Ok, so, my partner Mark and I have this war going on, of which we never speak. It has to do with the car radio. When I use the car, I usually keep the radio off or have it on Triple JJJ. I always know the Mark has been in the car because he has the radio cranked up to 11 on FM104 or MMM – whatever they’re called now. (I get confused because I know it started as one thing and then changed, not sure whether it’s changed back. I know I should be more mindful of such things for all those friends of mine that used to work there in the early days…..apologies and no disrespect intended…..hey….., now I think about it, maybe you kicked this all of Jeff Truscott after I read your FB message this morning!?).
So, it must have been something about the heat in Bris Vegas today, but when I jumped in the car and turned the key, FM104 starting blaring out of the speakers. Instead of turning it off, I turned it down to 10 and the inner yobbo, Aussie pub rock chick started inadvertently internally rocking to what I think was “No Secrets” by the Angels. Not only that, but I couldn’t help thinking what a snob I had been about this in the past – I was really enjoying the sing along to the Aussie icons in my own little vehicular world. Then, as I pulled onto the freeway- I almost rejoyced quite loudly when the next Angels hit escaped into the airwaves with “Take a Long Line” and off went the head, banging in time to what now felt like some real, gutsy tribal energy. I was having an absolute bloody ball. The sun was beating through the windscreen as if to agree that The Angels were indeed a shining light for me this morning. I thought to myself how I had so easily morphed into my bogan self with such immense energy and joy. It’s a great juxtaposition when I line the Angels up in my mind next to my other internal music joys – full on 70s disco, Leo Sayer, the likes of Minnie Riperton with her “Loving You” cute ode to her betrothed and anything more or less Michael Jackson and Madonna. Yes – the internal workings of my musical mind is a strange and interesting place. If anyone is interested in discovering how this has manifested in my recent sojourn into song writing go to: www.stephanie-gill.com. I challenge you to find any direct link to the Angels, FM104, Leo Sayer or Minnie Riperton et el. It should be noted, limited talent in any area rarely prevents me from having a frollick.
So, back in the car, I floored it up the freeway and reminisced in my own mind about what I might have missed out on all those years. But then again, did I? Just now, as I write this post, I remember how I stayed up until 2am this morning watching You Tube videos of AC/DC in the days of our beloved Bon. This also made me think that it is in fact, it is not “too long a line” from the pub to the stadium and anthems that resonate the world over.
Is any of this related to the recent need to pen a three chord rock song – or was that more related to my time travel back to the Ramones on new year’s eve? Who can understand the intricacies of my neural mind maps, and quite frankly, who would really want to? As far as neurotransmitters as concerned though, the Angels sure were the catalyst for some dopamine and assorted endorphins this morning!
So, rip it up tomorrow morning folks! Why not turn the dial to the ever consistent FM104 – you might be blessed with the opportunity to rock in your drivers seat to some Angry Anderson and Rose Tattoo “We Can’t be Beaten” – positive enough message that one…. or perphaps one of those tunes from the politician’s group of boys, the good ol’ Oils…..maybe a bit of or Barnsey and the Chiselin’ crew – how can you not get elivened by “The Star Hotel”!?
Oh, goodness….was about to sign off when I had a flashback to the Playroom down at Tallebudgerra in the Gold Coast, and the reason I can no longer stand the smell of Bundaberg Rum…..I was 16 or 17 and the last thing I remember was hearing The Radiators strike up and me thinking “I have to get back to the tent across the road and sleep/faint right now!”, which, alas I did. Thus, I never managed to see The Radiators sing their signature tasteful ditty “You Give Me Head”. In addition, I don’t know if I ever thanked my school friend David Aitkinson for getting me back to the tent safely that night too.
So, it appears there is many a note of gratitude to be handed out tonight! A thumping, thunderous Aussie Pub Rock THANK YOU to all those bands who get you to bang your head, even if you don’t want to admit it to others and you have to keep it your special secret…..but they do lift the spirit and when we all bang our heads in unison, we feel connected, part of something greater, as one……now that is very Zen, don’t you know?
Then of course, thanks to David Aitkinson for getting me back to the tent to sleep safely to suck on sugar laden saliva produced from the consumption of far too much Bundy Rum …..for that I have no defence, but I am grateful for waking up and surving that and being here to write about it on this post today!
And finally, thanks to FM104/MMM for being persistent in playing the same tunes since you launched so I could finally see the true value in what you do. That’s cool and so are the Angels……..AC/DC……Cold Chisel……… The Radiators…..The Sports…… Jo Jo Zep and the Falcons…….and you get the picture………..
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