by Venom P. Stinger
In recent times we have seen a number of retrospective compilations and re-issues of some of the great Melbourne punk and post-punk bands of the late 1980’s and early 1990’s. Interest in the influential careers of bands like The Powder Monkeys and Cosmic Psychos has reminded us (as if we needed to be) of just how vibrant the live pub scene has been in Melbourne for the last 3 decades. The latest installment in this series of retrospective compilations focuses on Melbourne four-piece Venom P Stinger.
The compilation 1986-1991 re-presents Venom P. Stinger’s early releases - two LPs, a 7-inch, and an EP. Like a lot of these compilations, this collection serves to remind us of the energy, and perhaps the prevailing attitudes of those doing the hard-yards at venues like The Seaview Ballroom and The (old) Prince of Wales during this period. Those were very much ephemeral ‘live’ experiences and to this day we tend to hear more about Melbourne’s live music scene than we do about its culture of independently recorded music.
Thankfully we continue to find compilations such as this being released into the world. For many Venom P. Stinger 1986-1991 will serve as a nostalgic reminder of a golden era of Melbourne pub rock. For others it will provide an insight into the early work of the Dirty Three’s Mick Turner and Jim White. Above all else it provides two CDs of frantic Melbourne post-punk music and a booklet featuring original artwork that speaks of a truly DIY aesthetic so important to this era of rock and roll.
This week's Top 10:
