Category: News

It’s not very rock and roll, but some rare birds may see AC/DC cancel a concert in Austria.

The band is slated to play a sold-out show at Austria’s Wels airport in May. However, bird conservations are concerned that the rock and roll anthems may threaten rare birds nesting in the area.

“The second biggest colony of curlews in Upper Austria and various other ground-nesting birds must not become endangered,” affirmed Hans Uhl of BirdLife.

Hopefully an agreement that’s in the interest of music fans and the feathered locals can be reached before May!

Image source: ZUMA Press

Catherine Britt isn’t the only one Tamworth-bound. Sydney swamp rockers The Snowdroppers are leaving the big smoke behind for Australia’s biggest country music festival.

The band will headline a free show at Tamworth’s Imperial Hotel on January 19. Apparently the band plans “on damming The Peel River so as to ensure the entire community of Tamworth has access to clean water post Imperial gig thus ensuring the town can take a cold shower to wash off the ‘filth and grime’ left behind.” We have been warned! The Snowdroppers will play in support of their latest album, Too Late To Pray.

Abbie Cardwell, Brothers Grim, and The Graveyard Train are also on the bill of The Impi’s free show.

Image source: Premier Artists

Catherine Britt has spent much of 2009 holed up in a studio recording her fourth album with Shane Nicholson and Bill Chambers, so she’s itching to get back in front of her fans. She’ll do just that with two very special shows at the Tamworth Country Music Festival.

She’ll play Blazes Auditorium on January 17 before hosting the Catherine Britt Hillbilly Sessions at The Pub on January 21.

“I can’t wait for Tamworth! I’m so excited to play some of my new songs for
my fans,” she gushed. “My new album is the one thing I have been completely focused on throughout 2009 and to finally get to play the songs live is something I have been looking forward to all year”

Tickets for both shows are on sale now.

Image used with permission from Thrillhill Entertainment

The Wellingtons are spreading some festive cheer by offering free downloads of their Christmas track, “I Guess It’s Christmas.”

This is another slice of energetic power-pop from the Melbourne band who gave us the current radio hit “Come Undone.”

Just head to the Dust Devil Music site and click on the link at the top of the page to grab the free tune!

Image source: Premier Artists

Rose Tattoo guitarist and founding member Mick Cocks has lost his battle with liver cancer. He passed away in a Sydney hospital, just eight months after being diagnosed with the disease.

“We’re very sad to announce that Rose Tattoo founding member and guitarist Mick Cocks lost his battle against liver cancer and passed away today, on December 22th,” a statement posted on the band’s website yesterday read.

The band’s manager Stephen White called Mick a “true Australian rocker.”

“It is devastating. You know, what can you say though?” he told Fairfax Radio Network. “Mick got ill about a year ago and it was looking pretty good for a while but he got very ill.”

The band’s having a rough trot of late. Mick is the fourth member of the band to die in just three years, following the deaths of Ian Rilen and Pete Wells in 2006 and Lobby Loyde in 2007. My thoughts are with the remaining members of the band, and Mick’s family.

Image source: The Harbour Agency

The Avett Brothers are the latest act to announce a couple of Bluesfest sideshows.

Their name might not be familiar, but after several tours with Dave Matthews Band they’re destined to become one of 2010’s big things. Their unique rootsy sound has been described by the San Francisco Chronicle as having the “heavy sadness of Townes Van Zandt, the light pop concision of Buddy Holly, the tuneful jangle of the Beatles, the raw energy of the Ramones.” That’s some blend!

The North Carolina-based band are out here to promote their latest album I And Love And You, which hits stores on February 19.

Make sure you catch The Avett Brothers at the following shows. Sideshow tickets are available through Ticketek.

2 & 3 April 2010 – Byron Bay Bluesfest
5 April 2010 – Factory Theatre, Sydney
6 April 2010 – Prince Bandroom, Melbourne

Image source: ZUMA Press

Keith Urban showed he’s one of music’s genuine nice guys by buying a teenager a new guitar pedal.

The Nashville-based country singer was shopping at Brisbane’s Tym Guitars when he noticed the teenager playing with the fuzz pedal.

“Keith came back down the counter and was chatting away and had picked out a guitar he liked,” store owner Tym Brennan recounted to ABC Radio. “He had heard the kid trying out the pedal for some time and he just leaned over and whispered, ‘How much is the pedal that kid’s looking at?’ “I said, ‘It’s $450, it’s not a cheap one’, and he just whispered, ‘Put it on my card.’

“Obviously I was quite shocked.

“I said, ‘Do you want me to tell him?’, and he said, ‘No, wait ’til I leave.'”

Keith shook the boy’s hand, wished him a merry Christmas, and left. Once the store owner gave him the happy news, the young kid promptly called his dad to say Keith Urban had bought him a birthday present.

What a cool story!

Image source: Pacific Coast News

Sony Music Australia will celebrate the 75th anniversary of Elvis Presley’s birthday with the release of Elvis Presley: 50 Australian Top Ten Hits 1956-1977.

The double CD set is a chronological history of The King’s Australian chart success, with absolutely every Australian hit there from “Heartbreak Hotel” to “Way Down.” It comes complete with an 18-page booklet featuring specially written liner notes and photos.

While Elvis never visited Australia, it remains to this day one of the biggest supporters of his music. This album is a great tribute to one of music’s most iconic stars.

Elvis Presley: 50 Australian Top Ten Hits 1956-1977 hits stores on 8 January, 2010.

Image source: ZUMA Press

The Annandale Hotel in Sydney is getting into the Christmas spirit with its annual Smith Family Drive.

When you see a show at the Annandale this weekend, make sure you bring along your presents to place under the tree. In return for donating, Annandale staff will shout you a schooner of Tooheys Extra Dry.

There’s plenty to see at the Annandale this weekend too. On Saturday arvo The Annandale All stars, made up of members from Bluejuice, The Mess Hall, Frenzal Rhomb, and The Beautiful Girls will be bringing their own personal touches to retro tunes from the 70s, 80s, and 90s.

Later that evening Bah Humbug brings you the best emerging local artists. For just $8 you can see eight new bands: Under Lights, Sierra Fin, Sticky Fingers, Made In Japan, Radio National and Indigo Rising.

Then on Sunday Front End Loader and Peabody will play from 5.

With all that entertainment on offer, why not take your pressies down to the Annandale and enjoy some great tunes at the same time?

Image source: Vickie Matthews @ Stock.xchng