Hoodoo Gurus

I unashamedly love 80's Australian rock. Maybe it's part of my upbringing, but if you go through my record shelf you'll see lots of 7", 12" and casettes of great Australian pub rock bands of my dad's youth. A lot of it are Hoodoo Guru's 7" singles too. There's something about them I just love.

And it's not just their great fashion style.

Recently they've been still doing the pub-rock circuit, so it was with surprise that I saw an announcement today for them playing a very large Brisbane venue, the Tivoli. And then looking at the lineup, it's because it's going to be the ultimate retro-garage rock tour!

Brisbane's date includes the Sonics and that band best known for their catchy song in Kill Bill, the 5.6.7.8's. It's a good line up, but I feel we miss out on the retro vibe, with some other cities getting the Hard-ons, Royal Headache, Died Pretty and members of Radio Birdman! And if you don't know most of the bands I'm talking about, you probably think classic Australian rock is just about Cold Chisel, nothing else. If that's the case, I pity you.

April 20, The Tivoli.

Roxette

With the bottom apparently falling out of the live music industry, festivals being cancelled or barely selling, venues half full, it seems promoters are going back to their history books and pulling out the moves that got them started.

And by moves, I mean bands from the past.

The next one to be gracing our shores on a reminscing tour will be Roxette.

If you and your significant other is into 80s music, mix it up on Valentines day next year by rocking out with Roxette at the Entertainment Centre. February 14, 2011.

Cold Chisel

Is there anything more Australian than grabbing a tinnie of VB, winding down the windows of your Commodore and blaring some Chisel out the windows? Probably not.

It's been years (decades even) since these guys pioneered the Australian pub music scene and style and become the anthem to drunk bogans Australia (and Bali) wide. Last year they got together for a one-off for a V8 race, but now they're back for a fully fledged 28-date Australian tour.

Rather unsurprisingly, it's sponsored by Triple M.

For only $99.90 you and your dad can go see them at either the Gold Coast Convention Centre October 30 or November 1 at the Brisbane Entertainment Centre.

Def Leppard

I wonder how many people of my generation know of Def Leppard purely because of their reference in this song:

And yes, it's true. The drummer from Def Leppard only has one arm.

Unknown to most people, is the fact that this 80's glam/hair-rock band is also responsible for the worst karaoke perfomance known to man: me doing Pour Some Sugar on Me in 2002.

Come October 27, at the Entertainment Centre, you'll be able to embrace your denim vest and your British flag bandanas (holding back your bad perm maybe?) and rock out to Def Leppard. Supporting them are other classic rockers of that era: Heart and the authors of one of Australia's most widely recognized non-ACDC riffs, the Choirboys.

Motley Crue

Just the sound at the start of this music video gets me amped:

Yes, that's right Motley Crue. Back in early uni days we had a saying "What would Motley Crue do?" Whenever I'd get in a situation I'd think that, and just go for it (generally a party mode and with stupid repurcussions). Motley Crue have got to be known as one of the biggest party bands of all time, their shows were just parties. If you ever get the chance, watch their VH1 Behind The Music. The stories... Just wow. A brothel under the stage full of drugs was quite normal.

These days, they're much older and hopefully wiser after a few near death experiences. But they still have an excellent back catalogue of music that they can rock out.

And we can go see them.

September 21 at the Riverstage.

Supporting them is the lead singer of Poison, Brett Michaels. Also will be Australia's own Doc Neeson, the lead singer of the Angels.

Now, the part that decides whether you'll go or not. The price. Once again, it brings me back to the post I wrote a few weeks ago entitled "Music promoters, pick up your game". Why? The tickets are at least $136. That's a medium to large festival price. For a washed up 80s rock band supported by 2 singers (not even with their own bands).

Pass. Andrew McManus, you're a greedy bastard.

Cyndi Lauper

When I think of Cyndi Lauper, I think of this:

My Name Is Earl - Anche I Gatti Piangono (Randy Canta Time After - The top video clips of the week are here

Granted, because Fox are heartless bastards they've blocked and removed all but the Spanish versions, but you get the point. When Randy from My Name is Earl gets sad, he plays Cyndi Lauper's Time After Time. And what a beautiful and perfect song it is.

These days she's lost the 80's pop and is doing the blues. The Memphis blues in fact. I'm not sure how her voice fits it, but check out her first single for yourself here.

She'll be playing the blues for us on March 28th at QPac. I'd warrant a guess that there's no 80's pop being played there.

Another quick one

I'm on my way to Melbourne right now, killing a few minutes in the Qantas Club, so I thought it'd give me an opportunity to blog a few things that have been building up in my "todo" list. My new computer should be here by the end of the month, so there'll be much more in depth stuff then. And some code changes Clus has been helping me with.

Pat Benatar/The Bangles

Like your 80's music? I know I do. Catch songs like Love is a Battlefield and Walk Like an Egyptian live on October 20 at the Convention Centre.

Pixes

This is old hat now, but I just thought I'd rub it in that I scored tickets to go see the Pixies at the Zoo on the 31st of July. Capacity of the venue is 400 people and it sold out almost instantly. I guess I got lucky.

Cola Wars supports CKY

Apparently, heard from a mate that's friends with Cam in the band, Cola Wars (half of Bodyjar) will be supporting CKY on their Australian tour. Catch them both the 15th of August at the HiFi.

Sounds of Spring 2010
Despite no announcement yet, apparently the Sounds of Spring is returning to the RNA showgrounds this Spring. The Take Action 2010 tour featuring Attack! Attack! and Pierce the Veil are apparently visiting that festival. Although I don't like either of those bands, I'm intrigued to see what Sounds of Springs brings this year.

I was supposed to be going to see Strike Anywhere in Fitzroy tomorrow night, but that show's been canned. Sad times, but hopefully I'll see some of you people there on Thursday at 299!

Bon Jovi tour

Big hair.
Big riffs.
Big hits.

Bon Jovi are coming down here for a stadium tour. They'll be invading Suncorp Stadium on the 14th of December. And if you don't know them, then have you listened to any music in the last 2 decades? Ever?