Sunday Herald Sun, September 5, 2004

An obscene rock band that boasts about abusing drugs has been given almost $40,000 by the Howard Government to go on a tour of schools. The group, Magic Dirt, won a share of a $2.8 million handout to encourage performing arts in rural areas, announced by Arts Minister Rod Kemp.

Songs from the Geelong band include, These Drugs are Really Starting to F… Me Over, Bodysnatcher and a version of Heroin – the drug homage by 1960s band the Velvet Underground.

Magic Dirt’s lyrics are littered with profanities, and the band’s web site boasts of drug use and debauchery on tour.

The grant of $38 410 will pay Magic dirt’s transport, freight, accommodation and other costs for 40 concerts and five school workshops.

Australian Family Association spokesman Bill Muehlenberg yesterday called for the funding to be withdrawn.

“Either the minister did not know exactly what they were paying for, which is very concerning, or they did, which doesn't’t look at all good for a Government that claims to be concerned about family values,” he said.

Magic Dirt’s manager, Alan Robertson, said the band deserved the money as much as other acts.