Pop Crimes: The Songs of Rowland S. Howard

Rowland S. Howard was one of the most distinctive and influential musicians Australia has ever produced. With his Fender Jaguar guitar he created a sonic language of often sharp, brutal intensity while winning hearts with soul baring lyrics laced with love, heartbreak and longing.

At 16 Rowland became a key figure in Melbourne’s post punk scene, penning the hit Shivers, a tongue in cheek anthem of teenage angst. Starting in 1977 he was vital to The Young Charlatans, The Birthday Party, Crime & the City Solution, his own These Immortal Souls and finally of course his 2 unforgettable and powerful solo LPs, “Teenage Snuff Film” & “Pop Crimes”.

By his death in 2009, Rowland’s career was truly international and had spanned 34 years, spawning countless notable collaborations, and leaving a blazing legacy that continues to inspire artists and musicians today.

Pop Crimes (the show) was first performed 3 years after Rowland’s death, then again for the All Tomorrow’s Parties Festival in 2013 and for his 5 year anniversary at Melbourne Festival in 2014.

It was then again reprised in 2019/20 in Melbourne, Paris, Rennes and London to celebrate what would have been Rowland’s 60th birthday, 10 years since his final album “Pop Crimes”, 20 years since his masterpiece “Teenage Snuff Film”, and 40 years since his musical debut.

FEATURING: Mick Harvey (The Birthday Party), Harry Howard (These Immortal Souls, Crime & the City Solution), JP Shilo (Hungry Ghosts), Genevieve McGuckin (These Immortal Souls), Craig Williamson (These Immortal Souls), Conrad Standish (Devastations) and TJ Howden (Hungry Ghosts).
Special guest singers have included Adalita, Ed Kuepper, Gareth Liddiard, Hugo Race, Edwina Preston, Angela Howard, Penny Ikinger, Jonnine Standish (HTRK), Bobby Gillespie, Lydia Lunch & Nick Cave.