War,as they say, has been declared. A war of pride, a war where there will be no prisoners. Ladies and gentlemen, the Hoodoo Gurus versus Radio Birdman versus The Stems (featuring outstanding singer, songwriter and guitarist Dom Mariani, their 5 singles, one EP and album all reached #1 on the alternative charts). Three of Australia’s greatest bands in the aptly-titled Clash Of The Titans. The participants, it would appear, are already indulging in early psychological warfare.

The Gurus ebullient, yes, definitely ebullient, guitarist Brad Shepherd, is positively bounding through the interview. Shepherd and I go back a few bloody decades. I think I once pissed him off a long time ago but somewhere along the way we’ve both got older and forgotten what is was all about anyway. The Gurus had its roots in my old home town of Perth (and The Stems also emerged from there). Three of the four original Gurus, Dave ‘Flick’ Faulkner, James Baker and Roddy Radalj, came together in its seriously notorious and important late 1970s punk scene. Faulkner and Baker were members of legendary outfit, The Victims, and Radalj joined Baker ,Boris Sujdovic and Kim Salmonin the equally celebrated, The Scientists. They joined up with Kimble Rendal in Sydney in 1981 and became Le Hoodoo Gurus; Radalj left soon after to be replaced by Clyde Bramall, Rendall lasted a little longer but soon left and Shepherd signed up; that line-up recorded the seminal debut Stoneage Romeos; Baker lasted behind the drums until 1985 when he was replaced by Mark Kingsmill and when Rick Grossman replaced Bramley in 1987, the classic line-up was set in stone. It split in 1998, formally reunited in 2004 and haven’t looked back since. This year, Hoodoo Gurus were inducted into the ARIA Hall Of Fame on July 18 (so were Radio Birdman) - and, all bias aside, they deserve the recognition.

“It’s nice, very nice,” Shepherd says. “It’s nice to be recognised by one’s peers. I mean, I can’t say a lot because it’s up to other people to judge our deservedness of such an honour, what impact we’ve had on Australian music.” He’s being rather modest. The list of unforgettable songs and classic albums is as well known as it is undeniable. The Gurus are just that.

However, when it comes to the Clash Of The Titans there’s no backing down. Fresh from a US tour that kicked off at the legendary South By Southwest Music Festival in Austin, Texas, Shepherd is all fired up. “Look, Radio Birdman take no prisoners. They intend to wipe the stage with us. They’re on before us so they’re going to set the standard.” They’ve thrown down the gauntlet? “Oh yes, the gauntlet has been thrown. And we will respond.

“When we were in the US recently, I remember they had this tiny article about us in one of the major papers that basically inferred we were has-beens trading on past glories. Well, when we played the clubs we were the best we’ve been in a long time. We were hot. I was even impressed.

“And, I have to say, we really enjoyed ourselves. I think we’re probably playing better now than ever. It sounds like a cliche but it’s true.”

Shepherd, the rock guitarist, has also emerged the longer this rather splendid journey has gone on. “Aaah, yes, well I think the inner performer in me has continued to show,” he laughs. “I’m loving it and this tour promises to be more fun than …” Umm, when you headlined the York Music Festival back in 1990 or was it 1991 and on the Saturday night you played a set so white hot the 36C night air seemed to shimmer and after that - well at 4am certain members of band such as The Clouds, Falling Joys, even Hoodoo Gurus were still enjoying themselves. “Funny, I can’t remember that one, you know,” Shepherd says.

Okay, so what about a new album then? “Umm, well we were planning one of those this year but we haven’t actually got round to doing it yet,” he says. “It’s not like we need to. There’s no pressure on us to get one out. We’ll just do it when we feel like it. We’re in that kind of space now.”

So folks, it’s Shepherd, Faulkner and co versus Younger (who produced The Stems, incidentally, at one stage), Tek and friends and don’t forget The Stems - Mariani’s mob could be the dark horses. Their 2003 and 2004 tours were gems. So it’s down to power chords, melodies, hooks and riffs, tough bottom ends and kick-arse attitude. “Don’t worry,” Shepherd says, “the Gurus are ready.” This is one not to miss.