Melodic Milestone Playlist

If pressed I could possibly provide a playlist for each of the artists listed below - ok maybe not Don Mclean. I have included American Pie (in a pinch I think I could hobble together a play list of American Pie covers - cringe) because it helps me remember how much I don't like it, not then not now, but I can see so clearly a day from when I was but a lad. The annual show was in town and for some reason school had arranged a trip on the day before opening. As we approached sideshow alley American Pie was blasting on the PA and for some reason we stopped outside the Haunted Mansion ride. No big deal but they decided to test these swinging trap door skeletons, right where my class was gathered. These bad boys flew out of a secret door in the wall of the ride and above the heads of anyone in the vicinity. To this day skeletons and American Pie are joined at the proverbial hip!

Don Mclean - American Pie (hate that fuckin song!)

This is a throwback to one of the many compilation albums mum bought for us, and it's another that has stood the test of time and is as good now as it was back. Proves the old adage, good rock never dies!

Bachman Turner Overdrive - You Aint Seen Nothing Yet

I had a lengthy hospital stay when I was about 10 or 11 and mum let me take the tape recorder. I has three cassettes, Star Wars by the London Symphony Orchestra, Gerry Rafferty and Boney-M. All our music was vinyl or reel to reel. I played them over and over with a one piece ear plug so as not to upset the other patients or nurses.

Gerry Rafferty - Baker Street

I came of age (16) in Mt. Gambier, South Australia, and the highlight of a Friday or Saturday night was doing mainies (driving up and down the Main St until bored or depleted funds meant no more petrol). We had a mate named Goog (as in egg) and every fri/sat night there was three or four of us who'd meet at his place and do mainies (also =called laps) AC/DC Back in Black was the go to album. We played it non stop so loud as we drove up and down the main street of that shithole thinking we were so cool. We were cool; like a turd in a thermos. I've been back a few times since then and they still do it; up and back like their brain dead predecessors.

AC/DC - Back in Black

I had just turned eighteen, England was at it over a couple of gull shit covered pieces of rock in the South Atlantic. I was living in Canberra and had just purchased my first car. A beat up silver Volkswagen with a cassette stuck in the player - Kate Bush - Never Forever. It wouldn't eject and resisted all kinds of weird and wonderful methods employed to get it out but to no avail. It was still there the day the car was towed away by the council due to neighbour complaints and unpaid parking violations.

Kate Bush - Army Dreamers

I used to go to an imported record store in Martin Place in Sydney, it was huge and had the best selection of vinyl you did not hear about. This was my introduction to Frank Zappa - my mate Mick purchased Weasels Ripped My Flesh because we were really high and he thought the cover looked cool - it did! I came away with a copy of Joes Garage (I ended up gifting it to a young bloke who hung around years later because he told me he had never heard a record that moved him like JG did!)

Frank Zappa - A Token of my Extreme

If i told you i can remember when all the rest of this lot came out without looking it up I'd be lying. These are a few songs that I love to my very core and yes i think my life would be different without them .

Sadly I only heard about Joy Division after reading about Ian in a borrowed fanzine. Joy Division are a hit that can take you really low but still punch with an smashing rising hook (pun!)

Joy Division - Love Will Tear Us Apart

A playlist would be nothing with out a bit of PIL. This filled the void for those of us left wondering what would JR do now? Love this album and especially love this song, my daughters middles name is Annalise because of this song!

Public Image Limited - Annalisa

First DK's song i ever heard was Too Drunk to Fuck and it was all over that I'd had my head stuck in UK punk and nearly missed all the tight American shit! So many bands - I think that may be another list for another time

Dead Kennedys - Cesspool's In Eden

Can't play the DK's without a bit of Black Flag in the mix

Black Flag - Wasted

Fear - Living In The City

Never heard of the Celibate Rifles? Thank me later! Formed in Sydney in 79 this song is from the first album and it;s a beauty - enjoy! I also highly recommend having a listen to thier Blind Ear album. All I can say is hooray for college radio!

Celibate Rifles - God Squad

I love this next song as much as the rest of the planet hates it. I heard it on a 2JJJ new release show back in day and I was hooked and since then it has been a Weenfest!

Ween Push - The Little Daisies

Saving the best for last? Couldnt say but

So far my playlist has been a lot of punk - needs a metal injection. This guy!!!! Consider this an introductory course (there will be a test at the end) because you "are aboot to rock!" We shall start with my favourite extreme metal band Strapping Young Lad with what could possibly be my favourite song from the album of the same name. This was only available on the reissue. Then we will hear from Punky Brüster and then we go out on high note - If this song doesn't get a top ten in my favourites I haven't been paying attention and should probably buy a Venga Boys record. Possibly the finest song ever written played by Devin Townsend Project Live at Red Rocks!

Strapping Young Lad - A Monday

Punky Brüster - Metalheads Are Punk Rockers

This man this song - wow - words pale besides the awesome that is Devin Townsend! Have seen him nearly every time he has come to Australia and have not been disappointed once - not once! I ran into him backstage (we got a tip that he would exit via the rear entrance in a convenient ally behind the venue, so we basically ambushed the poor bloke!) in 2017 and my son and I got a photo with him, Yeah I could find it but I'm not!

Devin Townsend Band - Deadhead

Music is very personnel and if just one person enjoys one song then it was not for naught!

\m/ ROCK ON \m/