Chris ‘Klondike’ Masuak doesn’t do things by halves, and neither does the title track of his self-titled album with Dog Soldier. Backseat Mafia is thrilled to premiere the video for ‘The Shiny Side,’ the standout cut from Chris Masuak’s Dog Soldier — and to bring you the news that the man himself is finally, properly, back on Australian soil to play it live.
For anyone who needs the potted history: Masuak cut his teeth in Radio Birdman before further stints in the Hitmen, the New Christs and the Screaming Tribesmen, racking up a CV most guitarists would kill for. These days he calls Spain home, but the itch to make loud, melodic rock and roll clearly hasn’t gone anywhere — Chris Masuak’s Dog Soldier proves that in spades. Backing him is a genuinely crack unit: drummer Stuart Wilson (Lime Spiders, New Christs, the Crisps) and Phil Hall (Sardine v, Drop Bears, Lime Spiders) on bass, giving the record a rhythm section with just as much pedigree as its frontman.
‘The Shiny Side’ is the album’s third track and arguably its calling card — all truckloads of power, a fistful of pop hooks and that unmistakable Masuak snarl, with the ghosts of Radio Birdman and the Hitmen audible but never overplayed. It’s a song, and a video, that announces a record confident enough to stand entirely on its own.
That confidence is well earned. The album — out now on CD and freshly pressed to vinyl via I-94 Bar Records — was meant to get its Australian victory lap back in November 2025. Instead, a freak medical emergency intervened involving eye surgery. Masuak says:
It was frustrating and a bit frightening to have to cancel so abruptly this time last year but an emergency operation made air travel out of the question. I’m very happy to finally be able to follow up.
The video puts on display Masuak’s thrilling sonic sound in a faux cartoon setting as he glides, like the music, across the ether.
Chris Masuak’s Dog Soldier is out now on CD and vinyl through I-94 Bar Records — listen and order here. Ticket links for shows still to be confirmed will be added as they go live.
Fresh off a run of shows through France, Germany and Poland, Masuak and Dog Soldier are heading east for ‘The Shiny Side Tour,’ a run through three states and the ACT that Masuak calls both unfinished business and an obligation.
After warming up in Europe we’re just itching to keep it rockin’ and let it rip in front of our Australian friends.
Expect a set list dredged up from every corner of that long, storied career — Birdman staples very much included.
Tour details:
Thursday 8 October — La La La’s, Wollongong, with The Sugar Beats, Buzz Wagon Tickets
Friday 9 October — Smiths Alternative, Canberra, with ZZG Tickets
Saturday 10 October — Shotkickers, Melbourne, with Grindhouse, The Girlies Tickets
Sunday 11 October — Trash Cult, Bendigo, with Trip Hazard (matinee) Tickets
Thursday 15 October — Hamillton Station, Newcastle, with Splodge
Friday 16 October — Federal Hotel, Bellingen, with Love City Radio
Saturday 17 October — Cave Inn, Brisbane, with Mick Medew & The Ursula 4, Dr Bombay, The Spivs Tickets
Sunday 18 October — Vinnes Dive Bar, Gold Coast, with Mick Medew & The Ursula 4, The Spivs Tickets
Friday 23 October — Link & Pin, Woy Woy, with The Dunhill Blues Tickets
Saturday 24 October — Marrickville Bowlo, Sydney, with Fuck The Neighbours, The Stallers Tickets
