The Slab - Covers

For some bands the 'kiss of death' to be labeled a 'covers' band. I can still remember seeing Powderfinger play at the Irish Pub in The Valley doing 90% Rolling Stones covers to a packed house of mostly beautiful women. I know in the bands I played in we usually had at least one cover in our set. My favourites from those days being 'Swampland' Scientists and 'Stepping Stone, Monkeys. These days I sit at home and play covers for myself...my favourites this week being 'Dead Flowers' Stones and 'Darklands' Jesus and Mary Chain.

So why do bands play covers? To respect their heritage, to surprise the crowd and it's fun. R.E.M, Pearl Jam, Oasis all play covers when they play live. So tonight in the second edition of The Slab I give you 24 of the best covers I can find. We have Nick Cave, R.E.M, Teenage Fanclub, The Hitmen, Sports, Paul Kelly, Nirvana, Foo Fighters, Iggy Pop, Dinosaur Jr, Johnny Cash, The Saints, The Stems to name a few. Again my favourite Ups and Downs doing 'Solitary Man' by Niel Diamond, if you have never heard this you have missed one of the modern wonders.

http://rapidshare.com/files/80680382/The_Slab_-_Covers_d1_.rar

http://rapidshare.com/files/80694764/The_Slab_-_Covers_d2_.rar

Music For Your Eyes - Videos

Something NEW folks……. MUSIC FOR YOUR EYES. I love music videos!! Back in my misspent youth I would come home on a Friday and Saturday night and collapse in front of ‘Rage’. Yesterday tricky reminded me of a video show by Susan Dowling. So a new segment is born

During my un-coordinated roaming on the net I have stumbled across many. Time to share a few of my favourites. Firstly a couple from Nada Surf, live at a show in Germany, only got these yesterday. Poster over there.

And some Aussie stuff from Powderfinger and Spiderbait. A bit of trivia for you, DAF from Powderfinger is named after the three chords used in the song…… enjoy, I did.

Nada Surf

http://rapidshare.com/files/80523274/Nada_Surf_Videos_-_Rocknacht.rar

Powderfinger

http://www.mediafire.com/?9rxbtdh1xde daf

http://www.mediafire.com/?df1jbmb2zzt my happiness

Spiderbait

http://www.mediafire.com/?6zj1nzgfnxm spiderbait(I forget which one....sorry)

Warumpi Band - Big Name No Blankets

a post by tricky

The Warumpi Band is an Australian band from the bush, coming from Papunya, Northern Territory, Australia.

The band was formed in 1980 by Neil Murray, a Victorian "whitefella" working in the region as a schoolteacher and labourer, George Burarrwanga, from Elcho Island, and local boys Gordon and Sammy Butcher. Over the years, many different people played in the band at various times. The only consistent elements were Murray and Burarrwanga, with Sammy Butcher generally being available so long as band commitments didn't take him too far from home for too long.

In 1983, the band recorded "Jailanguru Pakarnu", the first song using an aboriginal language in a rock'n'roll format. This created some mainstream media interest, and the band made a few trips to the big cities of Melbourne and Sydney for gigs and TV appearances.

In Sydney, they built up a loyal following in the Sydney northern beaches pub rock scene, and played as support to Midnight Oil. In 1985 the band released their debut album "Big Name, No Blankets", featuring the track "Blackfella/Whitefella".

In 1986, Midnight Oil and the Warumpi Band embarked on the "Blackfella/Whitefella Tour" which brought one of Australia's biggest bands to some of the country's remotest locations. The resulting Midnight Oil album, "Diesel and Dust" was an international hit and brought the issues of land rights and aboriginal reconciliation into the national spotlight.

The Warumpi Band recorded their second album, "Go Bush!" after the tour, but the strain of balancing family commitments with the band took its toll and they were unable to capitalise on the groundswell created by the Blackfella/Whitefella tour.

Neil Murray embarked on a solo career in 1990, though the band still reunited when it fitted in amongst their other activities.

1996 saw the release of their third and final album "Too Much Humbug", and a renewed (if brief) commitment including a European tour. Burarrwanga is reputed to have arrived in Paris and been amazed that people in this so-called civilised nation couldn't even speak English - after all, he himself spoke nearly a dozen different languages of the north of Australia.

In the following years, reunion gigs were sporadic, generally for festivals and other one-off appearances. In 2000, Neil Murray decided enough was enough and retired from the band for good, concentrating on his solo career which by that time had produced several critically acclaimed albums.

George Burarrwanga continued to perform as a solo artist, and released an album. In 2007, he returned to his "Island Home" when lung cancer took him, and he passed away on June 10th of that year.

Sammy Butcher remains heavily involved with a recording studio in Alice Springs, bringing the opportunity to record to outback youth. He has also recorded an album of instrumental guitar songs.

http://www.mediafire.com/?dtjxzgmx0kz

Ben Lee - Covers Against Me 'New Wave'

Lee's solo career started at the age of 16, while he was still in Noise Addict. He began recording his first solo album, Grandpaw Would, in both Sydney and Chicago with producer Brad Wood. This was followed by the 1997 album, Something to Remember Me By, also produced by Wood. 1999's Breathing Tornados marked a new direction for Lee as he introduced synthesizers and increased instrumentation into his sound. The album was a success in Australia, with the first single, "Cigarettes Will Kill You", finishing second in that year's Triple J Hottest 100. Lee also enjoyed success with the single "Something Borrowed, Something Blue" from the album hey you. yes you.. It reached #22 on the 2002's Triple J Hottest 100.

In late 2004, Lee left Steve Pavlovic's Modular Recordings and started up his own record label, Ten Fingers. The first release on the label was the single, "Gamble Everything for Love", followed by the album, Awake Is the New Sleep in February 2005, which went double platinum in Australia. A defining release in his career, the album showcased a much brighter, positive side of Lee's personality, in contrast to his previous darker musings. Awake Is the New Sleep received several nominations for the 2005 Australian Recording Industry Association (ARIA) awards, and Lee won Best Male Artist, Best Independent Release, and Single Of The Year for Catch My Disease, which Lee wrote with Mcgowan Southworth. Catch My Disease also went to #2 on the 2005 Triple J Hottest 100. In addition, the song was featured on the soundtrack to the 2005 film, "Just Friends," as well as the soundtrack to the television series, "Grey's Anatomy". In 2006 it was used in a television commercial for Dell Computers. On Sunday, March 26th, 2006 Lee performed We're All in This Together from his latest album Awake Is the New Sleep at the closing ceremony of the 2006 Commonwealth Games. The single for "We're All in This Together" was released on the 8th of April, 2006. The CD includes b-side cover versions of the song by Pony Up, Holidays On Ice and Gelbison.

He has a mixed reaction in Australia. The Ataris criticize Ben Lee in a song of the same name, citing his music being "pretentious noise" and that he was lucky that he knew the Beastie Boys. Some of this criticism stems from the Bob Dylan-esque songs Ben plays and writes. Australian band Klinger also had a track titled Ben Lee with similar sentiments.

Powderfinger lead singer Bernard Fanning infamously called Lee a "precocious little c**t", but during a live broadcast on Triple J radio of the 2005 Hottest 100 at the Sydney Big Day Out, he was heard to retract the comment. Lee came second in the countdown to Fanning with the track "Catch My Disease."

What we have here is a 2007 recording of Lee covering the entire record of Against Me ‘New Wave’.

http://rapidshare.com/files/80602051/Lee__Ben_-__Sings_Against_Me__New_Wave.rar

Hoodoo Gurus - Bite The Bullet

One week prior to leaving for another tour of Brazil the Hoodoo Gurus issue a press release announcing that 1997 will be there last year together as a band. There are no reasons for calling it a day other than it just feels like the right time to do so. The press release ends with: “The Hoodoo Gurus wish to thank all of their fans who have supported them over the past fifteen years. It’s been quite a trip.” The Hoodoo Gurus’ farewell (“for a while”) public performance is at the Palace in Melbourne on January 11.

Bite the Bullet captures the Gurus live during their “farewell tour’. So much for yesterday. The Gurus have signed a deal with a company called Virtual and been given their own label on which to release the back catalogue and the Tunnel Vision DVD. The remastered 'Stoneage Romeos', with the original Australian cover and the bonus b'sides came out last October as did 'Tunnel Vision'. All of the other albums (except 'Mars' and 'Blow Your Cool') will be released for digital download as well. They are currently touring Australia with Radio Birdman and The Stems. Long live the Gurus.

http://rapidshare.com/files/80514534/Hoodoo_Gurus_-_Bite_The_Bullet.rar

Radio Birdman - Zeno Beach

Many thanks tricky and original uploader

The NEW RECORD............ enjoy history being rewritten

Radio Birdman are, and always have been, independent of the mainstream music industry. The new recording, as well as their live performance schedule, is totally self-financed and self-directed. They owe nothing to anyone. They see their independence as essential to maintaining complete artistic freedom. What you hear is solely the creative output of the band - not a marketing strategy.

One of the truly legendary Australian bands of the late '70s prove in this, their first new recordings as a group in decades, that they are still masters of high energy rock and roll. From the opening chords of "We've Come So Far (To Be Here Today)" the music never lets up in it's sheer intensity. Do yourself a favor, buy the CD and play the song "Connected" so loud that your sound system reaches critical mass. Then replace the now destroyed stereo and DO IT AGAIN!!!

Jim Dickson - bass
Russell Hopkinson - drums
Pip Hoyle - keyboards
Chris Masuak - guitars
Deniz Tek - guitars
Rob Younger - vocals

http://rapidshare.com/files/80492682/Radio_Birdman_-_Zeno_Beach_d1_.rar

http://rapidshare.com/files/80502038/Radio_Birdman_-_Zeno_Beach_d2_.rar

Blah, Blah, Blah

Hi to all...... internet server still 'on the blink', can't download, hard to access blogger and upload really slow......... all in all testing my patience..........the joys of living in Thailand......... doing my best to keep the music flowing

thanks to bobbie, welcome to the family...great links.....

A few requests

Cob has a few requests:

Caligula
Headless Chickens
Underground Lovers
Clouds

Thanks, Bruce and other Maddies!

bottelow after any newish Ed Kuepper

from mel - Tim Rogers - Luxury of Hysteria
Belles Will Ring - Mood Patterns

Paolo said... Musica eccellente.
I would love to see if you could upload:
Porcelain Bus - Sacred relics
Lizard train - Slippery


and don't forget tricky and mailee requests over on the left

If you can help! Please do...... leave a message here..... remember folks 'you reap what you sow'

again thanks to hank, tricky, bottelow and cob for sharing

peace and love

b

Ed Kuepper - Character Assassination

Hot Records, Released August 1994

Produced by Ed Kuepper and Phil Punch

In some territories released as a double cd with Death To The Howdy Doody Brigade as the second disc.

Musicians:
Ed Kuepper - acoustic, electric and elastic stringed guitar, some bass, a bottle and vocals
Mark Dawson - drums, percussion
Barry Turnbull - some bass
Linda Neil - violins
Naomi Star - backing vocals
Toni Mott - backing vocals
Miroslav Bukovsky, Julian Gough and Herb Cannon - horns
Charlie McMahon - didgeridoo
Jim Conway - harmonica and jew's harp
Peter Burgess - washboard

http://rapidshare.com/files/80472826/Kuepper__Ed_-_Character_Assassination.rar

The Acoustic Lounge - Nada Surf

First commercial release in 1985 Nada surf have a discography of 48 album edits, 36 singles and have had songs on 62 compilation records. Up until a couple of days ago my knowledge extended to their 1996 single 'Popular'. I'm now a fan of this three piece, they produce well structured, melodic , power pop gems. I've been busy hunting for stuff on the net and I've found videos and bootlegs galore. What we have here is a selection of songs from live acoustic sets they did in 2006 during a European tour. I've also added a live version of 'Popular'. I hope you enjoy this as much as I do. bruce

http://rapidshare.com/files/80450499/Nada_Surf_-_Acoustic_Lounge.rar

The Hit Men - Tora, Tora, Tora

Radio Birdman backup singer Johnny Kannis first formed the group as Johnny and the Hitmen in 1977. They recorded three songs and released two of them as a 7" under Johnny's name in 1978. When Radio Birdman's European tour went awry in 1978, some of its members joined Kannis band. The group began touring, and signed to Warner Bros. Records in 1979, releasing their first single in July of that year. A second single followed the next year, and in December 1980, the band entered the studio. The result was 1981's self-titled full length, released in July, and the group supported Steppenwolf on an Australian tour.

In 1982, the group left Warner Bros. Records and signed to RCA Records, quickly releasing a follow-up LP that ended up selling poorly. When Iggy Pop toured Australia in 1983, three of The Hitmen and one member of The Celibate Rifles were selected as a backing band to Radio Birdman singer Rob Younger, who was picked as the opening act (as The New Christs). Kannis went on the road with a new band, Johnny Kannis and the Night Train, during this hiatus. Kannis was injured in a car accident on tour and was out of commission for over a year; the group broke up shortly after a farewell tour once Kannis was well again. Following this was a live album, Tora Tora DTK, for which the band did a few one-off shows in 1985.

Towards the end of the 1980s, Kannis re-formed the Hitmen with a new lineup as the Hitmen DTK. After one EP, the lineup changed yet again, and in 1991 another LP followed after recording sessions in Austin, Texas. The group toured Australia opening for Dark Carnival, but broke up, this time for good, soon after. Past members include Ivor Hay(The Saints), Brad Sheperd, Clyde Bromley, Mark Kingsmill (Hoodoo Gurus)

• Peter Banesevic : Guitar
• Clyde Bramley : Bass (1978)
• Alan Brown : Drums (1978)
• Charlie Georges : Guitar (1977-78)
• Warwick Gilbert : Bass, Guitar (1977-78, 1981)
• Steve Harris : Keyboard, Guitar (1978)
• Ivor Hay : Drums (1978-79)
• Richard Jakimyszyn : Guitar, Vocals (1984)
• Johnny Kannis : Vocals
• Ron Keeley : Drums (1977)
• Mark Kingsmill: Drums, Vocals (1979-84)
• Chris Masuak : Guitar, Vocals
• Angie Pepper : Vocals (1977-78)
• Geoff Peterkin : Drums (1979)
• Lynne Phillips : Vocals (1978)
• Tony Robertson : Bass, Vocals (1982-84)
• Brad Sheperd : Guitar (1981-82)
• Phil Somerville : Bass (1978-79)
• Tony Vidale : Guitar (1979-81)

http://rapidshare.com/files/80442453/Hitmen_-_Tora.rar

Ratcat - Blind Love

Only saw these guys play once, support to The Cult at East Leagues Club. Was never a great fan BUT ‘That Ain’t Bad’ is a classic Oz single. If you never heard this song get the album, you will have the tune in your head for days.

Ratcat formed in 1986 in Sydney, and were a mainstay of that city's live music scene until they were eventually signed to Waterfront Records, where they released a self-titled EP, several singles ("I Think I Love You", "Baby's Got A Gun"), and their debut album, This Nightmare in 1989. Another EP, Killing Joke, and another single, "Saying Goodbye" followed.

In 1990, the band signed to the rooArt label. Their first release for their new label was a 6-track EP called Tingles. A combination of budget pricing and catchy A-side "That Aint Bad" saw the Tingles EP reach #1 on ARIA's alternative charts, and shortly afterwards, the top of the Australian national chart. The band's subsequent album, Blind Love, and the singles "Don't Go Now" both reached #1.

http://rapidshare.com/files/80437526/Ratcat_-__Blind_Love.rar

Ups and Downs - Underneath The Watchful Eye

Brisbane band Ups and Downs played a brand of ethereal, well-crafted, jangly guitar pop that called to mind Australian post-punk icons The Church. The bands influences also extended to overseas groups like Cocteau Twins, REM, Siouxsie and The Banshees and The Flamin' Groovies.

Indeed, the name Ups and Downs was derived from a track on the Flamin' Groovies 1978 album, Now.

Brothers Greg and Darren Atkinson got their start in late 1970s power pop band 42nd Street. Ken Allen (guitar) and Neil Coombe (guitar) completed the line-up.

42nd Street issued one single, Work It Out, on the Virgo Seven label in 1979 and also contributed a track called Mistaken Identity to radio station 4IP's various artists compilation album, That's Queensland.

42nd Street made little impact beyond the Brisbane scene and in 1983 the Atkinson brothers formed Ups and Downs as a three-piece band with Peter Hamilton-Shaw (guitar) joining soon after to round out the sound.

The band issued it's debut single Living Inside My Head on the Basketcase label in December 1984.

Ups and Downs then issued a second single called Perfect Crime on Basketcase before venturing down to Sydney. The Waterfront label re-issued Perfect Crime in September 1985, by which time Ups and Downs had built-up a strong cult following on the Sydney inner-city music scene.

The bands second single on Waterfront, In The Shadows in April 1986, was a gorgeous slice of harmony-drenched guitar pop and one of the best independent singles for the year.

Ups and Downs signed a new deal with the True Tone label (through PolyGram) which resulted in the release of the mini-album Sleepless in August 1986 and the single The Living Kind. To coincide with the singles release, Ups and Downs supported US visitors The Flamin' Groovies on their Australian tour.

In 1987, Trevor O'Neil joined the band on keyboards, which gave the band an even more spacious sound. By the end of 1987, Ups and Downs had signed with the Mushroom label.

The band entered Sydney's Paradise Studios in March 1988 to record their debut album Underneath The Watchful Eye. Mushroom issued the singles Lit By The Fuse and Moments Away before the album appeared in November.

Underneath The Watchful Eye was a strong showcase for the band's song writing skills and musical adventurousness. Founder member John Flade left the band in June 1989.

The band ended its Mushroom association later in the year and moved to the Volition label for the 12" EP Rash (1990). By the end of the the year the Atkinson's had split Ups and Downs to form the decidedly noisier outfit Big Heavy Stuff.

http://rapidshare.com/files/80427844/Ups_and_Downs_-_Underneath_the_Watchful_Eye.rar

Celibate Rifles - The Turgid Miasma of Existence & Beyond Respect

The Celibate Rifles were formed in 1978 by friends at a suburban Sydney high school. Their first full album "Sideroxylon", was released in April 1983 by HOT Records, showcasing eleven original songs full of energy, wit and disrespect for fashion.

1984 was spent recording a number of singles and also releasing their second album "The Celibate Rifles" (aka "5 Languages") to critical acclaim, containing some of the bands most requested live songs to this day.

During 1985 and 1986 the band toured extensively, saw their first two albums compiled for release in the USA and the UK ("Quintessentially Yours" and "Mina Mina Mina"), and also released a third album "The Turgid Miasma Of Existence". Critic David Fricke of Rolling Stone Magazine USA wrote: "At a time when most punk outrage is just witless spleen at 90 mph, these Aussie spitfires have fired off a release that shakes with lyric force and experimental valour, not just speed and volume." Members of the band would later play in The Eastern Dark.

The Turgid Miasma of Existence (1986)

http://www.mediafire.com/?cgs9wnkjyk1

Beyond Respect (2004)

http://rapidshare.com/files/80315986/THE_CELIBATE_RIFLES_-_Beyond_Respect.rar

The Celibate Rifles current line up is; Damien Lovelock Vocals and deadly striker - Kent Steedman Guitar and Ginola like left winger - Dave Morris Guitar. Right flanker. Runs like the wind - Paul Larsen Drums. Went to school with Max Krillich. - Mikey Couvret Bass. Throws Alan Thompson torpedo pass.

New Christs - Distemper

^{After the breakup of Radio Birdman in 1978 Mr Rob Younger took it upon himself to start looking for a new band.He eventually emerged with the Other Side.The Other Side basically played covers of obscure songs.There were a few originals thrown in but not many.The Other Side didn't last long with other members going on to other projects. Once again Rob Younger was left again with no band.}

^{It was 1980 now and Rob Younger had formed what would be the nucleus of the New Christs.The band rehearsed for several months but really didn't do anything.However Bruce Calloway the guitarist at the time wanted to put something on to record.So in January 1981 the New Christs recorded 2 songs which were put out by Green Records(1000 copies).Amazingly the single sold out even though there was no band to promote it.This single now has become a firm favourite amongst collectors.It was reissued in 1990 by Pink Flamingo Records.}

^{The New Christs didn't appear again until a phone call was placed to Younger wanting to know if he would form a band as a support to Iggy Pops upcoming tour.Rob assembled in my mind a ferocious line-up!! Masuak and Steedman on guitars, Robertson on bass, Kingsmill on Drums. Steedman's place would later be taken by Richard Jakimyszyn as Steedman had commitments with the Celibate Rifles. That line-up recorded four songs Like A Curse,Sun God,Born Out Of Time and No Next Time which are considered classics.}

^{After that 4 members of the band went on to the Hitmen which once again left Younger in the lurch.}

^{From that day the New Christs have played with so many different line-ups I can't even remember them all.They continued recording and touring as much as they could. They still are playing to this day which shows the stamina of this band and with a new album being completed at the moment I can only hope for another tour and another run of great concerts is waiting.}

http://www.mediafire.com/?fwffczjt3cy

New Race - Last Stand

April 1981: Deniz Tek, Warwick Gilbert and Rob Younger join forces with Ron Asheton(STOOGES) and Dennis Thompson(MC5) and the New Race concept was born.

The band was booked to do 16 shows across the East Coast of Australia.

Plenty of these shows were recorded in anticipation of a live album being released after the tour. The gigs were packed and people came from everywhere to see the band play."Welcome to the Event" as quoted by Deniz Tek and an event it certainly was!

It took the band 4 or 5 shows to get into it but after that the gigs were dynamite.

Most of the songs they played were Radio Birdman originals with the remainder being a mixture of Visitors,Stooges,MC5 and Destroy All Monsters covers.

After all the shows were finished Asheton & Thompson returned to America to continue with their commitments’ think Deniz Tek's idea for the title of the Lp was very appropriate as the tour was a one off deal.

http://rapidshare.com/files/80303976/New_Race_-_The_Last_Stand.rar