If you are Australian then you’ll know exactly how influential Blueline Medic were and still are to the Australian punk / rock scene.  To celebrate just how influential this band have been Poison City Records will be releasing “Shuffle and Scrape: A Tribute to Blueline Medic” featuring tracks from The Nation Blue, A Death In The Family, The Gifthorse, Arrows, Jamie Hay & The Smith Street Band, Jen Buxton, Harmony, Paper Arms, Darren Gibson and Grim Fandango. Head here for more details.

The album will be released in April on limited edition vinyl with artwork done by Blueline Medic fan and Samiam member, Sergie Loobkoff.

Poison City Records is a label, record shop and distributor. I first became aware of the label when I bought the Daysworth Fighting and Lead Sketch Union EPs. Both were great and so I checked out the label and their other releases. From that beginning, I ended up living in Melbourne where the label is based, stopping past regularly to hunt for new vinyl. One of the great things about that was Andy Hayden, the owner of Poison City, is one of the nicest guys you’ll meet.  He’s been able to bring out some of my favourite bands, put on some great shows and Poison City continues to release great music from Australian bands. I chatted to him about the label, the decision to expand and the “Weekender.” Read the interview here.

-          Interview by Justin George.  Interview first appeared in Wasted Opportunities Zine with republication under approval from Justin George.

The Poison City Weekender is, without a doubt, one of Australia’s best D.I.Y. festivals.  Held over three days back in September, the festival offers the best punk rock bands that the country has to offer along with respectable international acts.  Poison City Records have debuted a mini-doco filmed during the course of the 2010 Weekender.  It’s split over three parts, one for each night of the festival and you can watch all the videos, here.  It’s not only great watching but they’ve incorporated  some interesting interviews from various people involved with the festival.

There is footage of a gazillion bands including Lungs, Leatherface, The Gun Runners, A Death In The Family, Break Even, Grand Fatal, Grim Fandango, Paper Arms, The Currency, Arrows plus many more.