Maybe even too raw for Punk Rock (if that is at all possible), the all girl group, the Slits helped break down the gender doors. The Slits were among the first female group empowered in their own sexuality and were able to deliver a message that was campy yet lyrically deeper than the casual fan would give them credit for. With musical styling that ranged from Punk, Reggae and New Wave, they many not have had an extensive recording career but they helped opened the doors for others of their kind to follow.

Although Men at Work were not the first successful band from Australia, they may very well be the band most associated with it. With a series of catchy videos that featured radio friendly songs, Men at Work were an international phenom in the first half of the 80’s. Their music was underrated as they drew from more influences (a touch of Reggae, a woodwind and a solid horn section) and the success they had around the world was well deserved. They didn’t stay on the scene long, but they brought the ears of the world to Australia; something their country mates did not do.

The bulk of those who are aware of Talk Talk probably are aware of them from their early Synth Pop recordings (and perhaps by No Doubt’s cover of It’s My Life). Beyond that, lay a band whose constant progression left a solid catalogue which in retrospect is a brilliant retrospective of the times they recorded (1981-1991). Those who have experienced all of their work view them as an accomplished complete group as opposed to a blip on the musical radar.

Although the Surfaris are predominantly only remembered for one song (Wipe Out), that song featured one of the most basic yet powerful guitar riffs of all time and more importantly one of the first (and still to this day one of the best) drum solos ever. Guitarists and drummers to this day still cut their teeth to that song and though they did not have an extensive album catalogue it was a solid one and they were one of the better Surf bands ever. The question is can they get in on the strength of their biggest hit.