** UPDATE! Live dates now announced ** Bleak Squad is a new Melbourne four-piece comprised of true Australian art-rock royalty. Featuring Mick Turner (Dirty Three, Mess Esque) Mick Harvey (Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds, PJ Harvey, The Birthday Party), Adalita (Magic Dirt) and Marty Brown (Art of Fighting), the unlikely quartet unite for the first time on Bleak Squad’s brooding, noir-rock debut LP, Strange Love. Borne from spur of the moment jam sessions, Strange Love sees all four members juggle multiple instruments, songwriting, their own idiosyncrasies, and lead vocal duties between Adalita and Harvey. The result is a confident nine-song set of love, loss and lonesome-ness, set to fizzing guitars, slippery basslines, and the signature illogical squawk of Turner’s guitar. With Strange Love, Bleak Squad announce the boldest of entries into the Australian music landscape.
ED KUEPPER / JIM WHITE ‘AFTER THE FLOOD’ ALBUM OUT NOW!
Available in Australia via Remote Control Records. Order tours here.
Available in the via USA via 12XU and the UK via 12XU / Forte. Orders yours here “After the Flood…the record… came out of the ”Covid era ” touring that Jim and I did. What was a initially an idea to get Jim to do some shows with me because of circumstance became an opportunity to sonically process some of the stuff that was going through my head at that time. The tour itself functioned like a guerilla operation, shows cancelled at the last minute due to border closures etc, but when we were on stage, we both thought it worked too well not to record it.The sessions were great and we recorded far more than would fit on a single disc… thanks Idge @Sound Park recorders… and for those interested the title references the 2022 Brisbane floods as does Judi Kuepper’s terrific cover art” – Ed Kuepper
Available in the via USA via 12XU and the UK via 12XU / Forte. Orders yours here “After the Flood…the record… came out of the ”Covid era ” touring that Jim and I did. What was a initially an idea to get Jim to do some shows with me because of circumstance became an opportunity to sonically process some of the stuff that was going through my head at that time. The tour itself functioned like a guerilla operation, shows cancelled at the last minute due to border closures etc, but when we were on stage, we both thought it worked too well not to record it.The sessions were great and we recorded far more than would fit on a single disc… thanks Idge @Sound Park recorders… and for those interested the title references the 2022 Brisbane floods as does Judi Kuepper’s terrific cover art” – Ed Kuepper
THE SAINTS ’73-’78 DEBUT RELEASE
In October 2024 The Saints ’73-’78 played a 3-night stand at Brisbane’s Princess Theatre. All 3 shows were recorded by long time Ed Kuepper affiliate Derek Bovill with 4 songs from night two mixed by 4ZZZ’s Branko Cosic. The result?
“This wasn’t a tribute to the Saints … it was something else. It was eight guys on stage reaching for magic, devoted to the moment and delivering one of the greatest final furlongs I’ve seen in four decades of watching live music.” – Sean Sennett
Hear it here.
VALE JAMES BAKER
James Baker carried an air of mythology and untouchable cool even as he walked the streets of Surry Hills. He had seen and done all we wanted to do before we had even begun! To call him your friend was to claim bragging rights but he was everyone’s friend. No airs or graces, James was extremely humble and happy to see and chat with everyone.A founding member of seminal bands The Victims, Scientists, Hoodoo Gurus and the Dubrovniks, James was a great drummer but an even greater human. There will never be another James Baker.
PIGS x7 ANNOUNCE DEATH HILARIOUS
The new album – the band’s fifth – is defined by calculated aggression and self-lacerating lyrics. Its startling bonuses include playful synth work and the appearance of a giant from hip-hop in El-P- from Run the Jewels. With its title juxtaposing absurdity and seriousness, this is Death Hilarious.
The album follows their first ever Australian tour and Meredith Festival appearance in December 2024, and features guest appearance. Hear first single Stitches here.
ED KUEPPER RESCHEDULES BRISBANE SHOW
Due to illness Ed Kuepper has been forced to postpone tomorrow nights solo show at the Triffid in Brisbane to Wednesday 21st May. Same Ed time, same Ed venue. All existing tickets are available for the new date and new tickets can be purchased here.