House of Gary has just completed the following 55 min & 62 min documentary for Jdocs - ABC TV:
6FT HICK: NOTES FROM THE UNDERGROUND...
Strip the $$$ out of rock 'n' roll, restore the danger and you're left with the raw force of 6ft Hick.
Armed only with strut and pure provocation, 6ft Hick level a rock 'n' roll sucker punch you would lean in for. Slog 6,000 kms across Europe with Australia's mangiest Rockabilly Punks, through 15 shows in 18 days, in a world where managers, roadies and riders give way to blood, sex, and pure adrenaline. Over fifteen years 6ft Hick built a fervent underground following across Australia and Europe, one beer-soaked venue at a time, their raw sound and stage antics propelling them into the realm of urban myth. One reviewer described their show as "an indistinguishable pulverising din," while front men Ben and Geoff Corbett commanded the stage like 'demented preachers'. Offstage, their mild-mannered alter egos maintain day jobs and live normal lives, amassing resources so they may re-awaken the beast within. Real life occurs on the road, even though the tours themselves barely break even. But in the words of guitarist Dan Baebler, "We're not in it for the money, we're doing this because we can't not". This film is a rock ‘n’ roll thrill ride that investigates what it means to care more about the journey than the destination and what it truly means to sacrifice for your art.
On the cusp of an international art & fashion revival of his work, we will take you into the fascinating story of one indigenous man’s journey from traditional aboriginal life in the desert, to prison, to stardom in the international art and design world.Jimmy Pike was a maverick personality and original pioneer in non-traditional form and colour, in Japan he was dubbed the aboriginal Picasso.He also lead the way by making the first landmark indigenous deal into mass commercialism and image licensing, launching the Australian business phenomenon ‘Desert Designs’.Suddenly there was aboriginal art everywhere, on doona covers, swimwear, ski wear, plates, couches, right through to the high fashion catwalks of Paris and New York, setting the world stage for a wave of popularity and awareness of aboriginal art & traditions.
After leaving prison he went back to the desert, living a hunter-gatherer’s lifestyle for 3 years with his prison psychologist wife from England, Patricia Lowe, causing a media sensation with hyped up tabloid headings such as ‘My Outback Life with Aboriginal Axe Killer’.Together they wrote and illustrated a prolific 10 books, describing the desert life of the Walmajarri people and telling stories from Jimmy’s childhood, leaving an impressive legacy of rich art and education in his wake.Sporting a great sense of humour and open attitude to white/black reconciliation he was never a victim or stuck in romance about the past.He led an extraordinary and colourful life achieving what others only dream of.Jimmy Pike died in 2002 but through his art, design and stories he continues to live on.This is the great un-told story of not just one man’s life, but also a piece of history that Australia should not forget.
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