Punk West on RTRFM

Before the Hoodoo Gurus, Dave Faulkner was a founder member of seminal punk band The Victims in Perth in year zero (1977). In this episode of Punk West, Dave speaks about his love of The Ramones, playing gigs in Perth and co-writing “Television Addict” (which was number 11 in RTRFM’s 45 greatest WA songs) with James Baker. He also spoke of the breakdown of the band, joining The Manikins and then moving abroad and coming back to Perth (as everyone does!).

Punk West is an oral history of Perth’s punk scene. David Redding (Burn the Airwaves) talks to the scene’s stalwarts, stand-outs, and elder states(wo)men about the gigs, the bands, the venues, and the sounds.

Georgia Kennedy has been a Perth punk superfan for many, many years. One of her single purchases was Siouxsie and the Banshees and later Discharge’s Visions of War…and nothing was the same after that. Georgia supported many local punk bands over the years, including Division 4 and Mob Vengeance. Now the Development Manager at WAM, she speaks about why Perth was a frightening place for a punk rocker in the eighties and why she moved to Melbourne (and why she returned).

Punk West is an oral history of Perth’s punk scene. David Redding (Burn the Airwaves) talks to the scene’s stalwarts, stand-outs, and elder states(wo)men about the gigs, the bands, the venues, and the sounds.

Lauren Butcher began kicking around the music scene as soon as she could get into venues. Seeing local bands in Lauren’s late teens changed her life, and when she came out as a transgender woman in 2019, she soon after decided to start a punk band with Owen Bandura and Tess Crow named Lauren and The Goodfights, which focused almost entirely on the experiences of being a gender-diverse person. Many of the songs were inspired by the struggles and triumphs of the LGBTQIA+ young people she had met since coming out. She has also presented at RTRFM for the last two years on Burn the Airwaves, All Things Queer and Drastic on Plastic.

Punk West is an oral history of Perth’s punk scene. David Redding (Burn the Airwaves) talks to the scene’s stalwarts, stand-outs, and elder states(wo)men about the gigs, the bands, the venues, and the sounds.

Kyle Gleadell currently plays in Helta Skelta, Cold Meat, Gaffer and Semtex 87. He has also run Helta Skelta Records since 2012. Kyle has been playing in bands and involved in punk, distribution, booking shows, and touring for around 15 years. So, there’s no talking about punk in 21st century Perth without talking to Kyle.

Punk West is an oral history of Perth’s punk scene. David Redding (Burn the Airwaves) talks to the scene’s stalwarts, stand-outs, and elder states(wo)men about the gigs, the bands, the venues, and the sounds.

James Baker was in Perth at year zero, when Punk music started. He played drums and created the legendary band the Victims, who ignited the city with their scowling energy. Their single “Television Addict/I’m Flipped Out Over You” still stands the test of time.

James drummed in many bands following the split, including Beasts Of Bourbon and the Painkillers. James came in for a chat about his love of music and why he is still drumming in 2021.

Punk West is an oral history of Perth’s punk scene. David Redding (Burn the Airwaves) talks to the scene’s stalwarts, stand-outs, and elder states(wo)men about the gigs, the bands, the venues, and the sounds.

Mike Wafer has been a constant in the Perth punk scene since moving from the UK in 1987.

Immediately drawn to the punk and skate scenes, he’s since made his mark performing in Love Camp 7, Order of the Black Werewolf, Tanami, and Covøids.

Mike’s particularly well-situated for a chat about Perth’s punk scene – he’s also been a music journalist for the better part of two decades.

Punk West is an oral history of Perth’s punk scene. David Redding (Burn the Airwaves) talks to the scene’s stalwarts, stand-outs, and elder states(wo)men about the gigs, the bands, the venues, and the sounds.