All posts by Maynard

Paul Gray passes

It was with sadness I heard of the passing of Paul Gray. He was a great Musical Director across many genres and his work when on tour (with many unexpected challenges) always pulled a potentially difficult show into a good evening of entertainment.

His work with Waa Waa Nee is also an Australian pop legacy, that on the Totally 80s tour across Australia was very welcome every night.

He was always busy on tour, it was tough to find time for him to chat. He is here in this show from the 24 minute to 29 minute point of this show. Talking about the tour and the other 1980s bands that were the contemporaries of Waa Waa Nee. Recorded backstage during the Totally 80s Newcastle show at The Civic Theatre.

Bunga Bunga 45 – Tim Ferguson & Maynard

In this Bunga Bunga 45, Tim Ferguson & Maynard deal with comedy, politics, cats, podcasting, fashion, war movies, cartoons, smoking, karaoke, history, religion as well as your Crankmail. Without exception they get it all completely wrong.

Tim gives you the names of the best comics at the recent Melbourne Comedy Festival and both of them will impress you with their sporting knowledge.

The only Australian podcast that is all about generalisations and obfuscations, you can never accuse Bunga Bunga of clarity.

Links from the show

Tim’s Comedy Workshops & Artwork

What Double J Should Sound Like show 198

Who Are These Podcasts?

Tea With Alice

Friendly Fire

Roger Ramjet – Dr Ivan Evilkisser

Patreon Pandering, blowing smoke up those who count.

A new regular monthly micro show, Patreon Pandering, has kicked off from Planet Maynard to thank all the Patreon supporters that keep the show afloat.

Appropriately titled Patreon Pandering, it will hopefully blow smoke up where it is needed most, the supporters who, month after month, goose Planet Maynard to keep going.

If you are a current Planet Maynard Patreon supporter have a listen to the new monthly show that deliberately sucks up to YOU.

Patreon-Only-Image
Patreon-Only-Image

Lance Leopard changes his spot

Lance Leopard is a gay icon and legendary gossip columnist from the glamorous 1990s of the Oxford Street strip, and beyond. Join us in Lance Leopard’s new spot. An ivory tower high above the fray, overlooking Darlinghurst, where secrets are both hidden and revealed.

During his tenure as chief gossip and stirrer of The Scene in his weekly columns in The Star Observer, Capital Q, Out Biz and more, he dished the dirt and smeared the eyeliner without fear or favour.

Lance even has celebrity advice for Dannii Minogue (a child superstar), Cybill Shepherd (selfish bitch) and his Mum (Ikeep my manners around her and try and teach her a few).

Join us for drinks won’t you?

I present short history of quotes from Lance Leopard;

“I can admit it now because I’m retired”

“People “remember” me doing all sorts of things. It might not have been me they actually remember. It could have been Sexy Galexy for all I know.”

“The more you do something, the better you get at it. Or else you’re always dreadful and no one will tell you.”

“Brisbane is like Baltimore, it’s one of those nutty little towns that just has its own thing.”

“I don’t know if I should say this.”

“If people are complaining there isn’t a scene. They can go out there and make one.”

“I liked it when my columns were in magazines people had to actually buy. I made more of an effort then.”

“Everybody has an opinion now days. But if it’s not an informed opinion, it’s a lousy opinion, and who needs to hear it?”

When asked at what point in history Lance would have liked to have lived;

“I would have picked the good years of Versailles. Before everybody got angry and started demanding cake.”

On the world of gossip a learned Lance quotes Ru Paul;

“What people say about you behind your back is none of your business.”

Archive of Lance Leopard columns from Cotton Ward

Short films starring Lance Leopard

Interview with Lance Leopard opening night of “Australia in the 80s” Powerhouse Museum.

Maynard touches Morrissey’s shirt sleeve at Sydney Opera House

See why Lance & Maynard so impressed with Bob Downe’s makeup.

The Megamen (with Lance Leopard on syn drums) Brisbane Telethon 1983 “Designed For Living”.

One of Lance Lepoard’s dance floor favourites Stacey Q – We Connect

Maynard interview with Stacey Q 2016

Maynard with Lance Leopard in his Ivory Tower, Darlinghurst, 2018
Maynard with Lance Leopard in his Ivory Tower, Darlinghurst, 2018

Village People LIVE Sydney 1980

As part of their Can’t Stop The Music world tour, Village People played the Hordern Pavilion in Sydney, Australia on 25th May 1980. Triple J (that had went to FM only in January) recorded for Rusty Nails dance show “Number One Song In Heaven” to go to air on Sat 7th June.

Some of their greatest hits are played live, as fast as 140 BPM…

The Can’t Stop The Music movie opened on 1st June at The Pavilion cinema, with the after party at Maxys.

Hear the voices of David Hodo, Jacques Morali, Henri Belolo, Felipe Rose, Alex Briley, Rusty Nails and more.

Includes IDs from David Hodo at beginning from Maynard breakfast show Triple J 1989.

Audio engineer Barry Smith describes the recording day (and night);

“There were probably four or five of us there. Keith Walker, Ian Davies, John Diamond, Michael Byrne and myself. A very long day on recall, about 0700 to +0400. I remember it well because of the effort needed to get rid of earth loops caused by the amount of effects gear on stage. Also because of the volume from the edge of stage sited main speakers that I was forced to jump in front of, to get off the stage mid-show. My left ear was ringing for days and is now way down on my right ear. They used Aphex processing on their main speaker feed making it extremely bright. It certainly cut through the air at the Hordern Pavilion that night.”

Audio engineer and mixer Keith Walker describes the night;

“My memory of the show was great band, great time and serious fun to mix later. It was the late great David Ives that put the deal together for the Jays.”

Keith continued;

“After listening, now I know why I had such great time. Where do I start. Ray Simpson a star, sensational band of musicians and the off stage backing chorus. Listening to the mix, I’m thinking at least six vocalist in the chorus, more like a serious Broadway show chorus, rhythm section insanely cool. Horns, keys, killer guitarist – hottest grooves and feels. Sensational. Only downside was the onstage feedback. The stage monitor mixer was fired after that gig. I spent time with the bands musical director, I remembered spending time with the band’s MD so I could get my head around the arrangements. Beautiful written arrangements, fab to mix.”

Thanks to Keith Walker, Barry Smith, Chris Norris (for the David Hodo ID), Ian Davies, Micheal Byrne, John Diamond and all of you who appreciate good disco…

Electronique 80s for Mardi Gras

Electronique, the 80s retro afternoon that is the best value in town, returns for Mardi Gras weekend and it won’t be back for months.

So I sat down with DJ Mark Dynamix and discussed the importance of Dead or Alive and why they don’t play more Madonna at Electronique.

Mark also brings up that time I played there.

Electronique on Facebook

Electronique music mixes on Mixcloud

That one time Maynard played Electronique

Maynard @ Sydney Mardi Gras Parade 2006

Maynard was in the thick of the 2006 Sydney Gay & Lesbian Mardi Gras Parade, you will be too after watching this 28th Mardi Gras parade.

Join Bob Downe, Molly Meldrum, Lara Bingle, Miss Wagga Wagga, Newcastle Queens and the very appealing Brokeback Mormans as they all celebrate the theme of “I Believe”.

This is a higher quality video than previously available online, although Maynard’s performance is still in lo fi.

For a more recent encounter with Molly Meldrum, here’s Maynard at his book launch.