Dave Warner's From The Suburbs - Mug's Game (1978)

One of the things I want to do on this blog is post stuff I haven't seen
anywhere else. I can't believe I haven't seen this little beauty before.
This is a classic Australian record, truly from the suburbs and very
late 1970's. Yet like nothing else out at the time
and you could say ever since.
A mix of live and studio tracks, this was Dave's first recording
and some say his best.
With stand out tracks like the single "Suburban Boy"
the biting sarcasm of "Convict Streak" the brilliant cover of
"Eve Of Destruction" and the truly classic "Mugs Game"
you can forgive some of the odder songs,
But what a wild ride.
How about the lyrics on this.
Check out the chorus of "Convict Streak",

"Maybe its because of our convict streak,
That we want to fight everyone that we meet.
Anzac day is our day of the year,
We march our march and we drink our beer"

or this verse

"I'm Australian we all are,
We watch the telly and we drive our car.
But don't you ever say were weak,
Or you'll learn all about our convict streak"

But the highlight is the 13 minute "Mugs Game"
you have to hear this to believe it.
Part spoken word manifesto to the disaffected
young men of Australian. Following Daves impressions
of 3 popular and successful men and their appeal
that he and others like him don't have.
So funny.
Heres a bit about a fellow called Zongo.

"A typical Australian beach, I'm struggling out of the surf, panting heavily for I'm overweight.
Two young nubile women on the beach
"Oooh, isn't he spunky!"
"Which one? That one in the lurex?"
"No, not HIM!"
"That one over there with the earing in his ear and the bleached blonde hair."
"That's Zongo, let's go over and talk to him."
"Okay."
"Hi Zongo!"
"Hi girls!
"How are you?"
"Far out!"
"What have you been doing with your self lately Zongo?"
"I've just been having an insane time."
"Hey look there's Rory! Rory couldn't get a wave if he tried!" *stupid laugh*
"I've been having an insane time, last night I went out to the drive ins to see Kung Fu Fighting and we drank two bottles of Tequilla and got really smashed. Insane!"
"Oh isn't he spunky!"

Gee why couldn't I have been like that?
Whenever I had tequilla I could only have about three glasses and then I couldn't remember whether to bite the lemon before you had the salt or vice versa.
Never a success."

I found this Dave's web site, yep He's still kicking.

MUG'S GAME REISSUED AS A DOUBLE CD

Yes, finally we can announce THE NEW MUG'S GAME CD is here. The double CD includes the original 1978 MUG'S GAME album plus a second bonus CD of 14 early recordings by Dave Warner. Most of these are demos which Dave recorded in London in 1976. Tony Durant, who came out to join the Suburbs in Australia, plays on many of these tracks. They also include the Bicton Records release of Summer 78/Australian Heat which Dave recorded in Perth with the original Suburbs line-up prior to Tony's arrival.

How cool is that I may have to update from vinyl.

Download Here