Before the month was out, Juke printed what had been talk around town lately; a new record label, Suicide, was being set up in Melbourne to record local Punk. The label was to be run by Australian runaway/Pommie import Barrie Earl, who had 'organised' Australian band Mississippi's tragic tour of England, and he claimed, apparently later had an opportunity to organise a Sex Pistols tour. He would be partnered by Mushroom records figurehead Michael Gudinski. Despite his involvement, Suicide had told Juke that they had "No connection with Mushroom Records" (!) sheer bull shit as time would tell. In the Babeez camp, Gavin had begun writing 'political' songs and some of these songs, including the anti-nuclear Dirty Lies found their way into the set. John Murphy considered himself non-political, Jarryl was less aware than either Gavin or Julie. As a foil to this material, Babeez also introduced some ridiculously revved-up versions of Bubblegum oldies like 'Yummy Yummy Yummy, I've Got Love In My Tummy', and '123 Red Light'. Like the Ramones' choice of cover songs, it was all in a humorous spirit: "The first time we did covers was the Bubblegum stuff and that was as a joke" [Gavin]. It was also around now that Gavin joined the Socialist Workers Party.
Political issues and the whole music of oblique politics dichotomy
were crucial to peoples perceptions of the band in ensuing months.
Intentionally or not, band members provided an angle on the band
by offering opinion on a wide range of issues from an obviously
revolutionary left-wing standpoint. In one of history's strange
twists, it was also in late January that 3XY DJ Gavin Wood, in
the small hours one morning, played something of the Babeez EP
and gave it a plug. But it was accepted by now that the Babeez
would never have access to the established media; radio, television,
print media, or commercial live venues for that matter.
Largely out of necessity, but backed by a belief in the independent
ideal, Gavin began chasing gigs in the alternative political scene,
at demonstrations, benefit shows, and campuses. Before commencing
work in February, it was decided a change in name was appropriate.
After all, this band had a new purpose, and a dire UK group The
Baby's had just had a few sizeable hits. Gavin came up with News,
and it was duly adopted.