Ep491: Aussie Legend Tex Perkins - The Cruel Sea, The Beasts & Beyond

Ep491: Aussie Legend Tex Perkins - The Cruel Sea, The Beasts & Beyond

Author: The Vinyl Guide March 31, 2025 Duration: 1:08:28

Australian icon Tex Perkins takes us through his legendary career, from The Cruel Sea & The Beasts recent works, to wild ARIA award nights, his atrocious habits with vinyl records, reissuing his works on vinyl and lots more. 

Topics Include:

  • Tex Perkins rehearsing with The Cruel Sea for upcoming gigs.
  • Bringing back "deep cuts" from 30 years ago.
  • Band already prepared the songs before his arrival.
  • Feels like "personal karaoke" returning to old material.
  • Gains fresh perspective on older songs with time.
  • Sometimes writes songs instinctively, not from personal experience.
  • Song "Hard For You" channeled rage he hadn't experienced.
  • Recorded with Kid Congo Powers from Bad Seeds.
  • ARIA Awards incident clarified - didn't stab anyone.
  • Hit someone with a glass at an after-party.
  • Molly Meldrum was present during the altercation.
  • Lived with Jules Normington of Phantom Records.
  • Paid rent by washing Jules' dishes.
  • Had access to Jules' extensive record collection.
  • Especially enjoyed 60s punk and garage rock records.
  • Met John Foy, who was pedantic about record handling.
  • Music scattered across many different record labels.
  • Controls some albums, but not all.
  • Universal owns The Cruel Sea and some Beasts albums.
  • Axeman's Jazz recorded and mixed in six hours.
  • Recent album "Ultimo" recorded differently - basic tracks then laptop.
  • Modern recording allows more experimentation without studio costs.
  • Prefers vinyl album lengths around 18-20 minutes per side.
  • Three Legged Dog being released on three vinyl sides.
  • Spanish reissues were "handshake deals" with unclear accounting.
  • Appreciates unashamedly Australian content in newer bands.
  • Newer bands don't hide their Australian accents.
  • Never experienced censorship of his music.
  • Had releases in different regions without his knowledge.
  • No accounting from Big Time label after bankruptcy.
  • Performed with The Legendary Stardust Cowboy in 1985.
  • "Ledge" known for having "world's worst record" - Paralyzed.
  • Backed Ledge with James Baker, Spencer Jones, Lachlan McLeod.
  • Ledge progressively stripped during his performance.
  • Threw Frisbee paper plates with drawings into the audience.

EXTENDED, Commercial free, high resolution version of this podcast is available at: www.Patreon.com/VinylGuide

Listen on Apple: https://apple.co/2Y6ORU0
Listen on Spotify: https://spoti.fi/36qhlc8


There's a particular kind of conversation that happens when two people who are deeply passionate about music get together, surrounded by shelves of records. The Vinyl Guide-Artist Interviews for Record Collectors and Music Nerds captures that feeling perfectly. Hosted by Nate, a dedicated collector and enthusiast, this podcast feels less like a formal interview and more like you're overhearing a great chat in the back of a record store. The discussions naturally weave through artists' creative processes, the stories behind iconic albums, and the tangible magic of the format itself. You'll hear from musicians, producers, and other insiders who live and breathe vinyl, offering perspectives that go far beyond the liner notes. But it's not just about the artists; it's for the collectors, too. Episodes often delve into the practical, nerdy details that make this hobby so compelling-like distinguishing between a common pressing and a rare, valuable find, or learning how to properly care for your collection so it lasts for decades. It’s that blend of artistic insight and collector-focused knowledge that gives this podcast its unique character. Whether you're a seasoned cratedigger or just appreciate the warmth of an analog recording, these conversations offer a rich, human connection to the music you love, all centered around the grooves of a vinyl record.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 100

The Vinyl Guide - Artist Interviews for Record Collectors and Music Nerds
Podcast Episodes
Ep546: One-Step Audiophile Vinyl w Tom Grover Biery [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:18:35
From funding the first Record Store Day to producing limited one-step pressings of Pet Sounds, Prince, and Dr. Dre, Tom "Grover" Biery is one of the most influential figures in modern vinyl culture - Hear all about his n…
Ep545: Zev Feldman Returns for Record Store Day 2026 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:05:24
Zev Feldman returns to reveal 11 Record Store Day 2026 releases, including stunning discoveries from the legendary Joe Siegel Jazz Showcase tape archive featuring Ahmad Jamal, Yusef Lateef, Freddie King, and more never-b…
Ep543: Remembering Rozz Williams & Christian Death [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 48:31
Rikk Agnew, James McGearty, and David Glass share stories about Rozz Williams & Christian Death, the making of Only Theater of Pain, and completing his final recorded wish with the new song Flowers. Tickets for April 18…
Ep542: Music Documentary Producer Jeanne Elfant Festa [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 56:45
Documentary producer & record collector Jeanne Elfant Festa has made films about The Beatles, Foo Fighters, Pavarotti, Bee Gees and more. Today she discusses her latest movie on Billy Preston — revealing rare archive foo…
Ep541: TV Smith - 50 Years of The Adverts [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 42:15
TV Smith joins Nate to discuss the 50th anniversary of The Adverts, an Australian tour backed by The Hard-Ons, and a career full of great songs and terrible label luck. Topics Include: TV Smith is touring Australia in Ap…
Ep540: Swami John Reis - Record Collector [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:00:37
Swami John Reis of Rocket from the Crypt and Drive Like Jehu digs deep on record collecting, the thrill of the hunt, running Swami Records, and why the next release always matters most. Get yer tix to the Punk Rock Museu…
Ep539: Dr Strange Records' Summer Bash Festival [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 50:00
Dr. Strange Records' Bill Plaster talks Summer Bash and the chaos of booking a festival, punk history, record collecting, Live Strange, and how punk rock can genuinely change lives. Get Summer Bash tix here | Follow Dr S…
Ep538: John Flansburgh of They Might Be Giants Returns! [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 55:06
John Flansburgh of They Might Be Giants talks rare vinyl rarities, the chaotic story behind the new album's cover art, why re-recording old music is almost always a mistake and lots more Order the new album "The World Is…
Ep537: Bongo Fury at 50 – Zappa, Beefheart and the Vaultmeister [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:01:16
Zappa Vaultmeister Joe Travers discusses the Bongo Fury box set, the Frank and Beefheart origin story, Frank's cutting edge approach and what may be next from the Zappa Universe. Order the Zappa/Beefheart Bongo Fury 50th…