Issue #12 (October 1990)

By June 1991 we'd hit double figures with zines - a slow long plod but a lot of fun doing so. I'd well entrenched myself in communirty radio (with Radio Skid Row) at this stage, and w/other things like radiothons etc on one's mind, the zine had taken a back step. As we mentioned in the issue 12 editorial 'lethargy does breed action'.

This issue featured interviews with the recently resurrected Drip Tray, Kiss My Poodles Donkey, plus a random chat with Shayne Carter from the Straightjacket Fits (NZ) outside the Lansdowne Hotel (Broadway) prior to a gig there with local favourites Crow.

Drip Tray were always a mystery to many. That was the idea. Very few live shows and a always a rambunctious irreverent event. However there were two sides to the band - the 80s version that would dress up, use fish pumps and whistles, play rather badly in cross gender and shout obscenities to the crowd with songs like 'We're All Living in Darlinghurst'

Of course both lineups had different members but the core was always Mark Stevenson on guitar and Colin Beck on bass. Mark these days works as a librarian whilst Colin spends a lot of time skateboarding as well as hanging out in both Japan and Sydney.

80s Drip Tray -Vince Cabrera who played bass in the 80s incarnation moved to Europe for some time before relocating to New Zealand where he now plays in a band called Planet. Margy Janaway (drums) spent some time playing in The Bacchantes before handing her drums in whilst Stewart Nestel (vocals) continues to play in more solo based projects. Haven't seen Glyn or Carol in years so if you know ....

90s Drip Tray - James Roberts sadly passed away in 2019 and will always be remembered for his fantastic art - James was never a stranger to great ideas- projected inspiring footage of 1960s hot rod races onto the stage at the 6 February 1993 Selinas gig. The true King of Gracelands. Love to know more about what Tim Welfare (Scratch My Nose) is up to

 and also Jeremy as well ....

The 90s more refined noise art rock sound that Sonic Youth got all excited about is document here

Also some footage from their show at Selinas 

KIss My Poodles Donkey experienced different lineup changes as well. Most notable was the departure of Paul Kidney who finished up with Monroes Fur as well before relocating to the north coast, then onto Melbourne where he nows plays in the Paul Kidney Experience.  from their first LP 'I Am God' album on Hot Records

Taking over Paul on vocals was Chris Townend who was also busy running a studio in Surry Hills called Big Jesus Burger. Dave Bullock (percussionist) and Chris were good friends and knew each other from the early 80s - as did Doug Ironside and Glenda. Later on Angela Chenowyth (bass) got involved as did Richard Berkelman (drums) playing on this recording  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OY68mu9lZbE the bands second album 'New Hope For The Dead'.

Straightjacket Fits broke up in 1994 after a whirlwind ride that ventured into mainstream record labels for a bit. They mostly went out in their own DIY style continuing to write some of the most hallmark songs/albums of their time. https://www.musichall.co.nz/portfolio/straitjacket-fits/

A reissue of the wonderful 'Hail' is available on bandcamp.

A few years ago the band toured and played well responded shows in Sydney and Melbourne. Touring with them was Shayne Carter's other band Dimmer who have well outlasted the Fits with four albums all noted here

Here's some more recent bandcamp too