Track by Track: Peter Black

Hard-Ons legend PETER ‘BLACKIE’ BLACK wants to talk about his new solo album, ‘The Paintings on the Wall Say Gambler! Gambler!’. Some songs, though? Some songs he doesn’t want to talk about.

‘These Aren’t Doves of Peace’

I reckon I can do whatever I want and fuck the consequences! The real universal law ain’t written by man. It’s beyond our control. The only true law is action//reaction – it’s a simple equation. What is magic? What is revenge? Ain’t telling but ... swearing shouldn’t really bother anyone in the right context.

‘The Spire is Broken’

One doesn’t really have as much courage as one thinks and the other is scared beyond belief ... put ’em together and their struggles start to become poetic. The end is still the end though, but let’s make it as pretty as we can.

‘Balls of Ya Feet’

In some countries it’s custom to wash your feet when you visit another’s house. Beautiful and hygienic, symbolic and respectful, but a bit of dirt is short for dirty and fuck that can be hot.

‘Observer and Observed’

OMG have you seen that yuppie chick suck on her cigarette hahahahaha oh that “SMOOTH taste of menthol” hahahaha (again) but I don’t really wanna talk about that. You see, I don’t wanna talk about that either.

‘Red is RED’

Yells Kyrten: “WELL DON’T JUST STAND THERE!!” Yells Rimmer: “Relax would ye?” “I mean, what can happen??” says Lister. “Well, we have a saying,” intones Cat. “’Tis better to spend one minute as a tiger than a lifetime as a worm’.” With that all hell breaks loose and we piss ourselves laughing.

‘Glue’

Hey, that’s my boy on the drums :-) !! Can you hear me smiling throughout the track?? C’mon, I can!!

‘God is on My Side Not Yours’

Well, I mean, it’s bleeding obvious!!!

‘Tear It in Half’

It was the modern-day shaman Rod Serling that said, “The simple alchemy of day-to-day living is beyond anything we can dish up in scope and beauty ... it should be more than enough.” And another, Dan Millman I believe, that said, “There are NO ordinary moments.” Fuckin’ hell: heady stuff. But jeez I hate me fucking job!!

‘Butterflies as Big as Birds’

In the early formation of this said planet, there wasn’t much oxygen. Wow, is it making me head spin or what!!!!

‘Blood Soaked Sidewalk’

Don’t wanna talk about this one.

‘The Corridor Song’

ARRRRGGGGHH!! ARgggHHHHH spiders spiders fucking flames fucking spiders arggggggggggggghhhh more flames and endless doors ... argghhhhh more spiders arhggggghhh yadda yadda

‘Water Pistols’

Sometimes we are so happy we really do feel like superheroes. Our powers vary from day to day, but used for good we can beat the oppressive heat and conquer the cold “that brings the snow.” Yes we (think we) can!

‘Silly Thing’

Despite being truly silly, this song, I like it ’cause it A) it has the same name as a Steve-Jones-singing-era Sex Pistols song and B) I’m pretending and acting like Liberace ... without the bowtie, finesse, ivory abilities, etcetera (X a fair bit).

‘Like an Old Movie’

Another song I don’t wanna talk about. The end ... till next time.

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‘The Paintings on the Wall Say Gambler! Gambler!’ comes out this Friday (Aug 1) through Citadel Records. Tour dates below, including many support dates for Melvins’ King Buzzo.

Sat, Aug 2 – Newport Hotel, Newport, NSW [three sets]
Sun, Aug 3 – The Midnight Special, Sydney, NSW
Fri, Aug 8 – Marrs Hill Cafe, Parramatta, NSW
Wed, Aug 13 – Enigma Bar, Adelaide, SA [w/King Buzzo]
Thurs, Aug 14 – Barwon Club, Geelong, VIC [w/King Buzzo]
Fri, Aug 15 – Ding Dong, Melbourne, VIC [w/King Buzzo]
Wed, Aug 20 – Small Bandroom, Newcastle, NSW [w/King Buzzo]
Thurs, Aug 21 – Newtown Social Club, Sydney, NSW [w/King Buzzo]
Fri, Aug 22 – Anita’s Theatre, Wollongong, NSW [w/King Buzzo]
Sat, Aug 23 – Transit Bar, Canberra, ACT [w/King Buzzo]
Sun, Aug 24 – Black Bear Lodge, Brisbane, QLD [w/King Buzzo]