Oyster Playlist: R.I.P Society Records

R.I.P Society is a Sydney-based record label which has been responsible for putting out some of the best local releases for some time now — since 2008 they've released music from Circle Pit, Straight Arrows, Royal Headache, Boomgates, Naked On The Vague and, most recently, Woollen Kits' new album Four Girls.

R.I.P Society was founded by Nic Warnock, a music-obsessed kid who seemingly goes to every show in Sydney and has a long neck permanently attached to his hand. Also working at Repressed Records, acting as one of the directors of the Sound Summit festival this year and playing in his own band Bed Wettin' Bad Boys, it's safe to say Nic lives and breathes music (and sweats beer).

We decided to test his encyclopedic knowledge by asking him to compile a playlist for us, which features bands signed to his label interspersed with Big L and Thin Lizzy, along with a bit about why he has included each song. In Nic's words, "now that's what the internet needs right now!"

1. 'Junk Punks' — Love Punks
I saw this video on Rage when getting ready for work on a Saturday morning and it blew me away! Particularly when compared to the wallpaper music that it was sandwiched between. I swear the version on TV was three times longer and in this case three times better. 

2. 'Susannah' — Woollen Kits
What can I say, this band is the greatest — up there with pre-paid postage, the refrigerator, the electric drill, the clapperboard, the electronic pacemaker, wi-fi and zinc cream as some of Australia's greatest contributions to planet earth. Their second album this year just came out on — you guessed it — R.I.P Society. 

3. 'Stay With Me' — The Dictators
As good as if not better than The Faces song with the same name. The first Dictators record may be the iconic one, their third, Bloodbrothers, is better. Funny how a band that is Wiki-considered to be "one of the finest and most influential proto-punk bands to walk the earth" had members end up playing in Manowar and Twisted Sister. What is "punk"?

4. 'Put It On' — Big L
"Big L is a crazy brother and I'm a lady lover, a smooth kid that'll run up in your baby mother." I'm not one to harp on about another mans dress sense but it's about the outfits in this video (and of course the excellent rap song). The all blue/purple Helly Hansen urban ski-wear, the Swiss flag overalls, the safari hat and flannel combo... incredible! Big L rest in peace. 

5. 'Dada Vocal' — Jaap Blonk
Jaap seems like he'd be a cool guy to hang out with, drink a few beers and play charades.

6. 'Say You Won't Cry' — Television Personalities
"Well girl, ever since I've met you / I've known that you were somebody good
 / Now it's goodbye. / Say you won't cry when I'm gone, and I promise you I won't be long." So sad, saddest song ever. 

7. 'Reflex' — Constant Mongrel
This is a music film clip for the song Reflex, off the debut album Everything Goes Wrong by the band Constant Mongrel. Released by record labels R.I.P Society and 80/81 Records in April 2012. Probably the record of 2012.  

8. 'A Condom' — Watery Love
Proof that primal rock music can be as good as ever. Bands of yesteryear exploring similar aggravated crud rock territory to Watery Love usually had a sensational 'fringe of society, dark and/or dangerous weirdo' disposition. This disposition has been adopted and regurgitated by punk/hardcore/noise rock bands no matter how irrelevant to their situation. Bands, rather than creating some Michael Gira/Darby Crash fantasy, why not reflect on something just as heavy, weird and frustrating: the reality of everyday life. Watery Love is the sound of modern frustration in 2009-2012. 

9. 'Holy Balm Theme' — Holy Balm
Impassioned and funky electronic trio Holy Balm are the real deal, leaders of the pack. 

10. 'I Trusted You' — Andy Kaufman
An excellent song/performance! Created 35 years ago but still a very fitting spoof of the currant wave of Sailor Jerry sponsored party-garage bands.

11. 'Cowboy Song' — Thin Lizzy
This is one of my favourite pieces of music-related footage, maybe even second favourite behind the infamous Replacements SNL incident. Best band of the 70s for my money. 

12. 'Ready for Boredom' — Bed Wettin' Bad Boys
Finally a teaser of the Bed Wettin' Bad Boys debut LP, titled Ready For Boredom. I'm sure it'll be a massive hit as long as the world doesn't end. $uccess rock 2013...

Ingrid Kesa