GOING TO CALIFORNIA. Poem by Bill Arnott
day one and two Zep II, day three and four Zep IV, four sticks/ the ciggie slim-jims keeping company with Bonham fills of tom-tom
day one and two Zep II, day three and four Zep IV, four sticks/ the ciggie slim-jims keeping company with Bonham fills of tom-tom
headlights splay across a country roadway/ single lane both ways in groovy groovin’ grooves/ to the smooth, smooth sound of billie holiday
Over the years, while my mother’s faith in Christianity declined, her belief in country music only increased.
When the plodding piano intro of Don’t Look Back In Anger came through the speakers Oasis’ extraordinary had transformed our ordinary and the truck no longer drove but soared on the melody.
Who doesn't like a roadtrip? And who doesn't like a roadtrip story? Matt Quartermaine, Justine Sless, N.T.McQueen - and others - hit the highway and listen to R.E.M, Clairy Browne & The Banging Rackettes, Karen Carpenter, Boy & Bear, Lana Del Rey...
Shirl did sort me out and I swapped my licence plates with a screwdriver I remembered to bring, because I was an organised adult now.
The Beach Boys were there with us on each and every road trip. Each song had its own special moment to shine along the journey.
Slowly, I begin to understand. He thinks Australia is an army camp in South Vietnam. He thinks that’s where I’m from. And that’s when he starts screaming. And by screaming, I mean, screaming – in-fear-of-his-life screaming.
We hit the road. I press play on the album Baby Caught The Bus by Clairy Browne and the Bangin' Rackettes. I lose count of how many times I replay Love Letter.
As mom and my older sister played The Carpenters on the car stereo I listened to MxPx, Face to Face, Suicide Machines, or Bouncing Souls on my discman.