ROCK ON BACK TO THE STONEAGE

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hung up on Melbourne power-pop band The Stoneage Hearts when they launch their new album at their first ever Tasmanian show this weekend

Playing a mix of pop and rock comparable to classic Australian acts such as Sunnyboys and Hoodoo Gurus, The Stoneage Hearts ( pictured) released their debut album Turn On With in 2002, with Danny McDonald on vocals and guitar.

For their 2004 follow-up Guilty As Sin, the band was fronted by Dom Mariani from The Stems.

After a lengthy hiatus, drummer Mick Baty — who also runs iconic Melbourne record store and label Off The Hip — restarted The Stoneage Hearts in late 2012. In the space of a week, three Off The Hip customers dropped in and bought the latest Redd Kross album Researching The Blues. Baty saw it as a sign that it was time to put a new Stoneage Hearts line-up together, and recruited the three customers — Tony Dyer (vocals, guitar) and former Tasmanians Simon Kay (guitar) and David “Spud” Hine (bass) — to join his band.

Last year they bunkered down in Melbourne’s Head Gap studio to record, and emerged with Hung Up (On You).

Released last month, the album contains elements of bands such as The La’s, Smithereens and Plimsouls, but played in classic Australian guitar-pop style.

A single from the album, Sky High Heels, is set for release on vinyl in July.

The Stoneage Hearts are making a quick trip to Tasmania as part of their album launch celebrations, and play at the Brisbane Hotel from 8pm on Saturday with local supports Truck Stop, the Lucky Dips and Mess O’ Reds. Tickets are $5 at the door.

Hung Up (On You) will be available at the gig and from Tommy Gun Records. HOBART’S weekly Acoustic Thursday folk music night has a new home, upstairs at the Queen’s Head in North Hobart. Starting at 7.30pm each Thursday, the event will feature plenty of open microphone opportunities, an “anchor band”, and a feature headline act. This week’s feature act is Sandy Pollard, and the anchor band is Trouvers. Entry is by donation.