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CAPTAIN JACK
All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy. Jack Howard
is one of the hardest working people in showbiz, but, fortunately,
playing is his work. Jack has just released a wonderful
album, Day Of The Dog, with his band, The Long Lost Brothers.
He's also a member of The Break - the surf/space rock outfit
featuring Midnight Oil's Rob Hirst, Jim Moginie and Martin
Rotsey, and the Violent Femmes' Brian Ritchie - and he does
a tribute show, Jack Howard & The Ambassadors of Love Play
Bacharach & David. And, of course, Jack is a member of Hunters
& Collectors, who are heading to New Zealand later this
year to play with The Rolling Stones, following their triumphant
Australian reunion tour, which included two shows with Bruce
Springsteen. Did Jack meet The Boss? "No, dammit." What
about the E Street Band's horn players: is there a horn
players' union - do you hang out together? "Jake Clemons
watched us from side-of-stage, but the timing was bad between
our sets. So much for the brotherhood of horns!" Day Of
The Dog is Jack's sixth solo album. It's a collection of
superb, soulful pop from a consummate musician, who knows
that "less is always more". The album showcases the stellar
playing of the all-star Long Lost Brothers - guitarist Nicky
Del Rey (Intoxica), bass player Mark Ferrie (Models), pedal
steel player Ed Bates (The Sports) and drummer Cal McAlpine
(The Large Number 12s). Asked to describe the band, Jack
calls Nicky "the riffmeister! Like country gold." Mark is
"rich, like a fine single malt whiskey". Ed is "the magician,
the conjuror of sound", and Cal is "my rock, the wind beneath
my wings". Jack Howard & The Long Lost Brothers launch Day
Of The Dog at the Caravan Music Club on Friday (27 June).
SMASH HIT
Melbourne's Vaudeville Smash have scored a big World Cup
goal, with their song Zinedine Zidane closing in on one
million YouTube views. France leads with the most views,
followed by Poland and then Australia.
MONDO-MANIA
Mondo Rock play at the Palais on Saturday (28 June) to celebrate
the Aztec re-release of 1981's Chemistry. Filled with hits
(State Of The Heart, Cool World, Chemistry, Summer of '81),
it's one of the greatest Australian pop albums. "And I'm
a bit annoyed we didn't follow through with that pop sound
on the next album," Ross Wilson tells Howzat! "I think we
were seduced by the competitive spirit of pub rock. With
bands like the Oils and The Angels, you really had to rock
your arse off to make an impression in the pubs and clubs."
TOP TWEET
Guns N' Roses' Duff McKagan paid tribute to an Aussie legend:
"RIP Doc Neeson. Axl Rose and Izzy turned me on to The Angels
back in '85. Got 2C and play with and know Doc a little
later. Excellent man."
HOT LINE
"A simple plan is always best" - Jack Howard, Try Again
CHART WATCH
Justice Crew spend their seventh week on top - the longest
reign for an Aussie single since Gotye's Somebody That I
Used To Know.
Que Sera JUSTICE CREW (number one)
Don't Stop 5 SECONDS OF SUMMER (three)
Geronimo SHEPPARD (seven)
Fancy IGGY AZALEA (nine)
Chandelier SIA (10)
Super Love DAMI IM (17)
Tightrope ILLY (20)
Price of Fame 360 FEATURING GOSSLING (22)
Blackout BONNIE ANDERSON (27, debut)
High PEKING DUK (29)
She Looks So Perfect 5 SECONDS OF SUMMER (37)
Live It Up 360 FEATURING PEZ (38)
360 arrives at number two.
Utopia 360 (number two, debut)
Let The Ocean Take Me THE AMITY AFFLICTION (seven)
Fuse KEITH URBAN (10)
The Very Best INXS (16)
Atlas RUFUS (17)
The New Classic IGGY AZALEA (19)
Built On Glass CHET FAKER (20)
40 Years of Rock - Greatest Studio Hits THE ANGELS (32)
Harlequin Dream BOY & BEAR (37)
Van Diemen's Land RUSSELL MORRIS (40)
HOWZAT! PLAYLIST
Royal Reserve JACK HOWARD
Will You Shine? PERRY KEYES
Questions THE EVENING CAST
Zinedine Zidane VAUDEVILLE SMASH
Summer of '81 MONDO ROCK
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