The peoples' democratic blog of Matt Hayward

If you’re like me you’ve been told about this book a few times, but wrote it off because you’re not a huge Chili Peppers fan. It’s is defintintely worth a read though. Because yes, Kiedis notoriously can’t sing in tune but god damn can he write.
Admitedly I’m yet to finish this book. Though [...]

Arguably the best and most interesting rock bio I’ve read. No question. Yes it’s approx 900 pages (no appendices thank you Mr Wyman), just a larger than life summary of a larger than life bloke. This book is so well done it kind of saddens you to think that we’re living in a world without [...]

Bass players: cognizant but clearly not relevant. You’ve been warned!

So for the unacquainted, this thing called digital music came along. It’s the mother of good intentions. You can have 10 thousand tunes on something called a hard disc. You can download an entire band’s discography in the time it takes to make breakfast. Rare and eclectic mixes, covers and b sides at your finger [...]

Well lo and behold, who ever thought we’d see a bio from this guy. Truth be told it’s a good read – well most of it. The last 100 pages or so are a bit rough. So much so, he gives his recipe for Shepherds’ pie. That’s not just writers’ bloc that’s bone idle laziness. [...]

Well it’s been several months since this album was self released by the band. Unfortunately it’s only been several weeks since they’ve delivered it. But more about that in a second. Seldom do I take to a new album so quickly. When served up on a 180 gram chunk of vinyl like this self titled [...]

A word of warning to anyone that’s not yet an audiophile – turntables are a gateway drug for more addictive high quality audio equipment! In the past I’ve been a bit pragmatic and cheap with audio gear. But there comes a point when you can’t be bothered with bargain basement, consumer stuff from your national [...]

Words can’t describe how long I’ve been waiting to see this movie. I swear the lemmymovie.com preview has been up for at least a year. Then the promoter decides he wants to flog it on the festival circuit before a mainstream release. Thankfully it is included in the Melbourne International Film Festival (MIFF) and I [...]

Today I blog to you sore, hung over and all Rockabillied out. It seems someone forgot to tell the Australian Kingswood Factory that loud, local Rock and Roll is dead. I tell you this much, not on their watch.
Last night Melbourne’s Arthouse Hotel was nicely packed out with quiff hair styles and hot rod heels [...]

This post is prompted by the several guitar store visits where there are many of these models getting around. My model is a Korean made version about 6 years old. I bought mine new and have been very, very happy with it despite its natural yellow, urine like finish. It cost me about $1200 Australian [...]