Gloria Estefan and Miami Sound Machine, Monday March 31, 1997

Burswood Superdome, Perth One would have thought that Gloria Estefan had far outgrown the Latino strut and golden shimmer of Miami Sound Machine. Still technically their lead singer, she has overshadowed the big Florida party band sound with her solo accolades and through the synthesiser-swelled conservatism of love balladry and tales of broken hearts.

Toni Childs, Sunday November 23, 1996

The Regal Theatre, Subiaco Have you ever felt that you have successfully progressed, set new standards, moved on … while everyone clings to your past glories? Such is the case with Toni Childs who, at the beginning of her latest Australian tour, is faced with having to let her latest material sit dormant while the … Continue reading “Toni Childs, Sunday November 23, 1996”

Sting, Saturday October 19, 1996

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”

The Spinanes’ Rebecca Gates

Warm, generous in mirth, ensconced in simple riffery … Rebecca Gates, the once fanzine editor, record store clerk and college radio gun from Portland, Oregon, is certainly ‘chuffed’ about the peculiar rise of her now-jetsetting outfit, The Spinanes. “Chuffed? Yeah, chuffed is a great word for what has happened!”

Ash, Tuesday October 1, 1996

Metropolis Concert Club, Fremantle You could say that the Australian tour for Ash started at Monday’s ARIA awards. This Irish teenage supergroup were there, presenting an award on a night littered with examples of Australia’s own youth-orientated heroes You Am I and Regurgitator reclaiming contemporary ground. Just as Ash did when they dethroned Alanis Morissette … Continue reading “Ash, Tuesday October 1, 1996”

interview | The Big Day Out ’96 – Local Line-up

folks, here are 10 of the bands from the line-up. fill in the gaps by inserting The Tearjerks, Externals and Challenger 7 where you think they fit in the narrative. sorry, it’s quite long, but it is afterall ten bands and there is some extra stuff about Dirtbag and Atmosfear for CD launch/going away reasons. … Continue reading “interview | The Big Day Out ’96 – Local Line-up”