In a mighty fine year for live music it's hard to pick just one show that stands head and shoulders above all others as Sticky's gig of the year, So with our last few words of 2018, here's the best of what we got along to, or the best at least of what remains in the memory plus a special mention for the overseas band that blew us away the most, as well as the most rocking Australian band we saw live on stage in 2018.
There was a couple of legendary names from either side of the Atlantic that we rapt our ears around for the first time in a live setting, firstly Robert Plant in April when he toured with the Sensational Space Shifters, and original Guns n' Roses drummer Steven Adler, who's tour in May was truly hilarious, joyous and a reminder of why the rock n' roll jungle is so much fun. Queens of the Stone Age returned for an encore performance after being in Australia just over a year earlier and again left everything on the stage.
Spiderbait pumped some old school rock into rock ‘n’ roll in 2018.Credit:Ian Laidlaw
In September it was Radio Birdman proving yet again great songs never go out of style and likewise, Cold Chisel delivered in spades, as only they can, on a hot summer's night. The War on Drugs, originally from Philadelphia, won even more local fans early in the year and former Screaming Trees frontman Mark Lanegan's solo show just a couple of months ago was further proof (if you needed it) of his growing stature as one of rock's elder statesmen. Nashville's Bully are now a must see live experience and Courtney Barnett simply goes from strength to strength with her band on stage.
Local legends the Celibate Rifles, Spiderbait, Painters and Dockers, the Church and Sunnyboys all rocked our socks, while the Black Angels from Texas brought some seriously good psychedelic grooves to town in March. The Breeders played to their strengths earlier this month, however, in May it was Red Fang's gloriously off-the-chart night of guitar indulgence that made them Sticky's clear best on ground from overseas, while Magic Dirt's return to the stage after 10 years was without doubt, our local highlight of 2018.
album of the week
Joey Ramone
"…Ya Know?"
(BMG)
★★★½
Coming with a sweet reworking of Merry Christmas (I Don't Want to Fight Tonight) which first appeared on 1989 Ramones album Brain Drain, this solo album from 2012 has songs Joey wrote and demoed over 25 years. It's an insight to the rock and pop sounds that first influenced him, from the Beach Boys and the Kinks to the Ronettes and it has a tight Ramones buzz, thanks to producers including Ed Stassium and Daniel Rey plus seasoned musicians including Joan Jett and Joey's brother Mickey Leigh. It's tender on Waiting For that Railroad and shakes too with Rock 'n' Roll is the Answer.
selecta
Modern Convenience – Mod Con
Black Milk – Beasts of Bourbon
Velvet Curtains and Seashell Toilet Seats – Fuzzrays
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