Australian Rock
tagStarted 1973Peak 1976-1990Last big hit still activeFrom Australia
Located in 1 route
Hard-driving, no-nonsense rock forged on Australia's "pub rock" circuit - tight, loud, blues-based and built for sweaty beer barns. Defined by relentless rhythm guitar, shouted choruses and working-class swagger, from AC/DC's riff machine to Cold Chisel's piano-rock and Midnight Oil's politically charged hard rock. Brawny, road-tested, hook-driven.
History
A distinct regional scene grown on the 1970s-80s "pub rock" circuit, where bands honed brutal live sets in suburban beer barns - louder and more riff-heavy than Britain's pub rock. AC/DC carried the sound global; Cold Chisel, The Angels and Midnight Oil ruled at home. Triple J radio and INXS's worldwide success extended the lineage, with Jet leading a 2000s garage-rock revival.
Defining artists
Essential listening
- It's a Long Way to the Top (If You Wanna Rock 'n' Roll) — AC/DCSpotifyYouTube
- Khe Sanh — Cold ChiselSpotifyYouTube
- Beds Are Burning — Midnight OilSpotifyYouTube
- Need You Tonight — INXSSpotifyYouTube
- Am I Ever Gonna See Your Face Again — The AngelsSpotifyYouTube
- Are You Gonna Be My Girl — JetSpotifyYouTube
Sources
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Midnight_Oil
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Khe_Sanh_(song)
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Am_I_Ever_Gonna_See_Your_Face_Again
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Are_You_Gonna_Be_My_Girl