Review / Book Review
Tex Perkins
Tex

Macmillan Australia (2017) T

Tex Perkins – Tex cover artwork
Tex Perkins – Tex — Macmillan Australia, 2017

Pizzazz. 
Omph. 
Attitude.
Sensibility.
A sardonic sense of humour.
Charisma.
Swagger.

If your music depends entirely on that, the dependency is too great.

So much for the basics.

See, you could claim that Tex Perkins and his incarnations have had a more than profound impact on my ever since I planted a foot on terra australis. 

Tex Perkins has been in the game for close to four decades. 

He oozes the aforementioned qualities yet his oeuvre stands for itself.

More than three decades of versatility and effortlessly moving between a range of genres and incarnations, while still retaining his own DNA.

Tex Perkins has fronted some of the most spirited best bands Australia has to offer, e.g. The Cruel SeaThe Beasts Of BourbonTex, Don & CharlieDark HorsesThugThe Ladyboyz and many other projects, including performing as Johnny Cash in the acclaimed Man In Black theatre show. 

His memoir Tex documents a life less ordinary.

A life that has been lived the hard way and against the odds.

Having been raised as a Catholic and socialised in the narrow minded streets of Brisbane, the book starts with Gregory Perkins’ escape to Sydney and sheds light on his metamorphosis to “Tex” and the frontman personality that would first front odd bands before finding mainstream exposure as the iconic frontman of internationally acclaimed outfits and with it success, its trappings and spoils.

Gigs. Albums. Tours. Fights. Feuds. Arrests. Drugs. High times. Low roads. The good life.

A tour de force of a life documented and driven by Tex’s dry wit and idiosyncratic energy.

9.0 / 10T • July 31, 2017

Tex Perkins – Tex cover artwork
Tex Perkins – Tex — Macmillan Australia, 2017

Related news

Rock the Gate to feature 60+ bands and raise funds

Posted in Shows on November 20, 2014

Recently-posted album reviews

Various Artists

Louder Than You Think: A Lo-Fi History of Gary Young & Pavement (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack)
Independent (2026)

Gary Young wasn’t just a drummer; he was a beautiful, unpredictable glitch poking a hole in the sky where other lovable misfits could enter and leave this universe they’d grace with their presence. While Hendrix kissed the sky, Young merely bit a hole right through it. While Pavement was busy inventing the 1990s slacker blueprint for the masses, Gary was … Read more

Mrs. Magician

High Resolution b/w Dead Alive
Swami (2026)

Mrs. Magician is back! For those unfamiliar, Mrs. Magician is a garage punk band based in San Diego, CA. They formed in 2010 and between then and 2016, they managed to release 6 singles, 2 albums and 1 B-sides collection. Both of their full lengths were released on Swami Records, the label helmed by legendary San Diego guitar slasher/voice crasher, … Read more

Amy Beth And Thee Creeps

Shitheel EP
Chaputa! Records (2026)

Sometimes I like to come into a record as a blank slate. Amy Beth And Thee Creeps sent me a short email with their latest EP, Shitheel. It's a 4-song garage-punk ripper that's easily under 10 minutes. I just checked: it's five and a half minutes. With no bio, the music speaks for itself and this is rhythmic, pulsing garage … Read more