It’s certainly been a distinctive time for rock ’n’ roll on the Northern Beaches – there’s something in the air. As a lifelong rock fan, I was immediately drawn to the news that Rose Tattoo were playing at the Terry Hills Tavern as part of their fifty-year farewell tour. Having formed in 1976, the Tatts are set to call it a day after five decades of blazing riffs and gravel-throated vocals.
The band has long fascinated me, since I grew up in the ’90s and learned that global rock giants Guns N’ Roses and Metallica held Rose Tattoo in such regard. Listening to their catalogue in full, I quickly realised why: their unabashedly Australian brilliance, packed with killer riffs, catchy slide guitar, lyrics possessed of excellent street vernacular decrying societal injustice, and an outlaw spirit that has always set them apart, makes them a band any rocker can get behind.
So, I was thrilled when, for Valentine’s Day, my wife bought us tickets to watch them live. The Tavern, more accustomed to quieter gigs, was filled with an eclectic mix: die-hard fans tattooed head to toe, Gen X-ers sporting black band tees, and local residents curious about the impending spectacle.
After a strong set from the excellent up-and-coming rock trio Willie J’s 6v6s, the Tatts took the stage. Frontman Angry Anderson, now 78 and the last surviving member of the band’s heavily inked first two lineups, still has the swagger and powerhouse vocals that defined the band’s early years.
The Tatts’ current lineup – which also combines the long-serving rhythm section of bassist Steve King and drummer Paul DeMarco with the recent additions of slide guitarist Mick Arnold and the prodigious Ronnie Simmons on lead guitar – unleashed a roaring set of classics from across their entire catalogue. From classics like “Rock ’n’ Roll Outlaw” to “Assault & Battery”, the crowd lapped up every chord and verse.
At times, the crush at the front grew, but Ango intervened with the same charm and authority he’s shown for decades, making sure everyone stayed safe while keeping the energy high. When the band launched into “Bad Boy for Love”, penned by original bassist Ian Rilen, the Tavern simply went mad.
After nearly two hours of “all killer, no filler,” the Tatts exited the stage with no encore – leaving the crowd elated, dazzled, and nostalgic. It was a reminder of the power of live Australian pub rock, right here on the Beaches. Their long-awaited final album, set for release this year, will close the curtain on a legendary career.
Meanwhile, the Beaches can also celebrate INXS, a band with origins at Davidson High School. The late Michael Hutchence and his tight-knit bandmates went on to sell over 50 million albums globally, becoming Australia’s biggest global band aside from AC/DC. Fans can also get involved in the band’s Hall of Fame journey: the public can vote for INXS’ nomination online and via social media, helping these local legends secure their place in history.
From the roar of the Tatts at the Tavern to the global acclaim of INXS, it’s been a thrilling few weeks for rock on the Beaches. Seeing these legends in our own backyard – or knowing the local links – is a powerful, slightly nostalgic reminder of why we got hooked on Australian rock in the first place.
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James Vella-Bardon, a rock ‘n’ roll fan since childhood, local resident and writer. Check out his novels at Amazon