with Alice Worley

First up, P&D extends a massive congratulations to the organisers of Belco Bowl Jam this year. It was a massive event with talented people attending over one huge weekend.

Talk about an after-party! The Vee Bees, Affordable Repayments, Grytt, and Sketch Method all managed to squeeze into The Baso along with hundreds of skaters, and the moshing was IMMEDIATE.

A mate unknowingly popped a rib out in the first set, which I didn’t even know you could do. Was it worth it? He thinks so, but maybe the adrenaline has yet to wear off. I’ll ask again in a week.

I felt so fortunate to bear witness to the crowning of a new Belco Leg Wrestling Tournament champion. Congratulations to Woody #2 for defeating Conz, the previous champion, in a sweaty, shirtless battle for personal glory whilst We Are The Champions bellowed out of every sloshed skate rat in the building. I salute you.

Gutwrench Records

Another keen congratulations goes out to Gutwrench Records on the Sum of Our Parts release! What an absolute gem of a compilation, showcasing so much talent in one fantastic tracklist. What an effort, and thank you so much for documenting and preserving a moment in the A.C.T.’s musical history (which you can check out on Spotify or secure yourself a hard copy on tape). Kudos and bravo for this and for your fortnightly D.I.Y. Summer shows!

If you’ve been seeing all the awesome footage and photos of these said D.I.Y. shows and want to be kept in the loop of any guerrilla gigs in future, go follow Gutwrench Records on all the socials so you don’t miss out. They also post their own gig guides, Gutwrench Recommends, every now and then, and they never miss, so keep an eye out for those too.

The Mighty Hoopsnake

And yet ANOTHER hearty round of congratulations goes to The Mighty Hoopsnake, Australia’s favourite ecology-themed garage/punk/psych/doom group, who are launching their debut EP Terra Australis!

Joining them for this momentous occasion will be local favourites Kilroy and some Cetacean for you to throw some shapes to. Get down to Gang Gang on Sunday, 10 March, so you can congratulate them in person! Grab your tickets via Humantix

C.O.F.F.I.N

Absolute legends and personal faves, C.O.F.F.I.N. (Children Of Finland Fighting In Norway), are finally heading to Ngunnawal/Ngambri Country! Get ready for some fast love on Thursday, 28 March, when the foursome are set to resoundingly blow the bloody doors off The Baso for your listening pleasure. It shames me to admit I have never seen these guys live, but I have my ticket and cannot wait for that to change. Invite all ya mates to this one! Tix via Oztix

Happy Birthday GUS!!

Lastly, I would really like to take a minute to honour a local icon and say a big ol’ Happy 30th to the legendary Gus Bamberry the most magnificent door bitch that’s ever been (even better than Kimberley Diane Craig herself).

Gus is the legend that has stamped your wrist a thousand times from the yesteryear of The Phoenix, Transit Bar being on Akuna St, and up to the present day at all your favourite gigs at The Polo. In the in-between that is BMA’s editorial deadline to the publishing date, Gus is having (has now had as you read this) a kick-arse birthday party at The Polo with Slagatha Christie, Box Dye, Lady Denman and Strawberry Prince. If you weren’t there, be sure to wish the always smiling and colourful Gus the happiest of belated birthdays. [yay Happy Birthday from all of us at BMA xx]

Much love to you, Gus, our fun summer boy.

Send punk gigs and things to [alice.worley@outlook.com]