New Year's Eve has been and gone, and it was a very fine time for those who attended the Mulberry on Swan gig. Following red-hot sets from The Stems and the Hoodoo Gurus we took the stage and clubbed out an hour's worth of classic Warner. My personal highlight was Mug's Game, where Derek and Sandra found themselves at a Pakistan political rally with free front-row tickets and complimentary bulky ceremonial vests which begn ticking loudly as an unnamed political leader approached ... what happened next? Well, you should have paid your money and come along to Mulberry to find out. And a very special hello to Kate and Brian Ingram, two of my most loyal fans who were there on the night.

Speaking of Mug's Game, the gig marked the first sales of the special 30th anniversary edition of the Mug's Game album, which has been reissued as a double CD with 14 new bonus tracks. Make sure you get your copy before they run out.

On the film front, Brace (formerly Dirty Girls) will begin shooting in Perth in March. This has been a long labour of love but this low-budget indy project about teenage twin girls and their dysfunctional relationship promises to be my most satisfying foray into the medium.
NB: We are still looking for investors to boost our budget and make the film as cinematic as possible. Email me for details.

To television, where I have been working on a second series for Canal Road — yet to debut on Channel 9. I have no idea when we will see it on our screens, but I think you will find it different to the usual Australian TV drama. I have also written for Packed to the Rafters (Channel 7), a terrific drama/comedy wth great humanity and funny as well. Here's an exclusive tip: my episode features Suburban Boy in the soundtrack. We will let you know when both shows will be going to air.

Unfortunately I haven't had the time to do my next adult novel, but I have been working assiduously through one, mapping and plotting. Owing to the runaway success of my first effort in children's literature, Charlotte and the Starlet, I am currently finishing off the second adventure of cute outback girl Charlotte and sassy Hollywood horse Leila. Titled A Friend in Need, this adventure sees the girls separated with Leila sold to a carnival and Charlotte forced to endure the rigours of a deportment academy. They reunite moments before Leila is about to cop the chainsaw from some ruthless illegal loggers.

Well that's me. As for you, I hope you all have a fabulous and enjoyable 2008.

DAVE WARNER

PS: I will be speaking at the Elizabeth Jolley Forum at Perth's Curtin University on February 8, starting at 6pm. I hope some of you can make it along.
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Yes, finally we can announce THE NEW MUG'S GAME CD is here. The double CD includes the original 1978 MUG'S GAME album plus a second bonus CD of 14 early recordings by Dave Warner. Most of these are demos which Dave recorded in London in 1976. Tony Durant, who came out to join the Suburbs in Australia, plays on many of these tracks. They also include the Bicton Records release of Summer 78/Australian Heat which Dave recorded in Perth with the original Suburbs line-up prior to Tony's arrival.

Tracks on the bonus demo CD include Bicton Breezes, Divine Service, Ulysses and These Parts which were all part of the early Suburbs repertoire played at venues like Alberts Tavern and the Civic Hotel. At $29 the double CD is fabulous value. The good news doesn't end there. To mark the release of Mug's Game, the price on Free Kicks, This is Your Planet and Surplus & Dearth has been reduced to a low $17 each including postage.

And as for gigs, stand by Perth fans. Dave and the Suburbs will be playing New Year's Eve at Mulberry on Swan in support of Hoodoo Gurus. Tickets from Mulberry on Swan. More information is available at On The Swan. ________________________________________________________________

I would rather my crime novels sat in your bookshelves than in a box in my cupboard so I'm dropping the prices on 5 of my novels to single digit figures. Big Bad Blood is a dark and complex thriller in the syle of James Elloy, Exxxpresso is a fast paced romp through the wild West Australian Goldifelds a la Elmore Leonard and the Murder In The... series introduces Lizard Zirk, a prematurely retired rock musician who sleuths through Agatha Christie like whodunnits.
Go on an Aussie Crime Spreeand order up big at my BOOKS page.

DAVE WARNER
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What a fantastic celebration the Bon Scott concert turned out to be. Around 12,000 people braved the vicious Perth heat to come hear some sledgehammer rock from the likes of Angry Anderson, The Angels, Alan Lancaster, The Volcanics and of course myself, ably abetted by The Suburbs: Tony Durant and Howie Johnstone from the original recording band plus Martin Cilia, Howard Shawcross and Gandharva.

These days it's hard to say many things bring a smile to the face but the sight of mums, dads and kids in their matching Bon Scott or AC/DC T-shirts certainly made me feel good. I felt proud to be a part of the concert and proud to be part of rock and roll. I met up with many Suburbs fans there, regulars like Kate and Keith, Jerry and Eli but also made some new mates. One group of fans had come all the way from Newman – some 1200km for the gig. I reckon that very few of the people in the crowd had ever heard my music and many had probably never even heard of me, but the crowd gave us a fantastic reception and made it easy on us as we rocked through the likes of Convict Streak, African Summer and Suburban Boy.

It was about 40 degrees in the direct sun and I was fortunate the bloke on the water gun was up front of the stage so I could get a hit. Organisers Buz Bidstrup and Marcus Ahern can take a bow. The show ran smoothly, even ahead of time, and for us old rockers it was a fabulous opportunity to get back and celebrate. One of the highlights was the sponsors' dinner on the Friday night. We watched an inspired set from Dave Tice and former AC/DC bass player Mark Evans before doing our own set and then catching The Party Boys play some full on rock. Personally it was a great thrill to meet the likes of Alan Lancaster of the original Status Quo and to see Kevin Borich playing as good or even better than ever, after coming back from a serious illness.

On the Saturday The Screaming Jets were supersonic and though The Angels missed the dynamics of Doc Neeson, they were as rock solid as ever as they powered their way through a set of some of the greatest Australian rock songs ever written. Dave Evans, the original AC/DC frontman, flew in from Vegas to join the Party Boys on stage in some classic AC/DC. Particularly gratifying to me was being able to witness some great WA local acts kick arse on the big stage. The Flairz and Kill Devil Hills were terrific. I'm a fan. I wish you were all there. And for those of you who weren't, there are some photos below that were taken at the Friday night sponsors' dinner.

Cheers

Dave Warner
Suburban Messiah

• Read more about the day at The West Australian

Dave Warner’s From The Suburbs play their first gig without the late Johnny Leopard at the Bon Scott Celebration Concer, Claremont Showgrounds, Perth Western Australia on Sunday February 25.
Dave will go onstage at 4.45pm for a set of approximately 30 minutes. The band is made up of Howie Johnstone (drums) Tony Durant (guitar) Howard Shawcross (bass) Martin Cilia (guitar) and Phil Bailey (keys) Howie Johnstone played on the Mugs Game, Free Kicks and Correct Weight albums with Dave and Tony Durant. Johnstone and Bailey also played on This Is My Planet and Martin Cilia recorded Surplus and Dearth and a number of other tracks with Dave. Howard Shawcross has toured many times with Dave and among his many bands have been The Elks and Last Chance Café. Other bands on the lineup include The Angels (minus Doc) Rose Tattoo and The Party Boys. Kevin Borich will be appearing with The Party Boys. For more details visit the official website.
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I'd been talking to Dave about posting some of the band's old videos at YouTube to promote this site and for the enjoyment of fans who haven't seen them in some time. But before doing so I thought I'd better check YouTube first to see if anyone had beaten me to the punch — and lo and behold, someone had. By the way, don't forget Dave now has a DVD out, recorded at a live Perth gig on Boxing Day 2004, and it also features ALL of his music videos as a bonus. Anyway, here for your viewing and listening pleasure are four classic Dave Warner's From The Suburbs videos:

Suburban Boy

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Kookaburra Girl

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Nothing To Lose

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Free Kicks

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Hi Gang
Hopefully all you suburban soldiers are doing well as we enter the final quarter of 2006. Here's the news from this end.

GIGS
I'm grateful to receive so many queries about whether we might be doing any gigs in the near future. At this stage there is a strong likelihood Tony Durant ("The New Boy") and I will be doing an "unplugged" gig in November at the Skiff Club, Kirribilli, Sydney — stay tuned. We have a repertoire of about 30 Suburbs songs, some of them very old and personal favourites. I'll throw in a few live performance poems and readings from the novels.

I'm also planning some larger band gigs with Tony and Martin Cilia. One of the possibilities is in Perth on Sunday February 25 next year. Fremantle lawyer and footy fan Marcus Ahern is working in conjunction with the mayor of Freo and also Dockers coach Chris Connolly to get a statue of Bon Scott for Fremantle. Buzz Bidstrup of The Angels is coordinating a fundraising concert featuring old and new Aussie bands for the Claremont Showgrounds on the Sunday. All going well, The Suburbs will be on the bill. If there is any surplus money from the concert it is likely to be donated to Support Act, the muso-based initiative to help musicians in times of need…which as we get older become more and more prevalent. Stay tuned to the website for updates on these gigs. Remember, we are available for private gigs too.

RELEASES
I know many of you are trying to get hold of a Mugs Game or Suburban Sprawl CD. Please be a little more patient. Unfortunately, the Warner cottage industry requires more cash flow before I can get the CDs done. I urge you to buy a Free Kicks CD, the Live DVD or some books to keep the production line rolling. If you like Mugs Game or Suburban Sprawl you will love Free Kicks. Recorded live in 1978 when the band was at its peak, it features Half Time At The Football, Kangaroo Hop, Old Stock Road and other classics.

My favourite recorded Suburbs tack is Suburban Rock from this album. To me it was a powerful, original statement with the band playing with unrelenting energy. The late Johnny Leopard's ball-tearing, anarchic guitar work on this track is as emotionally powerful as the very greatest: Link Wray, Hendrix, The Edge. Do yourself a favour… I am also trying to get downloadable tracks, ringtones and videos on the site, but the technology is way beyond me so I rely on the generous free time of others to get this stuff happening and it does take time. But it WILL happen, so once again keep an eye on the site.

FILM
Power Surge, now called Ravenswood, has been completed. I have no idea about release dates but keep an eye out — as soon as we hear anything, we'll post it here. Dirty Girls is a feature project I have been working on for a number of years. In August, my co-creatives and I were granted around 40% of our production funding by Screenwest. We are enormously grateful to them. We still need to raise the rest of the budget but are working on it. It will be a great film, one I'll be extremely proud to say I'm part of.

BOOKS
The COUNTDOWN book is out and about. See the review by the wonderfully supportive Bruce Elder. If you know any Countdown tragics it will make a good Christmas present for them. Lots of good photos and a few good behind the scenes stories, although I was disappointed some of the best ones didn't make the final edit. My first foray into children's books, Charlotte and the Starlet, is finished and is slotted for publication next May by Random House. It tells the story of a young outback girl trying to make an elite riding squad of city snobs. Her only ally is her horse, the wise-cracking egocentric Leila who makes Lindsay Lohan and co look like the kids from Little House on the Prairie. A star of many Hollywood films, Leila has wound up in Australia after a bungled nag-napping and now she wants to get back to Sunset and Vine. It's a long way from Half Time At The Football, but there's more than a few smirks to be had for an adult reader believe me.

DAVE'S PICKS

FILM
If you haven't seen THE DEPARTED yet, go see it! These past few years, television has eclipsed cinema for great writing, directing and acting. The US has given us such fine farfe as The West Wing, The Sopranos, Monk et al (not to mention Six Feet Under, Curb Your Enthusiasm, Entourage, Dexter ... webmaster). Australia has provided Kath & Kim, and the UK The Office, Extras and more. Good commercial films have been as thin as a Ford New York model on a hunger strike. But now Marty Scorcese rocks back with this super crime offering. It's not easy to get a powerful take on corrupt cops. We've seen or read it all before and what James Elroy didn't wrestle into submission with his mighty LA quartet, I finished off with Big Bad Blood. (If you haven't read it, shame on you. Order it from the site, you won't regret it) But this film about corrupt cops in Boston is a ripper. The story has great depth of character in an exciting and suspenseful plot. Taut direction and top performances make this a rare pleasure. Jack Nicholson eats up the screen. I reckon one of his best ever performances. Matt Damon and Leonardo DiCaprio are convincing and just don't hit a bum note. The camera operator, one Andrew Rowlands, hails from my old city of Perth. Maybe that's why the film is so good ... but don't tell Marty or Jack I said that.

ALBUMS
I've reached that age where I don't buy new albums anymore. At best I buy the CD reissues of my favourite old vinyl albums — though I maintain a collection of well-worn vinyl also. Anyway, if you've never heard of The Fugs or heard of them but never heard them, go lay your hands on a Fugs classic like Golden Filth or The Fugs First album or basically whatever you can. The Fugs included a Beat poet, a writer and a crazy drummer Kenny Weaver. They were punk before punk had a name, and a big influence on my early band, Pus. The Fugs were the ultimate Garage Band — primitive, poorly recorded thunks with caustic, funny, scatological lyrics. For years I played their immortal Slum Goddess in my set. I Couldn't Get High, Nothing, I Feel Like Homemade Shit are other classic Fugs songs. There is absolutely no way you can dance to these tunes unless it's a kind of primal shuffle in the forest thing with your body painted blue.

Until next month, stay cool
Dave Warner
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EVENT DETAILS
Thursday 28 September 28, 6.30pm
Counting Down Music TV
ACMI: Federation Square
Flinders Street, Melbourne
Full $15 Concession $10
For more information visit www.acmi.net.au
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Did you know that:

• For Robert Palmer’s Countdown appearance for Bad Case of Loving You, director
Ted Emery choreographed seven Countdown dancers with guitars miming the song.
Palmer objected, refusing to appear if the dancers weren’t cut. Nobody was more surprised than Emery to find Robert Palmer’s next clip Addicted to Love seemed to have more than a passing resemblance to the ditched Countdown concept.

• It wasn’t that Molly was nervous about interviewing Prince Charles, more the fact that he wasn’t allowed to use the autocue for the interview!

• When Debbie Byrne performed He’s a Rebel she was in tears as the female crowd booed and abused her.

Luscious lurex, sexy satin, glamorous glitter, flicks, flares and Yardley’s Pot O’Gloss, Countdown was more than just a TV show. The first shows went to air in 1974 and went on to provide the soundtrack to the formative years of a generation until 1987. At six o’clock on Sunday evenings a hush would settle across this wide brown land as kids tuned in to Skyhooks, Blondie, Madonna, ABBA, Dragon and JPY, to name just a few of the hundreds of music artists that performed on Countdown. This wildly chaotic show was held together by a bumbling yet endearing Molly Meldrum, who entertained fans as much as the live music acts did.

Countdown: The Wonder Years 1974-87 will take Australian music fans through the glitter and tight pants of the seventies to the consumerism and cross-dressing of the eighties. Grab your platforms, your hair gel and get ready to rock.

COUNTDOWN: THE WONDER YEARS is published by ABC Books, rrp $35. Also available on ABC Audio – 2 x CDs – rrp $29.95. Available at ABC Shops, ABC Centres, selected bookstores, online at abcshop.com.au or phone order, in Australia, on 1300 360 111.

MONDAY JULY 10:: I am doing a series of radio interviews to promote the new Countbook book. I will be talking live to Eion Cameron on ABC 720 in Perth at 8.50am (6.50am WA time), Scott Levi for ABC Radio Central Coast (pre-record), Tim Cox on ABC 936 in Tasmania live at 10.10am, Liz Pye on Radio Curtin FM in Perth (pre-record), and Mike Prenzler on ABC Territory Radio in the NT live at 11.30am.

MOVIE NEWS:: The film I wrote which was originally Power Surge, and was then retitled Guests, and then retitled Fate, is now known as Ravenswood.