BastardFile is the latest single by Australian heavy rock band Trophic Cascade (Release date 29 July 2022).
It is a compilation of feelings and memories of my childhood, influences that helped shape who I am today.
BastardFile is a historical record of a place which holds special meaning for me, my family, and those that lived there for many generations before.
It demonstrates the tools and methods humans use to shape their surroundings to make life easier and more comfortable. It is also a realisation that these methods have resulted in great loss of human enjoyment and a disconnect to our natural environment.
Special thanks to Ivor Radocaj from St.Rok Studios
(also a local Peakhurst man) for collaborating and producing this track. We’ve created a time capsule that files my ideas, lyrics and memories which is something that I have wanted to do for years!
Peter Marsh original lyrics and music for the single release ‘BastardFile‘
Collaboration with Ivor Radocaj @strokstudios.syd
Peter Marsh – vocals / bass
Ivor Rad – arrangement, lead guitar / drums, production
As a child, I was lucky to live without fences.
I grew up in Australia at a time when the kids in our street played in the bush area that connected our home to the Salt Pan Creek, Peakhurst. I love the natural environment, it is where I feel at peace and at home.
A neighbour of ours had a huge property. He collected historical artefacts, particularly from early settler times. He built a fantastic barn, to house his timber wagons and blacksmith tools, and allowed us kids to explore and play within his grassed gardens and Australiana recreations. Each year he held Christmas Carol fundraisers and invited the community to enjoy his property.
It wasn’t until I was an adult, that I learned more of the local Aboriginal history of the place my family called home. Outside our house a plaque was installed which acknowledged the Salt Pan Creek Aboriginal Community which had previously had their homes in the area.
Australian Aboriginal culture sees humans as a part of the whole ecology and not separate from it, caring for the land and each other in a communal approach.
In contrast, white society often fosters a strong sense of ownership, entitlement and control of resources.
In the aftermath of World War 1, during the 1920’s there was an expansion of industry. Modernisation opened up new employment opportunities which caused a surge in the need to subdivided land. Boundaries were created.
Aboriginals were not welcomed into these new communities and subjected to dispersal policies. The Aboriginal families of Salt Pan Creek which numbered about thirty men, women and children were relocated in the early 1930’s. Years later, during the 1970’s my parents built our family home on land that those Aboriginal families knew well.
We all have a sense of belonging for the place we call home, and as generations come and go, we share a space in time on the same land, but our connection to the country is being lost.
Sadly, these days, society needs to make greenspace. Dense housing with tall fenced yards sit squashed on the space where we used to run and play.
We had space to play.
Thanks also to Jo Johnstone (my sister) for helping to condense the historical memories to create the film clip.
Massive thanks to my family for their love and support.
Cheers,
Peter Marsh
Dharawal Country
‘BastardFile’ is a Local History Story in song and visuals.
TROPHIC CASCADE
A time capsule on Dharawal Country (Salt Pan Creek, Peakhurst). New Single OUT NOW!