A to Z 2013 - reflection post

I have to tell you I am still hungover from this year's A to Z, and dragging of my carcass to the computer to sit down and write this reflection post has been quite the undertaking. But the glass of wine beside me is helping me stay in the moment. hehe.

Reflection

Yep, folks, I did survive 2013's A-Z challenge, and it's my third successful challenge to date. In 2011 I flew by the seat of my pants and did random posts, which you can check out here. Last year, my theme was an A-Z list of books from my GoodReads "to-read" shelf, which can be found here.

This year I focused on sharing an A-Z of Australian music. Many Aussie musicians, even our most well-known who have enjoyed international success, are not that well known globally, so I wanted to introduce the blogging world to some of my favourite (or other people's favourite) Aussie-penned tunes. I had a lot of fun this year and was glad to be able to fixate on one of my greatest loves - music - but I also found it quite a challenge and very time-consuming.

The posting: I didn't have anything pre-written, so each night when I came home from work I had to a) whittle down my list of songs (I have over 12k of songs in iTunes, to make the meaning of that a little clearer) to just Aussie songs b) choose which songs I thought worthy of sharing c) hunt on YouTube for videos for said songs, and c) compose my post for the day with links 'n all.

The visiting/commenting: My aim at the start of April was, quite seriously, to visit every single blog on the list. I wasn't really counting on the fact that a) sometimes one single blogger would have up to 6 different links in that list, leading to different blogs they were maintaining, and b) that is just a whole lotta blogs. Visiting 66 blogs a day did seem manageable, but really I was kidding myself there. I started out strong...ish...but soon enough I realised I had to get picky. In the end I mostly visited those who kept visiting me and commenting.

Reasons I may not have left you a comment:

• You had DISQUS comments enabled - at home these don't seem to work for me at all, so I can't even load your comments section
• You had 6 different blogs in the "master list", and I had already commented on 2 or more of them
• Your website was so high-tech and fancy that I couldn't even get it to load
• Your blog had so many posts about different things within one single day that I found it really difficult to even find any of your A to Z posts
• I couldn't find your blog at all! You don't have it linked on your Blogger or Google+ profile, and I couldn't even find you on Google (obviously this was if you had left me a comment and I was trying to do so in return)
• I gave up on the big list before even getting to the section your blog was in. Sorry! But  if this was you, see my P.S. at the end of the post :)

I was also tempted to give up on a fair few CAPTCHA-plagued blogs, but because I had taken that precious time to stop by, I generally persevered. I did wind up stopping posting on most religious-themed blogs, 'cause, ya know, I'm atheist.

What would make me want to return to your blog?

• I knew that you wrote fairly short posts for each letter!
• You kept coming back to my blog and leaving comments!
• Your theme was super groovy in my oh so humble estimations. :)

Anyway...all in all this year's A-Z was a good experience, but I did find it quite exhausting. Then again, that's nothing new. I'm exhausted after every A to Z season is done! It's still well worth doing, in my book. ;)

P.S. If I never visited your blog during April but you'd like me to, leave me a comment and I WILL come and visit you. And if you already left me a comment and I still didn't visit you back, let me know that too and I will leave you at least 2 comments in return. :) I promise!

P.P.S. I finished my wine. :( But there is more in the fridge. :)

A-Z '13 - Zanzibar

During April a bunch of bloggers have been participating in the A-to-Z blogging challenge of 2013. My theme this year has been an A-to-Z list of classic Aussie tunes - either classic or just plain songs I like. Today we are up to the VERY LAST LETTER of the alphabet (PHEW!), "Z", and the song I have chosen is:

Zanzibar - Hoodoo Gurus

Hoodoo Gurus are a great Aussie band whose heyday was probably in the 80s, though they've remained popular ever since and continue to tour (yep, they still exist). I saw them in April last year when they went on their DIG IT UP! tour in celebration of 30 years of music releases for the band. It was a great show made even better by support from Redd Kross, but anyway, moving on! "Zanzibar" is a track from the Gurus' fabulous 1984 album Stoneage Romeos, which they played in its entirely at last year's show, along with a selection of other tunes. Some of their better known songs are "Tojo", "My Girl" (such a cute video), "What's My Scene" and "Bittersweet".

Honourable mentions:

• Z-Man by Ammonia
• Zebra by John Butler Trio
• Ziah by the Red Tree

---

Right, folks, that's it for now! But I will see you on or around May 3 for the A-Z Reflection of 2013. Until then, I think I'm gonna fall in a heap of not-posting-anything-at-all-no-way-no-how and enjoy a brief respite from the mad pace I've been keeping up in April. How 'bout you? :)

A-Z '13 - Young & You Got Nothing I Want

During April a bunch of bloggers are participating in the A-to-Z blogging challenge of 2013. My theme this year is an A-to-Z list of classic Aussie tunes - either classic or just plain songs I like. Today's letter is the second-last for 2013, "Y", and the songs I've chosen to feature are:

Young - Primary


You Got Nothing I Want - Cold Chisel


Primary have been defunct band since, hmm, maybe 2002. I only have one of their two albums, This Is the Sound, and it's a favourite. This song, "Young", isn't one I'd have chosen if I had any letter of the alphabet to work with, but it gives you a taste of what this band is about. Still, my fave songs from the album are "Tearing Me Up" and "Like Others Do", which sadly I have no links for. Now, moving on. Cold Chisel are possibly one of the most legendary "underground" Aussie bands out there. They got really popular as a pub band and were best known for Jimmy Barnes's rather characteristic voice. You can read more about the band's history here. Once more, this isn't my favourite song by them, but they sure have a long list I could have chosen with the right letter to play with. It's tough trying to fit all the great Aussie bands you know into one single A to Z, I'll say that! Anyway, Cold Chisel are still going strong today, though my mates most recently saw Jimmy Barnes on his own tour (he's had a very successful solo career).

Honourable mentions:

• You're the Voice by John Farnham
• You Must Be Dead by the Fuzz
• You're Not the Only One Who Feels This Way by Ammonia
• You Don't Know by Killing Heidi
• Young Man, Old Man by the Dissociatives
• You Are Not My Friend by Frenzal Rhomb
• You And Me Amplified & Your Baby, My Blood by Love Outside Andromeda
• Young Boys Are My Weakness by Kate Ceberano (only just realised that this song is a bit creepy - but I loved it as a little girl)
• You Died... Losing 16 Experience Points by the Decline
• You Gonna Get It  by Abbe May
• You Have Been Loved by Sia
• You Shook Me All Night Long by AC/DC
• You Should Have Told Me You Were Gonna Change by Sneaky Sound System
• You Sound Like Louis Burdett by the Whitlams
• You're Not Gonna Hurt Us Again by Intercooler
• Your Voice by Effigy

A-Z '13 - Xanadu

During April a bunch of bloggers are participating in the A-to-Z blogging challenge of 2013. My theme this year is an A-to-Z list of classic Aussie tunes - either classic or just plain songs I like. Today's letter is "X", and it was a really easy choice this time, because I only had one song to choose from! ;)

Xanadu - Olivia Newton-John

Olivia Newton-John is best known for her role as Sandy in Grease, and I'm pretty sure I don't have to tell you guys much more about her. If you say you don't know her, I'll be extremely surprised. I will say that I first saw the movie Xanadu when I was visting an American friend of mine in Atlanta - she's a mad fan of that movie. It was a fun experience, and one I won't soon forget. haha. Also, this live video performance from Countdown is from back in 1980, the awesome year in which I was born. Happy birth(year) to me! :)

Honourable mentions:

Seriously, I've got nothing. Except my own song. And because that's all I have, I'll just link you guys to a free stream/download and be done with it. ;)

• Xerxes by Woody's A Girl

A-Z '13 - Weir & Whatever You Want

During April a bunch of bloggers are participating in the A-to-Z blogging challenge of 2013. My theme this year is an A-to-Z list of classic Aussie tunes - either classic or just plain songs I like. Today's letter is "W", and for W I had the opposite problem to yesterday - craploads of great songs to choose from and a big struggle narrowing the list down. Throughout this challenge I've tried to pick a new artist every day, and so far I've managed. But today it was too hard to choose, so I've also decided to briefly feature two bonus tracks (very tiny vid size so as not to make the post too long ;)) by artists I've previously featured - two songs that are amongst my all-time faves. So here are all my W picks:

Weir - Killing Heidi


Whatever You Want - Something For Kate


Killing Heidi were another Aussie band who started out pretty young - they were discovered in Triple J's Unearthed contest when Ella Hooper was just thirteen. They were quite successful but it kind of died off with their third album. They've been on hiatus since 2006, with Ella and Jesse (brother and sister) doing their own side-project nowadays. To finish, here's a great live acoustic version of "Weir". Something For Kate are a great band who I think are a bit more underground than they potentially could be. But I'm a little ashamed to admit I still only own one of their albums. I was astonished to learn recently that Paul Dempsey has been criticised for his voice, and got really discouraged because of it - seems bizarre 'cause I think he's brilliant. Also, Stephanie Ashworth once got asked to play bass for Courtney Love in Hole. :) What I always think of when I think of this band, though, is how my mum and I were talking about what I was getting a friend for her birthday. I said, "I got her Something For Kate", and Mum said, "Who's Kate?"

My extra features today are the following two songs, one by Silverchair (definitely amongst my favourite songs of all time, from their second-last album Diorama) and what has surely gotta be the best live version of AC/DC's "Whole Lotta Rosie" ever:

 


Honourable mentions:

• World Upon Your Shoulders by Silverchair
• White Boy, Worry & Watch Out Boys by Magic Dirt
• Where Eagles Have Been, White Unicorn, Witchcraft & Woman (all from the same album! That's a lotta Ws) by Wolfmother
• White by Something For Kate
• Walking on a Dream by Empire of the Sun
• Wanted by Razorlily
• When the War is Over by Cold Chisel
• We're Going Out Tonight by Frenzal Rhomb
• What a Beautiful Day by My Name Is John
• What Does It Matter by Primary
• What If by COG
• What She Said by Laura Imbruglia
• Where It Fits by Tracy Redhead
• Wide Open Road by the Triffids
• www.writersblock.com by Lo-Tel

A-Z '13 - Vagabond

During April a bunch of bloggers are participating in the A-to-Z blogging challenge of 2013. My theme this year is an A-to-Z list of classic Aussie tunes - either classic or just plain songs I like. Today's letter is "V", and it was another day of slim pickins (there was a band in my town called the Slim Pickins a while ago...not sure what they're doing now). The song I've chosen is:

Vagabond - Wolfmother

Wolfmother are one of those bands that some Australians love to hate, but I think they're pretty good. The album this song is from happens to be the only one I've heard, their self-titled 2004 release. The song itself is one of the quieter moments on the album, and it's one of my favourite moments too. And Steve, if you're reading this, do feel free to give me suggestions for additional "V" songs. ;)

Honourable mentions:

• Valley of the Rose by Magic Dirt
• Vicious Precious by Primary (official vid)
• Vinegar Stroke by Sunk Loto (one of Australia's "answers" to Korn)

A-Z '13 - Under the Milky Way

Before I get to today's actual A-Z post, I want to mention that my previous post was my 444th! I like that number. I guess you could say I'm a fan of such harmonious-looking number sequences. Anyway, on with post #445! :)

During April a bunch of bloggers are participating in the A-to-Z blogging challenge of 2013. My theme this year is an A-to-Z list of classic Aussie tunes - either classic or just plain songs I like. Today's letter is "U" (wow, we're up to U already?!), and the super-awesome song I'm featuring is:

Under the Milky Way - The Church

OR TRY THIS VERSION IF THE ABOVE DOESN'T WORK

This was on the only Church song I'd heard when I bought their album Starfish from a second-hand music store. Thing is, the Church are a bit legendary in Australia, though perhaps in a more "underground" way than a lot of our big names. Still, "Under the Milky Way" got this band some well-deserved recognition beyond the borders of this nation. While a lot of old-school Church fans might prefer earlier albums, Starfish is definitely one of my favourites in my collection. It did take me a while to realise it had more to offer than just this major single. But this sure is a good place to start. (Oh, and the acoustic version is stunning too)



Honourable mentions:

• Unforgiven Years by ShadowPlay
• Untitled and Undecided by Silverchair
• Under Water by lola demo
• Untitled by the Decline
• UFO by Sneaky Sound System
• Undecided by Masters Apprentices
• Unravelling by Escher
• U Cradled Me by Max Sharam (lyrics)
• U Missed the Point by Jac Stone (a contestant in this year's The Voice (Australia), as I just found out!)

A-Z '13 - Touch & That Ain't Bad

During April a bunch of bloggers are participating in the A-to-Z blogging challenge of 2013. My theme for 2013 is an A-to-Z list of classic Aussie tunes - either classic or just plain songs I like. Today's letter is "T", and the songs I've chosen are:

Touch - Noiseworks


That Ain't Bad - Ratcat


I admit it - I don't know most of Noiseworks's songs. Recently, though, I rediscovered this absolute classic from the late 80s and fell in love (and not just 'cause of how hot Jon Stevens is in the clip!). It's one of those songs that gives me chills when I listen to it up really loud (which is how I listen to most of my music, actually!). With Ratcat, I have to admit I wasn't much of a fan back in the day, though I won their CD in a magazine comp at the age of 10. But since then I've paid them more attention and they've got some really great songs. This is probably my favourite, though there's a brilliant live mix (the Metro Choir mix) which features a crowd of teenaged girls screaming along with every word, almost drowning out the rest of the song (it's very awesome).

Honourable mentions:

• Tales From the Forest of Gnomes by Wolfmother
• Tear Ducts by Laura Imbruglia
• Teenager of the Year (Acoustic) by Lo-Tel (non-acoustic and less pretty version here)
• This Guy's in Love by the Reels
• This is the Sound and Tearing Me Up by Primary
• Three Dimensions by Something For Kate
• Through the Clover by Stonefield (formerly Iotah)
• Thunder by the Mavis's
• Thunderstruck by AC/DC
• Tongue like a Tether by Love Outside Andromeda
• Torn by Natalie Imbruglia
• Treasures by Felicity Groom
• Treaty by Yothu Yindi

A-Z '13 - Straight Lines, Stevie ... and a special feature for Chrissy Amphlett

During April, a lot of bloggers are participating in the A-to-Z blogging challenge of 2013. My theme for 2013 is an A-to-Z list of classic Aussie tunes - either classic or just plain songs I like. Today's letter is "S", and I had a huge list to whittle down. Didn't do a very good whittling job as you will see, but I'm feeling liberal today with the sad news of Chrissy Amphlett's passing (I'll get to that further down the post). For now, my main two song pics:

Straight Lines - Silverchair


Stevie - Spiderbait (or unofficial vid here)

I have followed Silverchair (defunct) since their very first single release (the EP-version of "Tomorrow", at which point they were known as "Nirvana in Pajamas" - even if 14/15-year-old Daniel was channelling Eddie Vedder more than Kurt Cobain). These boys have had an amazing career, and though I generally prefer their earlier work, "Straight Lines" from their latest release strikes me as a bit of a pinnacle of sheer musical genius. As for Spiderbait, well they're a classic Aussie punk-pop/something-or-rather (they really are hard to categorise!) band who have a rather eclectic collection of songs. In my opinion, "Stevie" is one of the cutest songs ever! The video clip is rather enjoyable, too, I think. ;) SPARKLY!


Sleeping Beauty - Divinyls



I already featured a Divinyls song this month, back during the letter "I" when I mentioned I Ain't Gonna Eat Out My Heart Anymore (and here is an unofficial version I hope you will be able to hear!). But I felt it only fitting to feature another Divinyls song today, on the day I learned of Chrissy Amphlett's passing. Such a sad bit of news, but also a cause to celebrate her amazing contribution to the Australian music scene. This woman was a huge inspiration for generations of female musicians and just women in general, and a groundbreaking artist who won't soon be forgotten. May you rest in peace, Chrissy - and thank you so much for the brilliant music. I'm glad I got to see you live in concert!

Honourable mentions (see what I mean about failing to whittle?):

• She-Riff by Magic Dirt
• Supposed To Be Here by Primary
• Saturday Night by Cold Chisel
• Scene From Below by Mary Trembles
• Somebody That I Used To Know by Gotye
• Smoke by Natalie Imbruglia
• So Beautiful by Pete Murray
• Suspicion Bells by Effigy
• Silver Lizard by Tumbleweed (thanks for the reminder Steve!)
• Surfers of the Mind by Def FX
• (Sic) by Henry's Anger
• Sickfest by Grinspoon
• Sidewindin' by Abbe May
• Slaves of a Nameless God by Dark Order
• Smoke & Mirrors by Snowman
• Second Solution by the Living End
• Suicide Blonde by INXS
• Sukkafish by the Grates

A-Z '13 - Reckless & Rain Falls For Wind

During April a bunch of bloggers are participating in the A-to-Z blogging challenge of 2013. My theme for 2013 is an A-to-Z list of classic Aussie tunes - either classic or just plain songs I like. Today's letter is "R", and I'm so looking forward to a break tomorrow (Sunday)! But anyway, onto my "R" song choices:

Reckless - Australian Crawl (official vid here)



Rain Falls For Wind - The Sleepy Jackson


Australian Crawl, fronted by James Reyne, were pretty big in the first half of the 80s, but broke up in 1986. For a band so short-lived and whose last album really didn't do well at all, their earlier hits have stood the test of time. "Reckless" is possibly my favourite song by them, though I also love the other obvious choices, "Downhearted" and "Hoochie Gucci Fiorucci Mama". As for the Sleepy Jackson, who are another group from my hometown, I admit I don't know them too well, but "Rain Falls For Wind" is a fabulous song. Their breakthrough single was "Good Dancers" which is also gorgeous in a slightly more "sugary sweet" way. In fact, it brings the word "adorabubble" to mind. 'Cause, you know, that's a word.

Honourable mentions:

• Railroad Song by Abbe May
• Rain by I Can't Believe It's Not Rock
• Ramona Was A Waitress by Paul Dempsey (Something For Kate)
• Reckless by San Cisco
• Red Right Hand by Nick Cave & the Bad Seeds
• Refujesus by the Decline
• Relapse by Little Birdy
• Repeat by Grinspoon
• Rock 'n' Roll Outlaw by Rose Tattoo (official vid)
• Rock Boys by the Grates
• Roll Credit by Something For Kate
• Rose Thorns by Effigy
• Running Back (feat. Flo Rida) by Jessica Mauboy

A-Z '13 - Quasimodo's Dream

During April a bunch of bloggers are participating in the A-to-Z blogging challenge of 2013. My theme for 2013 is an A-to-Z list of classic Aussie tunes - either classic or just plain songs I like. Today's letter is "Q", and it's a day of slim pickings in terms of songs to choose from. I still found a few goodies, though, and the song I'm featuring is:

Quasimodo's Dream - The Reels


In truth I only recently realised that this song is by the Reels (you and I can both learn more about the song here). I'm sure I did know at some point, but the passing years took the knowledge away from me. See, the version I know best is a cover by Kate Ceberano which appeared in her album Brave (I can't find a good version of that cover, but here is a really bad version). But we were talking about the Reels, right? Here I must confess that I'm fairly certain I only know two of their songs, this one and "This Guy's In Love". And yet they're pretty legendary in terms of Australian music, so I should totally know more about them! Never too late, I guess. ;)



Honourable mentions:

• Questionnaire by Brash and Sassy
• Quick Go by the Government
• Quicksand by Miche Suite

A-Z '13 - Pressure Down & Put Yourself in My Place

During April a bunch of bloggers are participating in the A-to-Z blogging challenge of 2013. My theme for 2013 is an A-to-Z list of classic Aussie tunes - either classic or just plain songs I like. Today's letter is "P" and I have selected two songs (as well as quite a looong list of honourable mentions!):

Pressure Down - John Farnham



Put Yourself in My Place - Kylie Minogue


I saw John Farnham as a little kid, at the long-gone Perth Entertainment Centre. My little brother kept falling asleep - mum had to wake him up for his favourite songs. Anyway, "Farnsy" as we call him (we have Farnsy, Barnsy and more recently, Nollsy. hehe) is a total Aussie legend, but mention of him usually reminds me that people often confuse my surname with his. I even got asked once if I was related to him. "Yeah, he's my uncle," I said, but it's not true. Anyway, "Pressure Down" was one of his greatest hits, and I still love it today. As for Kylie Minogue? Well, I can't say I'm a big fan of her music, but this song is actually one I really, truly love. It's the best song she ever did that I've heard, and I find the video clip quite mesmerising as well!

Honourable mentions:

• Paper Aeroplane by Angus & Julia Stone
• Peaches & Cream by the John Butler Trio
• Photograph by Something For Kate
• Physical by Olivia Newton-John
• Pick You Up by Powderfinger
• Please Leave by Jebediah
• Pleasure and Pain by Divinyls
• Post-Enebriated Anxiety by Grinspoon
• Pyschoactive Summer by Def FX
• Pulse by Front End Loader
• Punch in the Face by Frenzal Rhomb
• Purple Sneakers by You Am I
• Pyramid by Wolfmother

A-Z '13 - One in a Million

During April a bunch of bloggers are participating in the A-to-Z blogging challenge of 2013. My theme for 2013 is an A-to-Z list of classic Aussie tunes - either classic or just plain songs I like. Today we are up to "O" and my O-song is:

One in a Million - Bodyjar


Australia has a bit of a long-standing punk rock tradition, which you can read more about here. Bodyjar formed in 1994, and have been defunct since 2009, but have reformed a couple of times for special shows. My fave Bodyjar songs are "Not the Same", "Glossy Books" (about eating disorders) and "One in a Million", but I do also want to mention "Too Drunk to Drive" which features Adalita from Magic Dirt on vocals. Oh, and they do a mighty rockin' cover of "Hazy Shade of Winter". ;)



Honourable mentions:

• Off Cut by Incursion
• Old River by Abbe May
• Oh, Fuck! by the Decline
• Organ Hands by Effigy
• Out of Range by Decoder Ring
• Outside by the Black Ryder
• Outta My Head by Spiderbait
• Over the Edge by Fiona Horne (Def FX)

A-Z '13 - No Milk For You

During April a bunch of bloggers are participating in the A-to-Z blogging challenge of 2013. My theme for 2013 is an A-to-Z list of classic Aussie tunes - either classic or just plain songs I like. Today's letter is "N", and the song I've chosen is:

No Milk For You - Brash and Sassy


Brash and Sassy are a little collective from my home town who I only ever saw on the tiniest stage really early on festival days (well, I saw them in clubs too, but what I'm saying is that it's pretty impressive they have a vid clip to show off!). This is such a fun group to see perform (you may get that inkling from watching the clip). The ladies are sassy in a glittery, shoulder-padded 80s sort of way, and boy do they have good hair. They also read poetry about men with rippling muscles in between songs. This song has lyrics well worth paying attention to. Also, I'm fairly sure the park in the vid is the one located just around the corner from where I live! I could be wrong, but it just looks awfully familiar. ;)

Honourable mentions:

• Not the Same by Bodyjar (I think this is my fave song by them)
• Naughty by Skulker (a kick-arse all-girl rock band) official clip with bad sound
• Never Again by Neon
• Need You Tonight by INXS
• Never Had So Much Fun by Frenzal Rhomb
• Never Knew by Do the Robot
• Ninetytwo by the Disguise (fairly sure I was at this gig!)
• Nuthin' For You by the Volcanics (a Perth band)
• Nowhere (Everywhere) by the Monday Code
• NYC Rules Ok! by Anna Copa Cabanna

A-Z '13 - Madame Butterfly is in Trouble & Mr. Charisma

During April a bunch of bloggers are participating in the A-to-Z blogging challenge of 2013. My theme for 2013 is an A-to-Z list of classic Aussie tunes - either classic or just plain songs I like. Today we're up to "M" and I have chosen the following songs:

Madame Butterfly Is in Trouble - Deborah Conway



Mr. Charisma - Frenzal Rhomb


There aren't any "official" vid clips for the two songs I've chosen today, and the first one is not the greatest audio quality, but you get the gist! I don't know Deborah Conway that well, except her 1991 hit "It's Only the Beginning", but I love "Madame Butterfly". I've been told she has been unfairly overlooked with her later albums so I intend to investigate those further as well. As for Frenzal Rhomb, well "the Frenzals" as they're more affectionately known are just a crack-up with songs like "My Girlfriend's a Man", "Mum Changed the Locks" and my personal favourite, "Go Frenzal Go" (about a racehorse called Frenzal who always comes in last but still gives it a go ;) ).

Honourable mentions:

• Midnight Sunshine by Tumbleweed
• Measuring Tape by Love Outside Andromeda
• Marseilles by the Angels
• More Than You Are by Grinspoon
• Magic by Olivia Newton-John
• Man of Colours by Icehouse
• My Enemy by Cog
• Maroondah Reservoir by Augie March
• Maverick by Layla (one of Australia's top female MCs)
• May by Big Heavy Stuff
• Mind's Eye by Wolfmother
• Miss You Love by Silverchair

A-Z '13 - Love: Western, Let it Go & Lifeblood Flow

During April a bunch of us are participating in the A-to-Z blogging challenge of 2013. My theme this year is an A-to-Z list of classic Aussie tunes - either classic or just plain songs I like. Today's letter is "L" and I had a hard time narrowing it down, as you can see:

Love: Western - Purplene


Let it Go - The Black Ryder


Lifeblood Flow - Midnight Juggernauts



1) Purplene are were a little-known band from the Eastern States who released two albums (one of which was more like an extended EP). They're defunct but luckily their albums are still accessible via BandCamp. They make beautiful sounds, and "Love: Western" is just a taste. 2) The Black Ryder are a relatively recent discovery for me - I'd heard of them but my first time actually hearing them was when they supported the Cult a few years back. Their sound is dreamy fuzzy magic and I love it. 3) Finally we have a song by Midnight Juggernauts from Melbourne, who, to be honest, I know very little about. I only recently realised that I love this song, but love it I do.


Honourable mentions:

• Lay Me Down by Abbe May
• Let Your Heart Decide It by Noise Addict
• Lever by the Mavis's
• Like Others Do by Primary
• Living Type by Powderfinger
• Long Wheel Base Blues by the Fuzz
• Lovers by Effigy
• Lucky Star by Alex Lloyd

A-Z '13 - Ken Carter

During April a bunch of us are participating in the A-to-Z blogging challenge of 2013. My theme this year is an A-to-Z list of classic Aussie tunes - either classic or just plain songs I like. Today for the letter "K" I've chosen:

Ken Carter - Ammonia


Ammonia are (or rather, were) yet another band that hailed originally from my hometown, though I know at least Dave Johnstone now resides in Melbourne. I created a MySpace page for Ammonia back in the 2000s, and was surprised when Dave himself contacted me to thank me, give me his blessing to continue, and pass on some rare b-sides for the page. ;) Ammonia broke up in 1997, and I saw them on their last tour, a Big Day Out festival tour. They're still one of my favourite bands today.


Honourable mentions:

• Keep Looking at the Sky by Love Outside Andromeda
• Keep on My Side and Keeping My Hands Tied by Ammonia
• Kept on Ice by Pikelet
• Kettle by Killing Heidi
• Khe Sanh by Cold Chisel
• Kick Out Those Blues by the M-16s
• Kill the Real Girls by Def FX
• Kong Foo Sing by Regurgitator

A-Z '13 - Jerks of Attention

First off, sorry about the 2nd video in the previous post not working! How sucky! I do recommend that you try to hunt down a copy of that song to listen to, though, 'cause it is totally rockin'! Or maybe you prefer to just re-watch the classic movie it's from. ;)

During April I and almost 2000 other bloggers are participating in the A-to-Z blogging challenge of 2013. My theme for 2013 is an A-to-Z list of classic Aussie tunes - either classic or just plain songs I like. We're all the way to "J" today, and I've chosen:

Jerks of Attention - Jebediah


Jebediah are a band from my hometown who made it quite big within Australia, starting in the 90s. Their first single was "Jerks of Attention" which became, I think, a bit of an anthem for the youth of the day. When I listen today it still makes me grin and want to get up and dance around like a nutter. I own the CD single and it has a couple of great b-sides on it too. ;) Just FYI, Jebediah's front-man Kevin is better known these days as Bob Evans, but the Jebs are still in existence.


Honourable mentions:

• Just Ace by Grinspoon (I reckon Phil Jamieson looks totally hot with girly clips in his hair and lipstick on)
• Jailbreak by AC/DC
• Jewels and Bullets by You Am I (a mesmerising video clip!)
• Joker & the Thief by Wolfmother

A-Z '13 - Ice & I Ain't Gonna Eat Out My Heart Anymore

During April a bunch of bloggers are participating in the A-to-Z blogging challenge of 2013. My theme for 2013 is an A-to-Z list of classic Aussie tunes - either classic or just plain songs I like. Today we're up to "I" and I have chosen two songs that I love equally though for different reasons. Those songs are:

Ice - Magic Dirt



I Ain't Gonna Eat Out My Heart Anymore - Divinyls


"Ice" is one of the earliest songs I heard by Magic Dirt, and to this day it's one of my favourites. Adalita Srsen is a kick-arse guitarist who has inspired a nation full of gals who wish they could play guitar - at her live shows she's been known to tell people, "It's never too late! Pick up a guitar and start a band!" As for Divinyls, well they're basically Aussie legends, particularly the amazing Chrissie Amphlett, and this is probably my favourite song by them (though they have so many great ones!). It helps that it's on the soundtrack to one of my favourite movies of all time, Buffy the Vampire Slayer. ;)

Honourable mentions:

• I'm Stained by the Superjesus
• I'll Be Your Majick by Def FX
• I Hope I Shall Arrive Soon by Steering By Stars
• I Sucked a Lot of Cock to Get Where I Am by Regurgitator
• I Touch Myself by Divinyls
• I Wanna Throw Stones by Laura Imbruglia (short clip)
• Immune Deficiency by Rail

A-Z '13 - Highway to Hell & Hang Around

UPDATE 10/4/13: I had to edit this post to add a second video, because really, H had to be a tie. I had totally forgotten somehow that I'd already picked out an "H" song, and it happens to be by one of my favourite Aus bands of all time, Tumbleweed. Plus, the video is so worth seeing - it features a giant chicken-zilla! So while I love "Highway to Hell", it can't be alone in the H-spotlight! ;)


Hang Around - Tumbleweed

During April a bunch of bloggers are participating in the A-to-Z blogging challenge of 2013. My theme for 2013 is an A-to-Z list of classic Aussie tunes - either classic or just plain songs I like. Today we're up to the letter "H" and for my H song I've chosen:

Highway to Hell - AC/DC

AC/DC are the obvious choice for a whole lot of A to Z letters, but this is definitely one of my favourite tunes by them, even if I have only ever done a cover song version of "Thunderstruck". ;) "Highway to Hell" was great already, but nowadays it has the added bonus of reminding me of one of my favourite shows ever, Supernatural (hubba hubba). Anyway, there were a lot of great songs in my "H" selection, though it got whittled down by which had available videos):

Honourable mentions:

• Half Full Glass of Wine by Tame Impala
• Hallways by Something For Kate
• Hand On Your Heart by Kylie Minogue (I had to!)
• Hard Act to Follow by Grinspoon
• Heavensent by Killing Heidi
• Habit by SCALPHUNTER
• Home and Away by Frenzal Rhomb (classic take on the theme song for this popular and awful Aussie soapie)
• Honey Bees by The Painkillers
• Howl and Moan by Abbe May