Issue #17 (Dec. 1993)

The second issue of 1993 with an end of year launch at the Vulcan Hotel in Ultimo. An intimate little pub that had a great beer garden from memory. Though the sound varied, it was never too hard to pack out and we managed from memory to put on a pretty good launch. Featured in the issue and at the launch from memory were Public Hanging, Phlegm and Psycho Motor.

Baby Sugar Loud

Though they weren't at the launch this band by the early 90s were making an indelible impression with their popular live shows. They were part of a wave of bands that did garner support from the "industry"  (listening to bands like Pearl Jam probably helped) and had a few good records out on Laughing Outlaw - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=okjfYY_NjVc

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=okjfYY_NjVc

 Baby Sugar Loud, formed from Fort Street High band Sooty Blotch, also gigged extensively and went on to release several great single/EPs and one impressive, albeit under-rated, album of Beatles/Bowie soaked psychedelic-rock. They toured much of the east coast with such luminaries as Divinyls and good friends Powderfinger, as well as playing the 1995 Big Day Out, before heading to the UK in 1997 and splitting shortly after.  https://australianmusichistory.com/the-balmain-sound-indie-rock-from-the-balmain-peninsula/

Phlegm

The other extreme of bands like Baby Sugar Loud, these three were completely out there as far as sound, attitude and irreverence. Their stay was short but well lived and their performances were ones that you'd never forget - here is a reference from theiir label Dr.Jim Records in Melbourne https://www.discogs.com/artist/241626-Phlegm-2

Check this youtube performance at the Sydney Harbourside in 1993 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2EkiClp9aRA

Robbie and Oren curated the fantastic 'What is Music Festival' for many a year and are these days involved in their own curated projects - these shows have seen either of them in Europe UK etc Oren's website reference is https://orenambarchi.com/ while Robbie'e website can be found here http://www.robbieavenaim.com/index.php/biography-2/

 https://thesubstation.org.au/artist/robbie-avenaim

Not so sure what has happened to Nick but we wish him well wherever that might be.

Kev Carmody

What isnt there to love about this human. Humbleness, real, down to earth, and a funny person. I first met him at Radio Skid Row at the latter end of the 80s into the 90s. These days Kev is busy doing what he loves https://www.kevcarmody.com.au/about-kev and https://www.facebook.com/kevcarmodyofficial?fref=ts

Who will ever forget the 1989 album 'Pillars of Society' and this song https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L6fem7-ucxg

Psycho Motor

Not around for a long time but a good time. I can't seem to find any information on them here - good fellas though and wish them well. Carl who played in Drip Tray for a bit as well as Psycho Motor did go onto play in The Hunchbacks and also King Felix. https://sonsofthedolls.blogspot.com/2012/08/the-hunchbacks-play-to-lose.html

Public Hanging

I was lucky enough to witness many a Public Hanging show having booked them quite a bit at Max's Petersham etc They were a very intense three piece who were always a great vent. Unfortunately it's hard to find a lot of their material - they did release on BlackHole Records ran by Jeff Halls - you may have some luck on apple music https://music.apple.com/us/artist/public-hanging/211934119