The Rider, with Becko

Brisbane band Sheppard's 4th album Zora brings happiness from its first listen. That's typical Sheppard though, it puts you in a better mood and that's exactly what the inspiration was behind the album - their grandmother Zora.

The band are celebrating 10 years of 'Geronimo' - the song that acted like a slingshot and gave them a chance to tour the world.

This has taken them to Nashville, a new home for a band and the perfect environment to work with the world's best musicians.

The is George, Amy and Emma from Sheppard on The Rider with Becko.

The Eskis make it count when they release new music. It's been five years since their last single and Aussie music fans are incredibly excited at the prospect of more new music from the pride of Fremantle.

They haven't gone away, plenty of touring has been going on including Spring Loaded and more recently the Incubus and Live tour.

The nostalgic "The First Time" is out and the Eskis continue their road trip, kicking off their national acoustic tour.

“We really look up to bands like the Rolling Stones and U2 – those guys who keep touring and creating music over and over again,” shares bass player and vocalist Kav Temperley.

“It makes us proud of our musical journey and the people who have taken our songs into their lives. Eskimo Joe is still the three core members. It just wouldn't be the Eskies without the three of us in a studio or on stage making music together – our friendship is as much a part of the band as the music itself. After an amazing 2023 of playing some huge festivals, there's this indescribable energy when a massive crowd is singing your songs back at you. We wanted to capture that energy and infuse it into our recording. So, in the first week of January this year, over five days we wrote and recorded The First Time at my studio in Fremantle.”

It's an entertaining chat as always with Kav and maybe in a few months we'll be able to check out some more tasty new music from Eskimo Joe.

The is Kav Temperley from Eskimo Joe, on The Rider with Becko.

Jebediah have always been a fan favourite since "Slightly Odway" came out in 1997. It certainly doesn't feel like 13 years since their last album Kosciuszko.

OIKS, their sixth album is now out and it feels like they have picked up from where they left off, after over a decade. The fact they have gone into the same studio with producer, Dave Parkin shows that they are after familiar surroundings but prepared to mix up the sound.

OIKS also kickstarts a packed year for Jebediah in 2024, with the band set to embark on a 22 date national

In this episode of The Rider, Kevin Mitchell opens up on his Bob Evans project and how Jebediah are comfortable with not releasing music frequently but when they do get into the studio, they really slot right in like old times.

This is Kevin Mitchell from Jebediah, on The Rider with Becko.

We all remember where we were when we heard that debut album for the Living End - usually near a radio when "Prisoner of Society" was released.

That album debuted at number one and stayed in the ARIA chart for 83 weeks - insane by any standards.

25 years since its release, frontman Chris Cheney reflects on the creation of the album: “I think unknowingly our destination was always this; this album right here. All songs led here. All the gigs and all the songs we’d written and rejected over the years, all the lessons we’d learned had been building up to this….our first album.”

“Ultimately what we captured was a melting pot full of our influences but not to the extent that we sounded confused,” Cheney continued. “The way we played glued it all together. Stylistically, it had punk (‘West End Riot’), metal (‘Growing Up Falling Down’), pop (‘I Want a Day’), rockabilly (‘Second Solution’), hillbilly thrash on steroids (‘Prisoner of Society’), jazz (‘Fly Away’), ska (‘Trapped’ and ‘All Torn Down’), swampy surf twang (‘Bloody Mary’), country pickin’ and anything else we thought we could throw at it.”

The Living End celebrate this album with a huge show in Melbourne and a special vinyl re-release of the album with some cool extras.

This is Chris Cheney and Scott Owen from The Living End, on The Rider with Becko

Silverchair, born in Newcastle - 3 kids with some incredible talent and passion for making it to the world stage, and they did.

Supported by their parents and the 'two Johns' (manager and record company boss), they became the band aussies were proud of. We saw them play the rooftop in NYC for the MTV VMA's, Rock in Rio and multiple Big Day Outs.

The story from Ben and Chris is now out, their book - 'Love & Pain'.

‘Fundamentally, our story is a great one. An extraordinary one. Some of it may seem beyond belief, but we lived it. We were there. It all happened. I want to document it for my sons to read when they’re old enough – and we owe it to our incredibly loyal fans,’ says Ben Gillies.

‘When Ben and I first discussed the idea of writing a book, I realised it would be an opportunity to celebrate some of the awesome times the two of us shared and lived together, as well as reflect on some of the hard times – in the band and in our lives. This book is a keepsake for both of us, and a reminder that there is some beauty in addressing the truth of things, as well as paying respects to all aspects – good, bad and indifferent – of our story,’ adds Chris Joannou. 

This is Ben Gillies & Chris Joannou, on The Rider with Becko.

Murray Cook is the most humble music superstar you'll ever meet.

You would never believe he is an 'O.G. Wiggle' speaking to him, but his passion for the music scene is obvious when you start talking about 'the scene' in Sydney in the 70s and 80s.

'Dumb Luck' is his 4th album as part of the Soul Movers, you'll hear his brilliant riffs and even some influences from his favourite band - The Rolling Stones.

Check out the Soul Movers as they continue their Aussie tour - the album is out now.

This is Murray Cook, on The Rider with Becko

Any band who can survive a 100+ show tour have something special.

Kingswood are a great example of the work ethic Aussie bands are famous for - tour constantly and build an audience.

Their latest album "Home" took them on the road for the "Hometowns tour" and now they head to Europe.

We will hear about 'Peggy' the tour bus and how you survive travelling to each corner of Australia.

This is Fergus (and Al!) from Kingswood, on the Rider with Becko

Voyager have been around the Perth music scene for years, in fact their new album 'Fearless in Love' is their 8th.

Their campaign to be Australia's entrant in Eurovision has been long, but this year they finally made it, performing 'Promise' on the world stage.

Alex from Voyager has plenty of stories on what goes on behind the scenes of Eurovision.

Part two of this episode features legendary Aussie musician Shane Howard from Goanna. The song 'Solid Rock' is now 40 years old but as relevant as ever.

The is the Rider with Becko, with Alex from Voyager and Shane Howard.

Tex Perkins is a national treasure - there, I said it!

A true musician's frontman and more.

You'll know him as part of The Beasts, celebrating their 40th anniversary, of course The Cruel Sea and The Fat Rubber Band.

Recently the famous stolen 'Cruel Sea ARIA' was found in a dumpster and you'll hear the massive twist to the story which you won't get anywhere else. (It was an inside job!!!!!!)

Tex is about to go out on the road for his 'Man in Black' Tour - the songs of Johnny Cash. It is one brilliant show, and you'll find out why these songs are so special to Tex.

This is The Rider with Becko and Tex Perkins.

Magic Dirt are one of the hardest workers of 'the scene' - forming in 1991 in Geelong and numerous Big Day Outs to their name.

It was late in the piece when 'Dirty Jeans' and 'Plastic Loveless Letter' gained a heap of airplay for them and entries into the JJJ Hottest 100 in the 2000s.

Adalita has released numerous solo albums and her latest, 'Inland' taking 5 years with Covid interruptions, but still another masterpiece.

Recently Adalita appeared on the Michael Hutchence tribute, 'Rooms for the Memory 2023' - Michael's only solo single which was a ARIA Top 10 hit in 1987. This recording also honoured the talents of Ollie Olsen who worked with Michael on the recording.

This is the Rider with Becko and Adalita.