Before The Show, the debut release from Tex Perkins and Matt Walker encapsulates the nexus of these two celebrated Australian artists. Their working partnership which includes recorded work with The Fat Rubber Band and The Cruel Sea has led them to this album which shines a light on their unique collaboration.
Produced in late 2025, the album features a collection of songs that were penned and recorded simultaneously. Freshly harnessed before any outside influences augmented the process, the majority of the recordings here are first takes, all captured by Walker using his mobile recording unit. These predominantly acoustic performances are presented with minimal adornment and speak directly to the listener, while also getting to the heart of what makes both artists tick. There is an honesty that is both solitary and communal. Private yet unguarded.
Perkins' familiar brand of storytelling finds room to step out into stark new realms here. Blurring lines of modern-day observations within a world of hard lived truths, he is able to weave his trademark wit effortlessly amongst the more poignant moments within the songs. The track, 'It Always Can Get Worse' being a perfect example.
The listener may be caught off guard as the song reveals itself. A strength and quality that is inherent of every track on this album.
These two artists share an intuitiveness that has been shaped over much time and many miles of touring. Walkers’ guitar playing holds an earthiness and weight, setting the scene with each song for Perkins to deliver his engaging narratives. Whether it's the future-blues of 'A Little More Time' or the swaggering 12 string jangle and vocal harmonies of 'Maybe Tomorrow' there is a propulsion and warmth to the songs that feels effortless.
Listening to this collection of songs you feel at times you are sitting in the same room at the very moment the songs are being performed. The foot tapping on the wooden floor and even the crackle of the open fire all captured by the microphone to place the listener right there, while other songs beckon you into a more imagined world with additional instrumentation transporting the listener into the albums more surreal folk blues territory (I Have My Doubts).
Before The Show is a testament to the belief in a song, and the authenticity of this release simply affirms the standing of Perkins and Walker as artists at the top of their game.
New York - No Wave Queen, LYDIA LUNCH – returns to Australia to team up with Beasts of Bourbon and The Cruel Sea frontman TEX PERKINS for 3 very special shows in Brisbane, Melbourne and Sydney.
Lydia will perform her confrontational and shockingly real spoken word while Tex will perform an exclusive electronic soundscape based set with laptop, guitar and voice.
Lydia Lunch first burst on the scene in New York in the late 70s. Initially arriving as a spoken word artist, she quickly added music to her talents to become (as Time Out magazine recently voted) one of the most influential performers to have emerged from New York City.
She was an intrinsic character in New York’s CBGBs music scene which spawned acts like Blondie, Patti Smith, The Ramones, Talking Heads and more. In the early 80s she became aware of Australian band The Birthday Party which lead to a number of collaborations with Melbourne rock royalty, Nick Cave & Rowland S. Howard .
Through music, books, spoken word performances, film, video, photography, poetry and a multitude of creative endeavors, Lydia Lunch has proven to be one of the most daring artists of the current era. She is a heroine among young women especially from marginalised backgrounds. She gives comfort to them and her story of persistence and survival is revered by many.
Tex Perkins, better known as the singer of The Cruel Sea and The Beasts (of Bourbon) among a plethora of other projects, brings us “Basic”.
Ranging from sprawling soundscapes to dark electronic noise, rock to ambient dream scapes, “Basic” is Tex with a laptop, and / or a phone ,a guitar an ebo and a voice, and it is unlike anything Perkins has done before. This is Cyberpunk karaoke with Soaring ambient soundscapes.
This is Tex Perkins playing with himself | This is basic TEX PERKINS | This is TEX PERKINS BASIC
Beasts Of Bourbone’s “Black Milk” Vinyl Re-Press
Preorder HERE
Available til the end of October 2025
ORDER NOW !!
The Cruel Sea Album
‘Straight Into The Sun’
The Beasts
New Album ‘Ultimo’
