Stranded: The Secret History of Australian Independent Music

by Clinton Walker

An authoritative account of Australian punk and new wave by that country's leading music critic.

In the bands' own words, and through his own reminiscences, Walker tells the stories behind such groundbreaking bands as the Saints, the Go-Betweens, the Birthday Party, Radio Birdman, the Scientists, the Triffids, Nick Cave, and many more. Includes a 25-page discography.

Genres: Music, Nonfiction, History, Australia

346 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1996

Reviews

[zed · Rating 5 out of 5]

Author Clinton Walker has written a personal history of his involvement in the Australian underground/independent music scene. From the impact of The Saints on the Punk Rock / New Wave scene of the late 70’s through to the rise of Nick Cave in the 90’s Walker was there. With that he has covered the many excellent bands and individual artists that made a small splash as doing something unusual in an independent scene that was far more interesting than the boredom that the major labels and public at large seemed to revel in.

On a personal level I caught The Saints in their early days in a hall somewhere in the western suburbs of Brisbane. My mates hated them but they left enough of an impression with me that when Sounds mag in the UK declared "(I'm) Stranded" as "Single of this and every week" I knew who they were. And with that they changed my musical listening and life. Over the last few months I have actually given away or sold a fair bit of the vinyl I collected from those days. The Leftovers are an infamous Brisbane Punk band and get a mention in this book. I sold a copy of their Cigarettes and Alcohol single for the rather considerable sum of $1,200 aus and the Go-Betweens 2nd single People Say for $500aus. While reading the book a Sydney band was mentioned called The Lipstick Killers. One member was the son of family friends and back in the day he gave me a copy of their single Hindu Gods of Love. I have no idea what happened to that, maybe given away as has been my wont but I see that that has been sold for as high as $500aus. I still have a few more from those days that fetch a few dollars, 77 Sunset Strip by The Riptides, a couple of Razar singles among others. Offers?
A must read for anyone with an interest in the subject.

[Ben Winch · Rating 4 out of 5]

Four Alternate Australian National Anthems:

The Saints: '(I'm) Stranded'
Go-Betweens: 'Cattle and Cane'
The Triffids: 'Wide Open Road'
The Moffs: 'Another Day in the Sun'

[Duncan · Rating 4 out of 5]

As someone who lived and loved the Sydney indie scene late eighties early nineties this book is magic, a raw honest and fascinating inside view of the ‘indie’ music industry and the human beings who make it what it is.

I think anyone who loves music will gain from this, though maybe not knowing the music behind the stories will make it harder to appreciate.

Added bonus the Spotify playlists to accompany the chapters.

[fletcher · Rating 5 out of 5]

"The idea that success is defined by money in the bank, or celebrity or some sort of attendant glamour, is ludicrous. Because in the end, the music business isn't only about hits, it's also about bodies of work, and mythical images. In the end, only the records live on." from 'Stranded', pg 404.

England in the 60's. The Pacific Northwest in the 90's. In the 70's and 80's it was Australia*, and Clinton Walker was right there in the thick of it. Part memoir, part oral history, "Stranded" is one of the great classics of rock literature.

bands you need in your life: The Go-Betweens, The Scientists, Warumpi Band, Laughing Clowns.

*(and new zealand, can't forget the Dunedin Sound)

[Nocheevo · Rating 5 out of 5]

In fairness probably a 4 star book but it gets a bonus star fo being the only decent book on the boom of he independent music scene in Australia.

Largely chronological with scores of interview quotes to build up the story. The author adds a personal story through his own music efforts, fandom/ fanzine work and association with the Saints.

[Russell · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good book but not quite my cup of tea, was expecting a more straight forward history of the Australian indie scene but still worth the read......

[Donald Robertson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Pure Clinton.

[Jan Michaels · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the best music books ever.....really informative and enjoyable