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VICIOUS DELICIOUS
It was a shock/horror headline: Sharpie Wars, 'Someone Will
Get Killed'. The article, in Go-Set on 16 Nov, 1966, was
written by the paper's leading reporter, Ian "Molly" Meldrum.
"For months now, there has been a 'war' raging between the
two cults of the teenage world - namely the Mods and the
Sharpies," Molly wrote. "The Mods despise the Sharpies with
their maroon jumpers, flagged trousers, jeans and short
haircuts because, they allege, Sharpies are always trying
to start fights." Molly said the Mods were disliked because
they "look too effeminate with their way-out dress and long
haircuts". The Sharpies instilled fear in gig goers and
train travellers in the '60s and '70s. It was an Australian
phenomenon that preceded punk. The subculture is now documented
in a wonderful new compilation, When Sharpies Ruled, A Vicious
Selection (to be released by Warner Music on 7 Aug). Compiled
by Glenn Terry, from Vicious Sloth Collectables, and Warner's
David Laing, the album features 23 tracks and a brilliant
booklet. "The fact that this was an Antipodean reaction
among our own disaffected youth is what made it more interesting,"
notes Glenn, who calls himself a music archivist, social
historian and part-time pest (retired). Musically, the Sharpies
loved a bad boy boogie. Howzat! recently had a chat with
Chain's Phil Manning. "When bands started getting into the
suburban pubs, the music started to get heavier," Phil said.
"The whole scene became more of a beer culture - and, of
course, Billy Thorpe didn't help by getting everyone to
yell, 'Suck more piss!'" Thorpie appears on this compilation,
performing the aptly titled Let's Have A Party at Sunbury
in 1974. The disc features Sharpie faves, including Lobby
Loyde's Coloured Balls, Rose Tattoo, Finch and Taste. The
one notable omission is AC/DC. The booklet includes a note:
"Unfortunately, AC/DC are unable to make it on here due
to licensing … the Bon line-up was an absolutely essential
part of the Sharpie backdrop." The album does, however,
include Rabbit, featuring AC/DC's original lead singer,
Dave Evans; as well as Buster Brown, with drummer Phil Rudd.
The Sharpies were tough, but the album features plenty of
fine pop moments, including TMG's Jump In My Car, Hush's
Bony Moronie and Supernaut's I Like It Both Ways. It's 2015's
best compilation.
DO YA THINK I'M SIXTY?
A belated happy birthday to the ageless Ron S. Peno, who
turned 60 last Sunday (26 Jul).
HOMECOMING
There was once talk that Suze DeMarchi was going to be INXS's
new lead singer. She's certainly one hell of a singer and
it's great she's finally released her second solo album,
Home - 16 years after her debut. The first single is a cover
of Graham Nash's Our House, a duet with the great Russell
Morris, who turns 67 on 31 Jul.
HOT LINE
"I hope I don't die before I get old" - Josh Pyke, Hollering
Hearts.
CHART WATCH
5 Seconds of Summer have a Top 10 debut. It's one of just
four homegrown hits in the national Top 40.
She's Kinda Hot 5 SECONDS OF SUMMER (number six, debut)
Start Again CONRAD SEWELL (22)
You Don't Own Me GRACE (24)
Shake That SAMANTHA JADE (32, debut)
Tame Impala score their first number one album.
Currents TAME IMPALA (number one, debut)
Two Strong Hearts Live JOHN FARNHAM & OLIVIA NEWTON-JOHN
(six)
The Very Best INXS (16)
1000 Forms Of Fear SIA (17)
Dark Night Sweet Light HERMITUDE (21)
Walking Under Stars HILLTOP HOODS (23)
Shake Shiver ART OF SLEEPING (27, debut)
Life Death Time Eternal TUKA (31)
Empires HILLSONG UNITED (34)
Strange New Past SETH SENTRY (35)
HOWZAT! PLAYLIST
Finding Gold HELEN SHANAHAN
You Got Fever BEK-JEAN STEWART
The Lines DARREN MIDDLETON
Hollering Hearts JOSH PYKE
Our House SUZE DEMARCHI & RUSSELL MORRIS
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