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
ep497: mclusky is still here with andrew falkous [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:14:50
andrew "falco" falkous discusses the reformation of his band mclusky after a nearly 20-year hiatus, their upcoming album on ipecac recordings, the rare catalogue of vinyl releases and more! Topics Include: falco confirms…
Ep496: The Adjacent Possible w/ Damian Kulash of OK Go [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:08:15
Damian Kulash of OK Go discusses his evolution from punk music fan, working with Dischord records, and creating boundary-pushing music, vinyl packaging and viral videos Topics Include: New album "And The Adjacent Possibl…
Ep495: Private Function Still On Top w/ Chris Penney [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 59:40
Private Function frontman and instigator Chris Penney discusses the rare, collectable and controversial vinyl art of the band and reveals some details of their new album. Topics Include: Chris Penney injured himself at a…
Ep493: 20 Trips of Brown Acid w/ Daniel, Lance and Lenny [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:11:37
Nuggets curator Lenny Kaye joins Brown Acid creators Lance Barresi and Daniel Hall to celebrate their 20th volume of rescuing forgotten proto-metal singles from the early 70s, discuss rare vinyl discoveries, and preservi…
Ep492: Zev Feldman Returns! RSD Picks with The Jazz Detective [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 54:55
Renowned archivist & record producer Zev Feldman, "The Jazz Detective", returns to discusses the Record Store Day 2025 releases of lost jazz recordings from Freddie Hubbard, Charlie Mingus, Bill Evans, Patsy Cline & more…
Al Barile (1962-2025) - The Vinyl Guide Interview [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:09:11
Replay of our 2024 interview with hardore legend Al Barile of SSD and X-Claim! Records. Photos by Alison Braun ------- Society System Decontrol (SSD) self-released several landmark hardcore punk records in the early 80s.…
Ep490: Saving Vinyl - Rescuing Australia's Last Record Press [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:01:58
Despite having no manufacturing experience, Nick Phillips (The Breadmakers, Corduroy Records) impulsively bought Australia's last vinyl pressing equipment, not only saving it from the scrap heap, but creating an Australi…
Ep489: Wolfgang Flür (ex Kraftwerk) & Peter Duggal [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 59:55
Wolfgang Flür, formerly of Kraftwerk, and musical collaborator Peter Duggal, discuss musical journeys, memories from the Kraftwerk years, collaborating with members of Daft Punk and Joy Division for the new LP "Times" an…