If you love pub rock, then you cannot afford to miss the Radiators and Spy V Spy in their upcoming double-billed show at Warners Bay Hotel.
For those who remember, Aussie rock once dominated the Newcastle pub scene. There was a live band on every corner, an eclectic mix of home-grown bands and visiting artists - often including Spy V Spy and the Radiators.
In a recent chat with Spy V Spy, front man Michael Weiley told AHA the band had been performing with the Radiators in a string of shows across the country and in many ways, bringing Aussie rock back to its roots - by playing in pubs.
Now the two bands have once again joined forces, and in keeping with that theme, are bringing their show to Warners Bay Hotel on Saturday, 2 June 2018.
While the Spies' Michael Weiley has a direct link to the area, having grown up in Port Stephens, Radiators drummer Mark Lucas says he too thinks of Newcastle as a second home, despite having never officially lived here.
"There's always been a lot of love for the Radiators in Newcastle and in many ways it has always felt like a home away from home for us..."
"There's always been a lot of love for the Radiators in Newcastle and in many ways it has always felt like a home away from home for us," Mark says.
"There's been some great pubs and live music venues around Newcastle, like the Cambridge, and we've always loved coming up for gigs. We've played so many great shows, especially at the old Newcastle Workers Club where we played with White Snake and other bands like Rose Tattoo and The Screaming Jets."
But while Mark says he still loves playing shows in and around Newcastle, there is one venue in particular that remains close to his heart. Unfortunately, he will never be able to play there again.
"Back in the 80s and 90s there was the Palais and it was such an awesome gig," he says.
"It feels like we used to do that gig once every month, and I remember we would go on at midnight. The place would be packed with at least 1,200 people in there. It would be steaming hot, the humidity was wild - it was a rock gig."
It is these kinds of memories that quickly remind you that the Radiators are this year celebrating their 40-year anniversary as a band.