Dave Warner's Blog, page 7
January 11, 2022
DAVE’S AUSTRALIA DAY ADVENT JUKEBOX #15
THE AUSTRALIAN ROCK AND ROLL INDUSTRY
From the Correct Weight album this track is a snapshot of the Australian rock industry at the time – 1979. It was just before the likes of INXS, Men At Work and others began to make a major impression overseas. Essentially a call to arms for all those in the Aus Rock Industry to band together and celebrate just how good we were; even if the rest of the world wouldn’t acknowledge that then. (Hit the title above for the Spotify track)
THE AUS ROCK AND ROLL INDUSTRY
We’re part of the heart of the record that turns
The dunce in the classroom who never learns
We’re part of the same thing good and bad you and me
We are part of the Aus Rock’n’Roll industry
We’re the struggling musician who can’t pay his rent
The part of the weekend where the week’s wages went
We’re the shedders of tears the scourge of ears
We are part of Aus Rock and Roll industry
We are Dylan and Ferry and Presley and Bowie
We’re all of those places out money does go
We’re the lead chasing roady who’s searched high and lo
We’re the people who pay at the door every night
For the right to get pissed and then picked for a fight
We’re bored and adored and ignored by the sweetie
Pulling beers for the Aus
We’re an unstable lot we’re a nation of sheep
Sheep without stables means shit on your feet
We’re Mark Holden Molly Shirley and Angry
We are part of the Aus rock and roll industry
We’re the sense of despair felt like losing a friend
When a good band breaks up we say it’s happened again
We’re the fans who buy posters the clowns who toss coasters
We are part of the Aus rock and roll industry
We’re the Car-o-Tel’s clientele Devo and Blondie
The Flombay at Bombay, the Swap out at Bondi
The dud cheque you got from Evans Gudinski
We are part of the Oz rock and roll industry
We’re part of the heart of the problem that makes
Must of broke and the Poms and Yanks great
We are dwindling crowds caused by government greed
We are part of the Aus rock and roll industry
We’re the butt of the jokes of the Poms’ music press
Who write more and more and say less and less
We put hope in the scrote of a barren old B
I refer to the world rock and rock industry
We’re the accident of birth that makes some who deserve
To be wealthy rock heroes play pubs to be heard
O’Keefe, Ross Wilson, Macainsh are these
They are part of the Aus rock and roll industry
We’re part of the start of our own revolution
It’s up to us now if we follow or lead
We’re the love and the hate the success and the failure
The rock and roll industry of Australia
January 10, 2022
DAVE’S AUSTRALIA DAY ADVENT JUKEBOX #14
Much as I like the original recording it wasn’t exactly as I heard the song in my head. Finally in 2017 I recorded WHEN and the song as I’d wanted. (just hit the title for the video)
I’ve packed my bags and I’ve sold the amp
I’m moving out of rock
I’ve got the makings of a tennis champ
And so I’m bound for Wimbledon
All this decay is stifling me
Too much drugs and booze
And so I’m bound for Wimbledon
Where I cannot lose
The backhand volley and the forehand smash
The lovely ladies and the prize in cash
Rock is dying but I’m going to live
It’s not taking me down with it
The basic thing that appeals to me
The racquet doesn’t lie
Unlike this racket called an industry
Cause it makes stars like Wimbledon
ART BY DAVE ROSEBut half the stars are charlatans
Most of the rest are dead
And so I’m bound for Wimbledon
To grace the net instead
The backhand volley and the forehand smash
The lovely ladies and the prize in cash
Rock is dying but I’m going to live
January 9, 2022
DAVE’S AUSTRALIA DAY ADVENT JUKEBOX #13
A previously unreleased track for number 13 Man On The Land was something Martin Cilia and I got together to create in the late 80s hoping to write some material for Slim Dusty. We actually played it at my one and only Tamworth appearance a few years later. Lyrically it’s an interesting snapsot of what was going on 30 years ago before China emerged as a huge trading partner. Click on the title for the Bandcamp version and there’s also a chart for those who’d like to play along.
MAN ON THE LAND
The man on the land is in deep water
Our wool’s not in demand our sheep are only fit for slaughter
And the Ruskies can’t afford to pay for a million tonnes of wheat
The man on the land is in real deep
While our sailors in the Gulf protect the Saudis with their blood
The Saudis send our live sheep back and say that they’re all dud
And the Canberra politicians cannot trump the Saudi hand
So the price is paid by the man on the land
The man on the land is in deep water
Our wool’s not in demand our sheep are only fit for slaughter
And the Ruskies can’t afford to pay for a million tonnes of wheat
The man on the land is in real deep
The banks in the city want all that they can take
They need to fill the kitty to pay for past mistakes
They can’t afford to lend a dollar to lend a helping hand
So the price is paid by the man on the land
The man on the land is in deep water
Our wool’s not in demand our sheep are only fit for slaughter
And the Ruskies can’t afford to pay for a million tonnes of wheat
The man on the land is in real deep
The European markets pay their farmers to produce
They’re deaf to Aussie pleas to ease the dump and to reduce
We’ve tried to play it fair but the rules are underhand
And the price is borne by the man on the land
The man on the land is in deep water
Our wool’s not in demand our sheep are only fit for slaughter
And the Ruskies can’t afford to pay for a million tonnes of wheat
The man on the land is in real deep
January 8, 2022
DAVE’S AUSTRALIA DAY JUKEBOX #12
This song was track one on my fourth album This Is My Planet – which then became This Is Your Planet (a c.d. with extra tracks) and is now on Correct Planet, a double CD with all tracks from Correct Weight and This Is Your Planet.
Some of the lyrics have not been quite understood. `If the arabs don’t get you, you know that the Special Squad will’ was a reference to the 1980 Iranian Embassy seige that began just as I put my feet up at Tony Durant’s flat. The Special Squad went in. Johnny Rotten lingering in the Public I a reference to Public Image. It was not a good time in the U.K. people were depressed and angry. Not long after this Tony decided to call Australia home.
I wanted a rought, unadorned rock sound like the Stones. Bob Searls played guitar on the recording, Phil Bailey bass, Howie Johnstone drums, Neville Dowling keys – but Leopard loved playing this song live.
UK EUCHREDHeathrow Airport smells like a Madras curry (UK Euchred, UK Euchred)
They stamped my passport three months
They must think I’m in some kind of hurry
Johnny Rotten didn’t die
He lingers in the Public I
You can’t make money you can’t get good fish and chips
You can’t make waves
‘Cause every wave is unhip
This month’s fad is heavy metal last month it was ska
The only time they like you’s when they can’t figure out
Who the hell you are
UK Euchred
UK Euchred
Break
Now if the Arabs don’t get you
You know that the special squad will
No one’s got money but everyone’s got time to kill
And if you’re standing at the soccer
Be careful what you shout
Or you’ll get a dart between the eyes
And a knuckle on the snout
Well I searched the Strand looking for Australia House
It was besieged with people clawing to get out
They’re sending in the helicopters loading on the ships
I wonder if I’ll last the distance of my o.s. trip.
Break
UK Euchred
UK Euchred
UK Euchred
Euchred UK
BOB SEARLS ROCKAROO BOP
DAVE’S AUSTRALIA DAY ADVENT JUKE BOX #11
Originally on the Correct Weight album, now on the double CD Correct Planet (it includes all tracks on Correct Weight and This Is My Planet plus bonus tracks) available from my website. This song is about Australians giving people a fair go – especially those who aspire to be Australians.
How’d you like to be on a boat
In the South China Sea with no hope?
Stripped of all identity
You are just a refugee
And your please can’t squeeze
Into conversations by the fire
Of the young trendy lefties
Who debate the changing women’s
Role in society
How would you explain to your kiddies
As they cried with fear
That the other countries really care
It is just that jobs are hard to get this year
Can I get your attention
I’d like to remind you of a few concerts back
Remember the time you danced to Bob Marley
Jumped up and down in row E
And you were seen
Being so un-European
You even became a Buddhist over a hot dog
Renounced your parents religion
As something a pigeon
Might drop
Can I get your support?
Can I get you a prop?
Can you give us a thought for the people
On S China Sea?
You see I think that their problem
Is not just dramatic enough
Three Mile Islands and melt downs
Are really Quinn Martin stuff
Seal cubs are cute
And whalers are dumb ugly brutes.
By Hayden Stagg for the booklet that went with Correct Weight (Mushroom 1979)
January 6, 2022
Dave’s Australia Day Advent Jukebox #10
Not bothering with the lyrics on this one. Vic Hotel 1977 live and sweaty. My Australia Day Playlist on Spotify is building. (To hear the track just hit the title above).
January 5, 2022
DAVE’S AUSTRALIA DAY ADVENT JUKEBOX #9
Written 1975 Brixton after a letter from Al (WildScrote) Howard about the #skateboard craze in #perth. This the live 1977 version: band Johnny Leopard guitar, Stuart Davies-Slate drums, Haydn Pickersgill bass, John Dennison keyboards, Dave Warner vocal. b/v Haydn and John D. (Hit on song title for the track) This track appeared on the clear cassette tapes we sold at pubs. You can stream all those former clear cassette tracks under the title Suburbs Live at the Victoria and Shenton Park Hotels 1977.
Dave Warner’s From The Suburbs photographed in 1978 by Bleddyn ButcherSIDEWALK SURFIN
I’m a long long way and many thousand miles from home
But when I heard the news I had to use the telephone
You see my best friend caught it and I hear that he’s not alone
It’s an epidemic and it’s prowling the streets back home.
It’s sidewalk surfin’ no use pretending it doesn’t exist
There’s a growing army of millions and they’re waiting to enlist.
Well I understand the craze is all the rage at Scarborough Beach
Rockin down the Freeway the Causeway and the Highway Leach
But I’m sure the guys and girls in Bicton well they do it the best
When it comes to sidewalk surfin there ain’t really no contest.
I’m a long long way and many thousand miles from home
But when I heard the news I had to use the telephone
You see my best friend caught it and I hear that he’s not alone
It’s an epidemic and it’s prowling the streets back home.
It’s sidewalk surfin’ no use pretending it doesn’t exist
There’s a growing army of millions and they’re waiting to enlist.
Well I understand the craze is all the rage at Scarborough Beach
Rockin down the Freeway the Causeway and the Highway Leach
But I’m sure the guys and girls in Bicton well they do it the best
When it comes to sidewalk surfin there ain’t really no contest.
January 4, 2022
DAVE’S AUSTRALIA DAY ADVENT JUKEBOX #8
Wrote this one in about 1988 after a stint down the road from the Hopetoun Hotel where Leopard was working. A low time for me as I felt no record companies were interested in signing me, and even if they did no stations would play the songs, so did this album myself with help in pre-planning and writing from Greg Macainsh and then Martin Cilia doing a maginficent job programming the whole album and producing as well as co-writing. In the end an album I’m very proud of. This song one of the best lyrically I’ve ever done, inspired by Cole Porter. (hit title above for the video clip and if you’ve not signed up to my You Tube channel please do)
SURRY HILLS BOOGALOO
You can make like an Eskimo and live in an igloo
Walk nude in Chicago when December snows are due
Be dressed for Key Largo on the tip of old K2
But you haven’t felt a chill till you’ve done the Surry Hills Boogaloo
You can scoff cold cray at a Toorak barbecue
Quaff Chardonnay with the gays of Woolloomooloo
Have it off in the hay with the gal from Kalamazoo
But you haven’t done nothin’ till you’ve done the Surry Hills Boogaloo
Boogaloo Boogaloo x 2
You can traverse all London from the depths of the Bakerloo
Converse with sponges on the floor of the Arafu
You can plunge like futures in a failed Wall Street coup
But you haven’t hit rock bottom till you’ve done the Surry Hills Boogaloo
Boogaloo Boogaloo x 3
Chew you up and it’ll spit you out
It don’t care what you’re about (Surry Hills don’t care)
Kiss my arse and lick my shoes you’re Boogalooed
You could be the gum on the heel of Neil Armstrong’s shoe
You can heel to windward at the helm of Australia 2
And you could wind the watch that timed what Lindburgh flew
But you ain’t history till you’ve done the Surry Hills Boogaloo
No you ain’t history till you’ve done the Surry Hills Boogaloo
Instrumental break 16 bars
Chew you up and it’ll spit you out
It don’t care what you’re about (Surry Hills don’t care)
Kiss my arse and lick my shoes you’re Boogalooed
Chew you up and it’ll spit you out
It don’t care what you’re about (Surry Hills don’t care)
Kiss my arse and lick my shoes you’re Boogalooed
When you’re down in Surry Hills
And you feel that Surry chill there’s nothing you can do but Boogaloo
Boogaloo Boogaloo x 3
January 3, 2022
DAVE’S AUSTRALIA DAY ADVENT JUKEBOX #7
We often opened or closed with this crowd pleaser. I remember Ross Stapleton when working at Virgin Records in London said when he first played it the whole office stopped and said it was the heaviest sound they’d heard. Great synth from John Dennison doubling Tony Durant’s guitar riff. Hit title below for song on Spotify. If you don’t have Spotify order Free Kicks off this website and I’ll send it with a bonus or two.
January 2, 2022
Dave’s Australia Day Advent Jukebox #6
A previously unreleased track but one I think is fun – Australian country style recorded 1988 at JJ Studios in Sydney as part of demos for what became the Surplus and Dearth album. Two tracks from the demo session, Was It Any Better and Beer were too country to fit with the others and so I held the tracks back and have been trying to record a country album ever since. Maybe this year Martin Cilia and I will finish that project. We have at least 16 tracks to choose from. Sheet music so you can play along! Hit the title above for the Bandcamp track. Downloads appreciated but not expected. Cheers!!!
I HAVE TRAVELLED ALL AROUND THIS DUSTY DIRTY LAND
I HAVE PLAYED IN PITS WHERE FLEAS WOULD NOT DEIGN TO LAND
I HAVE BACKED THE STRIPTEASE BELLES WITH AN OUT OF TUNE ROCK BAND
THERE’S ONLY ONE THING KEEPS ME GOIN ONE THING I UNDERSTAND
AND IT’S : BEER BEER BEER BEER MOST EVERY NIGHT
NOT A NICE WELL ROUNDED RED AND NOT A CRISPY WHITE
BUT A TANKARD OF THE FROTHY BREW THAT’S A WORKIN MAN’S DELIGHT
BEER BEER BEER BEER AND BEER
WELL SOUTHERN BOYS DRINK BOURBON AND IVAN MASHED POTATE
I’VE TRIED EM I’VE IMBIBED ‘EM BUT I HATE TO DEVIATE
FROM THE STRAIGHT AND NARROW PATH IMPLIED BY THOSE WORDS I LONG TO HEAR
BEER BEER BEER BEER BEER
AND IT’S : BEER BEER BEER BEER MOST EVERY NIGHT
NOT A NICE WELL ROUNDED RED AND NOT A CRISPY WHITE
BUT A TANKARD OF THE FROTHY BREW THAT’S A WORKIN MAN’S DELIGHT
BEER BEER BEER BEER AND BEER
WELL LEARNED EUROPEAN DRINKERS SWEAR BY ALMANAC
THE DANISH AKA-VIT AND THE ARABS SWEET ARAK
IN IRAQ IF YOU DRINK AT ALL IT’S THE AUTOMATIC SACK
BUT THERE’S MORE THAN ONE HAS RISKED THE GUN TO CRACK A COLD SIX-PACK
AND IT’S : BEER BEER BEER BEER MOST EVERY NIGHT
NOT A NICE WELL ROUNDED RED AND NOT A CRISPY WHITE
BUT A TANKARD OF THE FROTHY BREW THAT’S A WORKIN MAN’S DELIGHT
BEER BEER BEER BEER AND BEER
