Peter Bibby Reveals His Top 10 'Worksite' Tracks

Perth singer-songwriter Peter Bibby has just released his fourth album, Drama King, and is set to take his new songs on tour.

For the album, the working-class hero and musician teamed up with producer Dan Luscombe (Tropical Fuck Storm, Amyl & The Sniffers, The Drones) for a fun collection of new tracks with titles like The Arsehole, Fun Guy, Bin Boy, and The Pricks.

A reflection of Bibby’s musical journey, Drama King tracks his early introduction to live music to getting involved with Perth’s energetic punk scene. Here’s what Bibby had to say about Bin Boy, his latest single sang from the perspective of a wheelie bin:

Could this be the world’s first song written from the perspective of a wheelie bin? I think it might be. The song marks a clear connection between man and bin, how we are not so different after all.

I went full guitar hero on the solo and was very pleased when Carla [Geneve]’s backing vocals lifted the song onto a whole other level. I don’t think it was that easy for her to harmonise with my derelict vocal style, but she nailed it.

To celebrate the release of Drama King and his forthcoming tour dates, Bibby has shared his Top 10 Worksite Songs – the tracks that keep you going at your shit job – with The Music.

Top 10 Worksite Songs

Everyone knows that the morale of everyday workers on a construction site is fuelled truly by just one thing. It is not the master’s coffee chill, a 500-millilitre can of energy drink, or sachets of tomato sauce slathered over semi-nuclear meat-filled baked goods. No, the gusto of the worksite is charged up by a Makita radio, aka a Tradio, pumping out hit after hit in between 30 - 45 minutes of advertisements. Let’s take a look at some of the greatest songs to ever pump out the Tradio. 

Skyhooks - Living In The 70’s

Sure to get the feet tapping and the older fellas talking about how absolutely fucking sick the 70s were, the Skyhooks have cemented their spot on this list with ease.

Queen - Bohemian Rhapsody

Ever wondered if the plumber can sing? You’re sure to find out as soon as Freddie Mercury lures just about every fucker on site except for maybe the apprentices into loud, terrible singing. It’s a cliche song for a list such as this, but cliches are cliches for a reason.

Irene Cara - What A Feeling

I don’t give a fuck what you reckon; this song bangs harder than your hammer into that nail.

Kenny Loggins - Danger Zone

Hoowweeee, now here’s a tune that is sure to get the boys and girls fired up. If you’re lucky, one of the chippies might even fire their nail gun into the air like an American.

Bon Jovi - Wanted Dead Or Alive

Speaking of Americans, here’s one I’d love to shake hands with. Jon Bon Jovi serves up nothing but the finest worksite tracks. If I wasn’t an absolute sucker for variety, this list would just be Bon Jovi tracks.

Diana Ross - I’m Coming Out

Are we at work, or are we at a fucking disco? Diana really blurs the line between things we want to do and things we’re forced to do here—nothing but class.

AC/DC - Jailbreak

This song features perhaps the most relatable lyric for the common worker: “Get me outta here!” Well played, Bon Scott, you absolute fucking hero.

Dave Dobbyn - Slice Of Heaven

Sure to get the over 50’s dropping their tools for a bit of swinging and singing, nothing shows the younger workers exactly what they don’t want to become quite like Dave Dobbyn’s 1986 smash hit Slice Of Heaven.

Blondie - Call Me

A legitimately great tune and an opportunity to take your mind off work and reflect on how badass Debbie Harry is, it’s never a bad time when this one pumps out of the Tradio.

Beach Boys - Kokomo

A bit of a wild card entry as I heard this on the radio yesterday for the first time in years, and I must admit it had completely vanished from my mind, but holy shit, have we got a feel-good, uplifting tune on our hands with this one. I don’t know what the fuck the Beach Boys are talking about here, but it sure made those three or four minutes of gruelling labour far more pleasant.

So there you have it, ten absolutely cracking tracks to do your shit job to. Enjoy.

Drama King is out now via Spinning Top Records.

SPINNING TOP AND SELECT MUSIC PRESENTS

PETER BIBBY

DRAMA KING AUSTRALIAN TOUR

*With Special Guest Georgia Knight

Thursday 20 June – The Valley Loft - Brisbane/Meanjin, QLD*

Friday 21 June – Mary's Underground - Sydney/Eora, NSW* + Dominic Breen

Saturday 22 June – Howler, Melbourne/Naarm, VIC*

Saturday 29 June – Jive - Adelaide/Tarndanya, SA*

Tickets here.