ARTISTS

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Skitzmix 40
(LNG / Universal)
**

While opinions of his mix series may vary, respect must be paid to rave veteran Nick Skitz for achieving an undoubted milestone in Australian dance music - reaching 40 in his legendary SkitzMix series. He’s released an average of more than two a year, and every one has hit the top 10. From his trademark logo to the recognisable graphic art on the cover, his CDs have been a fixture in the compilation rack since the early days.

Skitz has remained steadfast in his approach, churning out a relentless barrage of hardcore and pop remixes, or, pop-core. With Skitzmix, you know what you’re gonna get and for his rabid fans, the mighty kick drum is what they crave.

This anniversary special comprises three discs – the first is your usual Skitzmix mashup of the latest hardcore treats.

Disc two contains a fair selection of hardcore/house classics, such as Ultra Sonic’s Annihilating Rhythm, Snap’s Rhythm Is A Dancer, Yakooza’s Cocaine and um.. the Skitz mix of Run To Paradise; though all tracks are given a hardcore makeover, rendering them less classic.

Disc three is a ludicrous concept whereby Skitz has mixed together 10 separate megamixes of 10 different artists, such as Brooklyn Bounce and Scooter. The ultimate megamix-mix. Happy 40th Skitz, I’m happy for you but it might be time to call it a day mate.

_ALFRED GORMAN

BALLS OF STEEL

Hair metal throwbacks Steel Panther are “more infectious than a bad case of herpes” and they’re set to bring the love back to Perth this year. After rocking the main stage of Soundwave back in March, the LA rockers will hit the stage of Metro City on Wednesday, October 10.

RIDE WITH ME

Do you remember what you were doing in 1992? Well, Mark Gardener does: he had just released the masterpiece Going Blank Again with his British alt-rock group Ride. To celebrate that momentous year, Gardener is heading to Australia on an acoustic tour where he will revisit some of that shoegaze classic as well as other hits from across his career.

BAKED SALMON

With his name synonymous with The Scientists, The Surrealists, Beasts Of Bourbon, and oh so many more, Kim Salmon is one of the most influential musicians ever to have cut their teeth Perth. He promises to “guitarfuck” Perth when he drops by The Bakery on Saturday, July 28.

SKY’S THE LIMIT

Combined their talents on full length album Songs Of The Southern Skies, Katie Noonan and Karin Schaupp are now joining forces for an Australian tour. The album features contributions from the likes of artists Iva Davies, Gurrumul, The Living End’s Chris Cheney and heaps more.

GROWING UP

You may have seen them on the Rage couch over the weekend, but you will have to wait until August until you see them again. They are Melbourne rockers Children Collide and they’ve just released their third album Monuments.

SKULL CANDY

Fresh from the announcement that On The Bright Side is taking a year off, we get one more Splendour In The Grass sideshow announcement. UK trio Band Of Skulls are returning to our shores for their Sweetening Up Winter tour and they will step into The Bakery on Monday, July 23,

SMILING POLITELY

It’s official: there is not going to be an On The Bright Side festival in Perth this year, but we can tell you that at least one of the Splendour In The Grass headliners is making their way to Perth in 2012! The Smashing Pumpkins are true survivors of the ‘90s grunge movement.

WAKE ME UP

After pulling the pin on his proposed stop in WA earlier this year due to a stirring bout of pneumonia, George Michael has announced dates to make up for it, including a stop in WA which will go down in history.