Issue #15 (May, 1992)

1992 was alive and the era of festivals, major labels dancing with independents and flannelette shirts was well and truly in swing. The Sydney underground hadn't lost its edge though, with this issue featuring interviews with Peg, Whopping Big Naughty, Caligula and Mixed Relations.

PEG

In 1992 Peg weren't long into their "tenure" as a band. They came out of other Sydney/Canberra bands like The Wallflowers, Sardine, as well as early Crow. The band released a healthy catalogue of EPs and albums throughout the 90s and into the 000's. They didn't receive the acclaim they deserved and in some ways were too good for the kinds that supported more guitar oriented music and/or the "right" look. But that is what made them so special. Here's an entertaining video of them at the dogs. Support them on bandcamp  and check them out on Facebook as they continue to make a presence with the odd show over the last few years

Frontperson and guitarist Dave Archer went on to play in Skid Pan Alley whilst Paul Gormack sadly passed away in 2021 with a fantastic memorial had in 2022 with MC Mark Mordue a long time fan and subscriber of Peg. Not too sure whereabouts of Tony Bonza but bumped into Craig Rossi in Redfern a few years back - no talk of another reunion as yet but you just never know.

Whopping Big Naughty

Formed in the late 80s by Justin Credible Hayes aka Stanley Claret, the Whoppers are one of the great survival stories of Australian independent music. They have hung in there and still play regularly to this day. They were on Half A Cow for some time https://whopping-big-naughtyzl.bandcamp.com/album/whopping-big-naughty - they are now currently on Stocked Records after the said label reissued their fantastic album 'Raelene' - this current press thingy sums up the Whoppers quite well

Sydney’s Whopping Big Naughty have been making noisy and beautiful rock n’ roll since 1988 and are still kicking in 2026. Led by Stanley Claret (guitar and vocals), the band have released several tapes and CDs since 1992 (including one on Half a Cow Records) and one 7” record on the prestigious Amphetamine Reptile label.

After several lineup changes, the current lineup consists of Claret, Jonny Turcinskis (bass) and Evan Cairney (drums). Stocked Records recently reissued the “Ralene” album (available on CD via Bandcamp) and there are plans to reissue the rest of the Whopping Big back catalogue this year. In addition to this there are plans to release a long awaited new album and 7”.
reference - Mixed Tapes Brewery press release 2026

Caligula

The band grew to become a very popular electro-rock act. Their album in 1994 'Rubenesque' did pretty well. They supported bands like Depeche Mode, Pop Will Eat Itself, Ned's Atomic Dustbin, Ride, and Headless Chickens. The band reformed in 2017 and started recording and releasing new material in 2021. Ashley Rothschild eventually left Caligula while the Fonti Brothers created a band called Primary with singer Connie Mitchell. Rothschild not long ago fronted Panic Syndrome and Graveyard Rock Stars.