The news of Rowland S. Howard’s death at age 50, comes as quite a shock. I personally knew members of the Birthday Party having lived with Phil Calvert (then drummer of the Birthday Party) in the 80s in London. All the guys, at that time, Nick Cave, Tracy Pew, Rowland S. Howard, Mick Harvey and Phil Calvert were quirky and nice, if not, drug fucked and brilliant.!
It is true I hadn’t seen Rowland in many years, but was considering going to the Northcote Social Club to see a performance in line with the release of his latest album Pop Crimes. A mighty effort by all accounts and Rowland’s much anticipated musical venture after a ten year wait.
In an interview with Rolling Stone Magazine this month, Howard admitted that he had liver cancer, and was awaiting a transplant. He told the magazine, “If you’re trying to write about the human condition there is only so many things you can choose from. Being told that you’ve only got a couple of years to live without a transplant is a pretty frightening experience and certainly changes the way you feel about your life, [it] makes things so much closer.”
This except about Rowland S. Howard’s death this morn comes from Mess and Noise
Excerpt: Australia’s music scene has lost a true icon with the reported passing of Rowland S Howard today (December 30). While no official statement has been made by management, close friends of the guitarist have confirmed reports that he lost his ongoing battle with liver cancer at Melbourne’s Austin Hospital this morning.
Howard, 50, was a former member of the Young Charlatans, The Boys Next Door (who later morphed into The Birthday Party) and These Immortal Souls. He penned the underground hit ‘Shivers’ for The Boys Next Door and memorably dueted with Lydia Lunch on Lee Hazlewood’s ‘Some Velvet Morning’.
GG note: At least Rowland you can catch up with Tracy and have a snort! Much respect, you will be missed. rosiex
Youtube video of Shivers
In a future much like the present, the Earth is host to a variety of Cetaceans within its seas. These giant fleshy beasts of the deep have long been sought after sources of riches, providing enough oil to lubricate a robot army for weeks, and enough pre-digested plankton to fill a million sea monkey tanks.
It is in this future we find godinpants, documenting the great downfall of mankind against its Cetacean foes.
You gotta love this! x
More more more from 8bitcollective. And yes apart from being a very fanciful story of whales-at-war it’s also a Free download of ‘World War Whale’ – new release from experimental / chiptune artist
Twitter name @godinpants
Thursday 31st December
Sounds of Seduction
Celebrity Zombies
Well into the 21st Century and especially in 2009 our notion of celebrity has become unstuck. When they are worth more dead and the living ones are acting like the undead its time for the Sounds of Seduction to embrace this theme and to douse our audience with fame. Come and do the moon walk in the grave yard with Mu-Mesons on New years eve as we turn the Annandale into a Dawn of the Dead shopping mall of the Stars. With Zombie Go Go action and zombie visuals all night long. Prizes for the best dressed. Knock yourself out.
Annandale Hotel – 9.00pm to 3.00am $20+BF pre sale (02) 9550-1078 $25 @ the Door
Annandale Hotel at 17 Parramatta Rd Annandale, Sydney, Australia. Ph (02) 9550-1078
Merry Xmas from us – Monkey, Alex and RosieX to you all.!!
I am very blessed to have my wonderful family, who I adore so much. I look forward to doing something different with my site in 2010. Who said you can’t teach an ol’ dog new tricks 
May your turkeys be synthetic and your gizzards warm and fuzzy!xxx
CALL FOR 1 MINUTE VIDEOS TO SHOW ON THE ABC
Q&A is looking for 30-second to 1 minute mash-ups, political, satirical and humorous videos, to end each show. This is a great opportunity for filmmakers to get their work on national television.
Deadline: Ongoing
More info can be found at http://www.abc.net.au/tv/qanda/mashups.htm
