A whole bunch of 'new' mainly Melbourne and Sydney bands from the late Nineties tastefully collected on this compilation from Au-Go-Go Records. Hacwatch: includes early recordings by Art Of Fighting and the band formerly known as 2 Litre Dolby.
Mostly acoustic compilation featuring Tim Steward from Screamfeeder, Scabby (Liz Spdfgh and Brad Gerling) and Jamie Hutchings from Blue Bottle Kiss. All songs under two minutes. Also includes 8 page booklet. Ltd. to 300 numbered copies.
Smudge: Real McCoy Wrong Sinatra Lifted from the album of the same name (Hac 73), this tune finds Smudge 'frontman' Tom Morgan going it alone with the acoustic guitar and yet more lyrical references to a certain heavily-tattooed bohemian. But make no mistake, the album as a whole is a rootsy, rockin' affair high on melody with a true Modern Lovers aesthetic. Tendrils: Goat Curry Tendrils is the highly lauded vehicle for extraordinary guitarist Charlie Owen (New Christs, Beasts of Bourbon) and Hoss frontman Joel Silbersher. Taken from their brooding and beautiful Soaking Red album (Hac 71), "Goat Curry" is a succulent 'taster' of their parched, surreal ballads. Bernie Hayes: Falling Over Backwards Bernie began earning a living by singing, playing and writing songs before he even left school. It was all he did and it was everything he did. What was then captivating natural talent has now a lot more to offer - an incredible voice made tender and terrible by experience, a life drawn into song by effortless melodies. "Falling Over Backwards" is lifted from his debut album Every Tuesday, Sometimes Sunday (Hac 84). the band formerly known as 2 Litre Dolby: Dead Letter Office Lifted from the El Caballo Rojo album (Hac 77), an epic 8 song 70 minute platter ranging from melancholic beauty to cyclic white noise, "Dead Letter Office" finds the 'Dolby taking their most straightforward, melodic approach, but still one which spells out their sheer musical inventiveness. Art Of Fighting: Sliding Making music of uneasy grace, exploring expansive involved arrangements within a subtle, almost quiet setting, young Melbourne four-piece Art Of Fighting more than hint at what all the fuss is about with this selection from their debut release The Very Strange Year (Hac 74). Kim Salmon & The Surrealists: Put Your Trust In Me Can this man do no wrong? Yet another fine slab of sound from the ex-Scientist's most recent album Ya Gotta Let Me Do My Thing (Hac 63). Recorded in Kim's kitchen and then mixed in Memphis with the legendary Jim Dickinson, Ya Gotta Let Me Do My Thing is a highly potent mix of rhythm 'n' blues, kitsch crooning, a dash of country and that renowned slow-grinding Salmon rock...but expect something very different the next time 'round. The Orange Humble Band: It Doesn't Matter A mighty fine slab of infectious pop from the beguilingly titled Orange Humble Band. based around the irrepressible songwriting talents of Darryl Mather (Someloves) and featuring vocals from The Posies' Ken Stringfellow, production from Mitch Easter and spots from a host of high profile Australians including Bill Gibson (The Eastern Dark), The Orange Humble Band's Assorted Creams album (Hac 67) offers a rollicking yet majestic rock & roll experience. The Eastern Dark: Johnny & Dee Dee A high adrenaline paean to two of the legendary 'brudders' from the tragically short-lived Eastern Dark, this track is lifted from the Where Are All The Single Girls? (Hac 75) definitive compilation, covering all their studio recordings (including demos) and another 9 live originals. Due for release in October '99 with extensive liner notes and photos. The Missing Links: Wild About You Widely recognised as 'Australia's wildest '60's band', these teenage 'pioneers of punk' haven't dated one bit. Now their generous legacy of four singles, an album and an EP and some never-before-released material has all been lovingly packaged together with the definitive story and a host of unpublished photos. The music can't be described - it has to be heard - so check out Driving You Insane (Hac 76). Sneeze: The Condensed Four Seezons With a complete turnaround from their 1993 double self-titled 7" and cd (41 songs all under 2 minutes in length!), Sneeze released an 18 minute, 55 second epic called The Four Seezons (Hac 69) on 12" LP with 11 acoustic songs from a live radio show on the B side (Sneeze's first ever live performance). Available only here on "Heard It Through The Bovine (Vol 2)" is a condensed version of "The Four Seezons" lovingly edited by William Bowden.
The first Half A Cow compilation on cd - includes the Slice seven inch tracks.
LAST COPIES. Initially put together for a Juice magazine subscription drive.
Half A Cow Records is proud to release this 18 track compilation of entirely female-driven bands that feature current artists such as Nitocris, Stella One Eleven, Skulker and Bidston Moss and others from times gone by such as New Zealand's Look Blue Go Purple, Spdfgh and Lustre 4. Mainly Australian and mainly pop (in the rock & roll sense, not the britney way), this compilation also includes a 32 page booklet with bios of all the bands, an interview with the drummers and anecdotes about being a girl in the music scene.
Twelve bands in 12 minutes! Most bands are from Germany. Includes Robyn and Nic from Love Positions reformed in 2002 as the F-holes doing a cover of Smudge's 'Tea, Toast & Turmoil'. Comes with 8 page booklet full of band info and one minute paintings and drawings. label bio: LST 001 is an old-fashioned sampler, indeed it's entirely tied to the 90s (or the way we perceived them through Sentridoh and Wingtip Sloat (dig them!) 7"s. With it's handmade appearence (largely due to it being handmade, for the most part), photocopied booklet, and handnumbered seal it speaks of a time that appears to be long gone. They spelled it v-i-n-y-l and d-i-y, we're told. There are twelve bands on this sampler, each supplying a song exactly one minute in length. This is a nice thing for those tiny bits of tape that are always left when you make a mixtape (if you are the kind of person who likes 7"s, how could you not still like tapes?). Which bands, you ask? Here we go: Clayton Farlow "Dancing With You" has more memorable melodies than you'd think one could possibly squeeze into one minute. Clayton Farlow are fond of the Elephant 6 school of songcraft and are not afraid to show it. This song will make you move your feet - if only for a minute. Tripophon "Nonlinearer Schnitt" is German for "Nonlinear Cut". The title says quite a bit about the songs but it fails to explain why an act from the tiny German town of Ilmenau found a sound so entirly its own, somewhere between modern electronica and 60s instrumental music. You can download more great songs here: www.tripophon.de Locas In Love Since maybe you aren't fluent in German you may not notice that "What Matters Is The Poem" is something like a mission statement from the Locas. Nevertheless you may enjoy their German take on Glaswegian Folk. Helgoland These People from Hamburg claim that they don't know how to write long songs. Naturally they had to be included. "Malato Minuto" shows that the bassoon is an instrument that has too long been underappreciated in rock music. Mawe & The Walkie Talkie Monsters Another self-explanetory song title: "Casiotone Toothbrush" is another outing of southern Germanys hero of lo-fi songwriting and prime collector of old electronic instruments Mawe. He also plays in Mikrofisch who will be on one of the Punk Rock Samplers to come. Centro-Matic Whether it is with Centro-Matic, South San Gabriel or alone, Will Johnson from Denton/Texas is always great. "The Pilot's On The Wall" is further evidence that he is among the best (and most often overlooked) songwriters of his generation. Kurt Kreikenbom If Kurt Kreikenbom has been one of the most prolific musicians in Cologne for quite some time - although we guess that, hearing "L.A. Lullaby", you would have thought he had recorded it in a long forgotten jam session with Gram Parsons, late '67, somewhere in California. Nilg If Nilg took just a little less time to record their records (they are now in the fifth year of finishing the follow-up to their debut) they would be modern-day Krautrock legends. "Verstehnis" is the first song they've released since then and we are very proud to have it on this sampler. Treysuno "Movement" is a 'lets us expect great things from Treysuno'. These guys from Ohio are currently recording their debut full length which will be released later this year (or early 2004). Certainly the most powerful song on this sampler. Subterfuge Subterfuge have been something like the German Teenage Fanclub for the last ten years. "The Art Of Fighting" is such a sweet short song that we hope this band will continue to release records for at least another ten years. Muller Archie Muller is one of the best people we know. He has recorded with members of the Oblivians in Memphis, has played in countless bands and projects and now runs the amazing label Schinderwies Productions in Regensburg/Bavaria. We have yet to be disappointed by something that he has been involved with. F-Holes Nic Dalton runs the Half A Cow label in Sydney. Amongst other bands they release records by Smudge, led by sometime Lemonhead Tom Morgan. "Tea, Toast and Turmoil" is a Tom Morgan song. Nic (who plays in Sneeze with Tom) covered this song specially for this record. It is a joyous anthem and a perfect example of how fulfilling short songs can be.
A great compilation - it's pretty hard to please everyone with a whole stack of different bands but Low Transit have done a wonderful job here. Not one dud track! Fans of catchy yet slightly off-kilter pop will love this cd. Hacwatch: Sneeze return to their pop roots with 'Sagrada Familia' - their ode to Gaudi's unfinished church in Barcelona - and the Smallgoods with 'Abraham Lincoln'. from the press release: Back in the autumn of 2003 three guys had a dream of releasing 14 split 7 inches featuring 28 of the worlds premier POP! & roll bands. Unfortunately the fundamental flaw in this plan was no one seemed to own turntables anymore. Only six of the proposed ever got released and the club was forced to fold in the winter of 2004. The club received great publicity over it's short life and gave a heap of great exposure for some top up and coming artists. This CD is a compilation of the first 6 records plus 6 extra tracks that were scheduled for release but never saw the light of day.
A cd reissue of a mega rare album containing tracks from Bendigo bands of the mid-60s.
New Melbourne based label Popboomerang Records are proud to announce the release of their compilation album called Shake Yer Popboomerang. The 23 track cd features unreleased and rare tunes from Australian pop rockers such as Dom Mariani (Stems, DM3), Charles Jenkins (Icecream Hands), Smallgoods, Danny McDonald (P76), Starky, Superscope, Groundswell, Tim Reid, Treetops, Sarah Sarah and more! Reviews: Any one of these songs could be your next favourite. Each tune teases your reminiscence nerve. You won't get that same butterflittery feeling in your tum-tum 'til you next hit the swings. Take the seemingly sweet innocence of the sixties, throw in a touch of the eighties, then shake it up some, throw it 40 degrees from the wind, let it spin into heaven and then fall onto your toe tapping shoe. These brand spanking new Aussie creations have been conveniently packaged up for us to love and cherish. "I've fallen in love- I think I've had too much wine," notes Run On One in 'Karenin's Smile'. Too true. Even without love drugs, you'll be declaring your affections for this little gem filled to the brim with catchy luckless romance. She's a pearler. Just a few of the highlights include the addictive Magneto, the adorable Treetops, and the wonderful Starky bursting with Fountains Of Wayne cuteness. From the moody tear-jerking lull of Smallgoods 'Listen To The Radio' to the skipping and hurdling 'Peeling From The Ceiling' by The Genes, there is a multitude melodies to make you grin goofily. "Be my friend I will listen I will listen to the end" promise The Dreamdayers with simple sincerity. I want to mention the infectious punching beats of 'Rodney Smart' by Never Loved Elvis, I want to commend the vocal abilities of Tim Reid, I want to praise every artist several times over. This is a quality compilation with gold galore. It's Pop, its tops, your neighbours will call the cops 'cause you'll be playing it lots. - Emily K Perkin, Beat Magazine Melbourne May 2003 Visit the Popboomerang website at http://www.popboomerang.com.
Our first compilation album Shake Yer Popboomerang showcased the impressive talent on the Australian pop scene. It was so much fun to compile, that we decided to put together another set of songs. Only this time around, we have invited artists from all around the world to contribute. As, with Shake Yer Popboomerang, all the songs featured on this album are exclusive, unreleased or very hard to find. Most were specifically recorded for the project. So! Pack your bags - the trip is about to begin! Our first stop is Australia where powerpop supergroup The Finkers launch into their festive anthem Santa Comes in Stripes. Gippsland's favourite son Danny McDonald contributes the homespun urban tale, A Bitter End To A Sweet Weekend Away. New Sydney band The Richies appear here with cheeky nod to the great Teenage Fanclub, Fanclubesque. Prolific Sydney pop muso and producer Michael Carpenter delivers the rollicking Rolling Ball, which features backing vocals from Zac & Kate from the now defunct Melbourne pop band Sarah Sarah. Finally, from the vaults we unearth Fireplace, an unreleased jangle pop gem from pop god Dom Mariani (Stems, Someloves, DM3). Following in the tradition of Shake Yer Popboomerang, we have trans Atlantic pop productions. Australian singer songwriter CC Hua teams with Norways Kenneth Ishak (Beezwax) on the tender S.A.W. and Perth expat Joe Algeri (Jack & The Beanstalk) joins Swede Magnus Karlsson (Happydeadman) on the fable Stories Remain Untold. Leaving Australia we head for the USA to unearth a host of emerging American pop acts. Bands such as Pipitone, Lolas, Ed James, Florapop, and Jeremy are ready & waiting to be discovered by the masses. Perhaps the best-known USA band here would be Brooklyn act Champale who's sprawling line-up has featured members of Luna, Clem Snide, Nada Surf and Sparklehorse. Champale contribute a haunting acoustic version of their song Motel California which features harmonies from Sid Hillman (nephew of Chris from The Byrds). The next stop on our adventure is the United Kingdom where we find Kelly's Heels who serve up the Beatlesque She (Still) Doesn't Know It's Wrong and The Samurai Seven who poke their tongue out at Australian soapie TV culture on Flamin Blake Hell. Next up we jet set to Japan where the cream of the Japanese pop crop The Oranges, Sunbeams, Salt Water Taffy and Movin Jelly contribute new and exclusive pop gems. Salt Water Taffy contribute their unique take on the 80s rock anthem Quiet Riot's Were Not Going To Take It. Our orbit around the world is far from over! In France we unearth the cute and catchy Sweet Apple Pie and their sing-along She Whistles In The Tube. In Finland we have 80's inspired rockers Ben's Diapers and punk-pop of The Sugarrush. Down in Spain we discover the Redd Kross/Jellyfish inspired Bondage. Possibly the most exciting find comes all the way from Israel with Shy Nobleman who donates his quirky love song Spring B# (Stevie Winwood). Finally, on our way home we swing past New Zealand for a send off from the crunchy melodic sounds of Vocoder. There is a stratosphere of rare rock and pop selections on offer from around the globe on Planet Of The Popboomerang. So, strap yourself in, sit back and enjoy the ride.
from the press release: Here we are again! The second volume in our series of Australian guitar pop compilations. It's an exciting time right now for Aussie guitar pop/rock. Bands such as The Vines, Jet and The Sleepy Jackson have all recently made a huge impact on the National and overseas pop charts and media. With the exception of Her Majesty's Finest who contribute the title track this time around, Shake Yer Popboomerang 2 showcases a whole new batch of Aussie talent. There are also a number of musicians from Shake 1 who reappear with new outfits. (See if you can pick them). As has become the tradition of these compilations, the bulk of the material here is rare and exclusive. Again, we have a great mix of more established acts such as Sneeze, Even and Peabody and the nation's next wave (Dollar Bar, Tamas Wells, Shifter, Ruteger). The most exciting aspect of Shake 2 is that this album features some of the hottest emerging talent in Australia right now. As we go to pressing, Shake 2 represents the first commercially available recordings for The Suits, Hovercrafts, Tranquilizers, Prettymess, Mome Raths, Go Betsy and Milli Davis. There are a really wide variety of pop/rock styles found on this album. Highlights include the bouncy sweet hooks of Remake Remodel, the punchy power pop of bands such as The Suits, Prettymess, Peabody and Even, the sprawling country twang of Mid-State Orange, the melodic keyboard driven pop of the The Tranquilizers, the four part harmonies of Shifter, the gentle addictive pop lullabies of Tamas Wells and the lush jangle pop of The Sound Platform. The latter band drafting in Sasha Bell from The Essex Green to provide lead vocals. We have seen the exciting progress made by several bands that featured on Shake Yer Popboomerang Volume 1. 2003 saw Treetops, Starky, Showbag, and Smallgoods sign record deals, receive strong national radio airplay and snare important International tour support slots. Given these successes, it will be intriguing to watch the development of the newer bands from Shake Yer Popboomerang Volume 2. HACwatch: Includes unreleased Sneeze song 'Going For The Drive' (featuring Lara 'Stix' Larson on the drums). Out Now On Popboomerang Records: "Shake Yer Popboomerang Volume 2" Come celebrate the launch of Shake Yer Popboomerang 2 Melbourne Sun June 13 Rob Roy Hotel Cnr. Gertrude & Brunswick St's, Fitzroy The Suits, Sneeze, Paul Andrews (Lazy Susan), Remake Remodel, Tamas Wells, Her Majesty's Finest, The Sound Platform (7:30pm start) Sydney Sat June 19 Hopetoun Hotel 416 Bourke St, Surry Hills Sneeze, Lazy Susan, The Suits, Shifter, Tamas Wells (8pm start) Brisbane Sat July 3 The Troubadour - Valley Mall, Brunswick St (across from Rics) Shifter, The Zebras, Tamas Wells, Go Betsy (7:30pm start) Here is the early press reaction to Shake Yer Popboomerang 2: "23 tracks by 23 artists affiliated with the Australian Pop Boomerang label. Just like Volume 1, this compilation is a joy to listen to from start to finish. Long may you run, good mates at Popboomerang!"- Eric Sorensen www.fufkin.com (USA) "Another great Popboomerang album, perfect to enliven next scorching summer." - Gabriele Savioli (Where The Action Is - Italy) "It's a non-stop rollercoaster of power pop riffs.... Any of them could be the next big thing" - MX Magazine Melbourne "As we head into winter, pop this into your CD player to at least warm your heart" - Time Off Magazine Brisbane
Similar to Shock's Do The Pop! but there's only a crossover of 7 tracks. From the cover sticker: Documents the Australian Independent Guitar Sound - Unique. Seminal. Explosive. 22 classic tracks - Citadel, Waterfont, Greasy Pop, Hot, Au-go-go. Featuring Radio Birdman, Scientists, Hoodoo Gurus, Lime Spiders, New Christs. Over 75 minutes. Detailed liner notes. Hacwatch: Includes The Eastern Dark's Julie Is A Junkie from Where Are All The Single Girls? (Hac75).
Tracks 3, 6, 9, 12, 13, 14, 17 & 20 PREVIOUSLY UNRELEASED
CURRENTLY DELETED - will be back in next few months. Tales from the Australian Underground - Singles 1976-1989 is a collection of some of the great 45's released during Australia's most prolific independent era of 1976 to 1989. Tales highlights selections from the previous careers of acts like Hoodoo Gurus (The Victims & Fun Things), Gangajang (The Riptides), The Cruel Sea (Sekret Sekret), Dave Graney (The Moodists), Big Heavy Stuff (Ups & Downs), You Am I (The Bamboos), Tex Perkins, (Thug), Dirty Three (Venom P. Stinger) as well as classic early releases from Radio Birdman, The Saints, The Scientists, Triffids, Died Pretty, The Mark Of Cain and the Hard-Ons. In addition, Tales from the Australian Underground includes a selection of seminal tracks, previously unreleased on CD. Featured among others are Pel Mel, Sunnyboys, Sardine, Psycho Surgeons, The Leftovers, Do Re Mi, The Numbers, Tactics, X and Wet Taxis. Besides offering up an indie "best of", Tales from the Australian Underground gives the listener an insight into the sounds and musical styles that were developed over the highlighted period. From raw rock 'n' roll and punk roots, to the eclecticism of the eighties. All documented in an extensive 36 page booklet and 2CD collection. Essential for anyone serious about their music. Reviews: From the same people who've brought Australians umpteen worthy tours comes this compilation of singles from the heyday of Oz indie music (when the term "indie" meant something). And it's killer, in all respects. Tales is the third compilation of its type in less than 12 months, following the successful Do The Pop (Shock) and Born Out of Time (Raven) collections. That makes for a total of five discs (about 400 minutes of music, disregarding duplicated songs) which is more than enough to fuel your next listening party. But where those marvellous sets mined the "indie hits" (note paradoxical term), this takes a sharp left-turn. Sure, there's representation by biggies like Birdman, the Saints, the Scientists and the Birthday Party, but Tales shines a light into corners the others didn't go, exposing bands like Sekret Sekret, Sardine v, Tactics, Lighthouse Keepers, Pel Mel, Makers of the Dead Travel Fast, Venom P. Stinger, the Riptides and The Mark of Cain. The guiding principle was that these songs were all SINGLES (remember them?) As anyone with a brain knows, the 7" is the defining thing in music, the "one shot" chance of making a mark. Mark Taylor's sleeve quote that "all the best songs are on singles" is right on the money. Five years in the making, there are 45 tracks here and precious little crossover with the compilations that came before. Compiler Tim Pittman initially made his mark as booker for the Sydney Trade Union Club, as well as manager of The Eastern Dark and the Hard Ons. Both acts are represented, but there's an idiosyncratic song selection at work that means we hear the Laughing Clowns' "Sometimes (I Just Can't Live With Anyone)" rather than "Eternally Yours", or the Scientists' "We Had Love" instead of "Swampland". The single cut of "This Perfect Day" from Bailey and Co IS the best (play the Harvest label 7" back-to-back with a vinyl cut of "Eternally Yours" and you'll agree. Likewise, X's impossible-to-find "Halfway Round the World" (the flip of "Mother", with Cafeiro on drums) shades the later album version. Both single takes are here. So what's the rest of the spread? The Triffids are a band I remember from the Trade's first-floor but never got into. "Beautiful Waste" is a reminder that they could soar, without pretension. God's "My Pal" is still the best thing they ever did and Tactics' Television-like piece of sppedy agitation, "Standing By the Window", was never replicated by later line-ups. On the feminine side, The Passengers' "Face With No Name" is still a gem. "I Belong to Nobody" by the Flaming Hands is a reminder that, until they lost their organic feel, they were one of the best bands on Phantom, a label with equal claim to greatness in its early days. Tales is not only a collection for collectors, with most cuts never issued in digital format, but for newcomers, too. The solid sprinkling of higher-profile names sits well with the quirkier ones. For want of a generic term, there's a strong sense of "post-punk" here, rarely descending into noise for noise's sake. It mostly sounds great, considering masters were only obtainable for 13 cuts, with lots of work going in the transfer and mastering stages. A few songs were around on the "Murder Punk" bootlegs of a few years ago, but not sounding as sharp as this. The incisive and detailed liner notes span 32 pages of the accompanying booklet. Eagle eyes will notice the following line within: "If it's possible to get this one to stick then the gaps will be filed with further volumes". We're holding you to it. Tim - The Barman
The haccers fave Australian release of the '90s. A selection of (mainly) Melbourne artists doing covers of obscure or little-known songs written by Scott Walker, Hank Williams, Fred Neil, John Prine, Kris Kristofferson and Tex Perkins. Put together by Graham Lee and Steve Miller from the W. Minc label. Country and folk-flavoured and largely acoustic...a classic.
Half A Cow Records PO Box 1100 STRAWBERRY HILLS NSW 2012 Australia Email: haclabel@mpx.com.au Phone: +61-2-9705 7014 ABN 93 300 971 980
