Summerabbacat

Men At Work came along after Little River Band and Air Supply had made it big, and perhaps to some extent they had made it more "palatable" for American radio stations to play new Aussie bands like Men At Work and then INXS as they were by then bankable. As for AC/DC, have they had any hit singles in the USA, or have they primarily been an album seller @weinerdog?

All Out Of Love @weinerdog.

In deference to the chapter title @Lee Wilson, this song is much more @Summerabbacat's "cup of tea", with words and music by the fabulous Chic and vocals by Miss Ross herself, looking absolutely stunning on the cover of her most successful album ever, a Chic written blockbuster.

You will observe from my comment on the next chapter it did. Your characters certainly keep us on our toes @Lee Wilson. One chapter a saint, the next chapter a c#$t or vice versa.

I feel like a complete bastard for having judged RB so harshly after his behaviour in chapter 2, but that feeling won't last for long as I still think what he did was quite despicable. I was surprised by how many of the setlist I know @Lee Wilson, and even more surprised at how many of them I genuinely like (I know 17 of them and genuinely like 9 of them, including More Than A Feeling by Boston, which is so not my usual "cup of tea"). I thought the "odd one out", one of the songs I genuinely like, in fact, I really, really like is Crazy Little Thing Called Love by Queen. If Pete is able to perform that song with even 1/10th the amount of pizazz that Freddie exhibited then he must be a damn good singer and as "gay as a daffodil" (LOL). The shyster record company plot is brilliant, and I imagine a very common occurrence, although I suspect such behaviour is not exclusive to small independent record companies.

The American market could not "cope" with Skyhooks, they were way too "weird", just like David Bowie and Gary Glitter who never achieved the same level of success in the USA as they did in the UK, Europe and Australia. Your writing is never formulaic. It may have consistent themes and locations, but there is enough diversity in the characters and their motivations and reactions, to keep your readers entertained. You must stick to your plans for Traditions, otherwise you will end up writing something which lacks authenticity and will lack your personal "stamp". Think of ABBA or The B-52's, they had an instantly recognisable sound that was uniquely their own.

I think that thought may have struck Graham too in this chapter @CincyKris. The irony would be just too delicious. Vince the hairy bear, Graham the smooth diva and Freddie the young twink. The family which provides someone to suit all tastes, or at least potentially many tastes. I was wondering if the drama might be the result of interference or action by the insufferable Venetia too. She certainly irked Graham and tests Vince patience. I had a vision of a scene where she is attempting to foist yet another suitable "wife" onto Vince, where he shouts in response "For fuck's sake Venetia, I am like my brother Graham, I like cock".

I had some sympathy for RB in the first chapter @Lee Wilson, wondering if he might have Asperger's syndrome or be painfully shy for some hitherto unknown reason. Well, sympathy no more; he is a fucking little turd. Pete is certainly better off without him and frankly without Cathy too. She had no problem with Pete "sacrificing" himself by blowing RB to protect her from her parents, but as soon as she found Pete might actually be enjoying it, she had a "moral dilemma" aka jealousy. And her insistence that Pete be kicked out of the band because of what he did to protect her, whilst admittedly protecting himself, warrants a big "FUCK YOU HO". Pete will be much better off with Anthony, who proved himself a far superior cocksucker to Cathy anyway. You have certainly created some vile characters in your time @Lee Wilson (Kathy Nelson, Abel Kraft and Stephanie Yost to name but a few), but RB is up there with them. Odious little pipsqueak who needs a taste of his own medicine.

I agree with @Gary L, as I invariably do when visiting the Hugillverse, this story is unfolding slowly, like a beautiful butterfly or a spring blossom. You have a real talent @Robert Hugill for presenting these 'slice of life' stories set in smaller locales in the UK, making them universally appealing whilst remaining quintessentially English. In fact, it almost makes me yearn for a visit to Blighty one day, although it would have to be during an English summer. Again Google was consulted to determine the meaning of a word and/or phrase. Proles, never have I heard or seen that word before, it sounds like something Vicky Pollard might say and it gave me a good cackle. I understood well though Vince's dilemma. And, then, the fag end of the cheese. I thought at first it may have been referring to goats cheese rolled in ash (bloody delicious), but no it is something quite different, and not necessarily appetising. Graham's suggestion to "de-daddify" Philpott Towers and add some personal touches was warmly welcomed by Vince, illustrating the improvement in their relationship as mentioned by @Gary L. Like he, I am enjoying the view of the brothers becoming closer too. I just wonder after this chapter if Vince might strongly encourage, maybe even give a little nudge to Graham and/or Matt to "broaden" their friendship. Matt's shyness in this chapter again left me feeling all warm and "gooey". He is a great addition to your literary characters @Robert Hugill.

I have to confess to a sense of pride both bands did so well in the USA too @Mark Ponyboy Peters, although I did not really like either of them at the time they were popular, with a few exceptions (I always liked LRB's Emma and Air Supply's Love & Other Bruises). I recognise they both had a broader appeal, which is why they charted very well on both the American Adult Contemporary Charts and the Pop charts. Neither band was strongly identifiable as Australian, unlike the megafabulous Skyhooks or Sherbet, which made them more easily accepted in other markets. I really liked early INXS too (Shabooh Shoobah and The Swing are outstanding), but once they made it big in the USA they seemed to "lose" their immediately recognisable earlier sound, which was a hybrid of beach/pub rock with a little R&B thrown in too (Black & White ,The One Thing and the magnificent The Original Sin). Not a spoiler alert as I guess Aaron's parents indifference was a form of abandonment. It did not strike me at the time, but he was a little like Justin in that his partner/lover/boyfriend really "grounded" him, a "security blanket" which made him feel worthwhile. Please do not be conscious of my comment regarding the "similarity" between this work and Traditions as it may be to the detriment of Traditions. My comments, which were partly in jest, highlighted how moving both stories are, and the similarity is only that one particular aspect of the plot. It really did "worry" me at first though that I could not remember the other story, and when I finally remembered it was Traditions I had a good laugh, at my own expense.

Tony's feelings of guilt and/or regret from having left Aaron behind in his small hometown to "conquer the world" had me momentarily concerned for my own "sanity". I thought to myself that, knowing this story was published some time ago on several other sites, someone has plagiarised it. I wracked my brain for several minutes as I knew I had read another story only very recently with a very similar plotline i.e. teenage male loves another but leaves town, only to return later to discover the one he "left behind" has not fared so well. I finally realised, you have "plagiarised" yourself @Mark Ponyboy Peters, Tony aka Kieran, Aaron aka Charlie. There is enough difference in their history to make them very different characters, but the sense of dejavu was a little scary when I could not immediately recall the other story I had read (dementia?). Tony's experiences of having lived with the Monolith before finding happiness living with Luke, Matt, Guy, Tim and Aaron, were not pleasant by any stretch of the imagination, but he seemed to generally bear it well. If I remember correctly, Aaron's parents were largely absent from his life or indifferent in their care for him, contrary to the Monolith's overbearing presence in Tony's life. I mean no disrespect to Aaron, but I always sensed his emotional or mental state was a little fragile, perhaps due to this indifference on his parents part. I think Aaron's shutting Tony out was his way of coping with a situation which overwhelmed him, it was his way of dealing with the grief of losing the one thing in life he truly cherished, which made him feel good about himself. Some may think him self-pitying, and perhaps there was an element of that involved, but I sense Tony's departure may have harmed Aaron far more than what any of the others realised. A wonderful chapter @Mark Ponyboy Peters, apart from the arrival of those damned tears AGAIN. As is often the case with well written stories I like, a song popped into my head as I read this chapter, possibly because of my reference to the "dreaded" Air Supply in my comments on the previous chapter. I loathed this song when it was a substantial hit in 1980, just as I loathed virtually all their songs. That loathing has changed over the years, to the point where now I am rather fond of it and of them (sappy bitch that I have become).

I know bugger all about golf, but doesn't it have clubs, irons and woods as well? I have to confess I did not "get" the golf reference porn title @Lee Wilson, but as soon as you explained it, it was apparent. At first I thought to myself, have I seen that one before, thinking it may have been a "real" porn video like These Bases Are Loaded, Big Guns, Powertool, The Pizza Boy He Delivers, Manrammer (and that's just a sample of my collection). Given your comment above Lee "Yes, one of my tamer exits for a homophobe. Otherwise, a close family" I am assuming Bart's dad was the homophobe in question and may have left because young Bart was showing some "sissy" tendencies. If this is the case, what a fucking arsehole.

Give Me The Night was a big hit single, but he was more successful with albums than singles, as he was in Australia too. A very handsome man when he was at his peak too and still quite so. The Molly Hatchet song surprised me. It wasn't too bad. Did you see the comment of Georgia Girl 61 underneath? Joan Jett is an attractive woman as well as being very talented. I am not a fan of hard rock generally, but I also love Heart because of those Wilson sisters. Did you by chance adopt your nom de plume in deference to them or to Cindy and Ricky from The B-52's? I am not fond of Lita Ford at all, particularly after reading of her anti-lesbian remarks about Joan and Cherie Currie.

I thought of this song as soon as I wrote the word reminiscing. I did not care for them as a teenager as I thought they were too "polished" and "American-sounding". As I have aged I have come to like many of their songs, especially Emma, Cool Change and It's A Long Way There. I also did not like Air Supply for much the same reason(s), but do now.

You have definitely mentioned it before on GA @Mark Ponyboy Peters. If I recall correctly either in response to comments on After We Danced or The Rip. I remember you remarking on the unusual pronunciation of Lake Cathie to @Paladin, which I confirmed having spent my life from ages 5 to 13 living not far south in Taree.

That's them @Robert Hugill. They dry quickly and need a bare minimum of ironing.

I think Cal recorded it on his phone @peter rietbergen otherwise Monty would not have seen Victor's dick print. I dislike June as much as I dislike Victor, therefore if whatever plan the "Kildare four" and Will hatch damages both their reputations (as a bare minimum), so much the better. Victor is clearly a product of his entitled parents, their arrogance seemingly unchecked previously as they got such a shock to be disagreed with. Clearly neither have as much influence on the school board as they thought; Ingrid Moore and Walter Cross delighted in bringing them down a peg or two. Aunt Vienna "stole the show" with her slay of the hateful Lydia and her rebuke of Joseph. I doubt Vienna's reply will stop either though from seeking revenge. I just hope it blows up in their face as much as Victor's behaviour blows up in his face. Wonderful chapter @irivera. I love a story with at least one character that everyone loves to hate, having three of them is almost orgiastic.

This is so not true @drsawzall. Having a trove of tropical/Hawaiian shirts is not a fashion disability, it is the sign of someone who is comfortable with their own style and owns it. I have four myself, which I bought last year from Aussiebum (an Australian online store) and have had numerous people comment on them positively.

Perhaps you can give @irivera some suggestions @Lee Wilson on how to "take out the trash". Death by Wilson has invariably been at least amusing and often nasty.

A little reminiscing like Tony, Mr Peters. I remember the first singles I ever bought using my own money. 48 Crash and Can The Can by Suzi Quatro and My Coo Ca Choo by Alvin Stardust. The first album I ever bought for $3.99 was Welcome To My Nightmare by Alice Cooper on cassette. I had saved up the money from doing the edges. It is odd the things one remembers and I remember it well that it cost me $3.99. The "real me" emerged the next year when on vinyl I bought my first disco albums Never Can Say Goodbye by Gloria Gaynor and Save Me by Silver Convention, and my one concession to non-disco music, Wings At The Speed Of Sound. Halcyon days. I even purchased a 3 in 1 stereo after doing a summer job my grandmother got for me mowing lawn and land clearing near a service station in her hometown. I must have looked bizarre to the business owner, this little gay boy doing all this butch work and doing it well without complaint. My hands were covered in blisters, which my grandfather taught me were best treated by peeing on your hands (I peed on them, he did not). My grandparents lived in Macksville and I loved visiting them.

What a delightful chapter again @Robert Hugill, one in which readers become more intimately acquainted with the often spoke of but until now unknown, Felicity, Mr Russ' PA. She proved herself to not only be immaculately groomed and exceedingly competent, but refreshingly friendly and likeable. Another pleasant adult for Toby to add to his "collection", and she seemingly liked Toby too. And Mr Russ, saving the day again. When introduced into this story I never imagined he would become such an integral part of the Brian/Gordon/Toby family, far more so than the unpleasant Deirdre. Elise was most amusing in her assessment of Toby: “Yeah. You never know, you might see something for your Dad and Gordon.” “What do you mean?” Elise shook her head. Boys! “For a present. For the wedding.” Clearly she is a teenager with brains and wit, and apparently very fond of Toby. A good friend for him to have as he appears not to be as rambunctious as his male friends. It is always a pleasure to visit the Hugillverse.

It is time to take off the gloves and get NASTY. I agree with @Danners in that June may be Victor's weakest link. Given she is such a bitch, no mercy should be shown to her. Character assassination, slut-shaming, any low down and dirty trick which I am sure she has likely employed in the past, should be used against her. As for Victor, a trap needs to be set. Riveting chapter @irivera. I detest Victor and June so I am hoping you have a really nasty and humiliating fall from grace planned for both, and for Victor's odious parents too. Insider trading, money laundering, embezzlement, illegal gambling, drugs and prostitution, throw it all at the fuckers and let them be humiliated and incarcerated for a very long time.

DT's teenage years were filled with some very hot times. If his son Jacob is a "chip off the old block" then Ryan and Mary had best have a serious discussion with Lynn at the very least.

“I love you so much, son. More than you will ever know or understand. I love you exactly like you are. I will always love you exactly as you are. You are the most amazing son any man could ever have.” 😹😹😹😹😹😹 A positive parental affirmation if there ever was one. Delightful chapter @KKirk.

Hopefully it does not rain for 40 days and 40 nights before Bart and Noah have the opportunity to see each other again, or if it does, they are trapped in an 'ark' together, and if it must be with two others, make it two cats @Lee Wilson. The gay porn DVD's. A dead giveaway, which in this case worked in both Bart and Noah's favour. I guess if it does rain for 40 days and 40 nights they can refresh their memories with watching some cinematic masterpieces. Delightful chapter @Lee Wilson. I like both guys already.