one fellow's political coverage, music ramblings and general hijinks across decades under a range of guises at several locations often in a state of awe.
The Beijing of 20 years ago is a far cry from the quickly-modernising, creative hotbed and soon-to-be-host-of-the-Olympic-Games Chinese capital of today. Back then, a young idealistic Australian enrolled in a language school and helped his new artist friends arrange exhibitions. This year, he celebrates the 15th anniversary of his art gallery which is housed in … Continue reading “Australian blazing Chinese art trail”
The restive Indonesian province of Aceh, the closest landfall to the huge quake and resulting tsunami which has devastated Asia, is fraught with a decades-long civil war, its rebel insurgents continually goading the military, its supporters fighting for an independent nation.
We like to watch. But while we sometimes may not like to be watched, which wanton watching are we worried with?
Interview with Brian Hooper There is a song called Fake on the new Beasts of Bourbon album, titled Gone, which has Tex Perkins screaming ‘don’t know myself, don’t own myself, I’m a fake’. The power, venom and dirge of the Beasts’ traditional blue-collar sound permeates Perkin’s personal attack on himself, Fake being a song which … Continue reading “Beasts of Bourbon”
Metropolis Concert Club, Fremantle Let us take a fleeting glance back to those high-rolling mid-1980s, a time of teen magazines like Countdown and Smash Hits, lime green shirts and a paisley power-pop outfit from Perth called The Stems. Their simple yet unassailable songsmithery endeared them to a huge European music public, propelled them on to … Continue reading “The Stems, Friday February 28, 1997”
Perth Entertainment Centre REDRAFT. For inclusion in The Australian, Tuesday October 22 Firmly and forever entrenched on the conservative FM airwaves through his distinguished solo career and those heady days with The Police nearly twenty years ago, Sting is still musing on affairs of love and continues to send his now middle aged, middle class … Continue reading “Sting, Saturday October 19, 1996”
I get a little misty-eyed when a totally empty room at about 8pm suddenly transforms into a happening gathering by about 10, all in the name of seeing some virtual unknowns make a hell of a racket. From being the sole punter, trying to raise the barkeeper’s hopes, I was soon happily engulfed by an … Continue reading “Prickle; Kerb; Tucker Bs; Freud’s Pillow, MX, July 13, 1996”
With a pocket full of change and a little taste for the bizarre, the Harbourside’s last gig for 1995 promised eleven hours of music from eleven bands and no pass-outs, so you were indeed trapped for the long haul. After making the venue my home for the evening there was certainly nothing to do but … Continue reading “The Big Bubble, Harbourside Hotel, December 31, 1995”
apologies for the word count Sue, but I grew up near and within this soul-destroying area and this project needs attention. If it doesn’t suit Revue thematics could you please pass it on, or at least the angst, to the right department. Ta. Choices are vast for people in Perth. Oh, so you disagree? Cry … Continue reading “Cinema Prague; Spank; Left Nut, All Ages, Halls Head Tavern, Mandurah, August 26, 1995”
In an age where you have to squeal like Nina Hagen to be heard over the deluge of pop music releases, bands are finding it tough setting themselves apart from the norm. This is not a comment about the band Spooky, who brought us all together for their On The Quiet EP launch on Saturday … Continue reading “Spooky; Beaverloop; Tragic, The Loft, 22nd July, 1995”
