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
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