On an evening back in February of 2018, I took a rare peek @Twitter (as it was then called.) I might have been posting something which is infrequent.

I saw a post from someone offering a free ticket to see the band FRIGHTENED RABBIT 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿 play at the Mod Club in Toronto the next night. The writer said he couldn’t make it and wanted the ticket to go to someone who would appreciate the gig. I could not attend.

[Ed. Note- Background- At that time FR were one of rex’s fave artists. He had taken some of his kids to see them in Detroit at St. Andrews Hall in Detroit on April 30, 2016. He considers their song “Modern Leper” the !Romantic song ever…]

I immediately texted daughter Courtney (Bean) who resides in Toronto to see if she could use the ticket. She jumped for it!

And so started a friendship. The donor was Jamie Hall, from Vancouver.

I sent a message back thanking him and offering to buy a drink the next time I was in YVR. Those who know me know that was going to happen- and did.

Jamie was born in England and also spent 13 years in Scotland as a young man. He met his future wife, Naomi, there. He came with her to visit her family in BC. They arrived at their destination very late in the evening.

When Jamie awoke the next morning and saw the view, their future was set. They have lived in Vancouver since. Jamie works in administration at the University of British Columbia. Naomi is an artist.

We have extremely similar music tastes and often share recommendations.

As an aside, Jamie personally knew the lead singer of the band. We were both devastated in May of 2018 when that individual, lead Rabbit, SCOTT HUTCHISON, walked out of a pub, sent an ominous tweet and then disappeared into the Firth Of Forth.

Jamie and I have met up each time I have been in Vancouver since with one exception. The four of us tried in November 2021 and when Kimberly and I visited, but COVID concerns nixed that plan.

Anyway, we met up for drinks on Saturday.

I asked Jamie to select the song for today’s post. As I expected, he made a brilliant choice.

As he explained it, on May 15, he went to see a gig here in Vancouver.

The opening act blew him away. He described their performance as incendiary.

The band has now positively invaded me (and hopefully you.)

PARTY DOZEN are from SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA 🇦🇺

They are a duo consisting of KIRSTY TICKLE on saxaphone/vocals and JOHNATHAN BOULET (percussion and electronics.)

Their sound is gorgeously shambolic- and impossible to characterize.

Notably, when KIRSTY sings, she does so into the sax to great effect!

I have spent a substantial chunk of the last 24 hours listening to Party Dozen!

[Editors Note- That is an understatement.]

The bulk of their discography is on SUBPOP and now TEMPORARY RESIDENCES RECORDS.

Jamie’s selection is “Macca The Mutt” from their 2022 LP entitled “The Real Work”. It is an uncomplimentary reference to the nickname (“MACCA”) of PAUL McCARTNEY 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿 and features the irrepressible NICK CAVE 🇦🇺 🇬🇧 on vocals.

Here goes- Brace Yourself.

SPOTIFY-

https://open.spotify.com/track/62xmdcMgksgJip9M0U4k43?si=kf-viUGSTIWCUTB87HWCpA

(1121)

My selection is the single “Coup De Gronk” from their 2024 LP “Crime In Australia” (Temporary Residence).

SPOTIFY –

https://open.spotify.com/track/62xmdcMgksgJip9M0U4k43?si=kf-viUGSTIWCUTB87HWCpA

(SONG 1122)

And finally, for those still interested in these punk jazz monsters after this rambling post, here is a video of another of my early faves entitled “The Worker” where you can digest KIRSTY’S unique vocal style…

(SONG 1123)

PLAY LOUD OR PERISH (These guys do)

June 2, 2025