It's been a long time between drinks, but I thought I should let everyone know of a couple of the bigger thinks approaching. On August 28th the annual Revolution Rock returns to Sydney with a lineup that won't disappoint:

The Domnicks (WA) (featuring Nick Sheppard from The Clash)
The Rumjacks,
The CityLights,
Madonna (VIC)
The Tearaways (VIC)

This year the Sydney event will be held at the Annandale and there will also be a gig in Melbourne on September 4 @ the Birmingham Hotel.

Later in the year Melbourne will play host to Ska Nation again, and Dizzybeat will be there to cover it again. Last year was awesome, with the One Night Band from Canada topping a great weekend of music. This year the event will be on October 30, 31 and November 1. Be there!

Dizzybeat has really been neglected in 2010, due in large part to pouring so much energy into the Dawn Penn and Stranger Cole gig while I tried to hold down a job and do a couple of uni subjects as well. Dizzybeat is always the thing to give, unfortunately.

Anyway, the gig is over, and it was one of the most interesting musical experiences of my life. Just mind-blowing really, and for the most part fantastic. I didn't take any media as Gen and I were kept pretty busy, but there are pics over at: http://www.fasterlouder.com.au/gallery/16026/1/The-Reggae-Showcase.htm

Hopefully over the next couple of weeks I'll be able to get things updated here, as there is quite a bit on.

Who'd have thought - someone willing to put together a regular punk magazine in Australia with a local focus to go with it. I've been asked to write a regular column, which I duly accepted, and I suggest you support such a fine project by buying a copy. Head to: http://renegadesempire.com to buy their latest issue online or find out your closest stocking newsagent.

The latest issue has just come out and features some great features. The editorial team are travelling the country going to gigs, so you can expect some really good insights into Australian music.

Keep an eye out for my first article in the May/June issue!

Two of Jamaica's greatest singers, Dawn Penn (No, no, no) and Stranger Cole (Rough and Tough) will be performing at the Annandale Hotel, Sydney on Saturday May 8.

They'll be backed by Sydney favourites King Tide and supported by Melbourne's fabulous Ska Vendors.

This will be the greatest reggae, rocksteady and ska revue Sydney has ever witnessed.

TICKETS NOW AVAILABLE: http://www.annandalehotel.com/anh/eventdetails.asp?id=2362

Very sad news to report with yet another one of the most influential musicians in the genres we adore having passed away.

Read the report on the Jamaica Gleaner website: http://www.jamaica-gleaner.com/gleaner/20100123/ent/ent1.html

Melbourne shows its cultural prowess with this film festival celebrating reggae and rocksteady music. I wish I could get along to see Rocksteady: The Roots of Reggae, as it is meant to be a great documentary, and Babylon on the big screen will be a hit, I'm sure. Find full details of the film festival below (or by clicking read more).

The Ska is Dead tour, a well established regular jaunt around the USA, has come to Australia. The premise is intelligent enough – include a mix of bands likely to appeal to different tastes to maximise interest. The Australian tour featured The Resignators from Melbourne, Dan Potthast from the United States and One Night Band from Montreal, Canada. Our interest was in One Night Band, having reviewed their excellent CD Hit & Run last year while in the UK. We caught the band’s first Australian show @ the Annandale. The turnout was fairly good for a Thursday night, though disappointingly most weren’t there for the Canadians. Local Sydney act Chris Duke and the Royals, The Resignators and Dan Potthast all got good receptions, but I couldn’t help but being surprised that the ’98 sound that was so big is still around. Still, if it gets people into ska it must be a positive thing.

One Night Band were even better live than they were on their record. They were energetic, tight and most importantly great exponents of the organ driven reggae sound, which is perfect for dancing. I think a lot of the "third-wavers" were surprised at how good they were. Their set included fantastic covers of Desmond Dekker’s Keep a Cool Head and the West Indian favourite Shame and Scandal. Their own material should not be discounted however, as it just as infectious, and enticing enough to win over those who had never heard the band before.

We left their Sydney gig determined to head to Wollongong on the Sunday to see them. Talking to some of the guys on tour, there was a fear that a drive from their Brisbane gig on Saturday night to get to Wollongong Sunday evening was cutting it a bit fine, but we were keen to see the band again. Long story short, it was cutting it too fine, and not all of One Night Band (or The Resignators for that matter) made it to Wollongong that afternoon, so we were left to watch some Wollongong locals – including Val the Greek’s new band Steel City Allstars - and wallow in the misery of missing a performance by one of the best bands knocking about at the moment.

Still, on to Melbourne and the Ska Nation weekend, where we’ll get to see One Night Band for a final time before they head home.

Check out the videos, taken by Gen Murray.

One Night Band - Keep a Cool Head

One Night Band - Trigger