This poster has significance as a record of music in youth culture around the turn of the 21st century. It helps to illustrate how poster art was used to communicate information to a mass audience about rock music performers and specifically to promote concerts and CDs.

A Melbourne-based rock band, Pre_Shrunk was formed in 1996. Unusually, the band consisted of two bass guitarists and a drummer. 'Bestseller' was the title of Pre_Shrunk's 2003 album. Their EP titled 'Triple A Side' was released in 1999 on the Black Yak label.

Coming from a collection of posters that Peta Wilcox accumulated through her extensive contacts in the music business, this poster helps to document the work of the Australian Rock Company (ARC), which Wilcox established in 1984 as a not-for-profit cultural organisation, to develop cultural activities for young people. The ARC has promoted general access performances by professional Australian rock music artists, often in isolated suburban and regional centres that are deprived of cultural activities for youth. Since the 1980s the ARC has presented up to 500 shows and workshops, many for under 18s and all-age audiences, providing entertainment that is both contemporary and relevant. These have taken place in community venues around the country, in association with schools, community groups and local councils. Wilcox worked with a public-spirited, entrepreneurial passion to create entertainment opportunities for young people and to generate gigs for local bands. The ARC's initiatives developed leisure activities for young people in a non-alcohol environment. This has helped many young music fans experience the excitement of rock 'n' roll concerts without the presence of alcohol as a signifier of cultural status.

Peter Cox
Curator
May 2008

Designer and maker unknown.

This is part of a collection of posters, stickers and promotional cards accumulated by Peta Wilcox, of the Australian Rock Company, from bands, bookers and record companies through her extensive contacts within the music industry.

Poster, rock music, Pre_Shrunk, paper, maker unknown, Australia, used by Australian Rock Company, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia, 1999

Poster with a green background and a colour photograph of a woman dressed in red with a dog. Illustrations of flowers down left side. Text: 'Pre_Shrunk. 1_Soundpimp 2_Flutterbye 3_Ultrawhite. Triple A Side out now!' Blank yellow space at bottom.

Made: 1999


Used: Australian Rock Company; Sydney; 1999

See description.

2008/185/3

1999

600 mm

430 mm