ABC-TV’s Rage announces changes to the machine

Long running ABC-TV show Rage has officially unveiled its first major set of changes in 30 years. In the wake of its bringing back The Chart last month after it was dropped in 2006, it’s given itself a facelift.

Video maker Kris Moyes, best known for his work with The Presets, Sia and Wolfmother, has given its TV broadcast a series of psychedelic breakers for a contemporary edge while retaining the show’s distorted imagery.

The website’s revamp, which began six months ago, makes it easier for viewers to find playlists, profiles of guest programmers and connect to the show’s social media platforms. A new Extras section will feature occasional interviews, behind-the-scenes snaps and other web-only content. Indie acts will find it easier to submit their videos via the Submissions page.

The Feature section (formerly Clip of the Week) looks at the latest videos. The spotlight on stand-out clips from indie acts is now titled Wild One (a nod to Iggy Pop whose Real Wild Child is the long-time opening theme) dropping the former Indie of the Week tag.

The show states, “Championing independent, Australian music has also been a big part of the show. Countless unsigned bands have found their way onto the Rage playlist – in fact Rage is often mentioned in YouTube comments as the means of discovering the video!”

After a trial in recent months, it is officially announcing that ABC3 repeats Rage five nights a week, from Sunday to Thursday, from 9.30 pm. The Friday/Saturday version runs for 12 hours, and Saturday/ Sunday for 6½ hours.

Rage is the longest running music TV show in production, making its debut on Friday April 17, 1987, and retaining its back to back videos and guest programmers format. Just for the record, Tex Perkins and Mike Patton are the most frequent guest programmers with four times on the Rage couch each. The most frequently chosen videos by guest programmers include Joy Division's Love Will Tear Us Apart, The Saints' (I'm) Stranded, Peter Gabriel's Sledgehammer and Aphex Twin's Windowlicker.