My first introduction to music came early—back in primary school. But things really kicked off in Year 8, when I won a maths award. The prize? A voucher to the local record store. That was the moment it all began: my record collection. I still remember wandering through the aisles, soaking in the smell of vinyl and the artwork on the covers. I had no idea then that it would spark a lifelong love affair with music.
That first record became the seed of what would grow into my signature DJ style. I started making mixed tapes for school parties and quickly became the go-to guy for school dance music. What began as a hobby soon became a passion. By the time I finished high school and headed to uni, I was DJing at 18ths, 21sts, weddings—you name it. Eventually, I even scored gigs on cruise ships, serving as the resident DJ. The pay wasn’t much, but for someone who loved music and wanted to see the world, it was a dream gig.
My first live concert? That was back in 1979 at the iconic Hordern Pavilion. KC and the Sunshine Band headlined, with Ike and Tina Turner—yes, the Ike and Tina—as the support act. Talk about a powerful way to kick off a lifetime of gigs!
I grew up in Maroubra, just down the road from the legendary Seals Club. By Year 10, I was a regular at local gigs there. The Seals was a hub for Aussie pub rock—raw, loud, sweaty, and unforgettable. I got to see: • The Angels – gritty and full of attitude, with hits like Take a Long Line and Am I Ever Gonna See Your Face Again • INXS – new wave and edgy, just before they hit the big time globally • Mental As Anything – quirky, melodic, and pure Aussie pop-rock • Cold Chisel – emotional rock storytelling, powered by Jimmy Barnes • Rose Tattoo – blues-driven rock with serious punch • AC/DC – no explanation needed • Australian Crawl, Midnight Oil, The Radiators, Mi-Sex, Split Enz, The Church—these weren’t just bands, they were movements.
That era—pre-mobile phones, pre-Spotify—was something special. You went to see a band, have a drink, and lose yourself in the music. No distractions. Just sound, sweat, and shared moments.
At school, I also played in a garage band, where I was the lead singer and had a go at playing bass. It was chaotic fun—and where I learned my go-to karaoke anthem: Wild Thing. Not the Troggs version… we had our own spin on it.
As for my personal soundtrack from that golden era, here’s my Top 10 Tracks—in no particular order:
- The Nips Are Getting Bigger – Mental As Anything
- Just Keep Walking – INXS
- Take a Long Line – The Angels
- Unguarded Moment – The Church
- Beds Are Burning – Midnight Oil
- The Boys Light Up – Australian Crawl
- Computer Games – Mi-Sex
- I See Red – Split Enz
- What About Me – Moving Pictures
- Down Under – Men at Work
Ok, one more—it’s too hard to stop at just ten:
- Coming Home – The Radiators
These songs aren’t just tunes—they’re chapters of my life. I’ve put them together on a shared Spotify playlist via the QR code below. Have a listen, and feel free to add your own favorites. Who knows—one day I might put on a pop-up gig and play your picks.
Stay tuned for the next mix.
DJ Tino
