OK, so while I’m writing this, one T Millhouse (the other half of the
fearsome TonUp correspondence team) is lazing around New Zealand somewhere
pretending to be working. By the time you actually read this, he’ll
have inflicted himself on many of you on his way home via Sydney.
Good luck.
Bike wise, we’ve been riding with the local Italian Motorcycle Club
through a decidedly ‘less than average’ summer. Quite often cold,
wet and windy. But we still brave the elements and go for it!
Around 30 –40 bikes each time.
Have caught up with fellow TonUp believers Vaughan (from the NW Coast
– Triumph Speed Triple) and Jan (Hobart – Triumph Thunderbird) on a few
occasions for beer or three and a good old natter. The spirit
lives!
I got over to Melbourne after Christmas and caught up with my mate Randall
where I bought yet more goodies for my Monster (now with speccy Italian
mirrors and flyscreen. I don’t think there’s much more I can do now
without risking breaking the bank or breaking a leg (courtesy of my wife)!
But to get on to the subject of music, (‘finally’, I hear you say)
while I was there I also took the opportunity to pick up a CD or two to
add to the bulging collection. Again I’m heading towards compilations
as the best means of getting good value for money. This time it’s
‘Psychedelia’ (22 classics from the psychedelic era). Contains tracks
like ‘Hole in my Shoe’ – Traffic, ‘Green Tambourine’ – Lemon Pipers, ‘Kites’
– Simon Dupree and the Big Sound and quite a few even more obscure songs.
Out on ‘Crimson’ (CRIMIDCD55) it’s a top buy and well worth the measly
$10 I picked it up for. In a similar vein, 'Nuggets', another ‘psychedelic’
compilation was a good find as well. 18 reasonably unknown tracks,
including ‘Dirty Water’ – Standells, ‘Pushin’ too hard’ – the Seeds, ‘I
See the Light’ – The Five
Americans, it was well worth the $22 I was relieved of at the counter.
Although an American release, it even includes an Easybeats track or
two! Out on Rhino Records (R2 75892).
Locally I’ve been drawn back to my purveyor of dark and mysterious recordings
(Stefan from ‘Music Without Frontiers’) a number of times to be tempted
by his magnificent offerings. Stefan is best described as the Basil
Fawlty of the record shop scene. It’s worth hanging around in his
lair just to see how accomplished his customer abuse is. A man who’s
passionate about his music, but not his business!
Anyway picked up a long time favourite by a great band from the USA
in the Sixties – ‘Psychotic Reaction’ by Count Five. You may recall
their biggest hit of the same name. Bloody excellent. More
please! Also ‘The Go Go Train’, a Mod compilation from the UK.
Thirty diverse and dynamite tracks from little known artists.
Finally a quick mention of a CD YOU MUST BUY. A re-release double
CD by Tasmanian band The Innocents (nee Beathoven), a collection of absolutely
amazing late 70’s power pop that (almost) took the world by storm!
One song ‘Sooner or Later’ was voted one of the top ten pop songs of all
time by the US music press! These guys till paly around Hobart (now
called the Giant Hamsters). Other stand out tracks include ‘Shy Girl’,
‘Come Tonight’ and ‘Darlin’’. Buy the CD and you’ll get the whole
sad tale of how they nearly made it big! Out on Zip Records, only
$30 (worth double if your into unique Aussie power pop)!
Till next time, keep your rubber on the road and your licence in your
wallet! And let there be good rockin’ tonight…
Tas Newsletter 2001
Tas Newsletter Oct 2000
