An independent record label formed in the early 80s in Sydney Australia. Keeping the music alive... The facts as they are roughly remembered.
No responsibility taken for wrong chronological order…it WAS the 80s after all! In 1984, music journalist and guitarist Mark Fraser (Suspect Device, The 22s, Stone Age T-bones, Velveteens, Good Guys Wear Black) released the debut single for inner
western Sydney band The Conspirators…She’s Gone /Twilight Zone. The single was released on Mark’s own label Suspect Records. With the band’s strong live
presence, the single sold quickly in Sydney indie record stores. Around about the same time, drummer John Heath (The Klerks) was in the studio with the Klerks recording with Phil Calvitto. John was also brother in law to Lipstick Killers Drummer David Taylor. Having played regular gigs at the infamous Sussex Hotel, John and Mark met and realised they shared similar musical tastes and goals. John approached Mark to discuss merging Suspect records with the label John was about to launch. Vi-Nil records was born. John had access to the Lipstick Killers tapes (recorded in 1978)containing Sockman /Pensioner Pie and the first Vi-Nil release (LK001)featuring the two tracks in an impressive black and silver cover went straight to number one on the independent charts in 1984. The subsequent release was the 1983 Klerks I Need a Pardon/Love and Pain single (K001)Earlier recordings of The Klerk’s live sessions with Calvitto resulted in the 1985 release of The Groove Tapes 7 inch EP.(VR010) The EP contained Love and Pain, The Rider, Fun in the Sun and I Don’t Wanna go to America (a track that was later reworked by The 22s and released on their 1985 cassette album Cowboys of Soul)(VT 1)
The quirky Gulf Klub single What’s Cooking/India ( VR 003) was released in 1984, followed by the Psychotic Turnbuckles (featuring ex Conspirators members) debut single The Creeps/Energy in 1985 (VR004). The single shot straight to the top of the indie charts. The eclectic and well polished Stig Can’t Clap’s Other Side of Midnight (VR005)(produced by INXS’s Garry Garry Beers) featured Sandi Chick on backing vocals also came out in 1985. The Hard Ons -Surfin on my Face EP debut was released in the same year and contained killer pop punksters-- Bye Bye Girl, Excuses, There Was a time, Surfin on my face (VR 006) It hit Number 1 on charts and was Vi-Nil’s best seller at the time, going into a second pressing. The Hard Ons still play to this day and copies of this original EP go for ridiculous amounts. Howling Commandos –Walk on By /Pick Me up 7inch (VR008) came out late 85. It was planned as a 12 inch but remained a 7 inch due to costs. I still have a 12 inch test pressing . The second and long anticipated single from Psychotic Turnbuckles –Psychotic Reaction /Crusher 1985 (VR 009) received great attention and paved another stepping stone for what was to be along frantic career for the Turnbuckles. The 22s released their Cowboys of Soul cassette album after gathering a tight following around the traps (VT1) 1985.Shortly after, Mark Fraser departed for a long stint overseas and left the label in the hands of John Heath. Pop wizards The Labradogs released the - Get Lonely EP 1986 (produced by Sunnyboy Peter Oxley) (VR 011) containing cracker title track and the wicked Growin Sane. Conspirators –Expressway to your brain was released in 1987 (VR 007)-Tracks- Twenty five years, Nobody’s fool, Feel Good and cover of Outside Ins Bring Me Down
The second Labradogs offering Suddenly last summer /Trust Me single was released in 1987 (VR012) (produced by Jeremy Oxley)
Mark Fraser returned to Australia in 1987 to find that most of the bands he had signed had moved onto other labels. He now runs indie music website redbackrock.com.au and a fledgling guitar school. John Heath's whereabouts are unknown.
Last show for the Vi-Nil Records INDIE SOUNDS launch tour is tonight in Port Kembla at Servo Food Truck Bar
Doors at 6pm.
Set times:
6.30-7.00 I Hate People
7.15-7.45 DRUGS IN SPORT
8.00-8.45 The Grounds
9.00-9.45 The Howlin’ Rats
Merch on sale. Come along and say hi, have a beer and take home a record or two.
vinilrecords.com
Link and Pin kicking off at 2pm.
Beer garden open. Merch ready to go. Eeyhah!
Bands from 2pm for a measly $10.
Lost Plaza Turtle Custard Butterknife band Elestial DRUGS IN SPORT
Vi-Nil Records Six String Brewing Company
Tonight July 20 at Bar La Vida Loca "The Crazy Life" Newport. The northern beaches leg of the Vi-Nil Records INDIE SOUNDS tour.
The Howlin’ Rats DRUGS IN SPORT LETDOWNS
7pm onwards.
The final leg of the Vi-Nil Records INDIE SOUNDS launch tour hits The Servo Food Truck Bar at Port Kembla on Saturday July 27.
Doors open at 6.
6.30-7.00 I Hate People
7.15-7.45 DRUGS IN SPORT
8.00-8.45 The Grounds
9.00-9.45 The Howlin’ Rats
Six String Brewing Company. The new album available at the show or vinilrecords.com
Tickets https://events.humanitix.com/vi-nil-records-indie-sounds-from-newy-and-the-hunter-album-launch
Sunday July 21, the Vi-Nil Records INDIE SOUNDS tour rolls into Woy woy. Link and Pin play host to five bands from 2pm.
Set times:
2.00-2.45 Lost Plaza
3.00-3.45 Turtle Custard
4.00-4.45 Butterknife band
5.00-5.45. Elestial
6.00-6.45 DRUGS IN SPORT
Merch on sale. $10.00 entry.
vinilrecords.com. Six String Brewing Company
This Friday July 19 is the big one...the home town launch of Vi-Nil Records INDIE SOUNDS FROM NEWY & THE HUNTER compilation album at The Hamilton Station Hotel
Doors open at 6pm in the back room. Merch on sale all night. $15 entry.
Set times
6.30-7.00: music_PIT
7.15--7.45: Lost Plaza
8.00-8.30: Trashed Again
8.45-9.15: Butterknife band
9.30-10.05: The Howlin’ Rats
10.20-11.00: DRUGS IN SPORT
11.15-12.00 Mucho Sonar
Grunge, rock, pop, swamp, power pop and brassed out craziness. It's all there for the listening! Come along and grab a record, a CD or a Tee and support some of the best out of Newy.
vinilrecords.com. Six String Brewing Company. Eeh Fricken aaah!
I’ve had a haircut. Why not?
Feast your eyes on some of the new stock that’s arrived.
Get in and have a look & enjoy the best coffee on the Coffs coast.
Slight lineup change for the LINK & PIN leg of the Vi-Nil Records INDIE SOUNDS tour Sun arvo July 21.
Lost Plaza and Turtle Custard are joining Elestial, Butterknife, and Drugs in Sport from 2pm in the beer garden.
Merch on sale. Beers. Burgers.Bands all arvo. vinilrecords.com
Vi-Nil Records. Link and Pin. DRUGS IN SPORT. Elestial Butterknife band Lost Plaza. Turtle Custard
The QLD leg of the Vi-Nil Records INDIE SOUNDS tour kicks off this weekend July 12. Lou Lou Room Wynnum in Brissie.
Doors at 7pm. Lemon Joe. Elestial. music_PIT
Merch on sale. Come grab a record and listen to some cool toons.
Following arvo July 13 at Vinnies Dive and then Sunday July 14 arvo show at The Presynct in Nambour.
vinilrecords.com
Moot. Rumbling chunkoid bass and dynamics to boot…
The Recky Pacific Palms Vi-Nil Records INDIE SOUNDS launch.
Elestial. Tyrants. 7 July 2024.
Drugs in Sport, Howlin' Rats, PIT, I Hate People, The Grounds, Butterknife, Mucho Sonar, Trashed Again, Jan, Boudicca, Golden Gaytimes, Goon Gremlins and Elestial.
TONIGHT!!!
Don’t miss starting the school holidays with a BANG!
Come to Planet Skate tonight and instead of our regular Friday family disco we are hosting INDIE SOUNDS FROM NEWY AND THE HUNTER!
To celebrate the release of some delicious fresh-pressed vinyl, Pit, Tyrants and Hands That Move will be your evening entertainment for an ALL AGES, DRUG AND ALCOHOL FREE EVENT!
Just $5 for bands and $25 for bands and rollerskating!
6pm start time
Get your indie groove on to Rock and Rollerskate!
Bring your friends for this special event!
Vinyl and merch available to buy.
This is the first stop on the tour, let’s show them how we roll in Port Macquarie!!
Book online or pay at the door.
TONIGHT!!
Friday the 5th July at 6pm.
See you there!
Sunday arvo Jul 7 is the perfect time to have a few holiday beers at Pacific Palms Recreation Club (The Recky). It's also the perfect time to catch gig 3 of the Vi-Nil Records INDIE SOUNDS compilation launch tour.
Kicking off from 2pm, you get the dreamy pop sounds of Elestial, the power pop enchantment of Tyrants and the gnarled,brashly polished indie rock of Moot
Tix available now at Oztix or $15 at the door.
Heaps of merch on sale.
Album also available online at vinilrecords.com
See ya at The Recky!
Federal Hotel Bellingen is the place to hang this Saturday July 6.
The second night of the Vi-Nil Records INDIE SOUNDS launch tour, featuring Tyrants. music_PIT. and Thee Repton County Killers. Some power pop, some grunge and some dirty indie.
It's FREE and doors open from 7pm.Bands from 8.30. Merch on sale. Come grab a record, CD or Tshirt and support indie live music at the same time.
The new album also available at vinilrecords.com (shameless plug)
Okay Port folk. Here's the coolest gig in your home town tomorrow night...Friday July 5.
ALL AGES. Bands from 6-9pm. Heapsa merch on sale.
Only $5 for the bands or $25 if you wanna skate and catch the bands.
Vi-Nil Records INDIE SOUNDS album launch. Tyrants. PIT. Hands That Move. Planet Skate Port Macquarie
Vi-Nil Records. Six String Brewing Company
Tyrants
music_PIT
vinilrecords.com
Final bands for the Vi-Nil Records INDIE SOUNDS FROM NEWY & THE HUNTER album launch. at The Hamilton Station Hotel July 19, have been locked in.
Lost Plaza are now part of the crew and it's shaping up to be the biggest leg of the tour, with no less than 7 bands on board. Heaps of merch. Plenty of space in the Hamo's back room...and over five hours of kickarse live music!
Album out tomorrow July 1 and available online at vinilrecords.com or from Hiss & Crackle Records Wallsend, Rudderless Records Newcastle and Link and Pin Woy Woy.
Mucho Sonar. DRUGS IN SPORT The Howlin’ Rats. Butterknife band Trashed Again. Lost Plaza. music_PIT
The INDIE SOUNDS FROM NEWY & THE HUNTER compilation album is out tomorrow July 1, on Vi-Nil Records
Pre-sales have gone mad and there are only a handful of splatter albums left. But don't fret, as it sounds and looks just as good on clear vinyl...of which we have plenty.
The Digipak CD should arrive in a few days, after an unexpected delay. Apologies to those who have pre-ordered. 26 tracks on the CD. 13 on the record. Killer art by The Art of Fox
Launch tour commences this Friday July 5, as we roll into Port Macquarie, Bellingen and Pacific Palms.
Grab an album at vinilrecords.com Get along and see it all hitting you live!
Tyrants. music_PIT Thee Repton County Killers Elestial Moot. that Move Planet Skate Port Macquarie. Federal Hotel Bellingen Pacific Palms Recreation Club
Vi-Nil Records INDIE SOUNDS album launch. Tyrants. PIT. Hands That Move. Planet Skate Port Macquarie
Saturday July 6 up the coast. Night two of the Vi-Nil Records INDIE SOUNDS album launch tour. FREE.
Tyrants music_PIT Thee Repton County Killers
Federal Hotel Bellingen
Album out tomorrow on vinyl and CD. . Grab yours at vinilrecords.com
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Moot dished up some chunkola Sunday rock at The Recky, for Vi-Nil Records INDOE SOUNDS launch vinilrecords.com
@handsthatmove opening the first leg of the INDIE SOUNDS tour at Planet Skate.
Today’s the day! Eight months in the making.!!! Vi-Nil Records third compilation, INDIE SOUNDS FROM NEWY & THE HUNTER finally hits the streets. Thirteen awesome bands from up Newy way. A track each on clear and splatter vinyl and two tracks each on Digipak CD. The perfect Newy snapshot. AVAILABLE now at vinilrecords.com and at all the upcoming shows. Tour kicks off this Friday at Planet Skate Port Macquarie then Federal Hotel Bellingen Saturday, and Sunday arvo at Pacific Palms Recreation Club Massive thanks to Goon Gremlins Mucho SonarBOUDICCA. The Howlin’ Rats. Elestial. Butterknife bandmusic_PIT. The Grounds. I Hate People. Jan DRUGS IN SPORT Trashed Again and The Golden Gaytimes - band. For all coming on board. Here’s an unreleased track from DRUGS IN SPORT…Evil is as Good as Good is Evil … indie power pop to the core!
The Vi-Nil Records INDIE SOUNDS CD has just arrived! 26 meaty tracks in all. Pop. Punk. Power pop. Swamp. Grunge. Rock. A little piece of everything. Here’s a taste of Jan and one of their tracks Bleach. Available at vinilrecords.com for only $20. Or grab one at one of the shows over the coming weekends. Goon Gremlins. Mucho Sonar DRUGS IN SPORT Butterknife band. BOUDICCA Trashed Again I Hate People Jan The Howlin’ RatsThe Grounds Elestial The Golden Gaytimes - band music_PIT
Sunday July 7 at The Recky pacific palms. Get along and have a beer. vinilrecords.com
When you think of three long haired 16 year olds from Newcastle, you automatically think of Silverchair. Well now you can think of music_PIT cos they love the Chair and their sound is extremely reminiscent of the afore-mentioned band. Here’s a taste of their track Don’t Come Running Back from the soon to be released Vi-Nil Records compilation INDIE SOUNDS FROM NEWY & THE HUNTER. It’s out July 1 on clear or splatter vinyl (selling fast) and digipak CD. Grab a copy on pre-sale now at vinilrecords.com
I’ve been hammering the fresh test pressing of the SOON to be released Vi-Nil Records compilation INDIE SOUNDS FROM NEWY & THE HUNTER. Here’s a taste of the gorgeous Elestial track Nineteen. Dream pop plus! Pre-sales are selling well and there’s only 100 records and 100 CDs so get in while you can. vinilrecords.com Tour kicks off July 5.
Click on the link below to purchase the new Lion Island album on translucent neon blue vinyl, and we can have it in a box and on its way to you today! Only 150 of these babies pressed! vinilrecords.com redbackrock.com/shop
It’s been a busy 8 months since we re-launched the label. Lots more ahead. Stay tuned! vinilrecords.com Shacked DISGRACELand The 22s-Australia The Overtones (Aust) RUST The Crisps
Test pressing for the upcoming RUST vinyl release Double Denim and a bottle of Bleach, has just arrived. Sounds bloody good. The button has been pressed for production. Pre-sales open early 2023. Due for release on Vi-Nil Records late March. CD available now at redbackrock.com/shop vinilrecords.com
Test pressings for the new Vinil Records compilation INDIE SOUNDS FROM THE HARBOUR CITY (1983-1987) have just arrived. Sounding pretty damn good. Hope to have albums ready to ship by late June. Pre-sales now open at redbackrock.com/shop
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