Issue #06 (December, 1988)

Contributors come and go. I recall writing the editorial of this issue and remember the mourning of The Murderess' retirement. After all we were all in our early 20s so if you'd finished a university degree by now it'd be most likely you'd be looking for media work that you could live ,on. Doing the zine for me plus community radio was all I could eke out at that time. I must say I was pretty happy doing so. Fortunate for some the dole at the time was suffice as well to survive on if you had to. Anyways, I was in training, wasn't I? Surely I'd one day be able to get to the 'college of knowledge' via my work "apprenticeship".

This issue continued with features on two of my favourite Melbourne bands at the time. White Cross and Crown of Thorns. The former, even if they were initially from Perth, has captivated these ears since the release of this understated gem

Paula Henderson's sax was up there with Louise Elliott from the Laughing Clowns (check out 'She Lives In Another World'  ) plus any band that had Ash Davies on drums (he later on joined Crown of Thorns) you just knew had to be good. Peter Mather and his songwriting relationship with Nigel Harford was the best - listen to what is the single of the year in 1988 for Double Jay Radio Sydney 

I was lucky to catch up with Peter Mather in Melbourne when I was working on the Blunt book in the late 90s. He hadn't played guitar for over a decade. As for Ash he played drums for Crown of Thorns plus many a Melbourne band including the fabulous Matt Walker and Ash Davies who played the the Corner Hotel Richmond launch of the Blunt book - a Biased History of Australian Music (2001 - Prowling Tiger Press). Paula played in the second version of Fungus Brains in 1989 before heading over to New York. Not exactly sure where Nigel got to.

Crown of Thorns were a bit of a super group band with the affable Chris Wilson (RIP) on vocals and harmonica - a force to be dealt with, who exuded such passion and energy in his live performances.  Barry Palmer (Hunters and Collectors) was guitarist + they had a gun rhythm section w/ Chris Rodgers and Pete Jones (RIP) from Harem Scarem who proceded Ash Davies.

To listen to Chris Wilson's extended coverage, check out this worthy purchase

Finally Distant Locust cannot be forgotten - one interview I really enjoyed doing whilst working on the Australian Independent Music show at Radio Skid Row. Brian Purcell, Matt Bright and Steven Moore all became my contemporaries of this time and the band were pretty shit hot I must say. Everyone raves on about their exceptional unique version of 'I Feel Love', but there was so much more and I am glad that it's been catalogued on youtube and the like. This unashamedly original unique band, formed in 1982 surviving a good decade in Sydney before getting that taste of Europe which they always deserved and felt home in. For reference go here  You can also find what Brian has been up to in Northern NSW etc.

Matthew has kept busy over the years with Alien Christ then Galaxy Fuzz Band

Steven lived and work in NYC for some time at NASA before returning to Australia more recently, living up in the FNQ.