Rockbrat Remembers: Mick Cocks – died 22 December, 2009

For a long time there, particularly during the late 80s and early 90’s, Michael Thomas Cocks looked ageless, like he’d been drinking heartily from the fountain of youth. Yet he we are, the 22nd of December, 2010 and Cocksy has been gone for a year already. Sure there was benefit concert for him in July, [...]

Rockbrat Wonders – Who will save Australian Rock ‘n’ Roll ?

Last Sunday evening I found myself channel surfing, and with no rugby league, baseball or decent historical documentary to watch – I landed on the industry backslapping night of nights known as the ARIA (or Australian Recording Industry Association) Awards. Powderfinger were on, and the kids were lapping it up. Powderfinger are a great example [...]

Rockbrat News Flash: Blood, Sweat & Beers : Oz Rock From The Aztecs to Rose Tattoo

Blood, Sweat & Beers : Oz Rock From The Aztecs to Rose Tattoo by Murray Engleheart It is an honor to be the first person on the internet to review this book – the latest penned by the highly acclaimed Australian music writer Murray Engleheart. ‘Blood, Sweat and Beers : Oz Rock From The Aztecs to [...]

Rockbrat’s Audio Archive: X Radio Interview on Double J (1980)

Recently dusted off for your listening pleasure, here is a 10 minute interview with Ian Rilen and Steve Lucas on Double J at the time of the release of X’s glorious ‘Aspirations’ LP. We’ve cleaned up the sound a little bit for you, enjoy my friends. Dedicated to the memory of the one and only, [...]

Rockbrat Remembers: Hell To Pay

Hell To Pay were a Melbourne band who existed from around 1991 to 1993. They were, to coin an often over used phrase, ‘the real deal’. Any band that included both Ian Rilen and Spencer Jones in their ranks was always gonna be top shelf, and so they were. If you wanna talk inner city [...]

Rockbrat Remembers: Lobby Loyde

This is a re-published interview/article we conducted with the much-missed Lobby Loyde in 1998 If ever a book is written on Lobby Loyde it will sure as hell make for interesting reading. Loyde is an Australian rock n roll icon, who has been treading the boards since 1963. His cutting edge guitar playing has influenced [...]

Best Gigs The Rockbrat’s Seen ? Rose Tattoo (1998)

Who: Rose Tattoo When: Labor Club, Canberra – August 11, 1998 It had been some years since Rose Tattoo last graced a Canberra stage, so their return to the national capital was indeed an event to cherish. Witnessing the musical muscle that is Rose Tattoo is pretty much like watching a retired heavyweight champ climb [...]