From smoky pubs in Adelaide to selling out arenas across the country, Cold Chisel became the voice of a generation. Fronted by Jim Barnes, the band’s raw energy and working-class anthems captured the spirit of Australia in the late 70s and 80s, their legacy continuing all the way until tomorrow. With hits like Khe Sanh and Flame Trees, they weren’t just making music — they were telling the stories of everyday Aussies.

In this episode, we dig into the band’s origins, their meteoric rise, the chaos of fame, and the lasting impact they’ve had on Australian music culture. Whether you’re a diehard fan or new to their legacy, Cold Chisel’s story is one of grit, passion, and pure rock ’n’ roll.

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All clips used are copyright their respective owners.

The final rendition of "When the War is Over" on this episode was performed by members of the Australian Army. You can watch the full performance here: 
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=70JhHnVuBJg

Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/weird-crap-in-australia--2968350/support.

From smoky pubs in Adelaide to selling out arenas across the country, Cold Chisel became the voice of a generation. Fronted by Jim Barnes, the band’s raw energy and working-class anthems captured the spirit of Australia in the late 70s and 80s, their legacy continuing all the way until tomorrow. With hits like Khe Sanh and Flame Trees, they weren’t just making music — they were telling the stories of everyday Aussies.

In this episode, we dig into the band’s origins, their meteoric rise, the chaos of fame, and the lasting impact they’ve had on Australian music culture. Whether you’re a diehard fan or new to their legacy, Cold Chisel’s story is one of grit, passion, and pure rock ’n’ roll.

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This week's episode is sponsored by Kurralta Park, a small indie band from Adelaide! Head over to their Spotify or their YouTube Channel now to check out their new album, Powell Place! 

Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/weird-crap-in-australia--2968350/support.

What happens when you take werewolves, marsupials, a low budget, and the golden age of Ozploitation cinema? You get Howling III: The Marsupials — one of the strangest, campiest horror sequels ever put to film.

In this commentary track, join Holly and Matthew as they sit down with this oddball slice of Australian cinema. From the marsupial pouch transformations to the utterly bonkers plot, we’ll laugh, groan, and celebrate everything that makes Howling III a cult classic.

Grab the movie, hit play, and watch along with us — it’s the Weird Crap in Australia way of making even the weirdest flicks a good time.There will be silences, there will be tangents, and there are a few honest reactions. Let us know what you think in the comments!

Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/weird-crap-in-australia--2968350/support.

On the morning of 18 January 1977, Blue Mountains commuters boarded their usual train, expecting nothing more than another routine ride to work. Instead, the Granville train disaster became Australia’s deadliest rail accident. 

When a commuter train derailed and slammed into a road bridge, the collapse that followed trapped dozens in a nightmare of twisted metal and rubble. Rescue crews fought against the clock, and the nation watched in horror as the death toll rose.

Join Holly & Matthew as they revisit the events of that day — what went wrong, the incredible acts of bravery, and the lasting changes it brought to Australian rail safety.


Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/weird-crap-in-australia--2968350/support.

On the morning of 18 January 1977, Blue Mountains commuters boarded their usual train, expecting nothing more than another routine ride to work. Instead, the Granville train disaster became Australia’s deadliest rail accident. 

When a commuter train derailed and slammed into a road bridge, the collapse that followed trapped dozens in a nightmare of twisted metal and rubble. Rescue crews fought against the clock, and the nation watched in horror as the death toll rose.

Join Holly & Matthew as they revisit the events of that day — what went wrong, the incredible acts of bravery, and the lasting changes it brought to Australian rail safety.

Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/weird-crap-in-australia--2968350/support.

Every year, a sleepy New South Wales town gets turned into a pit lane paradise as 150,000 fans descend on Mount Panorama for the Bathurst 1000 — Australia’s most iconic car race. But Bathurst isn’t just about lap times and burnout smoke. Behind the wheelspin lies a deep and chaotic history: from the deadly results of some races, to the Peter Brock legacy, to the legendary Holden vs Ford rivalry that turned race day into a full-blown cultural war.

This episode, Holly and Matthew take a drive through the history of the Bathurst 1000 — the triumphs, the tragedies, the questionable crowd behaviour — and how this race became one of the most defining events in Australian sporting history.

Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/weird-crap-in-australia--2968350/support.

In this series, we dive into one of the most confronting chapters of modern Australian history: the Cronulla Riots of December 2005. Sparked by rising tensions, fuelled by alcohol, misinformation, and nationalism, what started as a “community protest” quickly turned into an ugly and violent display of racial hatred.

Join Holly & Matthew as they look into an event about fear, blame, and what happens when divisions in the community explode into the public eye.


Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/weird-crap-in-australia--2968350/support.

In this episode, we dive into one of the most confronting chapters of modern Australian history: the Cronulla Riots of December 2005. Sparked by rising tensions, fuelled by alcohol, misinformation, and nationalism, what started as a “community protest” quickly turned into an ugly and violent display of racial hatred.

Join Holly & Matthew as they look into an event about fear, blame, and what happens when divisions in the community explode into the public eye.

Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/weird-crap-in-australia--2968350/support.

HIn this episode, we dive into one of the most confronting chapters of modern Australian history: the Cronulla Riots of December 2005. Sparked by rising tensions, fuelled by alcohol, misinformation, and nationalism, what started as a “community protest” quickly turned into an ugly and violent display of racial hatred.

Join Holly & Matthew as they look into an event about fear, blame, and what happens when divisions in the community explode into the public eye.

Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/weird-crap-in-australia--2968350/support.

In the lonely dunes of South Australia’s Coorong, legend speaks of a bushranger so strange he’s hard to forget: the Birdman of the Coorong. Unlike his horse-riding peers, this eccentric outlaw was rumoured to have galloped through the saltbush atop an ostrich.

Was he a real menace to passing coaches, or just a yarn spun to spook travellers on the road to Kingston SE?

Join Holly & Matthew as they dig into the history, rumour, and colonial oddity behind one of Australia’s most curious crime legends.

Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/weird-crap-in-australia--2968350/support.