R.I.P CHRISSY AMPHLETT
At the time of writing (Monday afternoon) the sad news has just broken that Chrissy Amphlett of Divinyls has died of cancer aged 53. Amphlett basically wrote the book on being an awesome Aussie rock chick. My personal introduction to Divinyls was the song Back To The Wall when I was just a little tacker watching Rage. She’ll be very, very missed. Chrissy’s husband Charlie Drayton issued this statement:
“Our beloved Chrissy peacefully passed this afternoon. Christine Joy Amphlett succumbed to the effects of breast cancer and multiple sclerosis, diseases she vigorously fought with exceptional bravery and dignity. She passed gently, in her sleep, surrounded by close friends and family, including husband of 14 years, musician Charley Drayton; her sister, Leigh; nephew, Matt; and cousin Patricia Amphlett (“Little Pattie”). Chrissy’s light burns so very brightly. Hers was a life of passion and creativity; she always lived it to the fullest. With her force of character and vocal strength she paved the way for strong, sexy, outspoken women.
Best remembered as the lead singer of the ARIA Hall of Fame inductee, Divinyls; last month she was named one of Australia’s top ten singers of all time. Chrissy expressed hope that her worldwide hit I Touch Myself would be utilised to remind all women to perform annual breast examinations. Chrissy was a true pioneer and a treasure to all whose lives her music and spirit touched.”
GILBY CLARKE GETS ALL ACOUSTICY
You know him from Guns N’ Roses, Rockstar: Supernova and just generally having some of the coolest facial hair in rock. Or maybe you know him from his awesome solo albums like Pawn Shop Guitars and Rubber. And you might even know him from Kings of Chaos, the all-star band that just played at the Stone Festival in Sydney. Oh and he’s also played for The MC5 and Heart, and produced The Bronx. Gilby Clarke (pictured) is heading back to Australia in July to perform a couple of intimate acoustic gigs, and you can catch him at the Northcote Social Club on July 7 with Dead Star Renegade.
THE WINERY DOGS PLAN LIVE DEBUT
Say, anyone feel like taking a trip to Japan? The Winery Dogs – that’s Mike Portnoy, Billy Sheehan and Richie Kotzen – are heading over there in June, playing in Osaka on July 16 and Tokyo on July 17. Their debut album is out on May 15 in Japan via Victor Entertainment, which means an international release can’t be far off.
NEW MEGADETH
Megadeth has completed work on Super Collider, their 14th album, and the title track debuted earlier this week on Full Metal Jackie’s radio show in the US. The song should be out there on iTunes by the time you read this.
THIS WEEK’S QUEENSRYCHE NEWS
Brian Tichy (Pride & Glory, Whitesnake, Lynch Mob) will assume the drum chair in Geoff Tate’s version of Queensryche in June, with Simon Wright stepping down for commitments with Dio Disciples. Tate’s Queensryche album Frequency Unknown is out now. Album opener Cold is actually pretty badass but the rest of the material seems kinda spotty. Looking forward to the imminent album by the other Queensryche.
EARTHLESS GUITARIST ISAIAH MITCHELL TO TOUR
Guitarist Isaiah Mitchell of the Californian band Earthless is returning to Australia next month to perform a number of solo shows, including two in Melbourne with The Black Elf Medicine Band, which features Nick ‘Paisley Adams’ Allbrook of Tame Impala and Pond on bass, and Robert MacManus of ex-Grey Daturas and Monarch on drums. The dates are Wednesday May 15 at Northcote Social Club with A Dead Forest ($15 plus booking fee) and Saturday May 18 at Public Bar with Kellie Lloyd, Alysia Manceau and Robert MacManus.
CALL THE SHOTS CALL THE SHOTS
Brisbane punk-rockers Call The Shots will be at Fitzroy Town Hall on Sunday May 26, performing their tracks from their highly anticipated second EP release When Everything Goes Wrong, which debuted at number 17 on the national AIR Albums Charts.
NEW AIRBOURNE ON MAY 17
Warrnambool’s Airbourne release their third album, Black Dog Barking, via Roadrunner Records on May 17. It’s a cracking record full of beery mayhem, hard-driving pub rock riffage and …well, more beery mayhem and hard-driving pub rock riffage. I caught up with the lads recently and they’re pretty stoked about this one – they particularly enjoyed turning producer Brian Howes loose on the material, giving him a nice and filthy change of pace from the more radio-friendly rock stuff he usually gets called in for.
