Category Archives: Retro

Kylie Minogue, Enjoy Yourself tour, Sydney 1990

Kylie Minogue’s Enjoy Yourself tour played Sydney on 5th February 1990. I was there to cover it for my Triple J breakfast show the next morning. Some of the interviews you’ll hear in this audio never made the breakfast show that next morning (the Dad from Stroud for example).

People who can spot talent realise Kylie’s not trying to preach from a soapbox. She’s just a young chick who’s having a good time and pleasing a lot of people with her music.

Richard Wilkins MTV Feb 1990

At Kylie Minogue’s third only live show in Australia, you’ll hear Ms Minogue herself, Ray Medhurst (Rockmelons), Nick Ferris (Ten Wedge), Alan Jones (you know him), DJ Pee Wee Ferris, James Freud (Models and bass in Kylie’s stage band), Richard Wilkins (MTV etc), Glen A Baker, even Dave Mason (The Reels). Not to mention the sometimes blunt opinions of the overexcited audience that paid the 1990 price of about $30 a ticket at the Sydney Entertainment Centre.

Kylie Minogue’s set list from the night

But there was a lot of “Kylie cringe” going on still at the beginning of 1990. Regardless of this, a lot of groovers and hipsters from around Sydney were in the audience to see her show that February night, even though some of the black clothing set looked a bit uncomfortable outside Kings Cross and Darlinghurst.

I think there should be more shows like this. It’s unpretentious in so many ways. It’s really honest. It’s showbiz.

James Freud, Feb 5th 1990 (about 11:30pm backstage)

Supported by Indecent Obsession the Enjoy Yourself show played to a capacity Sydney Entertainment Centre crowd that didn’t stop screaming and singing along all night. Most of the music you’ll hear was recorded by me in the middle of that deliriously screaming crowd, which might give you a feel of what it was like to be there.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dUF-IFJR36Q
Watch the show we saw that night…

Prior to Kylie starting her show, what looked like Jason Donovan in the seated audience section caused a chorus of shrieking just before the show started. Once the show started everyone quickly forgot the Jason incident and had an opinion about Kylie’s black velveteen catsuit (as you will hear, it was her favourite outfit of the show).

Kylie Minogue, performing in concert, Enjoy Yourself Tour, La Cigale, Paris, France, Tuesday 8th May 1990. (Photo by NCJ Archive/Mirrorpix/Getty Images)

Thankyou to the producers who helped produce this, some of which never made it to air on the morning of 6th Feb 1990. Chris Norris & Simon Marnie.

Enjoy Yourself, you’ll hear we ALL did that night.

Kylie Minogue Enjoy Yourself tour crew list 1990
The people who worked on the Enjoy Yourself tour 1990

DJ Mark Alsop – Moving forward, glancing back.

DJ Mark Alsop has been a favourite DJ across Australia for 36 years. He started in Oxford Street, Sydney and is a valued member of the GLBT community. In this show he has some stories, dirt and music to share. So listen up and meet his dog, Boo Boo.

Boo Boo isn’t spoilt. He’s just well looked after.

Coming to you from Mark’s undisclosed location, it’s a podcast full of tales you might not have heard and just some of the music Mark loves. We perhaps answer that burning social issue; What is the gayest track ever?

With decades of experience in the Sydney DJ box, here’s sure fire advice on the one thing NEVER to do in a club:

Don’t type your request out in size five font on your phone that only a fifteen year old can read, then wave it around in front of the DJ booth like a monkey.

DJ Mark Alsop on the Navigation cruise 2007
You can see his backwash.

His views on marriage:

I’m a big homosexual. What would I be doing marrying a woman?

AND finally find out how we feel about people asking for requests:

People asking for requests… that never ends well.

DJ Mark Alsop’s comprehensive website, including his remixes and podcast:

https://www.markalsop.com

There’s that time he was filmed in bed with a woman as well:

Mark Alsop and Maynard go aft during the Navigaytion cruise 2007:

Maynard & DJ Mark Alsop, Leather Pride Fair Day 2005
Maynard & DJ Mark Alsop, Leather Pride Fair Day 2005
DJ Mark Alsop & DJ Sandi Hotrod Sydney Leather Pride fair day 2004
Leather Pride Fair Day 2004 Mark Alsop Sandi Hotrod
Mark Alsop with Paul
Mark & Paul

Maynard’s Loveshack – October 26th

If you like your retro dance sounds eclectic, this is the night for you. Maynard, the retro DJ, presents a night of shameless sounds that celebrate the pop and pretentiousness of the late 20th century. We play both sorts of music Disco AND New Romantic.

A Loveshack good time.

DJ TC will be playing a supporting set of disco dance tracks from 8pm. On the 26th his set will all about “forgotten classics”. Expect to hear Melissa Tkautz “Read My Lips”, Cathy Dennis “Touch Me”, Sigue Sigue Sputnik “Love Missile F1-11” and Mel & Kim “Showing Out”. So get your Disco on early.

80s dancers at Loveshack
Dancers get the Loveshack vibe.

Let’s get straight to the biscuits! What can you expect to hear at Maynard’s Loveshack?

A lot of rushing, hushing and flushing as the famous Loveshack Rocket blasts off into orbit.

Jump on board and get your groove on to cosmic music like this:

Can’t Take My Eyes Off You -Boys Town Gang

Tainted Love – Gloria Jones

Stop – Spice Girls

Venus – Tom Jones

Jump Around – House of Pain

Respectable – Mel & Kim

Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy- Bette Midler

Shocked – Kylie Minogue

Express Yourself – Madonna

To Cut A Long Story Short – Spandau Ballet

My Own Way – Duran Duran

Tijuana Taxi – Herb Alpert & The Tijuana Brass

So, come along, dress like it’s whatever year YOU want, and check your cool at the door!

Loveshack Facebook event

Couple at Loveshack
Shom and Rebecca with their New Romantic party hats.

U Gotta See This! Can’t Stop The Music (1980)

Movie buff Lance Leopard and movie bluffer Maynard present the greatest disco musical starring Olympian Bruce Jenner & Village People CAN’T STOP THE MUSIC (1980)

Tuesday night 3rd September at Red Bar.

Lance and Maynard both have what can only be described as an intimate knowledge of this musical. They’ll combine their knowledge for what will be a unique group viewing experience, U Gotta See This!

Maynard supports Village People, Enmore Theatre 2005

Maynard promises great Village People stories and clips from his pop culture collection of disco.

Facebook event for U Gotta See This! Can”t Stop The Music

Maynard’s weekend with Absolutely 80s

My first weekend with Absolutely 80s working in Sydney (they are back in August) was a reintroduction to Brian Mannix (Uncanny X-Men), Scott Carne (Kids in the Kitchen), Dale Ryder (Boom Crash Opera) & Sean Kelly (Models). The Dee Why and Cronulla shows showed the kind of 80s glam I don’t get to see first hand all that often.

Brian Mannix onstage at Dee Why during Absolutely 80s show.
Brian Mannix onstage at Dee Why during Absolutely 80s show.

Brian Mannix was all about the Barbara Streisand 1976 sound track to A Star Is Born. But not in a good way. We have some good things to say about Adelaide, but THEN…the interview was cut short due to circumstances beyond our control. You’ll hear why.

My first interview ever with Scott Carne covers the reason why he is still drawing crowds in 2019. We talked about the iconic status of the 1985 Shine album. That album had 6 singles that charted in Australia and it was double platinum in Australia. Having a record producer in a pink jumpsuit was considered a good thing in 1984.

Scott had a solo career and and some long lived and eclectic residences at Inflation Nightclub in Melbourne with Human Zoo & Priscilla’s Nightmare, during which he discovered the joy and financial freedom of being his own manager.

Sean Kelly onstage at Dee Why, Absolutely 80s show.
Sean Kelly onstage at Dee Why, Absolutely 80s

Sean Kelly has discovered his inner showman working with Absolutely 80s as it’s a rare chance for him to perform without playing guitar. He explains why he doesn’t read social media and we explore the hitherto unconsidered similarity between AFL and being a musician. I convince him that there has never been a more opportune time to make that move to MySpace.

Dale Ryder onstage, Dee Why, Absolutely 80s show.
Dale Ryder (Boom Crash Opera), Dee Why, Absolutely 80s show.

If you feel like you missed some fun shows, well, you did. But Absolutely 80s returns north on 9th August to Newcastle & 10th August to Castle Hill.

Maynard’s Loveshack 4 – August 17th, Red Bar

If you like your retro sounds eclectic, this is the night for you. Maynard, the retro DJ behind the Madd Club and Lance Leopard the guy behind all sorts of Oxford St antics in the 90s, present a night of shameless sounds that celebrate the pop and pretentiousness of the late 20th century.

DJ TC will be playing his Australia vs England set from 8pm. As exciting as Eurovision!

His Highness of Camp, Lance Leopard will be choosing the music from 9pm and will keep making an entrance, till he is noticed. He will make himself available to anyone who wants to debate his choice of music.

Come along, dress nice, and check your cool at the door!

Loveshack 4 Facebook event

Maynard and dance floor Loveshack 3
Maynard and dance floor groovin’ at Loveshack 3. Love those glow stick bunny ears.
Maynard & Lance Leopard, Loveshack 3
Maynard & Lance Leopard at the end of Loveshack 3
Maynard with his stylists at Loveshack 3
Maynard’s stylists turn up, Melissa & Zoe aren’t pleased with what he’s done with their work.
Zoe smiling holding sign that says Gay Bit
Zoe makes her feelings known.
Tony Push as the human information booth at Loveshack 3
Tony Push as the human information booth at Loveshack 3

What Double J Should Sound Like

I got together with DJ ADHD & Tony Push to bring you some Alt Pop sounds of the 20th century.

Featuring sounds like these and more….

DJHDD – Hey Hey (Were Not The KLF)
The Beat – A Good Day For Sunshine
Xray Spex – Age
DJHDD – Buy Me A Combine Harvester
Maynard F# Crabbes – Bananarama Drama
Essential Logic – Fanfare In The Garden
Dusty Springfield – Spooky (Quinten 909 remix)
Planet Maynard’s Shatner – I’m Real
Throbbing Gristle – Hot On The Heels Of Love
JPL – Dont Stop The Wild Thing
New York Ska-Jazz Ensemble – Take Five
B(if)Tek – Les Galaxies
DJ Maynard – Kopyright Liberation Front

Maynard’s Loveshack (Baby!)

People all over Sydney are rushing, hushing and flushing to The Red Bar (upstairs) in Glebe for the underrated date of Saturday March 16th 8pm til midnight for Maynard’s Loveshack.

$10 on the door.

Join Maynard in his LOVESHACK. But what will it sound like? If you like your retro sounds eclectic, it might sound something like this or not.

Maynard the retro DJ behind the Madd Club and many other happenings over the decades, presents a night of shameless sounds that celebrate the pop and pretentiousness of the late 20th century.

The legendary Lance Leopard will be choosing the music for the first hour or so and will keep making entrances till he is noticed. Upon which he will immediately hold court.

It’s a rare chance to have a meet up with Lance and Maynard. So have your questions ready.

Video will be screened from the Maynard International Studios library to inspire your dance moves.

Maynard with Lance Leopard in his Ivory Tower, Darlinghurst, 2018
Maynard will be playing Lance Leopard’s personal selection of tunes from 9-10. Lance will be holding Court after making an entrance (he will be available for questions).

Facebook Loveshack event page

But what music will you play at Loveshack Maynard?

William Shatner charms Sydney

William Shatner charmed the frankly overexcited crowd that came from far and very wide to see his live solo show at The State Theatre in Sydney in October 2018.

I grabbed my best Shatner tie and my 1969 BBC Star Trek puzzle book and knew I was going to be among my kind of people.

Maynard wearing his William Shatner tie for William Shatner live in Sydney.
If I can’t wear this tie tonight. Then when?

The resulting Planet Maynard podcast is from the dozen people I spoke with at The State Theatre that night.

The many shades of Shatner mentioned included:

The Outer Limits, TJ Hooker, Miss Congeniality, The Twilight Zone, Shit My Dad Says, Tribbles, Gorn, Kingdom of the Spiders, Canada, Red Shirts,Flying High 2, Star Trek 2 (but not Star Trek 5). Yet not one person could even hum the theme to one of my favourite works of The Shatman, Barbary Coast.

Here’s Bill in a mauve smoking jacket as he turns out to be a man of many disguises in the opening credits.

That theme tune!

Thanks to the Red Shirts, Belinda and her mum Robyn from the southern tablelands, Kevin Williams and the disgruntled Canadian.

Look At His Butt podcast (the all Bill all the time Star Trek show)

Maynard loves the musical career of Mr Shatner

A Sixpack of The Coldest 100

The Coldest 100 was the creation of Andrew Sholl on Twitter in 2016 and has been the Giddy Uncle of Triple J’s Hottest 100 ever since. Anyone can have a guess at the hottest song of the year, but who has ever nominated the Bunnings theme or Kylie Minogue performing her version of Chirpy Chirpy Cheep Cheep?

Andrew only does this on Twitter (he has a real job) and releases his Coldest 100 in parallel with what ever number Triple J is up too.

The Coldest 100 can best be described as questionable songs by Australians and about Australia. So Andrew Sholl sat down with me at The Madame Frou Frou Cafe to sample a sixpack of his 100 cold ones.

Australian Kitsch on Twitter

Here are a selection of 2019 Coldest 100 entries on YouTube. A list of The Coldest 100 from 100 to 75 is below. You’ll have to wait till January 27th to find out the worst  coldest of The Coldest 100.

https://youtu.be/Jl2YLuKjwBU
Japanese duo Peanuts – Tie Me Kangaroo Down, Spot.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VhF0dyK6LVU
Red Rubber Ball – Cilla Black (The Seekers)
The Rooty Hill RSL Club Band bring the 1973 funk to Tower Of Strength

Here is the entire Coldest 100 as a Youtube playlist. (you have been warned)

The Coldest 100 -75

100
Am I Ever Gonna See Your Face Again (2004)
Scared Little Weird Guys
https://youtu.be/HahOnU3WglM
99
Canberra, We’re Watching You (1975)
Dalvanius and the Fascinations
https://youtu.be/quZjurDmiGc
98
Toodle-oo Kangaroo (1956)
Frank Virtue and The Virtues
https://youtu.be/7QRBbuJ4qwk
97
What Next! (Rolf Harris Medley) (c.1966)
The John Charter Group
https://youtu.be/vQduPtA5wLc
96
Poltettu Humppa (Beds Are Burning) (2000)
Eläkeläiset (Finland)
Video: https://youtu.be/ilJJAaQ_ApY
Audio only: https://open.spotify.com/track/2WfU6TUISX6PVrBCuxFbjR
95
G’Day From WA (1986-87)
Mojo Singers
https://youtu.be/VNT1PUGG_IE
94
I Love You Fair Dinkum Dinky Di I Do (1955)
Danny Kaye
https://youtu.be/vsrDpDfhA2c
93
While the Billy Boils
Ann Sidney
https://youtu.be/1HTkr0nW-ZY
92


Georgy Girl (1967)
Mitzi Gaynor
https://youtu.be/tUPEVNKabGg
91
Sea of Heartbreak (1971)
Lionel Rose
https://youtu.be/-q7GXjh_kNc


90
Sport
Bowlin’ Shane
Haskel Daniel v Sideshow
https://youtu.be/3Mu3lkjC9pA
89
Kangourou (1980)
Plastic Bertrand (Belgium)
https://youtu.be/kAKMdtByMDo
87
Wake Up Australia (1973)
Bootleg Family
https://youtu.be/g769F94B7P0
86
Olivia Newton-John and Pat Carroll
https://youtu.be/C-DEZZ8a1rE
85
Click Go the Shears (Māori version, 1966)
Lou and Simon
https://youtu.be/rbU7nucfxmk
84
The Mighty Maroons (1984)
Rod Williams arr. Keith Urban
https://youtu.be/j0gL5jYSklc
83
Pack Up A Dream and Head for Hayman Island (1950)
John O’Connor and George Watson’s Hawaiians
https://soundcloud.com/nfsaaustralia/pack-up-a-dream-and-head-for-hayman-island-john-oconnor-and-george-watsons-hawaiians
82
I Just Wanna Yodel Like You (1981)
Mary Schneider and Melinda Schneider (8 y.o.)
https://youtu.be/FnLTnqLLmJE
81
Hector the Trash Collector (1968)
Frankie Davidson
https://youtu.be/HdfnvMdMNAs


80
Bouzouki (1971)
Dawn Dixon
https://youtu.be/80HFasr-lUo
79
Red Rubber Ball (1969)
Cilla Black
https://youtu.be/VhF0dyK6LVU
78
Heart of The Sunshine Coast (1978)
Shorty Ranger
https://youtu.be/RwRaANZ-NBs
77


Woobinda (Italian) (1978)
Riccardo Zara con le Mele Verdi
https://youtu.be/tPVP-XJ7lvs
76


Especially for You (2001)
Kylie Minogue and Kermit the Frog
https://youtu.be/WY7I4Qxl4Xw
75
Waltzing Matilda (1960)
Enoch Light and His Orchestra
https://youtu.be/pLuJVAywuRo