ERROL PARKER | Editor-at-large | Contact
Despite a high profile fall from grace within the national music press and widespread condemnation from much of the Australian arts industry, one Sydney band has maintained its cultural foothold in a demographic largely unaffected by the news cycle.
Sticky Fingers, the once festival-headlining indie-rock outfit that has faced boycotts, controversy and some court appearances, was today heard blasting from a Makita stereo on a scaffold in Betoota Heights.
According to on-site sources, the band’s 2013 hit Australia Street could be heard echoing down the entire cul-de-sac, followed by a shouted request for someone to “turn it up.”
The band’s ongoing popularity in the construction and hostel backpacker sectors appears immune to changing cultural tides or editorial positions within the Australian music press.
“They can write whatever they want in those articles,” said one labourer who declined to be named.
“But if it comes on, it stays on. That’s the rule.”
Cultural analysts say the persistence of Sticky Fingers’ popularity is not surprising given their resonance with audiences who don’t consume traditional media or any news media in general besides the occasional Triple J news break when they forget their aux cord.
“For as long as there are youth hostels, there will be someone trying to learn Rum Rage on a nylon-string guitar,” said Dr Ellie Marsters of the University of Southern Queensland.
“And for as long as there are Makita radios, someone will be playing Gold Snafu at full volume while cutting rebar.”
At time of press, the Makita stereo had briefly been disconnected to take a phone call, before returning with Happy Endings.
More to come.
