Australian News 5/2

Hoodoo Chile Inducted

Dave Faulkner of the Hoodoo Gurus will be inducted into Western Australia’s Hall of Fame May 6 at Metro City in Perth.

Meanwhile, the band’s return to live action after a six-year hiatus has drawn acclaim in the U.S. and Europe.

In September the Gurus will play Japan, according to manager Michael McMartin.

The Gurus recently signed a worldwide deal with Sony Music, excluding North America, which is handled by Virtual/Ryko.

The band’s first new album in five years is to drop in September.

eBay Receives Simon & Garfunkel Complaints

Consumer group Queensland Consumer Watch lodged three complaints with police about Simon & Garfunkel tickets being sold on eBay at 75 percent more than face value.

Reselling of tickets 10 percent more than face value is illegal.

The consumer group wants eBay to take more responsibility for inflated resales on its network.

Jane’s Addiction, Cooper Returning

The original Jane’s Addiction lineup will play Australia for the first time, with five theatre shows July 26 to Aug. 1 for Blue Murder. Another lineup played Big Day Out in 2003.

Alice Cooper will return downunder with his new “Theatre of Death” show for nine stadium and theatre dates Aug. 18 to Sept. 1.

San Diego songwriters Steve Poltz and Gregory Page team up for 14 club dates June 4-25, while another troubadour team-up of Vic Chesnutt and Victoria Williams for three dates in mid-July marks first visits downunder for both.

Montreal’s Pony Up will return after three years June 12-19.

Chugg Entertainment and David Hawkins confirmed six Liza Minnelli arena dates Oct. 16-30.

Michael Coppel Presents, which has been steadily adding shows to tours by comedians Steve Coogan and French & Saunders, is one of the names behind the return of the ABBA musical “Mamma Mia!” for a lengthy three-city season Oct. 24 to Aug. 1, 2010.

Short Notes

Frontier Touring’s online auction “Rockin’ Relief” raised $40,000 for animals affected by recent Victorian bushfires. A guitar autographed by most acts on the recent Sound Relief concert was snapped up for $3,000, while an autographed Billy Joel harmonica went for $1,230.

Yusuf Islam (Cat Stevens) wants to return to Australia on his upcoming world tour.

Neil Sweeney has joined Shock Records’ tour division, Ragged Company. Sweeney, who promoted tours in New Orleans and played in bands in Australia, says his stints in the U.S. Navy will come in useful for his new role.

Premier Artists agency added Capitol artist Clare Bowditch to its roster. She was based in Berlin last year recording her next album.

Police blasted a marketing company for promoting a show by planting 300 “police evidence” bags with white powder and a plastic spoon around Melbourne. The idea was to read instructions in the bag and win tickets to the show, but many handed them to the cops.

The Panics, currently living in the U.K., signed a co-management deal for the U.S. with Morsecode Management. The band’s “Don’t Fight It” is getting spins on British radio.

Bloc Party and MGMT will make their only Aussie appearances for the year at Splendour In The Grass festival in mid-July. The bill includes Flaming Lips, Jane’s Addiction, The Specials and the U.K.’s White Lies.