From the golden age of indie-rock comes three giants of the era. Hoodoo Gurus, Violent Femmes and Sunnyboys are teaming up for the very first time during March 2016 in a three-way, no-holds barred attack on the aural senses at Bimbadgen Winery at Pokolbin in the Hunter Valley on Saturday 5 March 2016.
This all-star bill also features an equally as impressive undercard with fellow indie-giants Died Pretty dusting off the dancing shoes for the first time in more than seven years, while the bastard offspring of the whole motley bunch, Ratcat, round out the bill.
Search and Book Accommodation at The Vintry
“What a line up. Whoever thought of this is a genius. To quote Nick Lowe “pure pop for now people”. Sweaty nights with the Hoodoo Gurus at the Trade Union Club. Perfect pop sing-a-longs with Violent Femmes. Oh yeah and Sunnyboys – ALL RIGHT! Very excited to be touring with such a great line-up of really great bands. I’ll be dancing in the wings. Surely the highlight of summer 2016.” Peter Oxley (Sunnyboys)
“Sunnyboys, Violent Femmes and Hoodoo Gurus? Yeah, we go way back. Sunnyboys were the first band I fell in love with when I moved to Sydney from Perth. I would play their first E.P. over and over again on the jukebox at French’s Tavern in Oxford Street, Darlinghurst. Hoodoo Gurus formed around that same time and the Sunnyboys helped us out with some choice support slots. Flash forward a couple of years: Hoodoo Gurus have a record contract and we happen to be on the same label as the Violent Femmes, the Femmes even taking the place of The Gurus at our Stoneage Romeos launch after I contracted laryngitis – how cool was that?! I loved the Sunnyboys and Violent Femmes music then – and I still do now. Like I said, we go way back. We’re huge admirers of Died Pretty and Ratcat too, so this line-up is truly – all killer, no filler.” Dave Faulkner (Hoodoo Gurus)
“We here at Violent Femmes Touring Inc. are overjoyed to be bringing the music to our stalwart Aussie fans. To stand on the side of stage and witness the indomitable spirit and sound of the Sunnyboys is a longtime ambition of ours. As for the Hoodoo Gurus, we go back a ways with them. It’s 32 years when Violent Femmes played at the Hoodoos debut album release party. They are still rocking beyond imagination. We think the bill is complementary and elegant and are proud to be part of it.” Brian Ritchie (Violent Femmes)
The genesis of all three bands, Hoodoo Gurus, Violent Femmes and Sunnyboys formed around the post-punk era of 1980/81, and all three would go on to play an important role in a worldwide musical change that saw indie-rock smash through the ceiling to achieve massive commercial success. Their respective debut albums Sunnyboys (1981), Violent Femmes (1983) and the Hoodoo Gurus – Stoneage Romeos (1984) remain timeless; each one regularly appearing in various All Time Top 100 lists and between them containing a jukebox worth of classics: ‘Happy Man, ‘Blister In The Sun’, ‘Leilani’, ‘Alone With You’, ‘Gone Daddy Gone’, ‘I Want You Back’ and more. Songs that define a time but are not defined by that time.
Died Pretty, also, were born of that post-punk era and although they served a longer apprenticeship they achieved their masters status with 1991’s Doughboy Hollow and tracks like ‘DC’, ‘Godbless’ and ‘Sweetheart’. And Ratcat, providing the ultimate end point to the indie-rock / mainstream merger via their respective number 1 hits, 1990’s ‘Tingles’ EP and 1991’s ‘Blind Love’.
Directions from The Vintry to Bimbadgen Winery
Hoodoo Gurus, Violent Femmes, Sunnyboys
Bimbadgen Winery
790 McDonalds Road Pokolbin NSW 2325
2:00pm – 10.00pm Saturday 5 March 2016
a day on the green is a fully licensed event. Strictly no BYO alcohol. Food will be available on site or BYO picnic. Deck chairs and picnic rugs are recommended.
The Vintry
The Vintry is a stunning architecturally designed Country House, luxuriously appointed with the highest quality furnishings and fittings but with the feel of a traditional bush retreat. A contemporary property with 4 spacious bedrooms includes 1 king size bedroom with hydrotherapy spa bath and 3 queen size bedrooms each with its own ensuite bathroom and private deck for those times when you would like some personal time to relax.
Best Deluxe Accommodation
Hunter & Central Coast Tourism Awards Gold 2009, 2010. Silver 2007, 2008, 2011, 2012.
NSW Tourism Awards Gold 2009. Silver 2012. Finalist 2007, 2010, 2011, 2013.
Qantas Australian Tourism Awards Finalist Best Deluxe Accommodation 2009.
