WHERE ARE THEY NOW? - MEN AT WORK
Men At Work were one of the most successful Australian musical exports ever and the group, albeit with only two original
members, is still in demand as a live act around the world. The quick rise to fame for Men At Work seems to have been the
main contributor to the band's major split just five years after it's inception.

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Glasgow-born musician Colin Hay and his family emigrated to Australia from Scotland in 1967 when he was 14. Hay played
in numerous bands throughout his high school and university years and in 1978, while working in Sydney on the stage musical
'Heroes', he met guitarist Ron Strykert. The pair formed an acoustic duo playing in and around Melbourne and started to write together what would become the
basis of Men At Work's repertoire.
While studying economics at university Hay met drummer Jerry Speiser and he invited Speiser to one of the duo's informal jams
at the Grace Emily Hotel. With a drummer on board Men At Work joined prog-rocking keyboard player Greg Sneddon to provide
backing music for the amateur musical 'Riff Raff' to which Sneddon had written the lyrics and music. For a short time
Sneddon was an official member of Men At Work but he was replaced by multi-instrumentalist Greg Ham who provided keys, sax, flute
and other instruments to the Men At Work sound.
The group had a residency at the Cricketers Arms Hotel in Melbourne for a few months before deciding to bring in a bassist.
Until this point guitarist Ron Strykert had been providing the low-end for the group.
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Bass player John Rees became Men At
Work's fifth member and the group started to build a loyal following. Their Thursday night residency at the Cricketers Arms
continued for over a year and by the end of 1980 the band were selling out venues all over Melbourne.
In 1980 they financed their first release under their own label M.A.W. The single featured the A-side 'Keypunch Operator',
with the B-side being an early version of 'Down Under'.
By early 1981 Men At Work, after some hard work from a determined A & R man, signed to the CBS label and released their first
single with the label, 'Who Can It Be Now?' By August the single had reached the Number One spot on the Australian charts.
The second single, a reworked 'Down Under', and the group's debut album, 'Business As Usual', were released with both hitting Number One on their
respective charts. The debut was the biggest selling Australian album since Skyhooks' record-breaking 'Living In The 70s'.
I also became the first Australian album to debut at No.1 in New Zealand.
Six months after it's release in Australia 'Business As Usual' was released in both the US and the UK. The lads from Melbourne
then set out on a US tour supporting Fleetwood Mac and by October, 1981, 'Who Can It Be Now' had reached Number One on
the US singles chart. The following month 'Business As Usual' hit the Number One spot on the US albums chart, a position it
held for the next twelve straight weeks. Not since The Monkees had a debut album been so successful on the US charts. By
January the following year the album was Number One on both the US and UK charts, a milestone for an Australian artist and
a record that, to this day, hasn't been repeated. That year also saw Men At Work become the first Australian band to win
a Grammy Award.
'Business As Usual' was over eighteen months old when the band decided to release their second album 'Cargo'. However, the
debut album still had plenty of legs in the overseas markets and the release of 'Cargo', coupled with the large amount
of live shows the band had been doing, meant over-exposure. It was released, after all, only three months after 'Business
As Usual' had reached Number One in the US and the UK. 'Cargo' saw top ten chart positions in both countries after the band
toured relentlessly behind it and the album also saw the Number One chart position in Australia.
However, Men At Work, was beginning to buckle under the heavy workload and, by the end of 1983, the group returned to
Australia to take an agreed year's break. During the year Colin Hay married and honeymooned in France. He also produced
an album for Melbourne band 'Le Club Foot'. Greg Ham joined his girlfriend in the cover band 'Relax With Max'. John Rees
and Jerry Speiser had become close friends and were working towards the next Men At Work album when the internal strife really
began. There are a couple of versions of this portion of the Men At Work story. The veiled story told is that Speiser and
Rees were informed by management that they were no longer required. Another version is that Hay had gotten fed up with drummer
Jerry Speiser (fed up with exactly what about him we don't know) so he sacked him. Rees was Speiser's friend so he also left.
Then Ron Strykert tells the story that Hay flat out sacked the pair of them. And finally, this quote as told to the Chicago
Tribune by Hay in 1985. "Musical differences, philosophical differences, personal differences -- there were problems from
Day One, we should have called it quits with Men at Work a lot earlier than we did. That way there wouldn't have been all
the ugliness, the 'lawyers at 50 paces' and all that".
So the band was down to three members when they rejoined to record their third album 'Two Hearts', the empty spots being
filled by session musicians. But their earlier success was not to be repeated and the album performed poorly. A scheduled
tour of the US was cancelled due to poor ticket sales. Rod Strykert left the band, followed soon after by Greg Ham and Colin Hay was
left as the only member of Men At Work. Hay made attempts at continuing the band but by 1985 had also thrown in the towel and
embarked on his solo career.
So that was that, Men At Work was finished, or so it seemed. Here's what the boys have been up to since 1985.
Colin Hay, as many would know, has had a very successful solo career and continues to tour to this day as Colin Hay, or with
the Colin Hay Electric Band throughout the US and Australia. He has written many TV and film pieces and has turned his hand to
acting on more than one occasion. Hay has appeared in varying roles in films including "Wills And Burke", "Raw Silk",
"Georgia" (with Judy Davis), "Cosi", "Heavens Burning" and "The Craic" with comedian Jimeon. Hay has some "dinner and show"
performances scheduled in the US for early December before he heads to Australia for a month-long East Coast solo tour
starting at the Woodford Folk Festival in Queensland on December 27th. Colin Hay's official website can be found
HERE.
Greg Ham and Colin Hay reformed as Men At Work in 1996 when a Brazilian promoter lured the pair to South America to undertake
two hugely successful tours, one of which spawned a live album 'Brazil' recorded in San Paulo. It seemed from the
outside that Ham and Hay hadn't really kept in touch with one another since the end of Men At Work, and a reunion with the
rest of the former members was out of the question. But Hay would at least have to include Ham, so some hatchets must have
been buried and the two, along with session musicians filling the roles of Strykert, Speiser and Rees, have been performing
as Men At Work across the globe. One of their most notable performances was at the Sydney Olympics Closing Ceremony. But what of
the Official Men At Work Website? It no longer works and one has t
wonder what that's all about.
So what of Greg Ham out of Men At Work? He's been knocking around the Melbourne live scene and has even been known to perform in
a Tom Jones Tribute band. He has also teamed back up with Melbourne cover band institution 'Miss Dorothy & His Fools In
Love'. As well he has pursued a Film/TV career with performances (and music credits) in the Australian cult film
'Pandemonium' and the US/Australian co-production 'Backstage' with Laura Branigan. On the TV side, he has been Musical
Director for three ABC series, the children's program 'OZ Kids', and the Comedy shows 'While You're Down There' and
'Something Hot Before Bed', as well as writing themes for a number of national advertising campaigns.
Drummer Jerry Speiser had reportedly been back teaching in schools in Victoria but we've recently learnt that he's back
on the music scene with up-and-coming Melbourne band Frost. The group has scored a couple of high profile compilation
spots as well as having their material chosen for some television work. The group's official website can be found
HERE.
UPDATE
Seems Speiser was just helping out the lads in Frost and has been back with his old mates Where's Claire. They
released a new CD in late-2002 titled "Long Time Coming". mp3's and info on where to buy the new CD can be found at the band's
official website WheresClaire.com.
Thanks go to subscriber Laura from the U.S. for giving us this updated info on Jerry Speiser.
Bass player John Rees is the hardest former member of Men At Work to track down. Soon after his split with Men At Work he
did a little recording from his Hawthorn home with an eight-track he'd set up in his spare room. Among the acts he worked with
was Australian legend Stephen Cummings. But that was way back in 1985. Since then little is known of Rees, only that he has been
performing around Melbourne with a small band playing a "new style" of music in coffee houses and bars.
The story of guitarist Ron Strykert is a ripper. He is still friendly with Hay and Ham but he's been pursuing an all-together
different style of music and lifestyle. To begin with, Strykert is a member of the Church Universal and Triumphant,
www.cut.org. According to their rave they are "the sponsored by the
ascended masters Jesus Christ and Gautama Buddha, the church embodies principles, practices and rituals that are based
on the essential truths found at the heart of all faiths. It is a church where Eastern and Western spirituality converge.
The mystical paths of Hinduism, Buddhism, Judaism, Christianity, Zoroastrianism, Taoism and Confucianism are infused with
new revelations from the ascended masters. Devotees combine these traditions in the practice of the science of the spoken
word by intoning the AUM, praying the Our Father, giving devotions to the Divine Mother and joining in prayers for world
conditions".
But there's more to it than that. Through the CUT's 'Summit Lighthouse' they publish way-out books about all sorts of stuff,
one of which inspired Ron Strykert into his new musical style. His stuff is new age, incorporating instruments such as
bajans, sanskit and tablas. He has recorded an album titled 'Paradise' but is "waiting for financial backing" to release it.
And he hasn't stopped there, he's writing a book of his own. Here's the spiel, "...the powers of music and what it can do
for our planet. Ron has found that some kinds of sounds like bird calls & crickets can help plants grow faster..." There
is an official Ron Strykert website HERE so check it out if you
need to know more.
So that's the story of Men At work. If you know anything else about the movements of any of the former members of the group,
or feel we have made any errors in our research please drop us a
line and let us know.
Drop us an e-mail if you'd like us to track down some of stars of the past for you and feature them in
Where Are They Now?
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LAST WEEK'S AUSTRALIAN CHARTS
Each week in the bmusic Newsletter you can find the Top 20 Australian albums and singles from the previous week.
Here are the Top 20 charts from ARIA for the week commencing 11th November,
2002.
TOP 20 AUSTRALIAN SINGLES
| NO. | TITLE | ARTIST |
| 1 |
DILEMNA |
Nelly feat. Kelly Rowland |
| 2 |
THE KETCHUP SONG (ASEREJE) |
Las Ketchup |
| 3 |
SK8TER BOI |
Avril Lavigne |
| 4 |
COME INTO MY WORLD |
Kylie Minogue |
| 5 |
DIE ANOTHER DAY |
Madonna |
| 6 |
TIDE IS HIGH (GET THE FEELING) |
Atomic Kitten |
| 7 |
DIRRTY |
Christine Aguilera |
| 8 |
LIFE GOES ON |
LeeAnn Rimes |
| 9 |
LIKE I LOVE YOU |
Justin Timberlake |
| 10 |
CLEANIN' OUT MY CLOSET |
Eminem |
| 11 |
BOYS OF SUMMER/HEAVEN |
DJ Sammy |
| 12 |
ALL SEATS TAKEN |
Bec Cartwright |
| 13 |
GANGSTA LOVIN |
Eve feat. Alicia Keys |
| 14 |
I'M GONNA GETCHA GOOD |
Shania Twain |
| 15 |
WHATS YOUR FLAVA |
Craig David |
| 16 |
THE LOGICAL SONG |
Scooter |
| 17 |
DO IT WITH MADONNA |
The Androids |
| 18 |
INSIDE OUTSIDE |
Sophie Monk |
| 19 |
DOWN BOY |
Holly Valance |
| 20 |
HEY SEXY LADY |
Shaggy |
TOP 20 AUSTRALIAN ALBUMS
| NO. | TITLE | ARTIST |
| 1 |
BEST OF 1990-2000 |
U2 |
| 2 |
LET GO |
Avril Lavigne |
| 3 |
NIRVANA |
Nirvana |
| 4 |
BARRICADES & BRICKWALLS |
Kasey Chambers |
| 5 |
OLIVIA |
Olivia Newton-John |
| 6 |
THE PANEL VOL.3 - LATEST COLLECTION |
Various |
| 7 |
30 #1 HITS |
Elvis Presley |
| 8 |
8 MILE |
Soundtrack |
| 9 |
ONE BY ONE |
Foo Fighters |
| 10 |
THE EMINEM SHOW |
Eninem |
| 11 |
DEFINITIVE COLLECTION |
INXS |
| 12 |
NELLYILLE |
Nelly |
| 13 |
LAUNDRY SERVICE |
Shakira |
| 14 |
THE LAST TIME |
John Farnham |
| 15 |
SHAMAN |
Santana |
| 16 |
BLISS |
Nikki Webster |
| 17 |
BY THE WAY |
Red Hot Chili Peppers
|
| 18 |
PRESENT |
Killing Heidi
|
| 19 |
FEVER |
Kylie Minogue |
| 20 |
DIORAMA |
Silverchair |
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HEADLINES FROM LAST WEEK'S MUSIC NEWS
JEWEL AUDITIONING FOR A SUPPORT ACT
Entry is open to all US residents over the age of 18 to audition to be the support act for Jewel's 2003 tour. Jewel and
her management are going to select one of the candidates to join her on the tour and possibly beyond.
JACKSON BROWNE TO TOUR OZ
Jackson Browne and full band are coming to Australia in February to tour behind his latest album 'The Naked Ride Home. Browne
and co. are not just playing concert halls; they're going to hit the wineries around the country with their show.
JOHNNY CASH AT IT AGAIN
'America IV: The Man Comes Around' is the latest album from 70-year old Johnny Cash. The Rick Rubin produced album sees Cash
covering such diverse artists as Nine Inch Nails and Depeche Mode.
POLICE REUNION GIG
The Police will reform for one show only at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Awards ceremony to be held in New York next year.
MMMBop to MMMBaby
Middle Hanson brother, Taylor, has become a father at age 19. His 18-year old wife, Natalie Anne Bryant gave birth to Jordan
Ezra Hanson on October 31, five months after Taylor and Natalie wed.
BACK TO CONTENTS
THIS WEEK'S MUSIC QUOTE
"Don't play what's there, play what's not there."
- Miles Davis
BACK TO CONTENTS
NEW LINES - STUDENT GUITARS, DRUM KITS, UKULELES & MORE
As promised we've started making available online all the products from our current MDA catalogue. Starting with student classical
guitars, steel string guitars, electric guitar packages, drum kits and drum kit packages, ukuleles, more hand-held
percussion and much more, the next few weeks will see the entire catalogue available online at bmusic.com.au.
Links to a selection of the catalogue specials can be found below. You can also see the whole catalogue in full colour at
the website of Music Direct Australia.
Essex Electric Guitar and Amp Package - $299
Essex L/H Electric Guitar and Amp Package - $319
Essex 1/2 Size Dreadnought Guitar - $99
Essex 3/4 Size Dreadnought Guitar - $115
Samick "Baby" Dreadnought Guitar - $169
Essex Full Size Dreadnought Guitar - $169
Essex L/H/ Full Size Dreadnought Guitar - $189
Valencia 30th Anniversary 1/4 Size Classical Guitar - $65
Valencia Coloured 1/4 Size Classical Guitar - $65
Valencia 30th Anniversary 1/2 Size Classical Guitar - $79
Valencia Coloured 1/2 Size Classical Guitar - $79
Valencia 30th Anniversary 3/4 Size Classical Guitar - $89
Valencia 30th Anniversary 4/4 Size Classical Guitar - $99
Valencia Cutaway Concert Size Classical Guitar - $199
Greg Bennett Barcelona C2 Classical Guitar - $259
Valencia Acoustic/Electric Concert Cutaway Classical - $299
Mahalo Coloured Ukuleles - $24.90
Greg Bennett Signature Regency Dreadnought - $279
Greg Bennett Signature Worthington Dreadnought - $339
Greg Bennett Signature Beaumont Acoustic/Electric - $599
Greg Bennett Signature Malibu Mini Electric - $229
Greg Bennett Signature LP Style Mini Electric - $229
Greg Bennett Signature Flying V Mini Electric - $229
Essex Vintage SC Style Electric Guitar - $229
Greg Bennett Signature Interceptor Electric - $299
Greg Bennett Signature Fastback Electric - $339
Greg Bennett Signature Ultramatic Electric - $399
Greg Bennett Signature Avion LP Style Electric - $499
Greg Bennett Signature Royale Jazz Guitar - $529
Schecter Omen 6 Electric Guitar - $945
Schecter 006 Electric Guitar - $1295
Schecter C1 Wilkinson Tremolo Model - $1369
Schecter C1 Plus Electric Guitar - $1595
Schecter PT Elite Electric Guitar - $1595
Schecter 006 Elite Electric Guitar - $1595
Greg Bennett Signature Regency Acoustic/Electric Bass - $499
Schecter Stileto Deluxe 4 Bass Guitar - $995
Schecter Stileto Custom 4 Bass Guitar - $1395
Schecter 004 Elite Bass Guitar - $1795
Essex 5-Piece Drum Package with Cymbals and Stool - $599
Essex 5-Piece Drum Kit - $499
Schalloch Darbukas - Various Prices
....just to name a few!
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FEATURED PRODUCT - ALL NEW DIGITECH RP50
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The newest member of the incredibly popular RP modeling floor processor line - the new feature-packed RP50.
Digitech's engineers built the RP50 with the great tone and effects you expect from DigiTech®, including award-winning amp,
cabinet and pick-up modeling and an arsenal of studio-quality effects. If you've drooled over Digitech's bigger RP Series
models but didn't have that much cash in your jeans, now you can score an RP50.
You'll find plenty of information about this ALL NEW model by checking out our product review.
Have a closer look at the Digitech RP50 and it's great price
HERE.
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If you have a review or would like to write reviews for bmusic,
e-mail Shane for more information.
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VINTAGE AND ITEMS OF INTEREST AVAILABLE AT bmusic
A couple of second-hand cymbal goodies, exclusive to subscribers for the time being, have arrived in store. Guitar wise we are expecting
plenty of interesting pieces to arrive just after Christmas and as soon as we see them, you'll be the first to know.
Zildjian K 14" Dyno Beat Hi-Hats -
$379 incl. GST, $344.54 excl. GST for international buyers.
Pics online soon.
SUBSCRIBERS EXCLUSIVE This pair of hats retails for $659 new. This pair are in great condition. If you like to play
like Lars then you NEED this pair of hats.
Zildjian K 16" Power Crash -
$169 incl. GST, $153.63 excl. GST for international buyers.
Pics online soon.
SUBSCRIBERS EXCLUSIVE Fantastic rock cymbal in great condition. Less than half the new price.
Washburn HB30 Hollow Body Electric -
$899 incl. GST, $817.27 excl. GST for international buyers.
Pics online soon.
Preliminary notice. This mint Tobacco Sunburst Washburn HB30 Thinline Jazz guitar will be landing in store in the
next week. As new condition with case. The guitar is a current Washburn model and alone retails for $1299. Replacement cost
including the case would be $1449. The perfect partner to the Washburn J6 big body we had a few months ago.
Epiphone Explorer -
$799 incl. GST, $707.07 excl. GST for international buyers.
Click HERE to view in detail.
James Hetfield style! Epiphone Explorer in all black with gold hardware. DiMarzio bridge pickup for extra grunt.
This guitar also comes complete with custom-made all aluminium flight case that is worth $350 alone. Some minor pick
scratches and one very slight ding at edge of scratchplate where the original white scratchplate has been removed and
replaced with the current black one. Twin humbucking power, pure metal!
Ibanez RG520OF Guitar -
$1200 incl. GST, $1090.91 excl. GST for international buyers.
Click HERE to view in detail.
This "as new" Ibanez RG is the RG520OF, indicating Oil Finish. This is a "spot production' guitar. These guitars are models
that are not originally intended for the Australian market. 20 to 30 of these Oil Finish RG520's made their way to
Australia. This guitar is a 2000 model and was sold through the official Ibanez distributor in Australia, not individually
imported. A stunning guitar that is in the same condition today as it was the day it was built. Made in Japan.
Hartke 5000BH 500 Watt Bass Head and Yorkville Bassmaster 2 x 10" Bass Box -
$2100 incl. GST, $1909.09 excl. GST for international buyers.
Both in excellent condition. Pics online soon.
Hartke Specs
250 Watts Per Side at 4 Ohms
170 Watts Per Side at 8 Ohms
Biamp Or Mono Full-Range Operation
Selectable Tube & Solid-State Preamps
Rotary Bass & Treble Contour Controls
10-Band Graphic Eq
Adjustable Compression
Variable Active Crossover W/ Balance Control
Balanced XLR Out
New Retail Price $1899
Yorkville 2 x 10 Specs
All Yorkville Bass Cabinets come loaded with quality custom designed Eminence speakers, made according to Yorkville's
exacting specifications. Advanced computer modeling and extensive listening tests, combined with years of experience in
designing high-efficiency P.A. enclosures, assure natural sounding, dependable cabinets.
New Retail Price $995
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SPECIALS AT bmusic
In the lead up to Christmas keep a keen eye on the Specials page as more and more great prices are offered on regular
lines as well as gift ideas for the festive season. A selection of our current MDA catalogue products can be seen
HERE.
Weekly specials can be found in detail
HERE
DEAN GUITAR AND BASS BLOWOUT - Min. 20% OFF all stock
Dean Electric Guitars
Dean Acoustic and Acoustic/Electric Guitars
Dean Resonator Guitars
Dean Bass Guitars
DIGITECH RP50 GUITAR MODELLING PROCESSOR - $219 save $30 off RRP
THE GREAT AUSTRALIAN SONGBOOK EXPANDED EDITION - $42.95 save $7.00 off RRP
ELECTRIC GUITAR STARTER PACK - $65.00 save $31.20 off RRP value
dB PU-120 UHF WIRELESS MICROPHONE SYSTEM - $499 save $70 off RRP
PLAY PRO INTERACTIVE GUITAR TUTORIAL - $149 save $30 off RRP
PLAY PRO INTERACTIVE BASS TUTORIAL - $149 save $30 off RRP
YORKVILLE BM100 BASS AMP COMBO - $845 save $154 off RRP
YORKVILLE XM200 BASS AMP COMBO - $1235 save $160 off RRP
CASIO CTK-481 61-note KEYBOARD - $299 save $30 off RRP
CASIO WK-1600 76-note KEYBOARD - $899 save $100 off RRP
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THIS WEEK'S FEATURE INTERVIEW
Diane Warren has written songs for the likes of The Starship, Michael Bolton, DeBarge, Gladys Knight, The Jets, Joe Cocker,
Cheap Trick, Dusty Springfield, Daryl Hall, Whitney Houston, Celine Dion, Kenny G., Peabo Bryson, Aaron Neville, Ace of
Base, Monica, Chicago, Belinda Carlisle, Meat Loaf, Cher, Patti LaBelle, Taylor Dayne, Expose, Gloria Estefan, Roberta
Flack, Michael McDonald, Elton John, Aretha Franklin, Toni Braxton, Barbra Streisand, Heart, and many, many more top
artists. That's quite a resume! This week's Feature Interview is with this hugely successful writer, and she discusses how
she got started, what motivates her and how she gets motivated, her approach to writing, and much more in this excellent
interview conducted by TAXI.com's Michael Laskow.
Click
HERE to read the interview in full.
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FEATURED ARTIST - JELLYNECK
This Washington State "radio metal" band have scored sponsorships from Miller Genuine Draft and Red Bull, they have
a WAP website as well as the regular http site, and they have a gig hotline. These guys are working it hard, and major
label action looks imminent.
Jellyneck writes heavy metal songs that are groove based, aggressive and modern sounding. Their CD is copping rave reviews,
not only in their local area, but also across the States.
Visit bmusic Band Links for a link to the official Jellyneck website.
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.
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MUSICIANS WANTED
New listings on the Musicians Wanted page at bmusic.com.au this week include Jon, a Keyboardist/Sequencer from Adelaide
who is looking to join a Top 40, 1970's-2000's cover band. Jon has heaps of experience locally, interstate and overseas.
And to top it all off, he has pro equipment and a pro attitude.
If you can help out Jon head over to Musicians Wanted to learn more.
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.
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GEAR WANTED
70's Ibanez Guitars and Basses. Looking for a whole range of the knock-offs Ibanez were famous for in the seventies.
Les Pauls, Jazz Boxes, Basses, whatever you have we'd like to know about it. Also keen to score some nice Destroyers and
Icemen.
Roland SH-101 Analog Synth. Have a guy named Roland (no kidding) looking for the aforementioned Roland. He reckons
it hooks up well with the rest of the gear he's got. We're assuming he's a 'drum and bass' cat, so the SH-101 is just what he
needs.
Second-hand saxes and clarinets. Looking for good quality, good condition, saxophones and clarinets for the approaching
new school year. 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.
Tubes and Speakers. Any tubes or speakers, NOS or otherwise, are of interest to us. If you have something drop us a line and
tell us about it. It may be just the bit we need.
Pre-65 Fender Strat Pickups. So one of our customers has two of these pickups, one too few! He's desperate to find
a third at a fair but "non-ebay" price.
Fender Cases. A customer would REALLY like an original early seventies black tolex Fender bass case. Condition isn't
too important, just as long as it's original.
Marshall JCM800's. That's right, we want 'em again. JCM800 2203 and 2204 models. Mainly after heads but will consider
combos.
Fender Combos. Smaller Fender combos sought by a fastidious buyer. Vibrolux or Duals et al, but early. Silver or Black faces.
No Custom Shop reissues though.
Fender Silverface Bassmans. A keen collector is after heads and cabs from the 60's and 70's. AB165 heads more
particularly. Later AB135's may also be of interest. Of course, if you have an early Blackface you'd like to sell for the
price of a Silverface then we'd be more than happy to entertain those too!
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.
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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.
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bmusic AND THE FUTURE - NEW CATALOGUE, CHRISTMAS IS COMING
With Christmas coming bmusic has just received it's first batch of new Christmas catalogues as part of our involvement with
MDA (Music Direct Australia). This is the biggest catalogue from MDA to date and features many great products and Christmas
gift ideas. Expect to see these offers online at bmusic.com.au as Christmas draws closer. With now almost 3000 products
online at bmusic.com.au you are bound to find the right gift for your muso mate come Christmas time. If there is
something you'd like to find and can't find it at bmusic.com.au by using our
SEARCH function then e-mail one of our friendly staff to see if they can't track it down for you.
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THE WEEK AHEAD IN MUSIC
Events
In 1955, RCA Victor A&R man Steve Sholes signed Elvis Presley to the label. The deal was made at New York's
Warwick Hotel and involved US$40,000. US$25,000 to Sun Records and US$15,000 to Hi-Lo Music for Presley's song publishing.
Elvis could have whatever was left over!
In 1965, Bob Dylan married former model Sara Lowndes in a Nassau County civil ceremony. Four days later, Dylan
left on his first world tour with the Band. Dylan didn't acknowledge the marriage to the public until the following February.
In 1968, the Beatles released their long-awaited double album simply called "The Beatles" but better known as
"The White Album". Among the 29 songs was Ringo Starr's first songwriting contribution to the group's repertoire,
"Don't Pass Me By," which as a single, made it to Number One in Scandinavia.
In 1970, Myra Brown and Jerry Lee Lewis divorced in Memphis, Tennessee. Brown claimed the marriage "had turned into
a nightmare" since they married when she was just 14. She was also Lewis' cousin.
In 1970, The Godfather of Soul, James Brown, married Deidre Yvonne Jenkins on the front porch of her Barnwell, South Carolina house.
In 1974, Gary Wright quit his group Spooky Tooth to go solo. The following year he had a solo hit with 'Dream Weaver'.
In 1976, police arrested Jerry Lee Lewis outside the gates of Graceland after he showed up for the second time that
night, shouting, waving a pistol and demanding to see Elvis Presley. After security guards called police, Lewis was found
at his car with a .38 Derringer in hand; authorities charged him on counts of public intoxication and possession of a weapon.
In 1980, Eagles drummer/vocalist Don Henley was arrested in Los Angeles after paramedics treated a nude sixteen
year-old girl suffering from drug intoxication at his home. Henley was charged with unlawful possession of marijuana,
cocaine and Quaaludes and for contributing to the delinquency of a minor.
In 1982, Joni Mitchell married her bass player, Larry Klein, at the Malibu home of her manager, Elliot Roberts.
In 1987, U2 opened an LA concert for itself, appearing as country-rock group 'The Dalton Brothers'.
In 1990, David Crosby suffered multiple fractures in an accident on his motorcycle in LA. Police said Crosby was
speeding and not wearing a helmet at the time of the accident.
In 1990, Paul McCartney's birth certificate sold at auction for US$18,000.
In 1990, Mick Jagger married his girlfriend of 10 years, Jerry Hall, in Bali.
In 1990, MTV banned Madonna's "Justify My Love" video.
In 1994, David Crosby successfully underwent liver transplant surgery.
In 1995, the Rolling Stones became the first act to broadcast a concert on the Internet.
In 1995, Green Day singer Billie Joe Armstrong was arrested for dropping his pants at a concert in Milwaukee.
He was fined US$141.
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Births
In 1938, singer/songwriter Gordon Lightfoot.
In 1941, Byrds vocalist Gene Clark.
In 1942, 'Spirit In The Sky' man, Norman Greenbaum.
In 1946, Allman Brothers and Derek and the Dominos guitarist Duane Allman.
In 1947, Joe Walsh, guitarist and vocalist for the James Gang and the Eagles.
In 1950, E Street Band guitarist Little Steven.
In 1950, Talking Heads bassist Tina Weymouth.
In 1960, Guns 'n ' Roses and Cult drummer Matt Sorum.
In 1965, Beastie Boy Mike D (Michael Diamond).
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Deaths
In 1972, Allman Brothers bass player Berry Oakley was killed in a motorcycle accident just three blocks from the
site where Duane Allman was also killed. He was thrown thirty metres from his motorcycle. Attendants at the scene believed
Oakley had escaped serious injury but he died from a brain tumour 20 minutes after being admitted to hospital.
In 1972, former singer/songwriter for Neil Young's 'Crazy Horse', Danny Whitten, died of a heroin overdose. Neil Young's anti-drug album,
"Tonight's the Night", released in 1975, memorialised Whitten.
In 1979, former Jethro Tull recording bass player, John Glascock, died of Endocarditis from a tooth abscess in London at the age of 26.
Though he recorded with Jethro Tull, Glascock's long battle with heart disease kept him from touring with the band.
In 1979, Bluegrass banjo and mandolin player Bobby Napier was crushed by a falling rock. He was a member of The
Lost Creek Boys Bluegrass Band.
In 1980, legendary vaudeville actress Mae West died of natural causes at 87. West fits into the category of music as she
actually recorded a rock LP with such songs as "Twist And Shout" and "Shakin All Over".
In 1983, Badfinger member Tom Evans hung himself. He was 36.
In 1994, swing and scat king Cab Calloway died after never fully recovering from a stroke suffered six months earlier.
He was 86 years old when he died.
In 1995, manager and promoter Peter Grant died of a heart attack. Grant had managed, among others, Led Zeppelin, The Yardbirds, Jeff Beck,
The Animals and Chuck Berry.
In 1997, INXS lead singer Michael Hutchence was found dead at the age of 37 in his hotel room at the Ritz Carlton in Double Bay,
Sydney. The cause of death was suicide by hanging. Hutchence was in Sydney preparing for INXS' 20th anniversary tour which
was scheduled to begin in three days.
In 1998, guitarist Seth Dogramajian aged 48. Dogramajian had been a member of Long Island Sounds with Gene Simmons before
Simmons' KISS days. Seth was also a member of the Lynx, later renamed The Missing Links.
In 1999, Gene Vincent & His Blue Caps member Grady Owen. He played rhythm guitar, bass and sang.
In 2001, jazz pianist Tommy Flanagan died of complications linked to an aneurysm he'd suffered ten years earlier.
Flanagan had worked with Ella Fitzgerald, Tony Bennett, John Coltrane (on his "Giant Steps" album), Yusef Lateef, Sonny
Rollin, Barry Harris, Miles Davis, Donald Byrd and more. He died aged 71.
In 2001, Scott Murray, drummer for Australian band 28 Days, was killed when a car struck him as he was crossing
a street in Melbourne.
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