Aussie Shorts

Off The Boyle

Both Susan Boyle’s manager Andy Stephens and her record label Sony Music Australia stated that a media release from a company calling itself the London Music Group – announcing dates in August in Australia and New Zealand — were “100 percent false.”

Tote Back In Business

Melbourne live music venue The Tote is back in business.

Its closure in January following A$100,000 debts from legal battles against new stringent liquor license regulations, led to a massive grassroots backlash from music fans.

As many as 20,000 people marched through the streets demanding changes to the laws. The venue was bought by club operators Jon Perring, Sam Crupi and Andrew Portokasllis.

At a June 11 invite-only function, the Tote’s previous owner Bruce Milne announced that the new owners could continue using the name.

He officially handed over the Tote stamp – used for entry into the venue, and which some regulars had tattooed on their wrists – to the new regime.

Phony AC/DC Promoter Faces Court

Leanne Herbert faced Port Macquarie Local Court on four counts of obtaining money by deception by claiming to be a promoter of an AC/DC concert to be held in Sydney in late 2005.

Police alleged Herbert obtained $120,000 with promises of sponsorship deals and prime seats.

These included a junior school that bought $300 worth of tickets, a Sydney cancer institute that paid $14,243 for funding tie-ups, and a tax accountant who invested $28,000.

She returns to court June 21.