Aussie Rock

Learning goals

Understand the development of rock music in Australia
Explore a variety of influential Aussie rock songs
Listening Comparison analysis of AC/DC "Thunderstruck"
Perform Aussie rock pieces - "Long way to the top", "Thunderstruck", & "Smoko"
Compose an Aussie rock riff. Compose a verse in the style of "Smoko"

Rock music in Australia

Rock music in Australia, is also known as Oz rock, Australian rock and Aussie rock. Australia has a rich history of rock music and an appreciation of the roots of various rock genres, usually originating in the United States or Britain. Australian rock bands and musicians developed their own unique Australiana sound with pub rock and indigenous music. Throughout this topic we will study the music of some of Australia's most influential rock bands.

Literacy Activity

THE BEGINNINGS OF ROCK’n’ROLL MUSIC IN AUSTRALIA

Written activity

1) In your book write the heading AC/DC

2) Read the information below

3) Choose 3 facts about the band and write them in your book as dot points

AC/DC is a hard rock band from Australia. They formed in Sydney, Australia in November 1973. AC/DC has sold an estimated 200 million albums worldwide, including 68 million in the United States of America. The two primary founders of the band, Malcolm Young and Angus Young, developed the idea for the band's name after their sister Margaret saw the initials "AC/DC" written on a sewing machine. "AC/DC" is an abbreviation for "alternating current/direct current," which refer to the two different types of charges used in electricity. The band chose the name because of their energetic “electrical” style of playing rock and roll. Even though AC/DC considers their music style simply as "rock and roll", AC/DC are often considered pioneers of heavy metal.

Listening- "It's a Long Way to the Top"

This was a signature song for Bon Scott. Brian Johnson, who replaced Scott as AC/DC's lead vocalist after Scott's death in 1980 until his departure in 2016, did not perform it, out of respect for his predecessor. It is the first track of the group's second album (T.N.T.), released in 1975, and was written by Angus Young, Malcolm Young and Bon Scott.

"It's a Long Way to the Top" is a song by Australian hard rock band AC/DC. The song combines bagpipes with hard rock instrumentation; in the middle section of the song there is a call and response between the bagpipes and guitar.

Describe 2 musical features of the male vocals. (This could be Pitch, Tone Colour, Rhythm, Dynamics..)
Identify one similarity and two differences between the verse and the chorus.

Rhythm reading

Performance

Yr8 Australian Music Performance.pdf

ACDC Long way to the top Piano.pdf

ACDC guitar Long way to the Top.pdf

Piano

Guitar

VERSE

Chorus

Extension: try a rock solo....

Listening task

Compare the 2 versions of "Thunderstruck" and create a venn diagram of similarities and differences

Thunderstruck performance

Perform the riff using guitar techniques of tapping, hammer on's and pull offs.

UNFINISHED

Right hand

Pattern 1: Play the notes B, D#, and F# in a repeating sequence eight times. A simple pattern is middle, bottom, top, bottom, middle, bottom, top, bottom (representing the three notes of a B major chord in a specific inversion).
Pattern 2: Switch to the notes E, G, and B, and play this pattern eight times.

Left hand

Play a steady B octave (the note B repeated) throughout the right-hand patterns.
You can also just play a single B note, or alternate between B and E to follow the chord progression.

Composition Task

Compose a 2 bar rock inspired riff on guitar or keyboard.

Extension: Write your riff in your book using music notation or guitar TAB.

Extension listening

‘Eagle Rock’ – Daddy Cool

Long considered one of the greatest Aussie rock songs of all time, it’s easy to see why. It was catchy, fun, and unlike nothing we had ever seen before up until that point in Australia. A year after its release, Elton John visited Australia and was so taken aback by how good the song was that he teamed up with his usual collaborator Bernie Taupin to write ‘Crocodile Rock’. The fact that one little Aussie song was the inspiration for one of the most famous songs from one of music’s most famous artists is something to behold in itself.

‘The Horses’ – Daryl Braithwaite

The biggest track from the former Sherbet frontman’s third studio album Rise in 1990, ‘The Horses’ was actually a cover of a track written by Steely Dan member Walter Becker, and recorded by Rickie Lee Jones. Having caught the ear of Braithwaite by accident, he recorded his own version of it, which took it’s time to reach the #1 position on the charts, but would ultimately spend close to six months in the Aussie top 50. 27 years later, it’s still a track that can unite everyone at a party when it comes on the sound system.

‘Great Southern Land’ – Icehouse

As Iva Davies once explained, the impetus for this song came from a trip to Uluru, in which he was taken aback by the natural beauty and wonderment that our fine country has to offer. The fact that he was able to write a song that so perfectly captures the feelings of many Australians, while making a chorus that dutifully compliments Australia, almost makes it seem like it was destined to be one of the great Aussie songs from the start.

‘You’re The Voice’ – John Farnham

In 1986, John Farnham’s career wasn’t doing too well. Following a stint fronting the Little River Band, he was back on the solo circuit, but considering his recent albums hadn’t performed that great, he was a little bit nervous. After wisely turning down the opportunity to perform ‘We Built This City’, he was given the opportunity to record ‘You’re The Voice‘. It became an instant classic, turning Farnham into a household name once again, and making his newest record, Whispering Jack, one of the best selling records in Australia.

‘Prisoner Of Society’ – The Living End

Once in a while, a song comes around that encapsulates the feeling of a generation; the 60’s had their protest songs, the 80’s had songs about bad fashion, and Australians in the 90’s had ‘Prisoner Of Society’. Angsty, rebellious, and liberating, there’s hardly any Aussie who grew up in the last few decades who doesn’t know all the words to this song, or at the very least, didn’t sing it while getting a stern talking to from their parents.

birds of tokyo

crowded house

the chats

Contemporary Aussie Rock

The chats

The Chats are an Australian punk rock band that formed in 2016 in the Sunshine Coast, Queensland. They became notable for their songs about Australian culture.

Title: "Smoko"

This song describes the reactions of hard working Australians who interrupts their “smoko” or meal break.

The breakout hit and soon became viral after its release, with now over 21 million views on YouTube.

The song was written in December 2016. Has been taught in Year 8 Music ever since.

Structure Analysis:

Intro - Beginning of the song

Verse - Lyrical story

Chorus - Main title featured/catchy part

Solo - Focus on an instrument improvising

Bridge - a contrasting section

Outro - end of the song

Write out the structure of "Smoko" in your books by listening to the video:

Title: Smoko Structure Analysis

smoko - The chats

The chats Im on smoko.pdf

Intro & Verse

chorus

Verse 1

So let me set the scene

It's 2 in the afternoon and 34 degrees

The Queensland harsh summer heat

Had me sweating buckets up and down my street

It was there I spotted the bloke

Perched atop of his milk crate throne

He eyed me off as I approached

Then he said

Chorus

I'm on Smoko, so leave me alone

Verse 2

So it's Tuesday morning

And my Centrelink hasn't come through

So I pick up the phone because I've got some abusing to do

But all I get is elevator music

Waiting on the line

On hold all the time

All I get is elevator music

Waiting on the line

'Til I get a reply

Structure

Intro - Verse - Chorus - Verse - Chorus - Chorus

Verse composition

Compose your own verse to fit over the riff used in "Smoko" or one of your own riffs. Your verse should reference Australian culture.

BEDS ARE BURNING - MIDNIGHT OIL

Midnight Oil is an Australian rock band known for their energetic music and strong messages about social and environmental issues.

Midnight Oil consists of several key members:

Peter Garrett - Lead vocals and guitar; known for his energetic stage presence and activism.
Jim Moginie - Guitar, keyboards, and backing vocals; one of the main songwriters.
Martin Rotsey - Guitar; contributes to the band’s signature sound.
Pieter "Paddy" Garrett - Bass guitar; provides the rhythmic foundation.
Rob Hirst - Drums and backing vocals; also a songwriter and key member of the band.
Bones Hillman - Bass guitar; joined in the mid-1980s and played an important role in their later music.

One of their most popular songs is "Beds Are Burning," released in 1987. The song has a catchy beat and powerful vocals. It talks about the need for action on Indigenous land rights in Australia, urging people to make a change. The line “the beds are burning” symbolizes the urgency of addressing these issues.

listening journal: BEDS ARE BURNING - MIDNIGHT OIL

Initial Impressions: What are your first thoughts and feelings when you hear the song? How does the music make you feel?

Lyrics Analysis: Pick a line or verse that stands out to you. What do you think it means? Why do you think it’s important?

Themes: What themes do you notice in the song? How do they relate to social issues or environmental concerns?

Imagery: What images or visuals come to mind while listening? How do the lyrics create a picture in your mind?

Musical Elements: Describe the music itself. What instruments do you hear? How do they contribute to the overall mood of the song?

Impact of the Song: Why do you think "Beds Are Burning" became an anthem for social change? What makes it powerful?

BEDS ARE BURNING - PRAC CHART

INTRO

E G A

VERSE 1

E

Out where the river broke, the bloodwood and the desert oak

Holden wrecks and boiling diesels, steam in forty five degrees

PRE CHORUS

E D

The time has come, to say fair's fair;

A E

to pay the rent, to pay our share

E D

The time has come, a fact's a fact;

A F#

it belongs to them, let's give it back

E G A

CHORUS

Em C G

How can we dance when our earth is turning?

Em C D

How do we sleep while our beds are burning?

Em C G

How can we dance when our earth is turning?

Em C D

How do we sleep while our beds are burning?

Em C

The time has come to say fairs fair,

G D

to pay the rent, now to pay our share

VERSE 2

E

Four wheels scare the cockatoos, from Kintore East to Yuendemu

The western desert lives and breathes, in forty five degrees

PRE CHORUS

E D

The time has come, to say fair's fair;

A E

to pay the rent, to pay our share

E D

The time has come, a fact's a fact;

A E

it belongs to them, let's give it back

E G A

CHORUS

Em C G

How can we dance when our earth is turning?

Em C D

How do we sleep while our beds are burning?

Em C G

How can we dance when our earth is turning?

Em C D

How do we sleep while our beds are burning?

BRIDGE

Em C

The time has come, to say fair's fair;

G D

to pay the rent, to pay our share

Em C

The time has come, a fact's a fact;

G D

it belongs to them, let's give it back

CHORUS

Em C G

How can we dance when our earth is turning?

Em C D

How do we sleep while our beds are burning?

OUTRO

Em C G D Em C G D

E G A 2x

YOU'RE THE VOICE - JOHN FARNHAM

WHAT'S MY SCENE - HOODOO GURUS