in the US, bringing greater penalties for copyright infringement and creating an intellectual property czar reporting directly to the president on how to better protect copyrights, both domestically and internationally. The bill, supported by both the music industry’s RIAA and the movie industry’s MPAA, along with increased penalties, allows for asset forfeiture. Already existing in drug laws, this allows the government to seize assets: your car, your clothes, your house and pretty much anything they think they could sell for a buck.  Find out more here: http://www.reuters.com/article/newsOne/idUSTRE49C7EI20081013?rpc=64 .

Oi Oi that’s yer lot! I’m off to celebrate me baby grrl’s first Xmas.

Next deadline is January 11. Send news, gig promos and abuse to rudebwaay@gmail.com

Punkska

Calling all rudebwoys! With a heavy heart, this Ska & Punk News kicks off with another obituary. Alton Ellis has passed away, aged 70, inna London hospital on October 11, having been diagnosed with Lymphatic Cancer, ten months ago. It was with his backing group The Flames for producer Duke Reid’s Treasure Isle label that he scored one of Jamaica’s biggest hits of 1966. Dance Crasher lambasted the rude boys who were wreaking havoc inna dancehalls at the time. During 1967, a Studio One recording for Clement ‘Coxone’ Dodd, I’m Still in Love With You would be his biggest legacy and was only one of many hits he recorded in that decade, earning him the title ‘Godfather of Rocksteady’. That single track’s ryddim has been used for a number of reggae chartbusters, including Althea and Donna’s Uptown Top Ranking and most recently, in 2004 when deejay Sean Paul and singer Sasha’s song, I’m Still in Love sat in the Billboard Hot 100 pop charts for 25 weeks, peaking at number 14. Alton Nehemiah Ellis, singer, songwriter, producer and concert promoter, born September 1 1938, died October 11 2008. He is survived by numerous children from different relationships and many grandchildren.

Disappointingly, the Cockney Rejects have pulled their Australian tour, citing difficulties with the promoters. This certainly sucks the big one, but there is light on the horizon with word that punk veterans UK Subs and The Vibrators will be in Canberra to perform in October 2009, supported by locals Bladderspasms, Eye Gouge and All In Brawl. These same likely lads could also be supporting tours by ’80s UK punk legends Uproar and The Varukers.

Star Fucking Hipsters are presently touring widely across the US, winding up with several shows in Texas, this month. After that, StZA (SFH/Leftover Crack/Choking Victim) will disappear across the border to Mexico, re-emerging in time for the highly anticipated March 2009 Australian tour.

For some heavyweight action, don’t miss out when punk and metal go toe to toe at the Basement for Punk Vs. Metal on Friday November 28. Slugging it out, in no particular order, are All In Brawl, Kill For Satan, The Toxicmen, Reign Of Terror, Kill Razor and Eye Gouge. Sounds painful! Six rounds for $10, starting 8pm sharp.

They’ve been quiet for a while now, but Canberra’s favourite ska souljahs, Los Capitanes will perform at the Trackside Festival on November 22. The band has new songs for your listening pleasure and is penciled in to record a new LP in January ’09.

The Toxicmen put on one helluva Halloween show at the Basement in Belconnen, channeling The Misfits until well past the witching hour. Replete with devilock hair, skull-face makeup and new lead guitarist, Alex, they had the goodly (ungodly)-sized crowd wailing along to classic Misfits melodies, before finishing with some of their own crowd favourites, the house chanting “Shit the bed! Shit the bed!” The Bastards and Mafia put in solid performances in support and promising young Queanbeyan kids, Short Fuse were unfazed with the opening slot.

“Don’t break it up, please don’t make a fuss
Don’t use a knife, take another person’s life”
(ALTON ELLIS & THE FLAMES – Dance Crasher)

Oi Oi that’s yer lot!

Next deadline is December 1. Send news, gig promos and abuse to rudebwaay@gmail.com

Punkska

Bailing out the Banks, it’s the publicly subsidized, privately profitable Punk ‘n’ Ska News, direct from the frontlines of the class war, shouting ‘jump, you bastards!’ Some punk shows coming up in Belconnen. Local Resident Failure (NSW) and Reason Strikes (NSW) join locals Outcome Unknown and Yoko Oh No at The Basement (October 18), then Sydney’s Repo Man and Taipan join Eat a Brick (Tuross), Eye-Gouge!, Cold Front and All In Brawl at the Pot Belly (October 24). Only $10 and the first band kicks off at 9:30 sharp!

On Halloween, The Toxicmen, Mafia, The Bastards and Short Fuse revive an inglorious punk tradition, putting on a Misfits Tribute Show at The Basement (October 31). Pioneers of horror punk, The Misfits (formed 1977) played annually on Halloween, wearing ghoulish makeup and bassist Jerry Only reputedly invented a hairstyle called the devilock, with the bangs coming to a point in front of the nose or chin, a style still worn by fans (A.K.A. Fiends) today. The Toxicmen also hope to have their 15-track debut album on sale for $2.

Fast-paced, brass-heavy US ska punkers, Streetlight Manifesto are touring downunda, but unfortunately (and typically) will miss Canberra! Touring with Dan Potthast and The Resignators, catch them at the Annandale Hotel in Sydney (October 31). Check their myspace for music ( myspace.com/streetlightmanifesto ).

The Specials reunited for the Isle of Wight’s Bestival, in September, their first show since their 1981 split. Co-founder and keyboardist Jerry Dammers wasn’t involved, the band was billed as Terry Hall and Friends. The almost Specials performed a greatest hits-filled set, including A Message To You, Rudy and Monkey Man. The same weekend, old skool punks X-Ray Spex reformed for the first time since 1995, performing their entire album Germ Free Adolescents (1978 ) at London’s Roundhouse venue. Like The Specials, X-Ray Spex performed with an altered line-up, as original guitarist Jak Airport died of cancer in 2004.

Until We’re Dead (Fat Wreck Chords), the new LP from Scott Sturgeon’s (Leftover Crack/Choking Victim) band, the Star Fucking Hipsters should be available soon. Check the online video of the band performing 9/11 was an Inside Joke live in New York, plus a number of other new songs.

Need a laugh!? A video of grannies covering Sex Pistols songs has been posted from the new exhibition No Future at the Sydney Biennale 2008. The exhibit transforms the gallery into a rehearsal space for a punk band of volunteers who are over the age of 80 years. In the space they rehearse the 1977 Sex Pistol’s hit, God Save the Queen, originally banned from the BBC but topped charts anyway. The band gathers for practice and performs in public whenever they please during the gallery’s opening hours, during which their sessions are videotaped and recorded to be released on DVD and CD at the end of the Biennale.

April 1982:  The Misfits headline a bill in San Francisco, which includes Jody Foster’s Army, The Meat Puppets, The Undead et al. Eugene Robinson reviewed the show for Ripper magazine: “When they walked onstage…I knew there was something wrong, call it a feeling in my gut but these guys looked like…KISS! They weren’t though, they were bigger…They started playing and people started throwing beer cans. The drummer jumps into the audience and starts pounding some kid… The Misfits squeeze in a couple more songs – straight on garbage, rock and roll done by guys in funny costumes. The guitarist slaps Chris Cross, Santa Cruz’s most dangerous punkette, giving her a bloody lip and soon after unleashes his guitar and brings it down over Timmy, a fourteen-year old punk from Berkeley… The Misfits attempted to return and were again shouted down and off the stage.  They had done a total of three songs, three songs too many for my taste…”

Oi Oi that’s yer lot!

Next deadline is November 3.  Send news, gig promos and abuse to rudebwaay [at] gmail [dot] com .

PunkSka

Spraying mace in the face of Osama bin Bogeyman and the terror-pimps inna Whitehouse, it’s the War On Terror (TM) edition of the punk ‘n’ ska news. All In Brawl isn’t just a band with a great name; they’re also the best oi! and streetpunk act to emerge locally in decades. Don’t miss them when they next play The Basement in Belcompton, with Melbourne’s Sin City, Wollongong’s Throwaway Kids, Charlie Greaser and Sister Scarlete on October 4. The Bastards beat AIB to the punch, though, punking it up at The Basement with The Moots and Devilzwork on Friday September 19.

While on an oi! trip, The Cockney Rejects (formed 1979), and whose song Oi! Oi! Oi! gave the punk sub-genre it’s name, are in Australia later this year to perform at Sydney’s Gaelic Club on November 15. Original players, Micky Geggus (guitar) and Jeff ‘Stinky’ Turner (vocals) are active in the group.

Californian hatecore heads, Ceremony celebrate their brand of punk at the Tuggeranong Youth Centre this September 27 (AA). They’re touring the album Still, Nothing Moves You, which was released August 16 (Bridge 9/Stomp).

Melbourne’s The Go Set signed a two-album deal with European label Coretex, home to everything from Terror, to Madball and Antiflag. The band’s fourth LP, Rising is due October 4.

Recorded with Nick Huggins and Jonathon Burnside (Melvins, NOFX), those ‘in the know’ describe a return to their punk roots with lots of loud, fast, high-energy singalongs. They’re playing ANU Bar on October 10 (LIC/AA) with Catgut Mary and guests. Tickets available through Ticketek or the venue.

Ska dynamos, The Mad Caddies are at the early stages of an album due around May, next year. Chances are there’ll be an EP before then and they will tour again as soon as dates are sorted.

Long running Sydney punk outfit A.V.O. release Domestic Violence Kept The Neighbourhood Quiet on Straight Up Records in November and the awesome Toe To Toe recently teamed up with hip-hop act Def Wish Cast. An EP is on the way, but they’re also soon to begin recording an album due early next year.

Now, let’s return to the War On Terror (TM). Defining global foreign policies since 2001 and igniting the two continuing wars in Iraq and Afghanistan leading to the deaths of millions of innocents, the Bush Administration’s official report on the events of September 11 2001 has holes in it, big enough for ‘terrorists’ to fly a jetliner through.  Millions worldwide are waking from the Orwellian nightmare of the Terror Wars and the evidence of a massive crime and cover-up involving major corporations and mainstream media blackouts is now available for you to expose. If you’re ready to ‘take the red pill’ and join the growing multitude calling for peace, justice for the victim’s families and a new ‘citizens’ investigation into 9/11, check out www.911sharethetruth.com or contact me for more details.

Oi Oi that’s yer lot!

Next deadline is October 6. Send news, gig promos and abuse to rudebwaay [at] gmail [dot] com .

DVDevotee Bill Bailey Presents Wild Thing I Love You

(RDF/Shock)
If Bill Oddie can do it… you know, the hairy one from The Goodies, then why not stand-up comedian and Black Books star, Bill Bailey (yes, the weird one who looks like a curious wizard)? He loves animals, too, after all. This three disc set shows Bill and his intrepid team of zoologists and engineers taking on the massive task of saving some of Britain’s much loved critters. The inexorable encroachment of human development has endangered the very existence of these long-surviving members of the animal kingdom. Each of the ten unique episodes covers some of the UK’s most endearing animal inhabitants, from badgers and pine martins, to puffins, otters and bats. Through the creation of critter-crossings to translocation, Bill and his team stop at nothing to help Britain’s wildlife. This is an easy on the eye, typical ABC-style animal rescue documentary series. The critters are endearing, so it can get a little upsetting at times when you empathise with their plight. It’s certainly not a gag-fest like Black Books, but if you love animals, you will love this as well. Sorry, no DVD extras to speak of.

PunkSka

Whether you a lawbreaker or you a informer, this news is for you. I haven’t received any details for local shows, so keep your eyes open for any gigs.

Melbourne pop-punk power trio Antiskeptic has decided, after nine years and over 900 shows, enough’s enough. Their farewell tour won’t include Canberra, so local ’skeptics will have to settle for the band making available, for free download at their myspace, a studio recording of previously unreleased live favourite I’ll Follow ( myspace.com/antiskeptic ).

News in from local punk legends Bladderspasms: reports are in that the band are recording around ten songs in Sydney for a CD to be released in September. Watch this space.  Also, there are new ’spasms shirts for sale up at Raven.

Sydney’s Irrelevant have been recording in the US with producer Brian McTernan (Thrice/Strike Anywhere) and hope to have the new album out in October. More details and tour dates TBA.

Dead Kennedys’ bassist Klaus Flouride has announced his departure from the band after over 30 years. His statement seems humble considering the bitter split with Jello Biafra over royalties, and the band’s reformation without Jello in 2003. “Over the past 30 years I have had the great fortune to have been a founding member of Dead Kennedys. It’s been tough at times but particularly rewarding working and collaborating with men like Biafra, 6025, D.H. (Peligro), and especially (East Bay) Ray. However a recurring medical condition, Angioedema, has caused me to withdraw from the road and as a touring member of Dead Kennedys.”

Alternative Tentacles, the label created by Biafra in 1979 to release Dead Kennedys’ material, has a DVD documentary out chronicling the 21-year history of a volunteer-run, all-ages venue in Berkeley, California. 924 GILMAN STREET Let’s Talk About Tact And Timing is an intimate portrait of a small punk venue that continues to foster a vital music scene, and most importantly, a sense of hope that punk principles and practices can build a successful, long running community. Featured interviews include Jello Biafra, Ian MacKaye (Minor Threat/Fugazi), Jesse Michaels (Operation Ivy), Matt Freeman (Rancid/Operation Ivy), Lars Frederickson (Rancid/UK Subs), Dick Lucas (Subhumans/Citizen Fish) and The Offspring’s Dexter and Noodles. Band performances include Operation Ivy, F-Minus, Screeching Weasel, Against Me! and Citizen Fish. It should be available mid-September. Order it online at the Alternative Tentacles webstore at www.alternativetentacles.com .

The Meanies have announced the death of Tas Meanie. Tasman Blizzard, who joined the band as a second guitarist in 1993, passed away in a car accident recently. The band lost founding member DD Meanie to cancer in February.

August 1981: The 4 Skins release One Law For Them (Clockwork Fun Records) and are banned by all major record chains in the UK. It’s not a reflection of the lyrical content, just that the band were playing indoors at the Hamborough Tavern when the Southall Riots erupted in July. Defending themselves against charges of being Nazi sympathisers and National Front supporters they release the following statement. Signed by all four members of the band, it read in part, “We wish to point out we are not, and never have been a racialist band. We are totally opposed to the neo-Nazi groups just as we are opposed to extreme left wing organisations. No dictatorship, fascist or communist would allow bands like ours to exist… We reject the censorship and hypocrisy that we have experienced from the music industry, effectively banning our single when it simply TELLS THE TRUTH about the British class system.”

Oi Oi that’s yer lot!

Next deadline is September 9. Send news, gig promos and abuse to rudebwaay [at] gmail [dot] com .

Various - Dutty Bass Vol. Two (Hardwax/Central Station)

It’s the second in this Reggae mix CD series put together by DJ K Note. Regarding this fresh mix, he says his intention was “to broaden the boundaries of music on this mix and include a bit of mainstream music that has links to the fortified dancehall reggae sound.” Couldn’t put it better myself, as mixed among the more contemporary artists are a few older classics, such as Sister Nancy’s Bam Bam and Shabba Ranks’ Caan Dun. Other artists slipped into the mix include Toney Rebel, Beenie Man, Nelly Furtado, Lady Saw, Capleton and Shaggy. Inconsistent.

Various - Dub Anthology (Wagram Music/Creative Vibes)

Dub emerged over 40 years ago when in 1967 DJ Rudy Redwood broadcast, accidentally, the instrumental version of one of the first reggae tracks. The public was amazed. Legendary Jamaican producer Duke Reid and pioneering sound engineer King Tubby advanced the sound, amplifying the bass and dropping the vocals in and out utilising reverb and other effects. Since then, it’s evolved to embrace many styles and influences. This four-disk collection isn’t exhaustive, rep-resenting only a small part of the dub nebula, so each disk concentrates on a different facet of the dub movement: These being dub roots, international dub, french dub and new school. Comprehensive.

DubXanne - Police In Dub (Echo Beach/Inertia)

Remember The Police, that bleached-blonde trio of musicians that blended the sounds of reggae, jazz and punk so successfully throughout the ’80s? DubXanne as a project emerged from a chance meeting of Echo Beach honcho Nicolai Beverungen and drummer Stewart Copeland in LA. Years of negotiations with management and publishing companies later, The Police In Dub is available. 13 classic Police chartbusters are versioned here in a fine dub stylee by Germany’s Okada Allstars and some boss guest toasters, including Ranking Roger (The Beat), Big Youth, and Earl 16 (Leftfield/Dreadzone). Brilliant!

Foxboro Hot Tubs - Stop Drop And Roll (Jingle Town Records/Warner)

There’s something familiar about this ’60s-style garage rock band. I definitely know that voice…  Enough mystery! Foxboro Hot Tubs are actually a six-man side-project for Green Day. The idea to record these 12 eight-track stompers under a nom de plume came from late nights and many bottles of wine. This must’ve been great fun to record for the princes of pop-punk and you can hear elements of, and influences from, such bands as The Kinks, The Strokes and The White Stripes. Surprisingly Good.

The Go Set - A Journey For A Nation (Karvin/MGM)

Victoria’s five-piece paddy-punks The Go Set are constantly touring, both here in their home country and internationally. When do they find time to write and record? This is their third long-player, showing the band has matured as a songwriting unit and Journey For A Nation is undoubtedly their best work yet. Combining the folk elements of accordion, bagpipes and mandolin with distorted punk guitars, Weddings Parties Anything legend Mick Thomas was the perfect choice for the production chair. The 12 tracks, reflecting the album’s title, address Australian history, culture and society while the sociopolitical and working class ethos of their songwriting shines through.

Punk Ska

Making your baby a demon since 2001, it’s the punk ‘n’ ska news.

First, some gig news. US punkers, The Gaslight Anthem make the long trip out to The Greenroom on July 31. Visit www.myspace.com/thegaslightanthem for a taste test. Melbourne’s A Death In The Family journey from south of the border to back them up.

SoCal punks Unwritten Law and Sprung Monkey are playing The Venue (Lic/AA) on August 9. Tickets available through Ticketek.

If you can’t wait that long, The Bastard Sons Of Liberty return to the local live scene sporting a shortened, punkier name (The Bastards), at The Pot Belly on Saturday July 26 (yes, that’s this weekend!). Joining them will be special guests Il Bruto.

After forming in October 2004, and recently releasing their Dead End album on Common Bond Records, Canberra’s Hard Luck are calling it a day. Refusing to go out with a whimper, but with a bang, the band hit the road for an East Coast tour with Perth’s Battletruk, new Brisbane hardcore mob Pressure’s On, and Canberra-comrades Slowburn.

Canadian anarcho-punks Propagandhi are recording the follow-up to 2005’s Potempkin City Limits soon. Bass-playing vocalist Todd Kowalski recently posted online, “We currently have about 14 songs on the go and they are all really exciting! We will record in October!”

2-Tone pioneers, The Specials may yet reunite to do some shows later this year, if vocalist Terry Hall’s statements on BBC Radio 6 can be believed. Unlike previous abortive efforts to reunite, this one seems most likely to succeed, after Hall and fellow Special Lynval Golding performed together onstage with Britpop princess Lily Allen. Check out the link to see their performance of The Specials’ smash hit debut single Gangsters with Ms. Allen at the Glastonberry Music Festival last year, and watch for Billy Bragg skankin’ in the background!

July 1980: The Selecter leave 2-Tone Records and take up residency at Chrysalis. They had wanted to dissolve the label, a company they helped form with The Specials, completely. In a statement, the group said, “Every 2-Tone single has reached the charts. This is a situation which The Selecter feel is ultimately stifling new talent, leading bands to feel that they need to stereotype themselves into what they believe to be the 2-Tone sound… 2-Tone was intended to be an alternative to the music industry, a label that took risks and, we hope, injected some energy into what had become a stale music scene. The time has come when we want to take risks again.” The group was also disillusioned with all the ‘rip-off’ merchandising that was going on without their approval. Thousands of items with the band and company logo were being sold without proper permissions.  They concluded that… “at least a lot of sharks will be stuck with a load of 2-Tone/Selecter badges and ties that we hope no-one will buy.”

Oi Oi that’s yer lot!

Next deadline is August 21. Send news, gig promos and abuse to rudebwaay [at] gmail [dot] com

This War - Ocean Deep (Poison City Records/Independent)

If any war could be considered a ‘good war’, it would definitely be This War. Formed in Melbourne in late 2005, This War play straight-from-the-heart punk ‘n’ roll. Listening to Ocean Deep is like paddling at sea in a rowboat. Waves of intense guitar, catchy hooks and honest lyrics lift you up, then roll over you, before the next song swells to start the process all over again. Ocean Deep is a fantastic second release and This War will go far. All five tracks are worthy of discussion, but the real standouts are The Wolf, As Good As Gold and The Beat Of The Bomb. Great songwriting.

Euphonic - Drowning for Daylight (Rish Records)

Sydney heavy rock four-piece Euphonic’s debut LP is equivalent to an aural enema. Utilising the classic rock band format of two guitars, drums and bass, they deliver an album of depth, with lyrics addressing themes of depression and suicidal behavior, reflective of singer Paul Carpenter’s personal experiences. In amongst the harmonies and guitars can be heard expressions of confusion and disillusionment. Constant touring and performing has given the songs more substance, while the group’s alt/rock sound, driving bass and fuzz-drenched guitars bring comparisons to Magic Dirt. Listening to Drowning for Daylight, however, took this reviewer back to the earlier recordings of the Afghan Whigs, circa 1992. Confident and passionate.

PunkSka

Sick and tired of the ‘isms’ and schisms, it’s the punk ‘n’ ska news.

Did you make it, were you there? The Capital City Punkfest was an all-day marathon of punkskapsychobilly fury. 16 bands in 12 hours is quite a feat to endure but, arriving after lunch, I managed to stay on my feet ‘til after nine, which isn’t bad. Here are a few observations of the event. With such voluminous affairs (16 bands!), it must be tough on the bands performing early with only a trickle of the eventually quite massive crowd arriving in time to see them play. Locals Outcome Unknown played a set of heartfelt originals early on, which showed they’re a band to watch out for, and Eye-Gouge played their regular fast ‘n’ furious set to a disappointingly meager gathering. Central Coast psychobillys Checkered Fist didn’t look old enough to vote, but put on an impressive set that had the growing throng up and excited. Too much fun and too many bands to mention, so on with the news.

On the back of their first ever live album and DVD, Live And Lawless, due in August, popular US punkers Unwritten Law will be in town for a show at The Venue on August 9, with Sprung Monkey. It’s a licensed/all ages affair, with tickets available through moshtix.com.au .

Lagwagon, the first band ever to be signed to Fat Wreck Chords, follow up 2005’s Resolve long-player with a seven song EP entitled I Think My Older Brother Used To Listen To Lagwagon (Fat Wreck Chords). It’s available August 19.

The Offspring’s new LP Rise & Fall, Rage & Grace (Sony) should already be out but you can preview the entire album, first, at www.imeem.com . They’ve also reissued their classic albums Ignition and Smash, completely re-mastered from the original tapes, re-packaged by Epitaph and released through Shock.

In news from the crack rock steady beat, Sturgeon of Left Over Crack posted this update of his sideproject Star Fucking Hipsters coming Fat Wreck Chords debut. “All tracking (aka music, vocals, subliminal messages demanding your undying obedience) have been recorded. These electronically ‘shamed’ replicated discs will end up being shoved into containers with similarly abused art, lyrics and song titles and, in one final vile humiliation, they will bare the stamp of their unhuman sociopathic oppressors: FAT WRECK CHORDS. And yes, this was basically a blog to announce that we have signed our debut record over to FAT and it should be out by October if all goes smoothly.”

June 1978: The Clash’s new single is White Man in Hammersmith Palais, backed with The Prisoner. Packaged in a special pink or green bag with the band’s name on it, it becomes the bands fourth chart record, climbing to number 32 in England.

Oi Oi that’s yer lot!

Next deadline is July 14. Send news, gig promos and abuse to the address below.

PunkSka

Hardcore, rugged and raw, it’s the BMA punk ‘n’ ska news.

There’re a bunch of live shows coming up, so let’s get straight to it. First off the shelf is the big news that Capital City Punkfest is returning to The Basement on June 14, with a massive 16 band line-up. This sees some of the finest Oz punk, hardcore, rockabilly and psychobilly bands returning for a second year to the heart of Belcompton. Be one of the first 200 punters in the door to receive a free CD, then witness the likes of Casino Rumblers, The Black Market, Charlie Greaser, Throwaway Kids, Rust, Checkered Fist, Reason Strikes, Ebolagoldfish, Bladderspasms, Lamexcuse and many more. Sponsors such as Lucky 13, Swamp Industries, Troy Horse, Miss Kitka, Creepshow Promotions and Raven make the regular raffles worth a shot and with burlesque dancers and a free BBQ, I’m already there! Doors open at twelve noon.

The Pot Belly has another big show on Saturday July 5 with Jack Flash (Toowoomba), The Throwaway Kids (Wollongong) and local punk dynamos All In Brawl and The Toxicmen. If you missed The Toxicmen when they played the ’Belly on the 10th, here’s your chance to see a band that’s really getting punks talking around town.

Having toured the US and Europe, The Gaslight Anthem, from New Jersey USA, have finally brought the show to Canberra, appearing at The Greenroom on July 31. Their sole full-length to date (2007’s Sink or Swim on Resist Records), was mentioned in dozens of 2007’s year-end best-of lists. Joining The Gaslight Anthem are Melbourne’s A Death In The Family. For samples, check out: www.myspace.com/thegaslightanthem .

In October, Lamexcuse release their debut full-length record, Life. Like. Wild, through AmpHead Distribution in all major stores throughout Oz and iTunes, worldwide. It’s been mastered at The Blasting Room by Jason Livermore (NOFX, Rise Against, No Use For A Name). Blasting Room has produced devastating material by such notable punk bands as NOFX, The Casualties, Good Riddance, 7 Seconds, Antiflag, Descendents, The Ataris, ALL, Lagwagon and The Suicide Machines, so expect a quality release come October.

Some album news for youz. JJJ grrl punks, The Spazzys finally release the follow-up to their debut, Aloha Go Bananas. After four years, Dumb is Forever looks set for July. Me First & the Gimme Gimmes recently released Have Another Ball (Fat Wreck Chords, May 10) which is a collection of b-sides from the original Have A Ball sessions. The Offspring will have a new LP, Rise and Fall, out in June. Visit www.offspring.com to download the track Hammerhead.

May 1980: The Specials new record is a double A-side single coupling Roddy Radiation’s Rat Race and the track Rude Boys Outta Jail. It becomes a huge hit for the group, ascending to #5 on the UK charts.

Oi Oi that’s yer lot!

Next deadline is June 16. Send news, gig promos and abuse to rudebwaay [at] gmail [dot] com

PunkSka

With more cred than the latest taped missive from al-CIA-duh, it’s the BMA punk ‘n’ ska news.

In March, the Belcore punk scene was given a kick in the proverbials when The Toxicmen tore up a 21st party somewhere in darkest Belcompton. This saw the return of Johno, whose ditched his Trannies and thrown his lot in with The Toxicmen. You can catch The Toxicmen in all their streetpunk glory at the Pot Belly on Saturday May 10. Bring your earplugs and boots, because Sydney’s Rule 303 and All In Brawl will also be playing.

So-Cal punks and Fat Wreck Chords veterans, No Use For A Name, released their ninth full-length on April 1. Yes, that is April Fools Day, but this was no joke… even if the 14-track slab was titled The Feel Good Record of the Year. It’s not really a return to form for the band as they’ve never strayed too far from their melodic skatepunk roots. Incidentally, NUFAN will be appearing at the ANU Bar with label mates Strung Out for their Strangers in the Outback Tour on Sunday July 13. Tickets available through Ticketek from May 2.

New York’s ska supremos The Slackers are to release the follow-up to 2006’s Hellcat released Peculiar, on The Pietasters-founded Indication Records, April 29. A song from the new LP, Self Medication, can be heard here: www.myspace.com/theslackers .

Generating a buzz in music magazines over there in the United States of Amiracle right now are a new punk band called The Bitchfits, and they’re about to head to Europe. But get this… they’re an all-female tribute to The Misfits. Indeed, it’s the Bitches Doin’ Misfits’ Death Comes Ripping Tour. For those who don’t know their punk history, The Misfits are the horror-punk legends who began their career some 30 years ago and still rock all over the world. Original Misfits members Jerry Only and Doyle have even given a nod to the raw sexuality the Bitchfits bring to the aggressive music. With member names like Gwenn Standzbig, Cherry Blow-Me, Goil Von Frankenhooker and Robosie, the music of The Misfits will never be the same. The Bitchfits are appearing at festivals in Austria and the UK with more established acts like Agnostic Front, UK Subs, MDC, US Bombs and The Subhumans.

Rancid have been the studio working on their new album, which will hopefully be released in June. No name yet, but there is word that they’ll also be releasing a DVD with 18 video clips on it shortly.

May 1979: The Specials’ debut single is reviewed in the NME by Ian Penman, describing it as “…a tweety, bouncy interpretation of Prince Buster’s Al Capone rhythm, proficient but only pretty, the production isn’t at all hard enough. Still preferable to the like of yer Members and Clash Xerox reggae attempts.” Specials’ vocalist Terry Hall explains the band, in the NME, this way: “It’s not that we’re just trying to revive ska. It’s using those old elements to try forming something new. In a way, it’s all still part of punk. We’re not trying to get away from punk. We’re just trying to show some other direction. You’ve got to go back to go forward.”

Oi Oi that’s yer lot!

Next deadline is May 19. Send news, gig promos and abuse to the address below.

PunkSka

Musically mad, whether you’re sick or you’re sad or you’ve lost the love you had, it’s the punk ‘n’ ska news. Sad indeed, this month, with two more Jahmekyan legends rolling their final spliffs.

Mikey Dread, the Jamaican producer/reggae star who produced The Clash’s 1980 single Bankrobber and contributed to their Sandinista album, died of a brain tumour on March 15. Dread, born in 1954, went on to tour and record with The Clash.

Also, back in February internerd rumours suggested that legendary JA producer Joe Gibbs had died. Sadly he passed away at a Kingston, Jamaica hospital, on February 21, aged 65. He’s responsible for ska classics like The Soul Sisters’ Wreck a Buddy, The Pioneers’ Jackpot, Nicky Thomas’ Love of the Common People and also Althea & Donna’s 1977 smash, Uptown Top Rankin’.

Underrated paddy punks The Tossers released a stomper of a CD/DVD on March 4. The Victory Records release showcases a sold out performance at Chicago’s legendary Metro, and includes behind the scenes footage and music videos. Gloatin’ and Showboatin’: Live On St.Patrick’s Day is a 15-track CD/23-track DVD. This seven-piece outfit is one of Chicago’s biggest secrets. Check out their myspace page .

Jayson Nugent, guitarist for New York’s The Slackers, posted news about his side project Crazy Bald Head’s album. Sound of ’69 features covers of James Brown, Johnny Cash, The Beatles, and The Stooges among others. Featured vocalists include The Pietasters’ Steve Jackson, The Slackers’ Vic Ruggiero, Hepcat’s Alex Desert and Bucket (The Toasters). The band features Jay and Eddie Ocampo (The Insteps, Stubborn All-Stars, Dave Hillyard Rocksteady 7), arguably the best drummer of the third-wave ska movement. Others include Victor Rice (New York Ska Jazz Ensemble, Stubborn All-Stars, The Scofflaws), and Vic Ruggiero (The Slackers). Dave Hillyard (The Slackers, Hepcat, Stubborn Allstars et al) helps out the horn section. Jay and Victor Rice are producing. Expect the full length this year.

Let’s return to the Crack Rock Steady Beat. Recently Leftover Crack supremo, Sturgeon (StzA), informed us he’s been at Fat Mike’s Motor Studios in San Francisco, recording with sideproject Star Fucking Hipsters and finishing up their debut, tentatively titled Allergic to Peoples. Though Fat Mike’s in the production seat, StzA’s unsure if Fat Wreck Chords will release said record, but it’s likely. When he mentioned that L.o.C. would be attempting an Australian tour this year, I blacked out.

April 1981: The Decline of Western Civilization reaches movie screens in California. The documentary featured live footage of bands like Black Flag and Circle Jerks, and behind the scene glimpses and street scenes surrounding the Los Angeles punk world. Capturing the mood of the film is this quote from Claude Bessy, singer for Catholic Discipline and editor of Slash Magazine: “I have excellent news for the world. There is no such thing as new wave. It does not exist. It’s a figment of some lame cunt’s imagination. There was never any such thing as new wave. It was the polite thing to say when you were trying to explain you were not into the boring old rock and roll. But you didn’t dare say you were punk, because you were afraid to get kicked out of the fucking party, and they wouldn’t give you coke anymore. There’s new music, there’s new underground sound, there’s noise, there’s punk, there’s power pop, there’s ska, there’s rockabilly. But new wave doesn’t mean shit.”

Oi Oi that’s yer lot! Next deadline is April 28. Send news, gig promos and abuse to the address below.