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Redd Kross

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Redd Kross 2024 is the year of Redd Kross. This year see’s the release of the bands eighth studio LP, a double record no less, plus the release of a full-length doco and book, celebrating 45 years of being together. Brothers Jeff and Steve McDonald got there start playing LA clubs before they could get their learners permit, or in Steve’s case before he was even a teenager. Despite taking almost a decade off, Redd Korss today are regarded by many of producing some of the finest powerpop/ punk pop put to tape. The new double LP is for this writer possibly their best work to date. Bass player Steve McDonald caught up with me from his LA home to celebrate a milestone anniversary of one of LAs best bands. Munster: congratulations on the release of the self-titled double LP. Why a double LP? Steve: Why double? I guess because we wrote these songs, and we went into the studio, and it just flowed and when we got to 14 songs- for our 12 song record- we said you know, we got six songs we’re was
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The Fadeaways

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  Japanese garage rockers the Fadeaways are about to hit Australian shores for the first time. Inspired by 60s garage and punk of the 70s. the Fadeaways have been one of the most prolific garage bands in recent times, releasing an LP every other year and many 7 inch’s to there name. the group play the Tote Friday July 12, along with Kim Salmon’s Smoked Salmon and Mach Pelican. Singer/bass player. Tayozo spoke to us from his home in Toyko on the ever f there first trip to Oz. Munster:, this tour 7 inch via Cheersquad, you have a few diverse covers, one from the Pretty Things, and another from Science Poption, so I take it you must have listened to garage round the world from an early age? Toyozo: From 16, I was into 80s garage rock,   also punk rock from the 70s. the Saints, Radio Birdman and the Ramones, I love them because they are inspired by 60s music. Lipstick Killers as well, Australian punk rock is a great influence on our sound. Munster: was Australian music accessible?
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Nunchukka Superfly

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  One of Australian underground rocks most sort after lost LPs had finally seen the light of day. Nunchukka Superfly’s first recording has been released via Cheersquad Records. The LP, simply known as Nunchukka Superfly 95, sounds like the Superfly. Thrashy guitar with classic meaty riffs from Blackie, thumping bass from Ray, and machine gun drums from Pete. but with one difference, JJ McCann is on the vocals. It sounds like Nunchukka but with a different voice, but its still sounds like the band loyal Nunchukka fans know and love. JJ spoke to us about his stink in one of Ox rocks most loved underground acts. Munster: when we first spoke, around 2017, we talked briefly about this record, and you mentioned one day it might see the light of day. So why now? JJ: Well in 2019 I approached the guys, as I just had it digitised. Originally, we all had a copy on cassette, and over the years they either disappeared or the tape wore out. Jason Blackwell, who recorded it, he was working at
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JJ McCann Transmission

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  James McCann is back with a new LP, as well as new band name, and even different first name. JJ’s latest recording, Hit with Love, is 12 cracking original tracks that combine elements of 80s post punk, and plenty of tracks that is almost impossible to compare to any other band or recording. Produced by Rob Younger, Hit with Love is another solid entry onto McCann’s already exceptional back catalogue. For me he’s one of the country’s great singer/songwriters of the last twenty years. We spoke with JJ via telephone on the release date of his new LP. Munster: On this new record your billed as JJ McCann as opposed to James. Why? JJ: I just got sick of hearing my own name you know (laughs). JJ’s been my nickname since I was born. Friends and extended family call me JJ, its funny sometimes out the blue someone will shout “Hey JJ”, and I act immediately. So, I thought I’ll use JJ McCann, try and shorten it. I should have used it years ago. Don’t know why I didn’t, its catcher. Munst
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Rinehearts

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  Perth Power poppers Rinehearts are back with their latest release, the excellent LP Full Bloom. Full of amazing pop songs, it is a great mixed bag of lollies, with a assortment of some loud stuff and some softer more caring tunes. Produced by Dom Mariani, the recording is top notch, with some of the most beautiful backing vocals put to tape. Instruments such as keyboard come and go, and it really is a master collaboration between a great producer and a band in full flight. We spoke with Singer songwriter Benny J Ward about the new record, as well as his solo recording and working with Dom. Benny: the band I spent most of my 20s in was more power pop/rock n roll, with a pinch of punk. When they finished up, I wanted to do some faster stuff. But its also got to do with other people’s tastes as well. If I’m prudently starting the ideas, maybe they generate from a certain field, but it all comes together from other people as well. The Rinehearts thing, Mitch who plays bass, and Russ
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Jenny Don’t and the Spurs

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  Portland outfit Jenny Don’t and the Spurs have been recording and playing for the last ten years and show no signs of slowing down. A supergroup combining members of Don’t, Wipers and Pierced Arrows, the Spurs combines the fast energy of garage and punk, with the attitude of outlaw country. If Patsy Cline started a band with some ratbags hanging around CBGBs it would sound like this. We spoke with singer/guitarist Jenny Connors and her husband, and also Spurs bass player Kelly Halliburton from their Portland home a week before they land in Australia for their second Spurs tour. Munster: I saw on the anti-social media outlets the band was in Revolver Studio the other day. A new release in the works? Jenny: we were there everyday last week and then yesterday was our last day. We did 12-hour days every day. It’s been fun recording with Collin Hegna (Brian Jonestown Massacre), and everything is tracked and ready, tried to have it done before we hit the road. Munster: any release
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Gemma White

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  Melbourne based poet Gemma White late last year dropped her second book, Oh My Rapture. The initial theme of the book is poems that where responses to Nick Caves Red Hand Files, but the core of the topics are the mundane little things that make life fascinating. Oh My Rapture comes off the back of Gemma’s first book, Furniture is Disappearing, another set of autobiographical poems that shows everyday story’s that we can all relate to, that are more fascinating that anything you see on telly these days. Short story’s with minimum word use that grab the reader that will make you laugh, cry, or draw any kind of emotion. That’s the showing of a true wordsmith, that can get a response from there reader under a 100 words. Munster: what was it about poetry that appealed to you? Gemma:  why poetry? It’s kind of the laziest form of writing I can do. If I was to write a novel, I’m like oh my god how I would even do that. With poetry its little fragments of life, little fragments of time, and w
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