THE SURE THING HEAD BACK TO THE STUDIO
As the dust settles on the all consuming Weddings, Parties, Anything re-union it's high time to resume normal service and get to work. The Sure Thing spent last week in the studio and once the initial tentativeness had worn off it was full steam ahead doing a bunch of band tracks that will take shape in the coming weeks. It's a mixed lot of songs - some re-worked old tunes and some brand newies. One Mick wrote with John Schoefield (of The Messengers) wasn't a week old when it was recorded as a duet with Tim Rogers. As it stands with the extras from the Paddock Buddy sessions, they are up to about 25 songs so far. Mick's also been hard at work on a soundtrack for one of the Message Stick documentaries commissioned by SBS, the couple of episodes worked on about indigenous photographer Ricky Maynard. They are beautiful pieces of film and the soundtrack features a fine lot of violin courtesy of Jen Anderson. On the live show front there are a few things in the book for the whole band later in the year but before that happens there's a reconvening of Shackleton for Sundays in July at the Marqui Of Lorne in Fitzroy and then a quick solo run for Mick with Sarah Carroll and Van Walker in August. Stay tuned for the dates as the are confirmed.

LOVE IN BRIGHT LANDSCAPES
SHACKLETON GET BEHIND THE TRIFFIDS DOCO
Mick Thomas and his all-star part time Sunday afternoon band, Shackleton (Mick, Anna Burley of The Killjoys and Chris Altmann of The Vandas) will be performing a very special show at the Corner Hotel in Richmond on Sunday June 22nd as part of a fund raiser to raise money for the production of an upcoming documentary on late Australian singer/songwriter David McComb (1962-1999), best known for his work with legendary 80s band, The Triffids. Also on the bill are The Mimeset with Sean Whelan, Charles Jenkins, Diving Bell, The Blackeyed Susans Trio and the night will be MCd by RRR's Jonnie Von Goes. Loads of great music, a very good cause and some amazing prizes to be auctioned (including an adventure holiday for two to the stunning Milne Bay in Papua New Guinea, music DVD and CD packs, Meredith Music Festival tickets, St Jerome's Laneway Festival tickets, Crumpler bags and heaps more). It all kicks off at 6pm and for tickets and further details, contact The Corner Hotel Box Office.
For more information on The Triffids, visit The Triffids website.

THE WPA TRAIN COMES TO A HAULT
AFTER A HUGE MONTH OF SELL OUT SHOWS
Well, there it was. A huge month of shows around the country with our good buddy Ron Hawkins in tow as well as a bunch of very fine bands in each state helping us out and boy did we have a blast. Thanks to everyone who came out and saw a show, it was great to see so many familiar faces (and some new ones) and to catch up with a load of people we hadn't seen for years. And fitting to be able to finish up the Australian leg of the tour with five huge sweaty nights in Richmond, the traditional home of WPA. We'd like to say a big thank you to the amazing Danny Rogers and Leesa Ellem for pulling this monster together with such professionalism and grace and to all the tireless behind the scenes workers, Katie, Stacey, Bubbsy... it's been a pleasure and we couldn't have done it without you. And of course to anyone who came to a show.. chonk on indeed. The last gig in London with The Go Set was a blast too.. great to play over that side of the world again and thanks to all who got on a plane / cab / tube and made it along. And a huge thanks to Nigel & Marianne for making it happen.

MICK THOMAS & THE SURE THING
WELCOMES BACK MICHAEL BARF BARCLAY..
For those who may have noticed Michael Barclay behind the drums again with The Sure Thing recently (and how could you not), this is largely due to the fact that Al Barden has decided to take some time off and concentrate on being a dad to the beautiful Bea Barden.

It is with sadness that we wave him goodbye but also with many great memories of laughs, tears and mighty fine shows with Al on board. We welcome back Barf with open arms and look forward to the next year of Sure Thing gigs up and down and around the country once the 2008 WPA beast is finally put to bed.

For those wanting to contact Sure Thing Management for any gig or general enquiries, we would like to formally announce that Carmel Nunan is no longer in the directors chair.. for all enquiries at present, please email The Office Of Sure Things.

RON HAWKINS HEADS BACK TO TORONTO
LEAVING BEHIND A BUNCH OF NEW FRIENDS..
Ron Hawkins (Canada) has finally had one of his fine records (Chemical Sounds) released in Australia and has just completed a month-long Australian tour as very special guest on the WPA reunion jaunt. Ron has spent much of his career fronting Lowest Of The Low, a fine, passionate, lyrical rock band from Toronto who released two incredible albums in the 90's and have since been inducted into the Canadian Rock'n' Roll Hall Of Fame. WPA fans will no doubt recognize Ron's song, Rosy & Grey, a long-time WPA cover fave. He managed to win over Australian crowds where-ever he went playing some blinder shows both solo and with the help of WPA as his backing band. WPA and Ron go back a long way and the band were very excited to have him along to help out on such a big, emotional, whirl-wind of a tour.
For those who forgot to pick one up at a show, the Australian release of Ron Hawkins' fantastic new album, Chemical Sounds is available online through the Croxton Records Website.

NEW WEDDINGS, PARTIES, ANYTHING DVD..
"Weddings, Parties, Anything began life in Melbourne in late 1983 finishing up at the end of 1998. In those fifteen years they traveled the globe, developing a huge loyal following of fans through the high energy live performances and regular releases. In the later part of their career, live shows would sell out in hours and single night shows became week long residencies. The band hung up their boots knowing they'd had a great run.

Coaxed back together in 2005 for a charity event, the band soon realized that the magic and the fun was still there, so when a performance at the 2006 Queenscliff Festival was mooted, it seemed like a good idea to do the show and get it on film as there had never been a DVD of the band. The result is a fantastic record of the Weddos in their element thrilling a large crowd with yet another frenetic live performance featuring all their old favourites. Add to this a complete collection of all the WPA film clips and the rare short film Roaring Days, and this is the definitive Weddings Parties Anything release."

Madman Entertainment / Nov 2007

The WPA DVD is available for purchase at Mick's live shows or online now, see the WPA Page...

BILLY BRAGG A SURE THING..
Mick and the Sure Thing are on board for the east coast leg of the 2008 Australian Billy Bragg tour in January. The shows are The Great Northern in Byron Bay Tuesday 22nd Jan, The Metro in Sydney Saturday 26th Jan, and Wednesday 30th and Thursday 31st of Jan at the Prince Of Wales Hotel in St Kilda. The tour is presented by RRR and tickets go on sale on Monday 10th December at Polyester Records, Readings St Kilda, the Prince Of Wales and Ticketmaster Phone: 136100 & online at www.ticketmaster.com.au.

copyright 2008 Mick Thomas / website design FIN GRAPHICS