Australia’s Threatened Species. By Laura.

INXS, Midnight Oil, AC/DC, The Screaming Jets…

Jet, Powderfinger, Wolfmother…

… the list could go on and on, yet changes in the hospitality industry as well as progression in the Australian music industry could see the end to our iconic rock music, or “pub rock”, hell it could seriously stunt the emergence of all new Australian music, live or otherwise! ABC story about Pub Rock

In 2000, Kerry O’Brien with the 7.30 Report (ABC) reported that poker machines were threatening access to live music (Pokies threaten live pub music – www.abc.net.au)because of the space being refurbished to accommodate the gambling machines. Also publicans, who used to earn their dollars by filling their venues with rock fans, found that they could scrap paying for the entertainment and invest in the machines.

Alcohol abuse and violence on our streets is forcing closure on many licences premises that are the backbone for emerging artists. Only recently Newcastle has been the subject of a 3am curfew that rules that all pubs and clubs in the CBD close their doors to the public at 1am and then turf out everyone left in the joint at 3am. This has seriously affected Newcastle musicians that use the weekend to pitch their tunes to the public and as a means to fund their passions, as well as the affordability of clubs to support unknown and new acts. Ducks Nuts Hotel used to provide late night entertainment (and in turn income for the performing artists) yet the loss of crowd numbers has led to an even earlier closure of the hotel. And one of the most popular live entertainment venues for original bands in Australia, (Cambridge Hotel MySpace) The Cambridge Hotel is also threatened by the curfew. In fact it appears at least three local premises will have to close due to this new curfew, which will definitely dint Newcastle live band music as did the closure of The Star Hotel in 1979. Link to info about Star Hotel riots 1979

The question of music for love or money also arises in the case of DJs. New computer programs and DJ equipment has introduced many novices into a world where timing, skill and taste was highly valued. As a result we have seen a decrease in the standard of tunes we hear in our local pubs and clubs as under-skilled and under-practiced DJs are taking advantage of the high level of pay offered to musical entertainers. (Sinnreich, 2007)

We can only wonder how new bands and artists will get their break especially if poker machines take up space, curfews cut down hours, and new computer programs provide sought after skills.

Watch the video below for a taste of the music that saw Australian pubs and clubs crowded and crazy on the weekends.

INXS – New Sensation

Sinnreich, A. A., Configurable culture: Mainstreaming the remix, remixing the mainstream, University of Southern California, 2007, 351 pages;