Trough Talk by Jazzman

[Jazza]

During the latter part of yesterday’s ‘Rockin’ the G, I paid a visit to Icon’s office to make a deposit of used ale. Whilst at the Wailing Wall, a guy that was new to the venue had come in to do same. He seemed slightly intoxicated and acknowledged me in an Aussie way that was both a question and answer in one word … “HowYaGoin’MateAllright”. I responded with a “good mate”. As not to compare, our eyes were transfixed on the yellow lollies during part of the conversation (it’s a bloke thing ladies).

Anyway, he proceeded to tell me about the past 10 years of his life. Eg: becoming a divorce stat, dull & dreary nights alone at home and the violence in the doof-doof scene. Eventually, our transactions were complete. With guns back in holsters, we were comfortable in facing each other during the verbal exchange. He continued saying that he was told by locals about the great rock & roll Sundays at the Ferntree Gully Hotel. “I finally made it today mate” he said.

“Yous guys gotta terrific scene” he said. “The bands pump man, the dancin’ is grouse and the people are so friendly. It’s all just too unbelievable … everyone just gets on so well” At this point, I had reflections of some probs in the R&R community. Especially of the past cuppla years and said to this guy, “You get problems in all scenes”. With that, he replied with another great Aussie one-worder … ‘YeahNahMateBut” “I’m talkin’ drugs, fightin’ and young bucks spewin’ on ya”

Obviously, he went into far-more detail of his experiences / feelings using colourful adjectives that slowed the trip from the trough to the wash basins to the towels. I must point out that this guy was neither slurring nor staggering. He may have been affected by lunatic soup and his tongue loosened by alcoholic ‘neck oil’, but his passion was true. I didn’t catch his name but the important part of this guy’s confessions was his initial thoughts of the rock & roll scene and his description of the alternatives. I welcomed him to the scene and told him there were many more bands, venues, dance schools & friendly people if he wanted to pursue further.

With washed hands and backs slapped, we parted company with a good feel. He vowed to return next week, hopefully with some of his friends. I gotta admit that my memory was triggered and this write up was prompted by Baby Ruth’s chat box comment on people working together …’Imagine’ … yes, I’m a huge John Lennon fan.

By the way … The Atomics & Firebird rocked the Gully with extreme prejudice without taking any prisoners yesterday. There was a steady crowd flowing in and out all day & night. The venue owners would have been very happy and the bills were certainly paid. Sorry, no pix, forgot my camera, but feel free to add.
Next week … Shane & his Blackhill Ramblers keep the party goin’

[Frank]

Jazza Referring to the latter part of your post "Imagine".. Seriously Iv'e seen with my own eyes scenes go belly up because of this and that, and It is a shame to see that happen, there must come a time where you have to say why? and how can we fix it?.. Now I'm no professor, and keeping an open mind, I would say communication is the way to go, and we must have everyone's attention or otherwise I's a dead duck, we must all stop this I'm the best crap for the good of everyone, we are individuals who express ourselves differently, be it in our music or passion for a particular style of music, so the whole RnR/Billy community should take themselves and their scene more seriously and show strength and unity before anyone else can Take them seriously.. Can you imagine what Other people think when they see people in this scene being bands, promoters, punters screwing each other sideways think? .They laugh their freekin heads off thats what!!.... That Is just my opinion, and yes it may be a dream but it's a dream we should strive for.. Frank

[Essex]

Great review thanks Jazza - entertaining as always I have just added a couple of pics - I believe Mel has a video he will put on.

[Jazza]

Great pix Essex, Thanx. I saw both Mel & Gag taking vids yesterday. If Mel gets the vid up and running here … well that would be … ummm? In one word … ‘FullySickMate’.
Frank,
I was only trying a light hearted way (toilet humour) of expressing myself, but thanx for the response, even though it was on the latter part of my post. With respect of your opinions, I’d like to respond to your comments with my thoughts. Opening a controversial can of worms is not my intent even though my opinions may suggest otherwise. Firstly, as I’ve never been involved in a scene that’s gone belly up before, I cannot comment on any reasons or fixes. As a fellow ‘non-professor’ with an open mind, I agree with you Frank. Opposed to thuggery, the necessity of communication and diplomacy in resolving conflict is paramount.

Personally, I cannot see much that’s out of the norm in the Rock & Roll scene. To be blunt, there’s always been conflict of interest, clash of personalities, blind loyalty, listening to one-sided BS, backstabbing through envy etc. The rockabilly scene is the same, let’s face it, success breeds enemies. It’s all part of the game Frank, get used to it. But it’s not all bad. There are only a very small percentage of people involved in upheaval & division. I call this the “I don’t wanna get involved but got a lot to say” sector. The broader cross-section is happy just to go out and be entertained after a week at the grindstone, eg; non-political rock & roll therapy.

This may sound pessimistic but I suggest you also get used to the ‘dead duck’ scenario Frank. Problems will not be resolved on this forum because text is often misinterpreted and meaning is taken out of context. This post included. Unless that small percentage are prepared to pick up the phone and call that person who they think are screwing others or calling themselves the best … the duck will not go away because there’s fear in discovering fact. As long as stubborn pride & ego does not subside, the phone will not be used and the dead duck hangs around like a bad relative. Skyhooks may have said that ego is not a dirty word; maybe they should have also sung that ego sure-does prevent apologies and resolving issues.

Here’s more pessimism and I’ve said it before, there’s a small sector not wanting resolve … it removes them from their comfort zone. Regarding strength and unity, I believe we have this in the different branches of the R&R tree. I see the utmost passion in the friends I have in this scene and they take themselves very seriously. Also, if I had to worry about what other people thought, I would have given this scene away a long time ago. There is crap that goes on in all walks of life. The main thing is to believe-in & feel good about oneself, and I’m talking, conscience also.

Frank, I realise I’m taking your post outta context slightly but listen up. I’m saying the problems you refer to are small and suggest people stop worrying about them. Just get on with it. Check the saying below this post, there’s plenty to go around. Re: The Imagine thing. Well, imagine a group of representatives from the different factions of the Melbourne R&R community getting together to resolve issues in the wild west of the 1800’s. Hmmmmm? I would like to imagine they would have to check in their six guns & egos at the sheriff’s office before proceedings. I apologise if I sound non-optimistic but these are my opinions as a realist. I promise more light hearted comments in future.

[icon]

Hey Jazz. Love your lav humour. After yesterday's big turnout down at my office attached to the Gully, im thinking of imposing a small handling fee(so to speak).And, Jazza. I understand you looking down at your shoes while chatting to your new found friend. This is always tricky. But, not to worry. Shortly, this will be a thing of the past.I am currently talking to The office of fair toilets Vic Gov, and am looking to install full length mirrors at the urinals. This will give you the freedom to glance where ever you want,without feeling inadquate. As an added benifit. every time you take a wizz, you will be creating a calming water fall effect.By the way. Gerhards entertaining jokes were okay.But,The Atomics and Fire birds were.. EXCELLENT.........Darndiddly Jazz .Maybe I am paranoid. But I take things seriously..

[Ginge]

Gee Jazza, you spend a bit of time in "Icons Office".........

nice 1st post by the way.

i`m no muso or in the click as you well know!!
but i see an hear a lot of crap !!
hey, i must tell you there is only the small majority of dickheads that keep talking the same crap time after time,
we have great bands here each with there own SPECIAL STYLE if you dont like it well hell i`ll go else were,
we dont always like what others think is great!
well i put it down to jealousy....
like being a unattached female "have been for a long time "
when i speak to anyone i`m an instant threat! well as with that "get over it" ..... people are so insecure of themselves!!
hey and life is to short for crap, i live my life with appreciation of what i can do what i have & i dont have alot! i dont go around bagging a band or a shiela because she looks great or her hair is nicer then mine.....
you know who i am so if you would like to have a chat..... "which by the way jazza i never have really spoken with you"... one on one of course unless someone stops you from talking to me as thats how it is!!!
i will be going to the Good Friday Appeal so see you there a some stage i guess... have a great short week.... over & out cheers..... gaylene

[Frank]

Ahh well was worth a try Jazz, Maybe I am dreaming and maybe when its gone down the sh#t chute, we'll sit and reflect upon what went wrong, all i'm saying is here's an opportunity to try and make people think, and your right, the I'm staying out of it but plenty to say syndrome is a major factor... Still we cannot stop the positive vibe can we???

[tggsb]

As a mere punter who likes to get around a see many of the bands we have here in Melbourne I can say that most (and thats a large most) of the time the people, be they band members, followers of bands or just punters like myself, are just great. Friends often ask me why I like the RockNRoll/Rockabilly scene and I always reply - I love the music but the main reason is because you meet such nice people around the scene. Jazza (hell of a good bloke) your correct when you say there are a couple of trouble makers but overall there are enough nice people around that make the whole scene great and worthwhile. They outnumber the trouble makers.

P.S. Frank - your a good bloke too (even if you havent shouted for a while LOL LOL)

[frankie]

Hi Jazza, I'm not sure if i know you at all, Not that it makes any difference,
I just read your two comments and i can only say, WELL SAID,I have been given renewed faith in this site, Thank's

Regards

Frankie Stevens

[tezza]

howdy all! good constructive comments by all,and good to see the bonding we have on this site,and out there on the scene,was a good arvo at the gully jazza,and i may have even spoken to the same dude(not in icons office!)but i was approached by a friendly couple from perth,one big dude with classic rockabilly hairstyle,his lady looked the part,really cool!anyway,we chatted,they are thinking of moving to melbourne,as they feel perth is restricted in the rnr(billy) or music scene they are comfortable with,they visited benny and the fly by nighters at the corner hotel in richmond,and i spread the gospel a bit,mentioning the nash,workers club in dandy as they are resident there,new pub venue(itchy fingers)opening fri nite also,the berwick good friday easter appeal,shane and the ramblers and the dets coming back to the gully next sunday arvo,he felt the atomic hi tones and firebird were fantastic too,so all in all,more and better music scene here,the other subject?hard to get all our personalities to jell in this world,as we think different every day,even the good lords tried, no ones perfect,that perfect worlds still happening!but we mellow,learn to be more respectful to our fellow music lover,even if the response is some times negative,we accept(to a certain point)then we may have to defend ourselves or our ladies,if the situation gets out of control,but really, if you feel you are in the right,say so,if not?back off and let people enjoy what they go out for,dancing,singing,mixing,and listening to our great music scene.terry,i can chat and talk,not just post videos!this is why we pay our internet bill!not browse and be a silent veiwer,thanks.good to have you around icon!regards to you and sue! meant all round as a general comment,this post,not to anyone personally,lol!

[Jazza]

Hey Frank! Don’t get me wrong man. I don’t mean to discourage you or suggest you stop trying to resolve some issues you see in our scene. ****e! … bigger fish have been successfully fried. Also, this is not about holding out an olive branch neither as I feel we don’t need to do that just because of a few trouble makers. My last post was aimed at prompting some people to think a bit about what’s happening around them. I don’t mean the minority who defy change, but those who are influenced by the trouble makers. Here’s a story that may encourage you to keep pluggin’ man.

I’ve been a member of the ‘Green Table Billiard Club’ in Dandenong for over 30years. For 15 of those years, I tried to get regular entertainment in this club. Not for personal gain, but just for the sheer enjoyment of jumpin’ to a live rock & roll band at a club where I was a member. I had some mild success over the years but nothing permanent. With a change in bar staff around 2002, my ex partner & I got the nod for monthly R&R on Sundays.
Like many of Melbourne’s rock bands can confirm, this was a happening place. The success of these gigs brought that much revenue into our club that we were acknowledged with gifts at our AGM.

So keep it up Frank, you’ll get there mate. All I’m saying is … if you see a spark and want to create a flame then go for it. This applies to anyone. But it’s always difficult to start a fire without matches or lighter. With certain factors in place, my view has always been the same … “I accept the status quo” and that is, I accept the wind but not the hurricane. By the way, if you wanna know what eventually destroyed those GT Sundays …… well, I’ll just quote a familiar scenario, success bred some enemies.

Hey Baby Ruth, We‘ve spoken on a few occasions, eg: Southern Saloon Bar, aftermath at FTGH, Micawber etc. If you mean D&M’s … well that’s a different story. I got no problem talkin’ to anyone on a wide variety of issues. And Con, you’re a funny basted! And I like the mirror suggestion. Hey Frankie, I presume this is the Frankie from the Highlighters that I first saw at the Whitehills Technical School hall in Bendigo many moons ago. Gee, those days were much simpler. Anyway, I appreciate your response man. Hey T7! Always, good to see the face behind the comments. I enjoyed our verbal interaction yesterday. Thanx for your contribution Terry. And most of all ... tggsb well written dude, could not agree more. You seem to have a handle on what it's all about. Thanx.
PS. My comments are NOT aimed at any particular individual. I write to prompt. Not to stir.