tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36936499.post116237585484993250..comments2023-12-12T21:57:26.268+11:00Comments on The Barman's Rant: Vale Ian Rilen (1947-2006)The Barmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00816861742029266021noreply@blogger.comBlogger18125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36936499.post-55343289479383142242010-04-18T07:36:12.505+10:002010-04-18T07:36:12.505+10:00Thanks for that info too - will keep an eye out, s...Thanks for that info too - will keep an eye out, so to speak.<br />cheers<br />BrianAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36936499.post-10462339530588172222010-04-16T16:09:39.849+10:002010-04-16T16:09:39.849+10:00It's due out any tick of the clock and it'...It's due out any tick of the clock and it's an absolute killer. Cocktails in the gutter.The Barmanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00816861742029266021noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36936499.post-8278594737227211922010-04-16T13:04:39.012+10:002010-04-16T13:04:39.012+10:00Thanks for that Barman
..blimey another question f...Thanks for that Barman<br />..blimey another question for you.<br />Seeing you have connections, do you know when, or if, the album Ian was working on before his passing, is going to be released?<br />cheers<br />BrianAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36936499.post-35136371886071488462010-04-16T12:49:10.688+10:002010-04-16T12:49:10.688+10:00Brian - I think Ian's family had the car, last...Brian - I think Ian's family had the car, last I heard. I'll check.The Barmanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00816861742029266021noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36936499.post-77110880398040841812010-04-16T12:29:41.939+10:002010-04-16T12:29:41.939+10:00g'day Barman
It may seem strange getting a com...g'day Barman<br />It may seem strange getting a comment here so long after your original post...but here goes.<br /><br />I regard my self as a Ian Rilen, but I never got into X, in fact only saw them once at the Tote.<br /><br />Did catch the Tats often when they were resident at a pub in Carlton back in the early '70s. hahaha when Angry was Angry and Ian just a bass player.<br /><br />Now the Love Addicts are a different kettle of fish, particularly the stuff on 'Love is Murder' 1st Album.<br />Often caught the Addicts at the Espy in St Kilda...think Ian was living in St Kilda at the time.<br />That back bar use to rock on a Satdee arvo.<br />I was lucky enough to catch 'em a couple of weeks before Ian's passing in Bendigo. <br />Ian been born there, I figure it was a bit of a farewell to his home town.<br />Even tho obviously sick, he was on fire as usual. Unfortunately the majority of the crown didn't realise they were in the presence of greatness. <br /><br />I'm not having a go at youth, but yes they were a young crowd and had a different music taste. It was Friday night and they were just about getting pissed and being rowdy amongst themselves - Ian having to play over them.<br />Yes, a true aussie legend passed away, but will never be forgotten by many.<br />Barman, further to why I'm here at your blog...you mention Ian's Buick do you know much about the car, and where it is now?<br />There is a car Museum in Newstead Vic (about 50 clicks from Bendigo)<br />With many old Buicks...this morning the Buick Car Club of Australian were visiting, I guess about 50 various models were represented from 1923 onwards.<br />I know nothing of the marque cept what I have gleaned from the song of Ian's '401' ...thats 401 cubic inch or 6.6 ltrs in modern parlance...what ya might call a muscle car!<br />I spoke to a couple of blokes and asked if they knew of Ian and his music. Most had heard of Rose Tattoo, but totally unaware otherwise. <br /><br />So yeah as I was saying, if Ian's car is still around or any info about it, Id be interested to know.<br />either here or by email bloynes@fastmail.com.au<br /><br />cheers and thanks for your words<br />BrianAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36936499.post-26441454136636422592007-02-25T12:51:00.000+11:002007-02-25T12:51:00.000+11:00i CANNOT BELIEVE THAT rILEN HAS GONE!!!!!!!! xASPI...i CANNOT BELIEVE THAT rILEN HAS GONE!!!!!!!! xASPIRATIONS ONE OF THE MOST PLAYED ALBUMS FROM MY PUNK DAYS, THEN IN 1991 i MOVED BACK TO mELBOURNE AND HAD THE PLEASURE OF MEETING THE GREAT rILEN AND GOING OUT WITH HIM FOR A WHILE, MOSTLY REMAINING FRIENDS WITH HIM AND SPENCE, FOOCH, NIGEL, & A WHOLE LOT OF OTHERS I CANT REMEMBER! HAVE 1 FOR ME WITH NIGEL AND THE MAN UPSTAIRS, LOTSA LOVE TO GENTILLA, TALLULAH, AND J.J. AND CATHY GREEN, FROM ANNIE IMPALA.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36936499.post-2337677800221754452006-11-08T23:18:00.000+11:002006-11-08T23:18:00.000+11:00I got to read a poem at Ian's funeral. To say it w...I got to read a poem at Ian's funeral. To say it was an honour is the understatement of the century.. I lost my jacket, silk tie, mobile phone and cracked a rib between the wake and dawn. I can just hear him quietly chuckling. Anyway, I was asked to send the poem to this great site, so here it is (I hope)..Jesus, the world without Rilen..we must not lie down!! This is for him, all his family, and anybody that ever got "Rilened".<br /><br /> HELL TO PAY<br /><br /> Brown-eyed handsome man<br /> I drank from your cup and <br /> it nearly killed me<br /> but I never felt more alive<br /> We peeled the walls off some dump in Warnambool<br /> then Buick-cackled back to Melbourne<br /> ruling the roundabouts<br /> with Biggs and Jones,<br /> ruling the roundabouts,<br /> Radio On<br /> You said you really rocked last night Skoey<br /> I said couldn't think of a reason not to<br /> and smiled for three days<br /> Then we lost the car<br /> Back-tracked till we found<br /> your beautiful big bruised baby<br /> waiting patiently in a St Kilda carpark<br /> daring some fool to Steal It<br /> I stayed at yours<br /> wrote a note for ' Tilla's teacher<br /> signed it from you<br /> cos you were out getting the roast<br /> or maybe asleep<br /> or all of the above<br /> <br /> Brown-eyed handsome runaway train<br /> sneer to snog in under a minute<br /> "fuck the end, I know how to start it"<br /> <br /> <br /> Crashing burning table smashing heart-breaking bastard-angel saboteur.<br /> Taught us everything we've forgotten<br /> Motherlode of Rock<br /> stroking Romeo's head<br /> on a hotel bed<br /> while down the road they're removing the roof for you<br /> sneer to floor in under a minute<br /> "fuck the start, I know how to end it" <br /> .Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36936499.post-91652557659275712712006-11-06T23:44:00.000+11:002006-11-06T23:44:00.000+11:00Now you can have a beer 'upstairs' with Pop. We'll...Now you can have a beer 'upstairs' with Pop. We'll all catch up one day but for now: we loved you, mate. It was a privilege to know you.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36936499.post-29376782212850431452006-11-05T13:04:00.000+11:002006-11-05T13:04:00.000+11:00The service was great. Really nailed all the impor...The service was great. Really nailed all the important things about the guy. Just wanted to say to Tracee, you did a fantastic job.<br />I apologise for laughing when you said 'he touched us all' but you know...He touched as many of us as he could get his hands on!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36936499.post-39311834888717782002006-11-02T14:48:00.000+11:002006-11-02T14:48:00.000+11:00Rilen was always the man.
From the first time I ...Rilen was always the man. <br /><br />From the first time I saw him with X in about '87 or '88 at the Kardomah Cafe in Kings X as a teenager through dozens of performances in various outfits up till June this year at the Sando, it was always special and Ian never gave less than 110%. What a fucking pro he was.<br /><br />Nothing was as thrilling as X in full flight, with Ian leading the charge. Not seeing the Stones, Iggy, AC/DC, Motorhead, Neil Young, even Miles Davis or Johnny Cash! My mates and I always wreaked havoc after an X gig; you just couldn't help it.<br /><br />Ian was everything rock n' roll is meant to be about - from his slicked back hair to his cuban heels, and always the songs.<br /><br />Vital to the last, Ian will be missed by so many in such a genuine and heartfelt way for a very long time.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36936499.post-20608973927237328922006-11-02T14:42:00.000+11:002006-11-02T14:42:00.000+11:00From GTK to the Love Addicts,Ian weaved in and out...From GTK to the Love Addicts,Ian weaved in and out of my life like no other.To the Family ,friends and admirers xxx Paul FraserAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36936499.post-91548049012474700842006-11-02T13:51:00.000+11:002006-11-02T13:51:00.000+11:00Thanks for some of the sexiest, darkest rock ever ...Thanks for some of the sexiest, darkest rock ever to emit from the stage Ian. I'm just glad we got to see, hear and film some of the Love Addict/X gigs around Melbourne cos they were priceless. <br /><br />I'm glad we got to drink wine, smoke scoobs and party hard from time to time. I'll never forget them (although don't remember them entirely). You were hell of an entertainer on and off the stage mate and our thoughts are with your family and friends. You'll be missed.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36936499.post-69885062571059453752006-11-02T10:47:00.000+11:002006-11-02T10:47:00.000+11:00Christ what a guy Ian was, what joy it was being a...Christ what a guy Ian was, what joy it was being around him, you had a smile 20 feet long when you jumped on his band wagon, be it for the night or a week (I could only last a week) And his music --- slabs of raw meat, I had the privilage of playing with him a couple of times but I was pissed and can't remember too much about it, I slept with him once too in Rotterdam but I was pissed and don't remember too much about it. However I do remember his red undies -- no I didn't root him but the chamber maid probably thought I did when she opened the hotel door and saw us in the spoons position, I lept up pretty quickly, when we were in each others company years later this would always come up in conversation and we would collapse in fits of laughter. -- he still owes me a bottle of red --- damn I'll miss that bastard.<br /><br />HoodyAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36936499.post-24870970779569737592006-11-02T06:49:00.000+11:002006-11-02T06:49:00.000+11:00From the moment I first saw X at the Atlas Club in...From the moment I first saw X at the Atlas Club in Darlo in 1978 and they lifted up my skinny teenage body and blew me right away.....I knew I was in the presence of greatness. <br />X were more than a band, they were the kind of thing that changes your life. <br /><br />Why does rock and roll exist? It is something to do with the way you feel when you look at the moon and feel the wild animal in you want to howl. <br />I was a north shore kid with intellectual pretensions dancing cheek to cheek with sweating labourers from the western suburbs,sharing their sweat,and holding on to their jackets so I could let my body go crazy without losing balance. <br />We were all one because what was coming at us was universal and elemental. It spoke to your spine,not your brain and it filled you with LIFE. <br />I believe, as a few others do, that on their night X were the greatest rock 'n roll band of all time bar none. <br /><br />The astounding thing was that Ian then went on to something totally different that was almost as potent as X. <br /><br />The haunting, swirling melodies of Sardine and the sheer PRESENCE and charisma of Ian as front man were a potent mix.This is a side of Ian we had not seen.The style, the subtlety, the sexiness of his stage personality made Sardine a riveting experience. <br /><br />They did some revival gigs at the Kardomah Cafe in the early 90's. At one of these gigs Ian claimed to have dropped his first ecstasy tablet and apologised for being self indulgent. And he was self indulgent. <br /><br />And here we come to another side of Ian. There was his music and then there was the man himself as a work of art. Ian loved the attention of an audience. He was vain but in the most forgivable way. It was the vanity that goes with greatness,with credibility, with utter commitment to and belief in his art. It was the vanity of knowing that the audience wanted something from you that you knew only you could give them. <br />Ian never walked onto a stage with the intention of holding anything back. Whatever he had to give on the night, he would give it all. <br /><br />Sometimes that was fuck all. I have been to some shocking X gigs and some shocking Ian gigs. Gigs where if you brought someone along to show them the world's greatest rock 'n roller, you were just embarrassed. I have seen Ian stumbling around on stage so drunk he could no longer remember his own lyrics or play a guitar. BUT, even though he had bugger all to give at that moment, he was giving every thing he had. <br />In the early days, when they were junkies, X only showed up to every second gig. The first time I went to see them, they blew the gig. And when they did show up it was not always great. But that didn't matter because when they produced the goods they were indescribably good. For me it was like my body was no longer my own and I had been plugged into a million watt generator. I found myself twitching and jerking around like something being shaken by a giant hound. And I was in a state resembling ecstasy, sometimes laughing, occasionally sobbing as women sometimes do when their orgasm has been too much for them to deal with. <br /><br />If this sounds like a wank I make no apologies because it is the truth and surely this is a time for truth. <br /><br />Ian cannot be remembered as just a bad boy rock and roller because that doesn't even touch the surface. I know that I have been blessed as very few people in any time or place have been blessed. <br />When I am on my deathbed and I am recounting what has made my life worth living, the legacy of Ian's music, his personality, and the wild, poetic beauty of his art will be a large part of that. <br /><br />I always knew that I would outlive Ian and I always knew that his departure would leave a hole in my life. The world is a less rich and a diminished place without him. <br /><br />I hope he was proud of what he had achieved as he lay dying and I hope he knew how we felt. I think he did and I feel good about that. <br /><br />Thank you Ian. <br /><br />Rest in peace. <br /><br />Love, <br /><br />George the taxi driver.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36936499.post-85615132534959541452006-11-02T05:38:00.000+11:002006-11-02T05:38:00.000+11:00aspirations, is one of my most loved oz rock n rol...aspirations, is one of my most loved oz rock n roll records, i just couldn't believe how great the songs were, the lyrics to delinquent cars are outstanding, the startling originality of i don't wanna go out, to the great fun of dipstick. i just fucking played it and played it and played it and played it, through my own unmanageability i kept losing copies of it but ALWAYS got another one, cause i couldn't be without it. (and sometimes it was fucking hard to find a copy)<br /><br />i saw em play love mostly in the early 80's, after seeing em a few times i realised ian was the down stroke king of the bass, amazing to watch him play, like a fucking machine, but with a lot of heartfelt rhythm, i loved watching him play.<br /><br />ian sure as fuck paid his dues, but the dues were never paid to him, that might stop a lot of people playing, not him huh.garagePunkhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15611232049166885072noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36936499.post-82928341233278321062006-11-01T21:56:00.000+11:002006-11-01T21:56:00.000+11:00I grew up in Serbia, Yugoslavia before coming to P...I grew up in Serbia, Yugoslavia before coming to Perth in December 1992. In the '80s, when I was a teenager, music meant a lot to me, my brother and my friends. It still means a lot, at least to me and my brother. We loved different bands and different styles. However, we had a paricular soft spot for Australian bands. Started with obvious one: Radio Birdman and the Saints. But then in mid to late 80s we started getting tapes of all these obscured Aussie bands, like feedtime, Lubricated Goat and X. <br /> <br />X we were particularly fond of. At that time we only heard "At Home With You". I remember it didn't kick in into my world right away. It took me a few listents. But then I couldn't get it out of my head anymore. I could play that album on a daily basis and not get bored with it. When I went for a summer holiday to the coast with my friends, I took the tape of "At Home With You". We played it loud on the beach. The other beachgoers (mostly tourists from Western Europe) hated it, some even came to us to tell us to put it down. We didn't.<br /> <br />In the late 80s we used to organise parties or crash someone else's parties. Every single time we would blas some of the X songs through PA. "Oxford Street Nick" used to be my favourite "go apeshit now!" song. "Don't Cry No Tears" used to be a perfect soundtrack for getting a girl (not that I ever got one, hehehe).<br /> <br />Then I arrived to Perth in late 1992, expecting to see X and all these other cool Aussie bands here every month or so. No chance, they were all over east. But at the venue I went to see my first Perth gig - now not live venue anymore - Grosvenor Hotel, the sound guy kept playing X "Aspirations" album over the PA between the bands. It took me a few years finally to track down a copy of it - a reissue on vinyl, just before it was released on a CD in the States.<br /> <br />Then I bought every singles release I could get - from the Spiral Scratch live CD (awful sound quality, but fucken awesome live show) to "Evil Rumours". And then just when I opened my email box yesterday I got sad news from my brother who still lives in Serbia about Ian passing away...<br /> <br />All these years in Perth I was hoping to get a chance to see X, but now I know it'll never happen. I saw Ian playing with the Rose Tattoo a few years ago, which was great, so at least I had one chance to witness his live performance. I truly believe he was one of the best bass players this country ever produced and when I play bass with my band Bamodi I try to play it hard and heavy way, Ian Rilen's way.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36936499.post-17698511037598688582006-11-01T21:55:00.000+11:002006-11-01T21:55:00.000+11:00Love and thoughts to Ian's family and friends. A v...Love and thoughts to Ian's family and friends. A very large hole has appeared in the fabric of rock n' roll. X at the Unicorn back bar on Oxford Street was an institution way back when...and Ian influenced a lot of musos ever since, that's for sure......Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36936499.post-36176003807076006552006-11-01T21:54:00.000+11:002006-11-01T21:54:00.000+11:00There now exists a gap in the world of Australian ...There now exists a gap in the world of Australian rock n roll ...I cant imagine how it could ever be filled. Ian truly lived the life of a rock n roll legend with all its excess and all its beauty and yes the music...dont forget the music. He was truly unique as a musician and songwriter as well as a person. A gentleman and a scoundrel. <br /><br />Love to all the blood and rock n roll Ian Rilen families and love to Ian. Thank you for your music, thank you for your support of my music and for being you. The world is not the same place anymore. Penny Ikinger xAnonymousnoreply@blogger.com