Hack hack hack.

Hmm, sorry about that brief break in transmission. Let's pile a load of stuff into this one, shall we?

If you missed AC/DC playing at Airline Stadium in Melbourne last week, then this tribute show at the Old Bar may be some small (very small) compensation:

I understand one of the Oldie's owners is celebrating his beard's 21st birthday, or something of that nature, on Friday night, too. Whatever- he's a guy who has been known to drink gin & Red Bull at times, so, y'know, approach with caution.

Then remember to set the alarm early-ish so you can get a good spot on the grass at this:

Playing times:
12.30-1.00: The Brutals
1.20-1.50: The Orbweavers
2.10-2.40: Grace Before Meals (Syd)
3.00-3.30: East Brunswick All Girls Choir
3.50-4.20: Denim Owl
4.40-5.10: Teeth & Tongue
5.30-6.10: Ned Collette & Wirewalker
6.30-7.10: Crow (Syd)
7.30-8.00: Alphabethead (NZ)
8.30-9.00: The Rebelles
9.20-10.00: Dave McCormack & The Polaroids

Last year's show was one of the best gigs of the year. Remember- BYO but no glass, don't forget the sunscreen, and only a complete arsehole would quibble about paying that entry "donation".

If you find the thought of being out doors in the evening a bit scary, you can leave early and head to the Birmy for this:

I have not seen this Taco Leg mob, but am very keen to.

Then a change of pace on Sunday:

Singer/songwriter LOENE CARMEN’s spectacular fourth album It Walks Like Love, released December last year, will receive a belated Melbourne album launch on Sunday 21st February at the Toff In Town. Carmen will perform with her live band and co-conspirators, young punks Brock Fitzgerald and Sam Pearton from The Scare on guitar and drums respectively and right hand man, bass player Sam Worrad, from garage rockers Holy Soul.

At some stage I also need to find time to check out the chinos at Chadstone. But you don't need to worry about that.

High Voltage but I won't be flicking the switch to On

From online marketing and media magazine Mumbrella comes news that the Auststereo radio network in Australia is launching a temporary digital station playing AC/DC music all day, every day. Besides the fact that I don't have a digital tuner and no-one I know does, this is vaguely interesting on an academic level but personally irrelevant.

You see, the love that much of the music-listening world lays on AC/DC remains one of life's greatest mysteries. Especially the way Americans lap them up. I just don't get it. Yes, the Ramones churned out many albums where the Song Remained The Same, but not on this sort of scale. Plus the Ramones' music was exponentially more listenable.

I don't care that much that vast armies of bogans (translation: downmarket suburban hillbillies) align themselves slavishly to the band. They have to follow something. I have friends in low places and am not averse to the odd bit of mono-brow culture myself.

Bon Scott had character - moreso than his successor Brian Johnston - but I'll bet he wouldn't be half as popular if he hadn't unfortunately expired in the manner he did. Suck more piss, and all that, even if other substances may have been at work. We'll never know.

As large as the stages are that AC/DC plays on, they are Just A Bar Band. They play Here's the rub: hugging, unexciting 12-bar blues inspired rock that says nothing. They're tight as a fish's arse, but they're a pub rock relic.

Admission: I read Aussie journo Murray Engleheart's bio on 'em and he kindly autographed it. It was a good read. I think there are a couple of their LPs lurking in one of the crates at home, dating from schooldaze. "Long Way To The Top" is an icon embedded into the Australian psyche. So are Men At Work. Big whoop.

You can like AC/DC. Love them to fucking death, for all I care. Leazve me out of it and don't make me listen to the vast majority of their records or this digital radio station, as brief as its life may be.