From the Archives, 1981: The sultans of sulk Weâre sorry, this service is currently unavailable. Please try again later. Dismiss From the Archives, 1981: The sultans of sulk Their music may have been âloud and dynamic with a touch of coolâ, but when it came to this Sydney press conference, the British rock band Dire Straits were all but catatonic. By Susan Molloy Save Normal text size Press get no communique from Dire Straits Some rock groups should never be called upon to speak. Take Dire Straits, currently appearing at the Regent Theatre: their music is loud and dynamic with a touch of cool; their concerts are sell-outs and their stage performances extraordinarily slick and professional.