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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 fostered 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.
Governor's Pleasure
The Governor's Pleasure. A very regular haunt for us for some reason. I have thousands of bits of memories of that place. It was one of the very first venues I ever went to, while we were in high school. You had to sign a book at the front door, promising you were over 18, as there was pretty much no ID, especially with a photo on it. The place was a sweat house, a fire trap, a great place to see bands. Pancakes at the Rocks for dinner. Of course now it's a lingerie restaurant topless type of place for the discerning gentleman.Spy vs Spy. Before they started with the whole Vspy Vspy thing which I never bought into. Fantastic three piece. I remember seeing them in the corner of a pub in North Sydney playing Stones covers before anyone had heard of them. Even then I knew they were good.The Sets, I think were a Mod band. I had a few friends who were into the Mod scene. It seemed then you had to choose Mod/Punk/Rude Boy/Skinhead/Whatever. Don't really remember the Sets music, but used to frequent the Sussex Hotel a bit...Dynamic Hepnotics put on a great show. Soul, funky jazzy stuff. Great fun. Good bands on this bill.
14 comments:
Just found your site. Loved the early eighties Sydney music scene especially The Singles.
The Sets were a mod band and even though I didn't go to see them alot, in the early nineties I met the guitar player (ended up playing bass in Stupidity) and married him!
That's the spirit!
I saw the Flaming Hands at the Guvnors. Julie Mostyn smiled at me.
Now there is a band that didn't get the recognition they deserved.
Hi Mate, great effort with the posters, I may have some stashed away. I was the drummer in the Proteens, I remember this Gig. I am also looking for Moving parts tracks, they were a great sydney band. see ya Maloo
Just stumbled on this site. Its great!! I used to play in a band called Fast Cars in the 1980's, the Governor's Pleasure was one of our fav gigs. Ah, those were the days!!! Keep up the good work of documenting this era. By the way, don't suppose you have any records of posters from Fast Cars?
was at the Govnuv's when the Riptides played with Spy v Spy - even remember what I wore - then onto the Trade Union Club ..was thinking about the singer from S v S the other day after seeing The King's Speech, as he stuttered too but not when he sang
Hi Mark, luv ur blog. I'm trying to find info about an early 1980s Sydney band called "IT" - does it ring any bells? Ian :)
Anonymous- here is the Singles live- I played guitar. http://youtu.be/7g5Thl0bW0g
Diannah- I played with you in Levitations. Send me an email at lesannees-steve@yahoo.com - love to catch up.
Steve
Diannah, my bro played bass in Fast Cars with you. Dave Pye. I was the young bloke at heaps of your gigs.
I was Very lucky to have worked at The Governor's Pleasure from 1980-85 and saw so many new bands at the time just starting and then In later years seeing them become famous...
It was a great time in Sydney for live Australian music...Shame its gone.
Neville
What a great venue, I was serving in the Navy in 79-80 and this was my go to venue when I was alongside.
Saw so many great bands, Matt Finish, Moving Pictures, Riptides, Spy, Borich and Tilders and a few I can not remember. Now we are infested with DJ's. Now where did I put that "Death to Disco" shirt, it's round here somewhere.
Beautiful any photos of the deck outside floating around anyway thank you
Daniel Johns
I remember Daniel Johns
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