Australian News 7/27

Five More For HOF

Inducted into this year ARIA Hall of Fame are ’70s pop singer John Paul Young , Brisbane indigenous singer songwriter and activist Kev Carmody, ‘60s popster Little Pattie and rock bands Mental As Anything and country rock outfit The Dingoes.
The ceremony, at Melbourne’s Forum Theatre Aug. 27, will be broadcast live on Nine Network with MTV holding the pay-TV rights.

Jam Agency Adds Four

Sydney-based clubland Jam Agency has expanded its roster.

Added to its list are DJ/producers Fresh, Sam Scratch, prolific prodigy Northie and The Only.

“We look forward to helping them take their careers to the next level,” says Jam Agency manager Dayna Young.

Cube Club Sued

The Cube Club in Canberra has been hit with a civil suit by the partner of 23-year old David Nato Seuala, who was stabbed to death last year after a brawl.

The brawl began when security refused to allow him and four friends in, saying they were intoxicated.

Club owner Maurizio Rao was found not guilty of the murder.

Patricia Soledad Gaete wants $850,000 damages for economic loss and funeral expenses, saying that the club had not trained its security team properly and failed in its duty by allowing them to carry knives.

Short Notes

Stephen Malkmus returns with The Jicks for seven dates Sept. 18-26.

Scorpion Entertainment and Riot Entertainment confirmed three club shows Sept. 23-25 for German thrash band Kreator.

Justin Townes Earle, who did his first visit downunder last December, returns for a more extensive run for Love Police Sept. 27 to Oct. 9.

Former Concrete Blonde singer Johnette Napolitano returns after a 10-year absence for two mid-October club shows.
Brisbane band Dead Letter Circus is now represented for North America by CAA’s David Klein. The band recently signed with Warner Music in its home market.

Dutch promoter ID&T, which set up an office in Australia in 2008, said its Trance Energy dance brand won’t return next year.
British ska band The Specials’ first visit downunder, for Frontier Touring, sold out its four club dates in July.

Entertainment lawyer Michael Brereton, whose clients include Kylie Minogue, is being sued for non-payment of fees of $368,184 by the legal firm that got the tax office to repay him $1 million.

Minister of Arts Peter Garrett won applause for his idea of “breakthrough” funding for indigenous acts. The first five recipients will each receive $25,000 to cover recording and marketing costs to produce a CD for commercial radio airplay. The recipients are alt-country duo Busby Marou, country/folk/world group the Leah Flanagan Band, folk/country duo Stiff Gins, rap trio Street Warriors and folk/jazz duo Microwave Jenny.

Celebrated garage power-pop act The Stems will do its final tour of Australia in October. The band split in 1987, and returned in 1997 to tour the U.S. and Europe.