Return to bmusic.com.au home
Newletters
Return to bmusic.com.au home
A and R

 Bands

 Links

 Product news

 Marketing

 Recording

 Songwriting

 Tech Tips

 Theory

 What's new
bmusic
Newsletter No.248
 December 11th - December 17th 2006

A number of readers over the last week or so have alerted me to the ABCs recently compiled "My Favourite Album" Top 100 poll conducted throughout September and October this year, voters being able to nominate any album from any genre for the poll. As some suggested, they thought one of my rants would have been in order last week after the poll results were published. However, I gave up on lists about three years and three months ago. The same time Rolling Stone magazine released it's "Top 100 Guitarists" list, a list that had so many questionable inclusions at the expense of many of the absolute best guitarists history has produced that it was borderline blasphemous! I often wonder, what would be the result if you took a controlled poll which featured the same amount of musicians vs. non-musicians as voters, how radical the differences would be. A large collection from both parties, one would think, would provide radically differing results.

Anyhow, if you missed the ABCs poll, here 'tis. Just the Top Ten should have most everybody who hasn't yet seen it somewhat puzzled. Such is the nature of these polls I guess.

1–10

  1. Pink Floyd — Dark Side Of The Moon
  2. Jeff Buckley — Grace
  3. Radiohead — Ok Computer
  4. The Beatles — Abbey Road
  5. The Beatles — Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band
  6. Nirvana — Nevermind
  7. Led Zeppelin — Led Zeppelin 4
  8. Red Hot Chili Peppers — Blood Sugar Sex Magik
  9. Meat Loaf — Bat Out Of Hell
  10. U2 — The Joshua Tree

11–20

  1. Pink Floyd — Wish You Were Here
  2. The Beatles — The Beatles - White Album
  3. The Beatles — Revolver
  4. Pink Floyd — The Wall
  5. Radiohead — The Bends
  6. Neil Diamond — Hot August Night
  7. Neil Young — Harvest
  8. Carole King — Tapestry
  9. Pearl Jam — Ten
  10. Fleetwood Mac — Rumours

21–30

  1. Tool — Aenima
  2. Bob Dylan — Blood On The Tracks
  3. Midnight Oil — 10-9-8-7-6-5-4-3-2-1
  4. Silverchair — Diorama
  5. AC/DC — Back In Black
  6. The Clash — London Calling
  7. The Whitlams — Eternal Nightcap
  8. Queen — A night at the Opera
  9. The Pixies — Doolittle
  10. Missy Higgins — The Sound Of White

31–40

  1. Paul Simon — Graceland
  2. Anthony Callea — Anthony Callea
  3. U2 — Achtung Baby
  4. David Bowie — Ziggy Stardust and the spiders from Mars
  5. Radiohead — Kid A
  6. The Beatles — Rubber Soul
  7. The Stone Roses — Stone Roses
  8. Wolfmother — Wolfmother
  9. Oasis — What's The Story Morning Glory
  10. Tool — Lateralus

41–50

  1. Coldplay — A Rush of Blood to the Head
  2. Bob Dylan — Highway 61
  3. Sex Pistols — Never Mind the Bollocks
  4. Van Morrison — Astral Weeks
  5. The Living End — The Living End
  6. The Strokes — Is this It?
  7. Silverchair — Neon Ballroom
  8. The Eagles — Hotel California
  9. The Smiths — The Queen Is Dead
  10. You Am I — Hourly Daily

51–60

  1. The Cure — Disintegration
  2. Bob Dylan — Blonde On Blonde
  3. Lou Reed — Transformer
  4. Bruce Springsteen — Born To Run
  5. Red Hot Chili Peppers — Californication
  6. Metallica — Master of Puppets
  7. Cat Stevens — Tea for the Tillerman
  8. R.E.M — Automatic For The People
  9. Muse — Absolution
  10. Joni Mitchell — Blue

61–70

  1. Prince — Purple Rain
  2. ABBA — Arrival
  3. Elton John — Goodbye Yellow Brick Road
  4. Dire Straits — Brothers In Arms
  5. Miles Davis — Kind of Blue
  6. Cold Chisel — East
  7. The Smashing Pumpkins — Mellon Collie and the Infinite Sadness
  8. The Who — Who's Next
  9. Yes — Close To The Edge
  10. Deep Purple — Machine Head

71–80

  1. Rage Against The Machine — Rage Against The Machine
  2. Green Day — American Idiot
  3. Guns N Roses — Appetite For Destruction
  4. INXS — Kick
  5. David Bowie — Hunky Dory
  6. The Smashing Pumpkins — Siamese Dream
  7. Def Leppard — Hysteria
  8. Foo Fighters — The Colour and The Shape
  9. U2 — Rattle and Hum
  10. Delta Goodrem — Innocent Eyes

81–90

  1. John Farnham — Whispering Jack
  2. You Am I — Hi Fi Way
  3. Darren Hayes — The Tension & The Spark
  4. Crowded House — Woodface
  5. Live — Throwing Copper
  6. Nine Inch Nails — The Downward Spiral
  7. Massive Attack — Blue Lines
  8. Led Zeppelin — Led Zeppelin 2
  9. Mike Oldfield — Tubular Bells
  10. Radio Birdman — Radios Appear

91–100

  1. Ben Folds Five — Whatever and Ever Amen
  2. Crowded House — Crowded House
  3. Powderfinger — Vulture Street
  4. The Killers — Hot Fuss
  5. The Rolling Stones — Sticky Fingers
  6. Silverchair — Frogstomp
  7. Queens Of The Stone Age — Songs For The Deaf
  8. Portishead — Dummy
  9. Soundgarden — Superunknown
  10. The Velvet Underground & Nico — The Velvet Underground & Nico
 If you missed the aforementioned Rolling Stone Top 100 Guitarists of All Time poll results, click HERE to see it. Even if you have only a passing dalliance with guitars and guitarists, you're bound to find plenty of glaring ommissions and questionable inclusions.

As we "go to press", as it were, the RIAA (Recording Industry Association of America) have petitioned the US Copyright Royalty Judges panel to lower the royalty rates paid to artists. The current rates have been in place since 1981 and the RIAA is pleading for change due to the way music is being delivered today by new technologies such as ringtones etc. "While record companies and music publishers were able to agree on royalty rates during that 25-year period, the assumptions on which those decisions were based have changed beyond recognition," the RIAA said.

"Mechanical royalties currently are out of whack with historical and international rates," RIAA executive vp and general counsel Steven Marks said. "We hope the judges will restore the proper balance by reducing the rate and moving to a more flexible percentage rate structure so that record companies can continue to create the sound recordings that drive revenues for music publishers."

Well, what's there to say, I'll leave you with that little nugget for the week. Next week should prove interesting if any artists come out and have their say.

A repeat Where Are They Now? this week with updates from correspondence we've received and some very recent developments from within the band.
Regulars including Feature Article, The Week Ahead in Music History, Featured Artist and more are all inside Issue 248 of the bmusic Newsletter.
Links in the Table of contents below will launch your browser, so you'll need to be online to view the newsletter. If you are unable to receive html format e-mails then copy and paste the following link into your browser's address bar to view the newsletter:
http://www.bmusic.com.au/links/whatsnew/newsletters/archives/newsno248.html

Thanks to everyone for reading, we'll see you next week!

TABLE OF CONTENTS (You will need to be online to use the Table of Contents to jump through sections)
  • Where Are They Now? - Wang Chung (Updated)
  • This week's Music Quote
  • Featured Product - NEW Godin Triumph Guitars
  • This week's Specials
  • This week's Feature Article - - The Real Secret To Selling Your Music
  • This week's Feature Artist - Dukes of Windsor
  • Musicians Wanted
  • Gear Wanted
  • Band Links
  • The Week Ahead In Music History
               Events
               Births
               Deaths
  • Give us your suggestions
  • Don't want the bmusic Newsletter?
  • Privacy Statement
  • See you next week

    • WHERE ARE THEY NOW? - WANG CHUNG (UPDATED)

     The first incarnation of what was to become Wang Chung was formed by singer/guitarist/keyboardist Jack Hues and singer/guitarist Nick Feldman. The pair formed a group known as The Intellektuals around 1977 with bass guitarist Bud Merrick and the late Paul Hammond. Hammond had formerly drummed for U.K. band Atomic Rooster and had picked up gigs here and there since that band's dissolution in the early Seventies. In 1993 Hammond committed suicide with a drug overdose after many years of living with depression in near poverty.

    By 1979 The Intellektuals had split and Hues and Feldman pursued their next project. This involved drummer Darren Costin, bass player Leigh Gorman (who later joined Bow Wow Wow), and singer Glenn Gregory (he later went on to form Heaven 17). The band were known as 57 Men and after eighteen months broke up.

    Hues and Feldman had now added another piece to what would become the Wand Chung jigsaw puzzle. Drummer for 57 Men, Darren Costin, joined them in their next band, originally titled Huang Chung. Feldman and Costin adopted the monikers Nick De Spig and Darwin respectively. The trio recorded three live tracks for compilation albums released in 1980 and 1981 which led them to a two single record deal with small label Rewind Records.

    Huang Chung's first single for Rewind was "Isn't It About Time We Were On Television", the second "Stand Still". Following the release of "Stand Still" the group recruited saxophonist saxophonist David Burnard (aka "Hogg" Robinson). In May of 1981 Huang Chung signed a two-album deal with Arista Records and about 12 months later released their first single for the label, "Hold Back The Tears". The band scored good support slots and festival dates across the U.K. and released their second Arista single, "China" in January of 1982. Two months later the single "Ti Na Na" followed with their debut self-titled album being released very soon after.

    More extensive touring ensued across the U.K. and farther afield throughout Europe. Saxophonist David Burnard left the group citing "musical differences" as the reason. They headed back to the studio again as a 3-piece to start work on their second album for Arista. Around the same time David Massey became manager of the group. He heard the band's demo version of "Dance Hall Days" and thought the song would be the hit for Huang Chung. With this in mind he set about convincing Arista to drop the band's contract and release the rights to the Dance Hall Days worked they'd done. Amazingly Arista agreed and the band were released. After a few weeks of Massey shopping the Dance Hall Days work Huang Chung became the first U.K. band signed to the U.S. label Geffen. The trio changed their name to Wang Chung following the signing and immediately headed back to the studio.

    1983 was spent in its entirety recording "Points On The Curve" which was released in January 1994. The lead single "Dance Hall Days" was a minor hit in the U.K. and found more success in America, peaking at Number 16 on the Billboard Hot 100. They cracked the Top 40 in the U.S. again with "Don't Let Go".

    Wang Chung spent their time concentrating on the American market and Dance Hall Days quickly spread to be a worldwide hit. Headlining tours and premium support slots followed, ending with the band play three months of almost nightly performances throughout the as support act for The Cars 1984 U.S. tour. Following this tour drummer Darren Costin left the group in an "amicable split".

    Continuing as a duo Wang Chung next contributed to movie soundtracks including a song, "Fire In The Twilight", for the smash hit movie "The Breakfast Club" in 1985. Their next album came in 1986. "Mosaic" was the band's biggest hit to date, due in no small part to the worldwide smash single "Everybody Have Fun Tonight". The second single "Let's Go" joined "Everybody Have Fun..." in massive rotation across radio and MTV in the United States.

    With a touring band of hired guns Hues and Feldman hit the road in America for the first few months of 1987. After the tour they contributed some more soundtrack material and worked on their next studio album "The Warmer Side Of Cool". The album, released in 1989 led with a minor single hit "Praying To A New God". The poor sales of "The Warmer Side Of Cool" were enough for Wang Chung to fold up their chairs and go home. They very quietly ceased touring and recording and, for all intents and purposes, called it quits. And what have they been up to since?

    JACK HUES
    Jack Hues recorded and produced a solo album in 1992 entitled "The Anatomy Lesson", which has yet to be released. In 1995, he collaborated with Genesis keyboardist Tony Banks, providing all the lead vocals for a project which Banks named Strictly Inc. Since then Hues has gotten much more involved with music production, especially with Chris Hughes (who produced "Points On The Curve"). In 1994, Jack Hues helped produce an instrumental album by Chris Hughes entitled "Shift" on Fontana Records. In 1995, he also co-produced an album with Chris Hughes for London's Definition of Sound on Mercury Records called "Experience".

    In 1997 he teamed back up with Nick Feldman to promote their first Greatest Hits package "Everybody Wang Chung Tonight... Wang Chung's Greatest Hits". In 1998 they again toured as Wang Chung across America's West Coast, most likely lured by promoter cash. In 2000 Wang Chung again toured the U.S. but minus Hues. He is still involved in everything Wang Chung but was unable to make the tour due to other work commitments. Feldman was left to fly the Wang Chung flag with hired guns.

    Hues is heavily involved in writing and arranging for film and works consistently in his chosen field.

    NICK FELDMAN
    Following Wang Chung's unofficial dissolution in 1989 Feldman teamed up with long-time friend and former Culture Club drummer Jon Moss. The resultant band, Promised Land, released their debut effort in 1992. His day job was as an A & R Manager for WEA Records in the U.K.

    He and Hues again worked together in promotion for their 1997 Greatest Hits package 1998 U.S. West Coat tour. Feldman continued the Wang Chung tours of the U.S. throughout 2000 which included headlining the Club 80's - The Flashback Tour with support acts including A Flock Of Seagulls, Dale Bozzio of Missing Persons, and Gene Loves Jezebel.

    Feldman is currently A & R man for Sony Music UK under the old Wang Chung manager David Massey who is a Senior Vice President of A&R of International Repertoire at Sony Music. Nick and Jack Hues are also founding investors in Graeme Pleeth's Studio EncycloMedia, an on-line directory of worldwide professional recording studios and members of the professional recording industry.

    DARREN COSTIN
    Following his departure from Wang Chung in 1984 embarked on a project called Heroes featuring himself, Right Said Fred drummer Chuck Sabo, Colin Baldry on bass, keyboardist Mike Marshall and guitarist Michael Caswell. Not much came of the Heroes and Costin embarked on an engineering and producing career. He has since worked in that capacity on work by U2, Bjork, and Luciano Pavarotti. Some reports suggest he has most recently been working on a new band named LOBE.

    DAVID BURNARD
    This saxophonist has been one busy guy since leaving behind the giddy heights of pop stardom with Wang Chung.

    David Burnard (aka "Hogg Robinson") is the Head of Music Technology, Head of the Centre for Screen Music Studies, and a Principal Lecturer at the Royal College of Music. He is, in fact, a Professor at the College.

    That's it for the members of Wang Chung, four guys who have remained very successful since their days at the top of the pop charts. If you have anything more to add or any corrections you feel should be made to our Where Are They Now? - Wang Chung please drop us a line and let us know.

    UPDATE 6th DECEMBER 2006
     We received an e-mail this week from Mike Marshall who was involved with Darren Costin in his Heroes project and he gave us some great information regarding his movements and those of other former Heroes members:

    Since Heroes I became a studio session player/arranger in England and Germany and then worked for Jon Anderson of Yes in LA for 5 years.I worked as MD for Lyricist Don Black on Forever and Ever...a musical that never saw the light of day,before composing several TV scores for the BBC back in UK including the series Incredible Journeys, Dawn to Dusk and Natural Neighbours.
    My last String Orchestra Album I scored is Versatile Strings on KPM559.
    I also breed sporthorses and have a small stud in Wales.
    Colin Baldry became a producer and very successful composer of library music and with colleague Tom Kane have written more than 90 yes NINETY albums in the last 11 years.
    I still see Colin although I haven't seen Chuck (since we worked together with French Artist Etienne Daho), Michael or Darren.
    There have been a number of developments in the Wang Chung camp since this feature first ran, most important of which is the fact that, since soon after the original feature ran, the band have been writing and recording new material! Jack Hues, Darren Costin and Nick Feldman are in the revitalised outfit and appeared last year, again soon after our first feature went out, on the American TV show "Hit Me Baby One More Time".

    Although a release was planned for the new album earlier this year it has yet to see the light of day. However, Jack Hues was quoted in August of this year as saying, "We are well down the line with the new album and looking at some exciting prospects regarding publishing and getting the music into the world. I think the album will be more like next spring but it all feels real."

    New tracks appear from time to time on the group's MySpace at myspace.com/wangchungtheband, one that is regularly there being "Abducted By The 80s".

    Speaking of MySpace Darren Costin has one of his own at myspace.com/huangchung. Looks like, from his comments, he's buying himself a new set of drums from Australia's very own Brady Drums.

    David Burnard still works for the Royal College of Music and is Head of Music Technology and Head of the Centre for Screen Music Studies in the Contemporary Performance faculty.

    His bio at the College's website at http://www.rcm.ac.uk reads as follows:

    David Burnand is Head of Music Technology, Head of the Centre for Screen Music Studies and a Principal Lecturer at the RCM. He composes electroacoustic and film scores, including music and sound design for: Hoi Polloi (BBC, 1990), Acumen (C4, 1991), Smart Alek (BFI, 1993), Là Bas (BFI, 1994), Gallivant (BFI/C4, 1996). The Gallivant soundtrack is available on CD (TS CD001). Recent and forthcoming publications include: 'The Articulation of National Identity Through Film Music' (with Benedict Sarnaker), in National Identities, Vol. 1, No. 1, 1999; Six biographies of British film composers, and articles on 'Incidental Music for Television' and on 'MIDI' in the 2nd edition of The New Grove Dictionary of Music and Musicians; Three articles on film music in the Encyclopaedia of British Film (British Film Institute/Methuen); A chapter (with Miguel Mera) on music in The Films of John Carpenter (Flicks Books).
    You can e-mail bmusic if you'd like us to track down some of stars of the past for you and feature them in Where Are They Now?

    BACK TO CONTENTS

    THIS WEEK'S MUSIC QUOTE

     "A song has a few rights the same as ordinary citizens... if it happens to feel like flying where humans cannot fly... to scale mountains that are not there, who shall stop it?"
    - Charles Ives

    BACK TO CONTENTS

    FEATURED PRODUCT - NEW GODIN TRIUMPH GUITARS

    Godin
    TRIUMPH… You better Believe it!
    New model in Godin Guitars Performance series has some serious sounds for everyone.
    Godin Triumph
    In the world of steel and nylon strings, Canadian based Godin Guitars has always brought something new to the table. Such is the case with its New Performance series guitar aptly named…..Triumph!

    With its retro/glam, space age look and dazzling sparkle finish that would put Elton John’s circa 1970’s wardrobe to shame, the Triumph sparkles far beyond its finish. Equipped with 3 Godin low-noise, single coil pickups and 5 way switch, this guitar delivers a smorgasbord of sounds for a variety of discriminating tastes.

    Click HERE to see and learn more about the new Godin Triumph guitars which arrived fresh into bmusic this week.

    BACK TO CONTENTS

    SPECIALS AT bmusic

     ESP GUITARS AND BASSES ON SALE ALL DAY EVERY DAY!
    We aren't the ones to "match" prices - we set 'em! Compare our LIST prices with any in Australia, good ol' bmusic.com.au is the cheapest hands down. You see, we don't need to price match when we are the thing other stores are trying to match. There's a lot to be said for taking the lead instead of following.

    "Special" Specials appear from time to time in the "Buy & Sell" section of our forum also. The Buy & Sell can be found HERE

    Regular specials this week include:
    ESP M-10 ELECTRIC GUITAR PACKAGE - $499 save $150 off RRP
     ESP F-10 ELECTRIC GUITAR PACKAGE - $549 save $150 off RRP
     ESP Viper-10 ELECTRIC GUITAR PACKAGE - $549 save $150 off RRP
     ESP B-10 BASS GUITAR PACKAGE - $549 save $150 off RRP
     WASHBURN X-10 ELECTRIC GUITAR PACKAGE - $369 save $100 off RRP
     WASHBURN I-14 ELECTRIC GUITAR PACKAGE - $399 save $100 off RRP
     WASHBURN T-12 BASS GUITAR PACKAGE - $449 save $100 off RRP
     MONTEREY MSB-4 BASS GUITAR PACKAGE - $349 save $124 off RRP
     RANDALL RG75R 75W GUITAR COMBO WITH REVERB - $549 save $150 off RRP
     RANDALL RG75DG3 75W GUITAR COMBO WITH EFFECTS - $849 save $200 off RRP
     RANDALL RH150G3 150W VALVE DYNAMIC GUITAR HEAD - $799 save $200 off RRP
     RANDALL RH300G3 300W VALVE DYNAMIC GUITAR HEAD - $1049 save $250 off RRP
     HUGHES & KETTNER EDITION BLUE 15 COMBO - $229 save $70 off RRP
     HUGHES & KETTNER EDITION BLUE 30 COMBO - $349 save $100 off RRP
     HUGHES & KETTNER EDITION BLUE 60R COMBO - $479 save $120 off RRP
     HUGHES & KETTNER TRILOGY HEAD - $2495 save $504 off RRP
     DIGITECH™ GNX-3000 - $749 save $200 off RRP
     DIGITECH™ GNX-3 - $649 save $250 off RRP
     DIGITECH™ GNX-4 - $1099 save $300 off RRP
     DIGITECH™ RP-250 - $349 save $80 off RRP
     DIGITECH™ EX-7 EXPRESSION FACTORY - $449 save $150 off RRP
     DIGITECH™ CF-7 CHORUS FACTORY - $249 save $50 off RRP
     DIGITECH™ DF-7 DISTORTION FACTORY - $229 save $70 off RRP
     DIGITECH™ ERIC CLAPTON CROSSROADS - $249 save $50 off RRP
     DIGITECH™ JIMI HENDRIX EXPERIENCE PEDAL - $479 save $120 off RRP
     DIGITECH™ BRIAN MAY RED SPECIAL PEDAL - $479 save $120 off RRP
     DIGITECH™ BAD MONKEY OVERDRIVE PEDAL - $99 save $30 off RRP
     DIGITECH™ GRUNGE PEDAL - $99 save $30 off RRP
     WASHBURN D-10S SOLID TOP ACOUSTIC - $329 save $70 off RRP
     WASHBURN D-10SCE SOLID TOP ACOUSTIC/ELECTRIC - $499 save $100 off RRP
     WASHBURN D-8 ACOUSTIC/ELECTRIC PACKAGE - $299 save $100 off RRP
     WASHBURN HB-32DM HOLLOW BODY ELECTRIC - $549 save $120 off RRP
     WHARFEDALE PRO SVP-12M 150W POWERED MONITOR - $449 save $140 off RRP
     WHARFEDALE PRO WD-600 300W COMPLETE PA SYSTEM - $1699 save $576 off RRP
     ZOOM H-4 HANDY DIGITAL RECORDER - $499 save $150 off RRP
     SHURE PGX-14 GUITAR WIRELESS SYSTEM - $799 save $100 off RRP
     dB PU-901 GUITAR WIRELESS SYSTEM - $479 save $100 off RRP
     dB PU-901 WIRELESS MICROPHONE SYSTEM - $499 save $100 off RRP
     dB PU-901 WIRELESS LAVALIER MICROPHONE SYSTEM - $499 save $100 off RRP
     dB PU-901 WIRELESS HEADSET MICROPHONE SYSTEM - $599 save $120 off RRP
     CASIO CTK-800 KEYBOARD - $299, optional adapter $20 with purchase
     PROMAX PD-635 5-PIECE DRUM KIT PACKAGE - $549 save $160 off RRP
     PROMAX PX-525 5-PIECE DRUM KIT PACKAGE - $499 save $150 off RRP
     PROMAX CONGA SET WITH STANDS - $369 save $80 off RRP
     THE GREAT AUSTRALIAN SONGBOOK - $19.95 save $5.00 off RRP
     ABSOLUTE BEGINNERS GUITAR DVD - Now just $19.95
     ABSOLUTE BEGINNERS KEYBOARD DVD - Now just $19.95
     ABSOLUTE BEGINNERS BASS GUITAR DVD - Now just $19.95
     All prices include GST

    Check out our Specials page for more info on these specials.

    BACK TO CONTENTS

    THIS WEEK'S FEATURE ARTICLE - THE REAL SECRET TO SELLING YOUR MUSIC

    In order to market yourself successfully in any business you need to represent just one thing. If you can't describe what or who you are as an artist in a single, succinct sentence, how can you expect anybody else to?
    Imagine that you've just discovered a new artist that you're absolutely head over heels about. You tell a friend. The friend responds with, "What do they sound like?" If your answer is, "I can't really describe her," there's little chance your friend will run out to buy the CD.
    On the other hand, if your answer had been, "She sounds like Lucinda Williams meets Sheryl Crow," then your friend would immediately have a mental picture and be able to decide if that type of artist would be appealing enough that he would go buy a copy.

    Makes sense doesn't it? Just like all of Michael Laskow's excellent article this week's Feature Article, The Real Secret To Selling Your Music, is chock full of common sense advice that the majority of musicians overlook when trying to promote themselves in the music industry.
    Take a look at the article by clicking HERE. Michael Laskow gets the best use of the insider term "sneezers" I've seen to date.

    BACK TO CONTENTS

    FEATURED ARTIST - DUKES OF WINDSOR

    Subscriber Mark put us onto the Dukes of Windsor after he caught them at an Adelaide gig recently and reckons the show the guys put on left him buzzing. Big raps, and Mark knows his stuff so we thought we'd share them also.

    In late 2004, after vocalist Jack Weaving and drummer Cory Blight spent some months writing songs, they decided it was time to put their material to the test in front of an audience. Enlisting the talents of keyboardist Scott Targett, they set about forming a working live band. Within the next few months, as guitarist Oscar Dawson and bassist Joe Franklin joined the group, they finally had a functioning musical collective. Under the name Dukes of Windsor they started playing gigs in the fertile Melbourne live music scene in 2005. In August that year the group released a six track EP, recorded in Melbourne. This EP started the working relationship they have established with Swedish hardcore producers Pelle Henriccson and Eskil Lövström (Refused), who mixed the record at Tonteknik Studios, Sweden. Now, the boys have just completed their debut album, 'The Others'. They recorded it with American expatriate Jonathan Burnside (whose credits include The Sleepy Jackson, Faith No More and The Melvins) as producer, before the mantle was passed to Henriccson and Lövström. The distinctive sound that the two Swedes have forged is present throughout this album, as they mixed, mastered and offered production assistance of their own. Dukes seek to innovate; not emulate. To this end they find themselves every week in one of many sweaty rehearsal rooms, creating unbounded tunes of reckless abandon.
    Check out the first single from the album at myspace.com/dukesofwindsor, also titled 'The Others'. The album is now available in-store! Also check out the band's official site at dukesofwindsor.com.au.

    Each week's Feature Artist is selected from the Band Links page, so get on and list your favourite group at the Band Link page and they could be the Feature Artist at bmusic.com.au.

    BACK TO CONTENTS

    MUSICIANS WANTED

    Our 'Musicians Wanted' pages are getting more and more listings every week with musicians from across the country (and the globe) looking for singers and instrumentalists of all types.
    Get on over to Musicians Wanted to see all the new listings. Check back regularly as new listings are received almost every day.

    There are two simple sections at the FREE Musicians Wanted pages. 'Musicians Wanted by Bands' and 'Bands Wanted by Musicians'. If you fit one of these categories click HERE to see if there is a candidate to fit the bill. If not, then send us your new listing and we'll have it up inside a day. Just be sure to let us know if you fill the vacancy so we can remove it from the page.

    BACK TO CONTENTS

    GEAR WANTED

  • Guitar promo catalogues:
    A good friend of ours here at bmusic is after any old catalogues from days gone by. At the moment he's particularly keen to get a hold of any Washburn catalogues from the late '70's. Those that feature the Washburn Wing Series of basses and guitars would be of particular interest.

  • Second-hand saxes, clarinets and flutes. We are looking for good quality, good condition, saxophones, clarinets and flutes to help out those parents who are a little dubious about their child's level of commitment to their chosen instrument and, subsequently, don't want to spend a bomb on what might turn out to be a fad. If you or your kids have taken up the horn but chucked it in, don't take it to Cashies. Brands like Yamaha, Yanigasawa, Selmer, Buescher etc. are always welcome at bmusic.


  • Marshall JCM800's. That's right, we STILL want 'em. JCM800 2203 and 2204 models.


    • If there's something you've been trying to get your hands on, let us know and we will list it here for you. You never know.

    If you spot something in the U.S. or Canada you're keen on let us know. We have contacts in those territories who, for a small fee, can act on your behalf in any transactions and make sure you get your stuff safe and sound.

    BACK TO CONTENTS

    BAND LINKS

    Click HERE to visit the Band Links page and be sure to check back regularly to see new listings.
    If you're in a band or are a supporter of any local bands in your area, why not create a link for them on our FREE Band Links page. Each week's Featured Artist is selected from our Band Links pages. List your band and you could be the next bmusic Featured Artist.

    BACK TO CONTENTS

    THE WEEK AHEAD IN MUSIC

  • Events

    • In 1957, "Jingle Bell Rock" by Bobby Helms entered the U.S. pop chart for the first time. It re-entered in December 1958, 1960, 1961 and 1962.

    In 1966, Jimi Hendrix released "Hey Joe", his first single.

    In 1968, Janis Joplin made her first appearance after leaving Big Brother and the Holding Company. Joplin performed in Memphis at the "Yuletide Thing" event sponsored by the Stax-Volt record labels. Also on the bill were such leading Stax acts as the Bar-Kays, Booker T. and the M-G's and Rufus and Carla Thomas.

    In 1970, Tiny Tim, 40, married Miss Vicki, 17, on "The Tonight Show".

    In 1977, The Who performed a secret concert for longstanding fan club members and movie cameras filming for the Jeff Stein documentary "The Kids Are Alright" in London.

    In 1977, the Sex Pistols were denied visas to enter the U.S. two days before their scheduled appearance on U.S. TV show "Saturday Night Live". The Pistols were also getting set to kick off their first U.S. tour.

    In 1977, Elvis Costello and the Attractions appeared on "Saturday Night Live" in place of the Sex Pistols, who were refused visas to the U.S. two days earlier. The show's producer, Lorne Michaels, refused to allow Costello to perform "Radio, Radio" because of the song's criticism of the broadcasting industry, but a few measures into "Less than Zero" Costello stopped his group and went into "Radio, Radio". He was never invited back to appear on the show.

    In 1983, Keith Richards married model Patti Hansen during a ceremony in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico. Mick Jagger was the best man.

    In 1985 Phil Collins made his U.S. television acting debut when he appeared on "Miami Vice", playing a drug dealer.

    In 1985, James Taylor married actress Kathryn Walker.

    In 1986, Elton John recorded a live version of "Candle in the Wind" in Australia with the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra. The song was released as a single and hit top ten chart positions across the globe.

    In 1988, James Brown was sentenced to a six-year jail term for leading police on a late-night, two state car chase.

    In 1994, Bon Jovi guitarist Richie Sambora married Melrose Place kitten Heather Locklear.

    In 1999, Rolling Stone guitarist Keith Richards stole a Fender Telecaster from an autograph seeker outside Richards birthday party at the Russian Tea Room in New York City. The owner of the guitar chased Richard's limo down the street shouting for his guitar back. Allegedly the Stones veteran leaned out the window and said "F@*! you, get a new guitar". No charges were laid with the guitar's rightful owner reportedly saying, "It's Keith, man".

    In 1999, Paul McCartney, Pink Floyd's David Gilmour and Deep Purple's Ian Paice, performed at the Cavern Club in Liverpool. McCartneys first time playing there since his days with the Beatles. The concert was broadcast live over the Internet and attracts 50 million hits.

    BACK TO CONTENTS
  • Births In 1943, Allman Brothers guitarist Dickey Betts.

    In 1948, Jeff "Skunk" Baxter, guitarist for the Doobie Brothers.

    In 1949, Paul Rodgers of Free and Bad Company.

    In 1938, Animals bass player Chas Chandler.

    In 1942, Dave Clark, drummer and leader of the Dave Clark 5.

    In 1943, Rolling Stones guitarist Keith Richards.

    In 1943, British guitarist Albert Lee.

    In 1944, Alvin Lee, guitarist and vocalist for Ten Years After.

    In 1946, hired gun and Vanilla Fudge drummer, Carmine Appice.

    In 1950, ZZ Top member and owner of a magnificent 1959 Gibson Les Paul Flame Top, Billy Gibbons.

    In 1951, guitarist Robben Ford.

    In 1956, R.E.M. bass player Mike Mills.

    BACK TO CONTENTS
  • Deaths In 1963, Dinah Washington died of an overdose of sleeping pills in Detroit. She started as a church pianist before singing jazz with Lionel Hampton's band. From the late '40s and into the '60s, she sang a wide variety of stuff from blues to country to pop. Throughout her career she had a bunch of R&B and pop hits. Dinah Washington was 39.

    In 1991, Joe Cole, a one-time roadie for punk group Black Flag, was killed while being robbed.

    In 1998, Jimmy Ellis, one of the world's most famous Elvis impersonators who worked with the likes of Jerry Lee Lewis and Loretta Lynn such was his reputation, was shot during a robbery at his pawn shop.

    In 2000, music teacher and inventor Harold Rhodes died at the age of 89. Rhodes was the inventor of the Rhodes electric piano, which helped the evolution of jazz rock.

    In 2000, Kristy MacColl (aka Mandy Doubt) was killed when she was hit by a speedboat while swimming. She was an English New Wave/Punk performer who performed notable pieces such as "There's A Guy Works Down The Chip Shop Swears He's Elvis" and "Walking Down Madison". She wrote and recorded "They Don't Know", which was later a hit for Tracey Ullman. MacColl Was a member of The Drug Addix and had worked with The Pogues, Simple Minds, Happy Mondays, The Smiths, The Rolling Stones, Talking Heads and Robert Plant. She was the daughter of folk songwriter Ewan MacColl and dancer and choreographer Jean Newlove. She was one time married to record producer Steve Lillywhite.

    In 2000, 10,000 Maniacs lead guitarist Robert Buck died of liver failure at the age of 42.

    In 2001, guitarist and singer Stuart Adamson (William Stuart Adamson) was found dead after being missing for a month. Adamson had hung himself. He was, most notably, lead singer for Big Country.

    BACK TO CONTENTS

    NEWSLETTER SUGGESTIONS

    If there's a segment or something you think bmusic should include in it's weekly newsletter just let us know. Drop us a line. After all, the newsletter is for you. If you have a story or an article you'd like to have considered for inclusion just e-mail it to FEEDBACK

    BACK TO CONTENTS

    DON’T WANT THE bmusic NEWSLETTER?

    If you’re sick of our boring newsletter, or you have wrongfully been placed on the Subscription list for bmusic, simply reply to this e-mail and replace the subject line with UNSUBSCRIBE and we won’t hassle you anymore.

    BACK TO CONTENTS

    PRIVACY

    You can rest assured that your e-mail address and any other details bmusic has about you will never be forwarded to parties outside the bmusic organization. We are as sick as you are of getting unauthorised, crap e-mails from some mail list. Credit card numbers are not stored by bmusic.

    BACK TO CONTENTS

    SEE YOU ALL NEXT WEEK!

    A free service brought to you by www.bmusic.com.au Copyright © 2006 bmusic.

    To receive the bmusic weekly e-newsletter simply click Here and send the e-mail.

    If you've missed a newsletter simply visit the bmusic newsletter Archive.

    BACK TO CONTENTS

    Copyright © 2006