I've waited bloody years to say that. Unfortunately it's not a comment
about the size of my male appendage, but at least it says something about
the bike I now ride, currently residing in my garage under the house! Yes 
folks,
at last I've joined the ranks of the ‘modern’ bike scene. I'm now
the proud owner of a brand new 2000 model Ducati Monster 750.
At the time of writing, it's yet to turn over its first 1000k’s, and
I'm as keen as mustard to run the little yellow bugger in as fast as possible
so I can give it a damn good thrashing!
The yellow colour is a great match for the Monster. At least I should
get noticed, just before some idiot in a Volvo runs over the top of me.
It's certainly a different bike to my old Honda Four. I'll let you
know just how different after I run it in.
Anyhow, back to more of my usual topic. What's been happening in the
world of rock ‘n’ roll?
Picked up another great rockabilly compilation recently, from Sanity.
This one's called ‘The Core Of Rockabilly’ and features a swag of well
know US artists plus (and this is 
great)
a heap of more obscure ones. Amongst the one's we’d all know well
there's Carl Perkins, Johnny Cash, Roy Orbison and Jerry Lee Lewis.
Bringing in the rest there's The Jesters, Malcolm Yelvington (who?!), Junior
Thompson and Warren Smith. It's a pretty country influenced 3 CD
set, but for just $19.95 for 60 tracks, you can't argue about the value.
On RedX, (Cat. no. RX 1068).
Stumbled across one of a series of discs (‘20 Super Hits’), devoted
to 60’s vocal groups.
This one features The Vogues, Little Anthony and the Imperials, The
Fleetwoods, The Rivingtons, Tymes, Dovells, Reflections etc. etc. Some
really good music on this one, great vocals and arrangements…many of the
tunes would be familiar to many of you…Rhythm of the Rain (Cascades), Papa
Oo Mow Mow (Rivingtons), Cara Mia (Jay and the Americans) etc. etc.
Good value out of the Bargain Bin for under $10 (including GST!)
Last Easter, there was a local Blues and Roots Festival held down here
and one of the ‘must see’ acts was Rockbottom James and the Detonators.
Wow! What a combo. Absolutely bloody brilliant ‘mad as’ rockabilly/ rock
and roll! You may have already seen them as they certainly get around.
I got sucked in as usual and bought the obligatory CD (and T shirt!).
‘Everybody Stay Calm’ is their latest release. Fantastic. Raw. Red
Hot. You gotta get it! Out on BMM (cat.no. 223.2)
As a result of the above I ended up buying ‘The Great Southern Blues
& Rockabilly 
Festival’
CD when I saw in one of the money-sucking record stores I frequent all
too often. This one's got some great acts, including one of my all time
Aussie favourites, Billy Thorpe - also Mal Eastick, The Backsliders,
Bondi Cigars and many others. Recorded at the Festival itself, I can only
say I wish I’d have been there. Great music and fun times from the sound
of it!
As you've probably realised by now, this whole thing has become somewhat
of a bad habit for me. I've even spent hours scouring the bins in the local
$2 shops to see what's on offer. You'd be surprised what I turn up
there at times...
Anyhow, they're just gonna have to make these pages a couple of centimetres
longer ‘cause I can never fit everything in.
Until next time, keep your rubber on the road and your CD in the slot.
Take it easy and Jive with the Rockers!
Rod ‘Rocket’ Taylor
What's Happening
Local rock band the Revtones have been keeping everyone awake of late
playing their sixties surf, motor-head style of music. The band is supported
by Ultralux the 50 and 60 retro cloths shop here in Hobart. They have a
theme night with old movies playing so it's a great night out.
Marks Triton project is moving steadily along. Mark has purchased a
really great looking oil tank and a nice set of late model RGV forks so
its going to be a very slick looking Triton in the near future.
Things are still changing - Rod has gone and bought himself a very nice
(don't tell him I said that) yellow Ducati Monster 750.
My bike is off the road at the moment receiving its annual service -
fairing brackets are being powder coated as well as a carby overhaul.
Tassie Ton Up Andrew has moved to Melbourne for a short while I am sure
he would like to here from some Melbourne Ton Ups.
Up and coming events are the classic bike show at Ross, the toy run
in Dec, the Italian MCC which have a run on each month and all bikes are
welcome. This group of guys have a a very nice collection of bikes in their
club - and the big one Ian and Bec's Tassie holiday.
Do you remember ...
The first time you saw a Jap bike? I was about 14 at the time when
I had my first ride on a motorbike - it was a Honda CB72, the old black
bomber - big mud guards and funny to look at, not like the British bikes
that I saw in the motorcycle books - Triumphs Norton's BSA etc. but unknown
to a lot of people this was the start of a new era in motorbikes. My dad
was your typical Heartbeat cop and the bike was in the backyard of the
police station while the owner was having a rest in hospital. One day a
mate and I poured lawn mower fuel into the tank and finally got the bike
running after a lot of daring I went for a short ride. When the old man
found out I could not sit down for a week but eventually I talked him around
and he took time out one arvo to teach me to ride - after two crashes in
the back yard I was banned from even looking at it.
But that was the start of the passion and the dream to own a Bonneville.
I never really had an urge to own a Jap bike then and I still think a sixties
Bonnie is beautiful. My dad got into restoring classic bikes and I bought
a BSA B33 - together we had a lot of fun and great rides - eventually dad
moved onto a BMW and then a Suzuki GSX1100. I will never forget feeling
disappointed when he bought it home but now I understand what he was feeling
- he wanted to experience the feel of a bike that did everything very well
before he got too old and the same now goes for me - the GSX-R is the modern
day Bonnie.
Tony Millhouse
