Ooh Yeah I'm A Wild One

July 14, 2008 2:20 AM

50 years ago Johnny O'Keefe released "Wild One" and Australia had its first homegrown rock'n'roll star. To commemorate the 50th year of Australian rock'n'roll The Age newspaper has asked various Australian music industry figures to pick the top 50 Australian albums (scroll down for the Top 50 - or check the (more inside)).

The Top 24 with some YouTube links to songs from the albums:

1 "10.9.8.7.6.5.4.3.2.1" Midnight Oil (1981)
Power and the Passion
Only the Strong

2 "Radios Appear" Radio Birdman (1977)
Aloha Steve and Dano

3 "Living in the 70s" Skyhooks (1974)
Horror Movie

4 "Hi-Fi Way" You Am I (1995)
Cathy's Clown
Purple Sneakers

5 "Stoneage Romeos" Hoodoo Gurus (1984)
Leilani
Tojo

6 "Gossip" Paul Kelly and the Coloured Girls (1986)
Darling It Hurts

7 "(I'm) Stranded" the Saints (1977)
I'm Stranded

8 "Kick" INXS (1987)
Devil Inside

9 "Diesel and Dust Midnight Oil" (1987)
Beds are Burning

10 "Back in Black" AC/DC (1980)
Back in Black

11 "Magic Box" Loved Ones (1967)
The Loved One
Ever Lovin' Man

12 "Easy" The Easybeats (1965)
Friday On My Mind
She's So Fine

13 "Born Sandy Devotional" The Triffids (1986)
Wide Open Road

14 "Crowded House" Crowded House (1986)
Don't Dream It's Over

15 "Human Frailty" Hunters and Collectors (1986)
Say Goodbye

16 "High Voltage" AC/DC (1976)
It's A Long Way To the Top (If You Wanna Rock n' Roll)

17 "Sunnyboys" Sunnyboys (1981)
Alone With You

18 "Wait Long By The River and the Bodies of Your Enemies will Float By" The Drones (2005)
www.thedrones.com.au - can't find any videos from this album on YouTube, except for some live vids with bad sound quality, so go to the official site for some better vids.

19 "16 Lovers Lane" Go-Betweens (1988)
Was There Anything I Could Do?

20 "Prehistoric Sounds" The Saints (1988)

21 "Circus Animals" Cold Chisel (1980)
Forever Now

22 "Hourly, Daily" You Am I (1996)
Good Mornin'
Soldiers
Soldiers (live)
Good Mornin' (live)

23 "East" Cold Chisel (1980)
Cheap Wine

24 "Doughboy Hollow" Died Pretty (1991)
DC
Sweetheart

And the rest (with vids on a couple of choice picks):

25 "Goodbye Tiger" Richard Clapton (1977)
26 "Daddy Who" Daddy Cool (1971)
27 "Prayers on Fire" The Birthday Party (1981)
28 "Charcoal Lane" Archie Roach (1992)
29 "Rose Tattoo" Rose Tattoo (1978)
30 "Less is More" Even (1996)
31 "Let There Be Rock" AC/DC (1977)
Let There Be Rock (Hard Ons & Henry Rollins)
32 "Since I Left You" The Avalanches (2001)
Frontier Psychiatrist
33 "Flowers" Icehouse (1980)
34 "Toward the Blues" Chain (1971)
35 "Anthology" The Easybeats (2000)
36 "The Good Son" Nick Cave (1990)
37 "Highway to Hell" AC/DC (1979)
38 "The Low Road" Beasts of Bourbon (1991)
Chase the Dragon
39 "The Swing" INXS (1984)
40 "Lovetown" Stephen Cummings (1988)
41 "Face to Face" The Angels (1978)
42 "Post" Paul Kelly (1985)
43 "Woodface" Crowded house (1991)
44 "Liberty Belle and the Black Diamond Express" Go-Betweens (1986)
45 "Tu Plang" Regurgitator (1996)
46 "Eternal Nightcap" The Whitlams (1997)
47 "Diorama" Silverchair (2002)
48 "Starfish" The Church (1988)
49 "A Toast to Panama Red" Masters' Apprentices (1972)
50 "Get Born" Jet (2003)

posted by awfurby (51 comments total)

was this post inspired by the poster's name from the previous post?
posted by clearly at 2:48 AM on July 14, 2008

I didn't know the Avalanches were from Australia. This explains a lot.


Its the opinion of the entire staff that metafilter is criminally insane
posted by clearly at 2:52 AM on July 14, 2008

Heh... I had two songs from the top 10 in one of my mefi mix CDs... and not even the 'focus on Australian music' one...

(also, obligatory: Icehouse? WTF??)
posted by pompomtom at 2:57 AM on July 14, 2008

Thanks for these - they bring back a lot of memories. My dad used to sing "Daddy Cool" to me when I was a little rocker, while You Am I and Regurgitator were the soundtrack to my life when I went to university.

(The Drones link is borked?)
posted by harriet vane at 3:01 AM on July 14, 2008

Kick? Over Shabooh Shoobah or The Swing? Philistines. I'm quite surprised there's no Powderfinger or Russell Morris.

(also, obligatory: Icehouse? WTF??)

Australian advertising over the last 25 years would be very different without 'Great Southern Land'.
posted by goo at 3:09 AM on July 14, 2008 [1 favorite]

Try this Drones link instead. I've been following these guys for a few years now. I saw them at a local 'sticky carpet' pub about 3 years ago on a whim. Within about 30 seconds of the gig starting, Gareth Liddiard - the lead singer - looked like he was having a seizure. Eyes rolled back in the head, spittle flying. He looked that way for the next 90 minutes. One of the most astonishing, visceral performances I've seen. 'Wait long by the river' is a stunning album. I reckin it should be a few slots higher, but I won't quibble. It's a very well curated list.
posted by tim_in_oz at 3:13 AM on July 14, 2008

I second the sad lack of the 'finger. Screw you list.
posted by Jilder at 3:20 AM on July 14, 2008

Kick? Over Shabooh Shoobah or The Swing?

Are you kidding?
posted by poppo at 3:21 AM on July 14, 2008

If it weren't for INXS's version of The Loved One on Kick, I'd never have heard of the rockin' original. So it gets points for that :)
posted by harriet vane at 3:24 AM on July 14, 2008

What about Men At Work's Business As Usual? It's a masterpiece, IMHO, but maybe Australia got a bit fed up with them..
And what about Midnight Oil's Red Sails in the Sunset; I don't think '10...1' was released in North America but I think their second album is amazing.
I mean, either of those at least ought to knock 'Jet' out of the top 50.
posted by Flashman at 3:28 AM on July 14, 2008

No TISM? Bleah!
posted by Slap*Happy at 3:59 AM on July 14, 2008 [2 favorites]

What no Savage Garden?
Kidding, seriously. Stop throwing things.

I would have thought Powder Finger, the Hilltop Hoods, or John Butler Trio might have snuck in, especially at the expense of Jet. Other than that it's a very solid top 50 - Loving that 'Radios Appear' took the second slot, and 'Hi Fi way' took fourth.

Excellent post Awfurby! A++ for effort.
posted by nudar at 4:03 AM on July 14, 2008

What no Kylie? No Jason? No Kylie and Jason? Fail.
posted by fearfulsymmetry at 4:40 AM on July 14, 2008

i'm kind of surprised the church didn't rank higher...
posted by pxe2000 at 4:48 AM on July 14, 2008

No Rolf Harris?

You kids...
posted by Kinbote at 4:51 AM on July 14, 2008

Stop throwing things.

No. Stop dodging.
posted by pompomtom at 4:53 AM on July 14, 2008

Sorry about the Drones link - but they are a seriously incredible band and I haven't even had the pleasure of seeing them live yet. (they haven't made it to Hong Kong as far as I know).

As for Powderfinger vs Jet vs Silverchair - I guess the list reflects the people who contributed to it, and to me a lot of those guys (Gudinski et al) are kind of responsible for the horror that was FM radio in Adelaide before JJJ-FM started broadcasting there, so I don't expect much better to be honest. But Radio Birdman in the #2 spot? Fuck yeah.
posted by awfurby at 5:05 AM on July 14, 2008

was this post inspired by the poster's name from the previous post?

No way.
posted by awfurby at 5:11 AM on July 14, 2008

I was just blasting "Volcanic Rock" by Buffalo this weekend, and everybody there asked me for a copy. Much better than "A Toast To Panama Red" IMO.
posted by stinkycheese at 5:51 AM on July 14, 2008

Kick? Over Shabooh Shoobah or The Swing?
Are you kidding?

Nope. But it's all subjective isn't it?


the horror that was FM radio in Adelaide before JJJ-FM started broadcasting there

The nationalisation of JJJ was a watershed for Australian music, and timed perfectly to ride the wave of indie rock (1989-90). And, if I think about it, my knowledge and appreciation of music would be far lesser if not for rage; though Rock Arena was the first music show I remember watching (Countdown was on when we were at church) rage had two whole nights to fill every weekend with marvellous clips from throughout the ages for my edification and enjoyment. Thanks Auntie!
posted by goo at 5:56 AM on July 14, 2008

My two favorite pop albums of the '80s are Heyday by the Church and 16 Lovers Lane by the Go-Betweens. Radio Birdman and AC/DC are two of my favorite rock n roll bands. The Hoodoo Gurus's Stoneage Romeos is one of my favorite garage revival albums. I'll also add these incredible bands from Australia: the Psychotic Turnbuckles, the Lime Spiders, the Celebate Rifles and the Scientists. Yeah, Australia rocks.
posted by NoMich at 5:57 AM on July 14, 2008

Yay for the Beasts of Bourbon.
posted by marxchivist at 6:03 AM on July 14, 2008

No. 1 is the first CD I ever bought. But I gotta go with Shabooh Shoobah.

Hey Australians,

Honest questions: Is Dave Hole not very well known or liked in Australia? Does someone automatically have an image problem if he's from Perth (country bumpkin or some such)?
posted by planetkyoto at 6:06 AM on July 14, 2008

Such memories. I remember when the Lime Spider's "Weirdo Libido" hit the States' college radio scene in the mid-80s. There was a footnote saying it was from the movie "Young Einstein." Funny how I completely failed to make the connection when the movie showed up.

Also: Exploding White Mice! Seminal Rats! Cosmic Psychos!

Is it true that you can walk into any pub down there and there'll be AC/DC circa 1975 playing "Whole Lotta Rosie" opening for Radio Birdman whose set consists of all of Radios Appear played at double speed topped off with the Hoodoo Gurus playing "I Want You Back" over and over until dawn? (And then the Died Pretty climb into your cab to serenade you on the trip home.) Because that's how I want it to be.

Great post!
posted by whuppy at 6:25 AM on July 14, 2008

I was prepared to be enraged at the lack of Rose Tattoo, but the critics surprised me. Aweome band.

*cranks up 'One Of The Boys.'*
posted by jonmc at 6:49 AM on July 14, 2008

I'm just an American, so my perception of Aussie rock is skewed by what made it State-side, but as an album, my gut tells me Back in Black should be much, much higher on this list.

(And as a band, I think Bon Scott-era AC/DC is pretty much the epitome of three-chord hard rock.)

Nice FPP.
posted by mosk at 7:18 AM on July 14, 2008

I know it's not a whole album, and I don't even know anything else by the band. But any album with Gangajang's "Sounds of Then" is classic.
posted by chinese_fashion at 7:25 AM on July 14, 2008

The fact that Kick made it in to the top ten and Shabooh Shoobah and Listen Like Thieves didn't even make the list completely invalidates any opinion ever held by these so-called "Australian music industry figures." And I don't just mean their musical opinions, either.

Obviously, their favorite band sucks.
posted by vertigo25 at 7:45 AM on July 14, 2008

<indie>

Where are The Cat's Miaow? Granted, they only released compilation albums, but one of their cassettes should've made the list! Awesome band!

</indie>
posted by soundofsuburbia at 7:49 AM on July 14, 2008

Re: Dave Hole - I've never heard of him, but a quick search reveals "While many bottleneck players base their styles on a few patented patterns, Dave Hole sprays a steely fire all over the strings, navigating stratospheric leaps with the greatest of ease," wrote Guitar Player. - don't want to be all bottleneck-ist but that's a bit of a niche market I think. He might be more well known in Perth, but I can't honestly say I've heard of him in Melbourne or Adelaide.

Meanwhile:

Is it true that you can walk into any pub down there and there'll be AC/DC circa 1975 playing "Whole Lotta Rosie" opening for Radio Birdman whose set consists of all of Radios Appear played at double speed topped off with the Hoodoo Gurus playing "I Want You Back" over and over until dawn? (And then the Died Pretty climb into your cab to serenade you on the trip home.) Because that's how I want it to be.

You'd think so wouldn't you, but actually it's better than that - you can turn up in a pub in Melbourne and see a whole lot of bands you've never heard of before (e.g. The Drones) or maybe even Eddy Current Suppression Ring and think to yourself - "Whoah, what a city."
posted by awfurby at 8:03 AM on July 14, 2008

I always thought Air Supply was from Australia, but I guess not since they are nowhere on this list. (Kidding!)
posted by Daddy-O at 8:37 AM on July 14, 2008

Should have had a few more albums by the Angels but at least "Face the Face" made the cut. Still, should have had "Two Minute Warning" as well.
posted by Ber at 8:51 AM on July 14, 2008

Also: The Eastern Dark!
posted by whuppy at 9:11 AM on July 14, 2008

I know a lot of Kiwis would bridle at being told that Crowded House was an Australian band. Especially if you consider the line up at the time of Woodface--with both Tim and Neil Finn in a four-piece band, it seems like a pretty tenuous claim. But then, there's no end to those kinds of disputes and, arguably, not much point. Still, it's interesting to consider what makes a band "Australian" or "British" or "American." Is it the nationality of the band's members--what if they're from many different countries? Is it where the band really came into its own as a performing group--that would be a good basis for arguing that the Beatles were really a German band? Is it where the band's record label is based--if so, I guess most bands are "world music" these days?

It's be interesting to think about what are some of the real limit cases--famous X-ian bands/singers who are "really" from Y. I'll bet there are plenty of Canadians who could chime in with "well, they're really Canadian" examples.
posted by yoink at 9:56 AM on July 14, 2008

What? No Big Pig?
posted by humannaire at 10:01 AM on July 14, 2008

No BeeGees?

(And I'm coming to the realization that most of the bands I thought of as Australian are actually New Zealanders… Split Enz, for example.)
posted by klangklangston at 10:06 AM on July 14, 2008

A must-see for all its Dewey Cox glory: Shout! The Story of Johnny O'Keefe.

Oz filter - I don't know about Melbourne or Adelaide, but I saw David Hole in south Florida! Unique technique for sure...and my "What? no ___?": Flash and The Pan!
posted by bonefish at 10:21 AM on July 14, 2008

How about GOD - My pal? I know, its only one song but goddamn what a song.
posted by Sailormom at 10:34 AM on July 14, 2008 [2 favorites]

Well of course New Zealand deserves its own post. The Chills! The Verlaines! The gordons! The Tall Dwarfs! (Chris Knox!!) And why not: Peter Jackson!!

I was definitely born in the wrong hemisphere. Ah, if only my Irish forbears were a little less law-abiding.
posted by whuppy at 11:15 AM on July 14, 2008

[Dave Hole] might be more well known in Perth, but I can't honestly say I've heard of him in Melbourne or Adelaide.

Aye, it's not location, he's huge in the blues. My dad loves Dave Hole, but his is a niche market. And this is a rock (and off-branch of rock) list.

it's interesting to consider what makes a band "Australian" or "British" or "American."

Well, in a nation of immigrants it's hard to escape. Many of the bands we consider iconic Aussie bands (AC/DC, Easybeats for eg) were all or mainly immigrants. Crowded House were formed in Australia, and Paul Hester and Nick Seymour was/is Australian, so they can be equally claimed by both countries, I think.

What? No Big Pig?

No women. At all. Aussie rock is very masculine, obviously. Divinyls' What A Life! should definitely be there.
posted by goo at 11:49 AM on July 14, 2008 [2 favorites]

Thanks for the drones link, I like it.

And everyone who hasn't listened to Radio Birdman, got get some now. NOW!
posted by lumpenprole at 12:54 PM on July 14, 2008

No Divinyls? No Cannanes? No Severed Heads? No Foetus? No Kylie fucking Minogue?

Do the Bee Gees count as Australian? Because, um, yeah.

Yay Hunters & Collectors, boo Silverchair.

That The Church is so low on the list (not to mention AC/DC barely squeaking into the top 10) is absolutely criminal.

I guess I should just be thankful the name Imbruglia isn't anywhere near this list.
posted by Sys Rq at 1:18 PM on July 14, 2008

Well, I'd certainly be suprised if Foetus was on the list. Most people don't even know about him. I was damn glad to see Birthday Party on there, though.
posted by lumpenprole at 1:36 PM on July 14, 2008

Considering how these lists normally go, that's a pretty damn good effort.

I wouldn't have put ten to one top of the list, but it's the oils best album, deserving of recognition.

I woulda put spiderbait on the lsit, somewhere in the 40s.

And TISM deserved a gig. nah they were crap.
posted by wilful at 4:52 PM on July 14, 2008

awfurby: Re: Dave Hole - I've never heard of him...don't want to be all bottleneck-ist but that's a bit of a niche market I think.

goo: My dad loves Dave Hole, but his is a niche market.

Yeah, sorry, I didn't mean to imply that he belonged on the list. I was just using the opportunity presented by the thread to Ask The Australians.
posted by planetkyoto at 5:10 PM on July 14, 2008

Wow. I had no idea that song wasn't by Iggy Pop.

And I'm not one of "those people" usually- I even know who "I love rock n roll" is by. (The Arrows)
posted by drjimmy11 at 5:55 PM on July 14, 2008

nudar: I was going to come in to ask the same thing, except more in earnest than you intentioned. In any case, Darren Hayes's newer work should definitely be up there at some point, though it is rather new and so different from SG ages ago.
posted by divabat at 7:55 PM on July 14, 2008

No women. At all. Aussie rock is very masculine, obviously. Divinyls' What A Life! should definitely be there.

Seconded!
posted by humannaire at 8:06 PM on July 14, 2008

Yeah, the Divinyls definitely deserve a spot. Cool post, thanks.
posted by Wolof at 10:02 PM on July 14, 2008

Also, The Reels, Quasimodo's Dream. Because the bandleader's from Dubbo.
posted by Wolof at 10:08 PM on July 14, 2008

And here I thought the song was originally by Josie and the Pussycats. (Actually, I do like the Letters to Cleo version. So there.)
posted by whuppy at 6:28 AM on July 15, 2008