Favourite bands past and present

ahh, Custard. Never a big fan, but they were ok, live. And were actually the first proper gig I went to - Custard supported Ratcat, all ages show at the QUT Refectory near the Botanical Gardens. I think it was Grade 9 or 10 for me, just after Ratcat released that album that put them into the mainstream, Tingles. I actually vividly remember the night I was watching Rage and saw for the first time that new single of theirs, 'That aint bad', and thought wow, they've stepped up the sound quality from the earlier Waterfront stuff. Just had a relisten/watch of the old Car Crash clip ('87)

and just remembered, I scored the Ratcat playlist from that gig, and another one of theirs from when they played a much bigger gig at the Botanical Gardens stage maybe a year or less later, once their popularity had skyrocketed. still got em both in the box of old music memorabilia

yeah, pretty shit I know - I'm sure some of youse have got much better ones...

seeds wrote:

Speaking of Oz 90’s bands. Custard are touring. These guys were always fun

Saw that tempted to go the Fauves are support at least at my local, both bands not my favs but worth a spin when in the mood and always good to see a band live.

Im looking forward to this one, especially seeing Fridge are supporting them first gigs since the late 90s.

seeds wrote:

Now that’s got me interested. Who is Fridge?

Band from Tassie that moved to Melb early 90s played with a lot of classic Aussie bands and international acts like Iggy Pop & Monster Magnet, had a few songs on surf videos like Sarges Scrap book and a few of the members surfed, broke up mid to late 90s two members played in Tumbleweed around late 90s early 00's, one member also plays in King Parrot (never got into them)

Probably one of those bands you had to be into back when to enjoy now though, kind of a mix between punk, thrash, stoner.

Really love the Bass sound

seeds wrote:

Yeah righto no never heard of them. Do you think TW and Fridge will be sharing band mates again on this tour

No i dont think so when Fridge members played in Tumbleweed it was because of a falling out between original members that saw two then three members leave the band and they didn't talk for over a decade, but about 2010 all original members threw aside their differences and reformed the band which is now the lineup apart from the Bass player Jay who passed away a few years ago.

Custard! Good memories. Might have to head up to one of those shows.

This chick can sing/scream
Puts some of that shite above to shame.

I used to think the same, seeds, then I discovered Refused. They seem to find the right balance.

I mean, what a song!

Yeah thats a cracker Ben. I feel like this may have been on one of the old campaign vids. Maybe to A.I. sick song.

bluediamond wrote:

Yeah thats a cracker Ben. I feel like this may have been on one of the old campaign vids. Maybe to A.I. sick song.

Mental song. One that always got played as loud as possible at 4:00 am mid bender with the lads ha ha.
I reckon you’re right too bd, Andy in Indo I think, maybe Bruce, but I think Andy. Going beserk at Macaronis

Other epic mid-bender songs while I’m on the subject are The Pot by Tool, wolf like me by tv on the radio, anything by Cog, My Pal by god, only way out by money for rope…. That’ll do for now

New Noise was on Young Guns 1 intro?

Wow! GF, a fellow Cogger!!

Goofy and NickBone. Had a listen to all of the above. Not bad gents. Not bad at all. I have to be honest, i had preconcieved notions of C.O.G but was actually impressed with their build ups and tempo. Cheers for the listens. I'll dive deeper for sure. Gonna download a couple of albums.
Still think Tool's Sober is one of the all time classics.
In the meantime.....Gonna pop one of my favourite oz band's song's in here....don't let the title mislead you..the song lyrics define what the song is really about.
Worth hanging in there for the change at 1.25. Brutal. I like Brutal music. And i like John Lennon. And lots in between. I like bloody Frente and accidentally Kelly street. But sometimes Brutal just feels so good, especially when lifes going well! Strangely.

United Force....back in town...United Force...won't back down!
The force is strong with this one @Constance

@seeds Mark of Cain was the first big band our little band ever played with. Love System of a down too. Good calls. Cheers.

As a sidenote, there was 2 bands on Kelly Slater in Colour that our little unknown band played with at various times....Mark of Cain, and Horsehead. Horsehead were kooks. Seppo wankers. We ended up drinking all their beers and writing on the wall of the band room, 'horsehead are fucked'.
But the days of playing shows with United Force, Numbskulls and Testeagles amongst others were high energy good times. Anyway, that's enough looking back. Can't remember most of it anyway!

One more thing....there's a prominent Goldy shaper that was at the forefront of all of this. Set of lungs on him like an elephant. Could scream!! Also one of the architects of many of U.F's early riffs that were born in the loungeroom of my Daystreet home. Classic memories. Simple times.

For those interested in the Numbskulls, in my opinion Adelaides finest, here's their website.
Go straight to the song 'softcock' if you want a pure anthem for surfing.
'hey you pull into that wave, don't be scared just be brave,
you know you aint gonna die, we call you names and then you die,
Softcock. softcock, softcock, softcoooock, softcock, softcock, softcock, softcock, and then you die!'
like i said, simple times
https://numbskulls.bandcamp.com/album/pizza-box

Just Cause @seeds
No internet evidence of us thankfully...
although that may change in time
Yeah, Horsehead were exactly that. Show ponies.
Mark of Cain were hardened.....standoffish. Kinda kept a safe distance from them. We were just grommets!

mid to late 90's

edit. After all these years just realised Horse head are ozzies! thought they were yanks. Apologies!

Poor ol Horsie. Should give them some credit. They made some pretty decent music. Here's the link to the Slats vid with their song for fairness. It's a good song and i'll admit, even that night, i may have swayed a little to this little anthem.

Ironic isn't it Seeds that we're talking about a band called Horsehead.
Yeah i know, i'm a terrible ambassador for all that's fair and good.
But kept honest by crew like you so it works out in the end.
Was singer song writer. Or as i like to think of it, 3 good musicians ruined by me belllowing over the top of them. But it was epic. Brothers for life and we did alright for a bit there. Some pretty epic memories of packed venues where it all just came together. Wouldn't trade that for the world. Still like to jump on the ol high horse now and then. ;-)

style somewhere between Pennywise, Guttermouth, Sepultura, Millencolin, and a smattering of obscure hardcore/punk bands. Melodic surf/skate would be what the magazines would write about us.

I reckon there would be plenty of crew on here that were immersed in the
Adelaide music scene. Still think Price of Silence were the best of the best. And Keeth. And of course Numbskulls. Look them up if you get half a chance. Adelaides music scene in the 90's was on a similar trajectory to the early 90's seattle grunge scene. Seriously insane how good the music coming out of there at the time was. Mind baffles how so much of the music never got discovered. Here's a band you'll never have heard of, and a song that is one of the all times. Clowns of Decadence.

will get back to ya Seeds.. Peace mate. Cheers.

And some proper Clowns
Listen

Hey Seeds. Apologies for delayed response and thanx for fun topic. My fave gig ever was 1988 Human Rights Now! Tour (Amnesty Int'l). I caught em in Oakland. Bruce Springsteen, Sting, Peter Gabriel, Tracy Chapman, Youssou N'Dour, and Joan Baez. I saw Rush once. Most faithful to the studio performance i have seen, which is jaw dropping when you consider there were just the 3 of em. I favor small clubs, bars, with performers never heard of. Those are the very best nights, and too many to remember. Martin Stephenson & The Dainties stands out for me outta this group tho.

Aaaand! I just saw your reference to "screamo vocals." I hafta admit... Screamo Vocals are what i do when in car alone singin along. Not by design. By limitation, lol,. As i said, when in car ALONE.

haha. C'mon wax24, video or it didn't happen.
Yep, agreed Seeds, balance. That's the lifeforce. Probably overcooked some stuff so sorry. I've lost loves of my life forever on the topic. I do get trigger happy on it. I have learnt a lesson on that, and can thank you for that. I appreciate the lesson. My trajectory on the issue if unchecked by you might have really brought me undone down the track so thanks. I really appreciate it. Cheers.

bluediamond wrote:

I reckon there would be plenty of crew on here that were immersed in the
Adelaide music scene. Still think Price of Silence were the best of the best. And Keeth. And of course Numbskulls. Look them up if you get half a chance. Adelaides music scene in the 90's was on a similar trajectory to the early 90's seattle grunge scene. Seriously insane how good the music coming out of there at the time was. Mind baffles how so much of the music never got discovered. Here's a band you'll never have heard of, and a song that is one of the all times. Clowns of Decadence.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L3iQeR23MK0
These guys used to enter stage ala Kiss in Clowns outfits, never saw their faces, fireballs exploding in the background. Some pretty raw energy. Definitely the most violent shows i'd ever been to growing up. Always violent. Some serious energy went with these shows. But goooood memories of the times. Great song!

Clowns at the Crown was a complete shit show literally I shit you not.
Seen United force once in a venue around the corner from a Peep a view I didn't have a helmet so spent most of the time there.

Screamo?

thermalben wrote:

I mean, what a song!

https://youtu.be/NkAe30aEG5c

Thats a ripper Ben, missed them completely and will now needs deep dive.
Btw Seeds, 6 foot hick are fantastic., great live too. As were this band.

I was thinking about my best/most memorial gigs during the week while working, in no real order funny enough the Aussie bands were often the highlight rather than big name international bands.

Tumbleweed, You Am I, Fridge: my first proper gig You Am I had only released EP's and were actually quite heavy live at that stage.

Melb Big Day Out 1994: Ramones, Soundgarden, Smashing Pumpkins, lots of great Aussie bands it was my first festival so just a great day, went to another half dozen BDO's but none came close to being as good and they quickly just became too big.

Livid festival 1994: I also went in 96 at Davies park and a few other times when it moved to the Show grounds (which ruined it), but 94 was the year for me my two fav bands at the time were Superchunk and Tumbleweed and both had amazing sets.

Tim Rogers solo at the Corner Hotel: about 96 this one was a real surprise it was before he released any solo stuff so he played mostly You Am I songs, went with a GF didnt go expecting a lot but it was just a real cool intimate gig.

Screamfeeder at the Punters club Fitzroy: maybe early 95, was down in the city visiting friends, and spur of the moment thing decided to see who was playing in the gig guide, knew a couple Screamfeeder songs taped from radio so went and saw Screamfeeder and was blown away they mostly played stuff off "burn out your name" that is an amazing album.

Queens of the Stone age with Magic Dirt at the Prince of wales 2001 Rated R tour
Relatively small venue/pub which you could never see them in now and Magic Dirt played all their older heavier songs (before they sucked), QOTSA kind of lost me once Nick got kicked out, first three albums are good though.

Celibate Rifles at the Tote only a few years back, id seen them a few times but im just glad i went to this gig because Damien passed away a year or two latter, and i had a little chat with him in the toilet they were just as good as they were in the 90s, rated highly by most surfers of our age, but in general i think an underrated Aussie band.

Something for Kate corner hotel about 96: Supporting someone else can't remember who and ironically i think the other support band was Sandpit, i had bought the EP and was into them (first EP, much heavier than latter stuff) and got my GF at the time into them, they didnt pull much of a crowd yet so everyone was standing back near the bar and side of room, so we went and sat on the floor a few meters from stage (maybe 2ft high stage) and felt like our own private gig, cool experience

The Meanies: Always good to see just a fun band and as a grommet in the early 90s moshing and crowd surfing was popular so extra crazy gigs, i remember one gig at the Central club in Richmond where the stage is only three foot off the ground so you literally ran behind link and dived off the stage into the crowd. (BTW. Wally is the Bass player Link lead singer who had dreads for much of the 90s)

Silverchair Melb Big Day Out 95: Like everyone i wrote them off at the time, but i still had to go check out the hype of this new band, they played on a small side stage, so the area couldn't hold the crowd that wanted to see them so everyone got on the roofs of buildings and up anything with some height, i watched the gig from a roof, and i swear id been moshing with Daniel at Magic Dirt earlier that day. (he did go on to date Adalita so im sure he was a fan)

Dino Jr-The Palace' without a sound tour, so maybe 95: Id missed out on tickets for first show so caught the bus to the city to buy some for the second show once id heard it announced on RRR, but I tripped over and broke my arm running down Little Bourke street to Augo-go records, but i still went with a broken arm a few weeks latter, and i went with Incursion the band that supported them the night before, so that was cool.

Archers of loaf & Magic Dirt: Great Northern, only seen them once and love this band, bass player is a weapon, was living in my Kombi at the time traveling so brings back good memories.

Superchunk: about 96, i saw them four times twice in Sydney twice in Melb kind of lost me after Here's where the strings come in album, i prefer their early albums, but sound wise i think they are one of the best bands live.

Sebadoh: Seen them a few times another band that can sound so amazing live, they just seem really clever in that they mix it up and play mellow clean songs without distortion and then straight after play heavy fuzzed out songs, those songs then sound so loud but not distorted.

While many bands just try to blow you away with being too loud all the time and it loses its impact, dynamic are important.

Most disappointing gig. The Cure about 2000, first stadium gig id been too and my last, just hated the vibe Robert Smith was a dot far away on stage, i love the cure but more the hits/singles but the set was aimed more at hardcore know every track from every album fans.

Worst gig: Screaming Jets, The Edge Gold Coast, I lived two blocks from The Edge for a few years and at one stage they had lots of bands play, some mates dragged me along but i was hungover, it was so shit and i hate the band so i left early.

Fav venues: (in no order)

-The Tote in Collingwood-Just a classic dirty rock and roll hole where you feel like you could be stabbed in the toilets.
-The Central Club Richmond- for a period in the 90s it got a lot of great bands so holds a lot of memories.
-The Corner Hotel Richmond- Just a great all round good venue with variety of stages ect and decent sounding room.
- Great Northern Byron Bay- I use to go down almost every weekend for a while when lived on the Goldie, just a good sized room and well designed floor can see the band from pretty much everywhere.(havent been there for about 15+ years though so may be different now)
-The Playroom on the Gold Coast, saw lots of bands there just classic venue for the Goldie and sad when it was lost.

Fav festivals:

Livid at Davies park, just perfect size crowd, lots of grass and trees and circus tents for shade just a real good vibe.

The Offshore festivals when Bells were on were good too, camp for a few days, go watch the comp during the day, and then some good bands late arvo into the night.

Festivals are always good in regard to seeing bands that you might not otherwise check out.

all over it indo. sick