Well hi.

For whatever reason, I've recently decided to upload scans of band gig posters from my early days in Sydney, when I used to regularly go out and see at least two or three bands a week. I'm talking 1979 - 1990 ish here. At that time, Sydney had a healthy, thriving pub band culture which f
ostered the careers of many of the top Aussie export bands of the last couple of decades. The Angels, The Radiators, Midnight Oil, INXS, (Le) Hoodoo Gurus, The Church, etc etc etc. Anyway, being a lifelong collector of strange and irrelevant things, I find myself with scraps of paper, flyers, set lists, coasters and more from many of the gigs I attended, so at least I have something to remember them by. Most of that era is a total blur in my memory, but I just know that I had a really good time, and my tinnitus and foggy brain was worth it all.

Now, I'm not claiming to be any kind of expert or authority on any of these bands, or the era in general, I'm just sharing what I remember, and a few bits and pieces that may bring back memories for some. Feel free to add your own recollections, tell me if I'm wrong, share stories of gigs you went to.

You can click on them and they get bigger.

Thursday, April 24, 2008

Bondi Lifesaver Gig Guide, 1980



A Sydney legend and institution. At least for those who frequented this part of the world. I think every major Australian band of the era must have played there, and it was an industry type hang out through the seventies (before my time). It closed sometime in 1980, so these gigs must have been very near the end.

Kevin Borich! KB! The guy is still going strong. I saw him play a few months ago, and man, he can still blast out the heavy blues licks like he ever did. Greatest rock guitar face in Aussie history.

Rose Tattoo. Heavy shit. Believe it or not, I managed to fall asleep during a Tatts gig at Narara 1983. Right on the grass in front of the stage. Probably more accurately described as "passed out" perhaps. Narara. There's another story...

Icehouse are still Flowers. I guiss it is only 1980.

They still hadn't worked out how to write INXS.

9 comments:

skids said...

would you have any with HEAVEN ??

SYDNEYmarianne said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
SYDNEYmarianne said...

I USED TO GO TO THE LIFESAVER AS WELL AS ALL TH EOTHERS YOU HAVE HERE.
WE MUST OF RUBBED SHOULDERS OR KNOW EACH OTHER.
I USED TO GO TO THE LIFESAVER WHEN ANGRY ANDERSON USED TO DJ THERE .

Anonymous said...

I used to go there too, I remember Angry and Marc Hunter djaying, I was too young to get in so used to climb the wall at the back.There's not much on the internet about it would love someone to write a book about those times!

Anonymous said...

nybody familiar with this e me sailtide@yahoo.com All of thes guys in the band were from Bronti..

Anonymous said...

i played at Lifesavers in 1975 with a band called Turkish Green from Bronti..Renee Gayor's Band Crossfire played there the same night..Murf was head of the band. Regee on guitar, Will on piano, Muff on drums.. mark felts was our groupie buddy. Anyybody know these people let me know sailtide@yahoo.com We would go to Speedy Gonzales mex restaurant in Surrey after the gig..I was a yank down on surf trip.

Anonymous said...

Here's alink to a video of the last night of the Lifesaver - Aug 31st 1980.

http://www.colinbaldwin.com/movies_lifesaver.php

The poster was from June since that's the only month that had Fri 20th.

Weezay said...

BONDI LIFESAVER - newish group on Facebook. If you have memories of the Swap and want to relive those times; get on board with us on Facebook. Kind regards *WEEZE*

Anonymous said...

as Weeze said, (without mentioning the ladies loo once), if you were a Swap regular search facebook for the Bondi Lifesaver group. But it's a closed group and only for broadminded people who were there and understand and appreciate it's... err... special ambience ;)