Perth Punk Squasha To Be Inducted Into WAM Hall Of Fame

Band promoter and venue manager Ken Knight – aka Squasha – has been announced as the inductee into the WAM Hall Of Fame as a part of this Friday's WAM Awards in Perth.

One of the first instigators of the Perth punk scene, Squasha has been a part of the scene for decades now, starting with one of the first ever Perth punk rock bands – Mob Vengence – back in 1982.

With his Central Nervous Systems company, Squasha was responsible for bringing the likes of New Order, Ramones, REM, Iggy Pop, Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds, The Models, Hunters & Collectors and Faith No More. He played a huge part in bringing music to Metropolis Fremantle and Perth's Challenge Stadium and has been a vital champion for local music throughout his career.

He had local acts playing The Wizbah just about every night when he took over managing the venue and continues to show local acts support through his work at the Astor Theatre and as the Western Australian promoter for the Big Day Out.

Fellow Perth music identity Georgia Kennedy tells of the huge impact Squasha had on the Perth scene back in those early days.

“In what was a fairly lifeless place with little happening, we started to see some great tours coming through, like The Cramps, Johnny Thunders and the Heartbreakers, and The Jesus and Mary Chain on their first tour; and Squasha was behind these gigs, and managed to draw a surprisingly large audience in this isolated, small city.

“But Squasha's passion was the local scene and he got local acts great support gigs, and the venues he ran (The Wizbah, The Old Melbourne Hotel etc.) a real hub for local music.”

It wasn't just Perth people who took to Squasha, though.

“I've heard some great stories over the years, but surely one of the best was when in the mid 1980's Nico toured Australia and came to Perth.  She fell in love with Squasha, telling him in her drawl what a beautiful man he was, and that he was only the second man she'd ever been in love with.  Squasha visited her in England, together riding her bike around where she lived.  But alas it was never meant to be and not long after, she died riding her bicycle.”

Squasha himself is humbly when speaking of his induction into the Hall Of Fame this year.

“I'm truly humbled to be nominated and inducted into the WAM Hall of Fame this year,” he said in a statement issued by WAM today. “I'm honoured to be joining what is an incredible list of West Australian musicians and industry players who have made such a contribution to our music industry.”

He will be inducted into the WAM Hall Of Fame this Friday night when the ceremony takes place at the Astor Theatre.