Hoodoo Gurus
Encyclopedia
Hoodoo Gurus are an Australian rock band
, formed in Sydney
in 1981, by the mainstay Dave Faulkner
(songwriter, lead singer and guitarist) and later joined by Richard Grossman
(bass), Mark Kingsmill (drums), and Brad Shepherd
(guitar, vocals, harmonica). Their popularity peaked in the mid to late 1980s with albums Mars Needs Guitars!
, Blow Your Cool!
and Magnum Cum Louder
.
Hoodoo Gurus had a string of acclaimed pop-rock singles including "Leilani
" (1982), "Tojo
" (1983), "My Girl
" (1983), "I Want You Back
" (1984), "Bittersweet
", "Like Wow - Wipeout!
", and "What's My Scene?
". After touring the United States from 1984 onwards they gained popularity on the U.S. college rock
circuit with singles "Come Anytime
" (1989) reaching #1 and "Miss Freelove '69
" (1991) reaching #3 on the Billboard
Modern Rock Tracks chart. Gurus’ biggest Australian hit single was their 1987 Top 3 hit song "What's My Scene?" or, as modified for the National Rugby League
2000s theme, "That's My Team".
Hoodoo Gurus' iconic status on the Australian rock scene was acknowledged when they were inducted into the 2007 ARIA Hall of Fame
. Their induction announcement stated that the Gurus were one of the most "inventive, lyrically smart and exciting" bands from Australia. From 1960s power pop, and wild garage punk to hard driving rock and funky psychedelic kitsch their music stood out from Sydney's Detroit
-inspired bands.
and punk
bands: Dave Faulkner (guitars) and James Baker
(drums) of The Victims; while Baker had been with Roddy Radalj
(aka Roddy Ray'Da) (guitars) in The Scientists
. The fourth founding member, Kimble Rendall
(guitars) was formerly in Sydney punk rockers XL Capris
. The three guitarists Faulkner, Rendall and Radalj met at an end-of-1980 New Year's Eve party and were joined by Baker to form Le Hoodoo Gurus.
Le Hoodoo Gurus unorthodox line-up of three guitars and no bass
player, fused pop melodies, punk guitars and an American trash culture ethic. This was captured on their first single, "Leilani
" released in October 1982, on Phantom Records
. This told the story of a maiden sacrificed to the gods and an erupting volcano while her true love looked on helplessly. They dropped the 'Le', to become Hoodoo Gurus, not long after the single's release. As the Hoodoo Gurus, they gave their first ever performance on a segment of the kids' TV program Simon Townsend's Wonder World
; this was followed by a performance alongside a man and his singing dog, on The Don Lane Show.
Rendall left in 1982 before the release of "Leilani", and went on to become an award-winning music video
and film director. Rendall was Second Unit Director on the latter two Matrix films, The Matrix Reloaded
and The Matrix Revolutions
, as well as I, Robot
. Rendall also directed the slasher film
, Cut in 2000. Rendall was effectively replaced by Clyde Bramley (bass guitar, backing vocals) from Sydney bands The Hitmen
and Super K.
Radalj was not happy with Rendall's leaving or Faulkner's greater influence and left the Gurus. He was replaced by ex-Fun Things guitarist Brad Shepherd
, who had been Bramley's flatmate. Bramley and Shepherd had both been in The Hitmen and Super K. Faulkner wrote "I Want You Back
" in response to Radalj's public dissatisfaction with the Gurus. Radalj went on to perform with a number of other acts, including The Johnnys, Love Rodeo, The Dubrovniks
and Roddy Ray'Da & the Surfin' Caesars. As Roddy Ray'Da, he released Lost, Lonely and Vicious in 1990, Orgazmatazz a year later and Mouthful of Chicken in 1993.
. The title came from a 1955 Three Stooges
short Stone Age Romeos
. The album was dedicated to characters from Get Smart
, F-Troop and Petticoat Junction
. They were awarded 'Best Debut Album' of 1984 at the July 1985 Countdown Music Awards. When Stoneage Romeos was released in America it stayed at number 1 in the Alternative/College charts for seven weeks, becoming one of the most played albums for the year on the college network.
Initially a cult inner-city act, their popularity expanded due to regular airplay on radio station Triple J
and nationwide pop TV show Countdown from mid-1983. Their breakthrough single "My Girl
" was accompanied by a video clip featuring a dog trainer with his once champion greyhound
. Members of Spiderbait
described seeing the video for the first time as "a beautiful, classic pop song". Some viewers insisted the song was "written about a dog". This was closely followed by "I Want You Back
", which featured animated
plastic model dinosaur
s. Both videos were aired frequently raising the group's profile around the country.
Original drummer James Baker was sacked from the band in August 1984 and was replaced by Mark Kingsmill (The Hitmen
, New Christs
, Screaming Tribesmen
, Hellcats and Super K). Based on the success of the Stoneage Romeos
the Hoodoo Gurus, with their new drummer, then embarked on their first tour of the United States in late 1984.
(1985). The title was a twist on a Sci Fi B movie
titled Mars Needs Women
. The album's first single, "Bittersweet
", had a more subdued regular-looking video. The Hoodoo Gurus played Europe and the United States including sell-out shows at London
’s Hammersmith Palais
and a two month tour as special guests with The Bangles
.
The sacking of Baker upset some die-hard fans and critics who felt that the group was losing touch with its "indie" roots, and Faulkner is said to have written the single "Poison Pen
" (September 1986) in response to some of the critical articles in the music press written about Baker's departure. Another view was that it was about the replacement of their first manager, Stuart Coupe (journalist, writer, tour promoter), but according to songwriter Faulkner it was about a relationship that had turned bitter. Baker had been involved with The Beasts of Bourbon as a side project from 1983 and now concentrated on their 1984 album The Axeman's Jazz, subsequently he founded James Baker Experience and The Dubrovniks
(latter two included Radalj), Novakill and eventually The Painkillers.
Gurus' peak of popularity was in the mid-to-late 1980s with the albums Mars Needs Guitars!
, Blow Your Cool!
and Magnum Cum Louder
. The albums reached No. 140 (1986), No. 120 (1987) and No. 101 (1989) on the American Billboard 200
album charts respectively. The band's 1987 'Blow Your Cool' concert tour took them to 19 countries playing 204 venues. A concert from the Ritz in New York
City was broadcast by MTV
America. The 'Magnum Cum Louder' tour in 1990, with dates in Europe, America and Australasia; included Japan for the first time. Based on their extensive touring of America, the band gained a solid following in the U.S. with regular exposure on US college radio (and later MTV
's 120 Minutes
) and even developed a big fan base in Brazil
. The third album Blow Your Cool! let go of some of the peripheral quirkiness and just concentrated on the band's pop power. Members of their international peer group The Bangles
and Dream Syndicate
contributed backing vocals to some songs. Then, Hoodoo Gurus decided to opt out of its record contract, tying up the group in legal wranglings for more than a year. In 1988 Richard Grossman
(ex Matt Finish
, Divinyls
) replaced Clyde Bramley on bass. The most stable line-up of Faulkner, Grossman, Kingsmill, and Shepherd saw Hoodoo Gurus from 1988 to the break-up in January 1998.
After two albums under their new contract, Magnum Cum Louder and 1991's Kinky
, which reached No. 101 and 172 on the American Billboard 200
album charts respectively the band then released in 1992 two compilations at once, Electric Soup
, which contained the band's hits and Gorilla Biscuit
, which was made up of B-sides and rarities.
Kinky provided the single "Miss Freelove '69
" which reached No. 19 on the ARIA
Singles Chart, and No. 3 on the Billboard
Modern Rock Tracks
chart in 1991. Another single of the same year "1000 Miles Away
" reached No. 37 in Australia. It was adopted by the crew of Royal Australian Navy
frigate HMAS Canberra
as their 'anthem' in 1993, playing it whenever they left port. Hoodoo Gurus played a concert, including "1000 Miles Away", on-board HMAS Canberra during its last voyage prior to decommissioning in 2005.
in 1994. The 'Crank' world tour took the Gurus through USA, Canada, Europe and included a one month tour of Brazil
. Faulkner also composed the soundtrack to Laurie McInnes' 1994 feature film Broken Highway. In 1995, the Gurus collaborated with The Masters Apprentices
frontman Jim Keays
on an updated rendition of "Turn Up Your Radio". The song was included on a new Masters' Best of album, as well as being issued as a single.
In 1996 they moved to Mushroom Records for the release of their next album, Blue Cave
. The band then undertook a national tour of Australian tour with US outfit The Posies
and local band Drop City. Touring commitments were curtailed when Kingsmill severed tendons and nerves in his arm as a result of an onstage accident. Once Kingsmill recovered, the Gurus completed their 'Circus Maximus' Australian tour by end of 1996. In January 1997, Faulkner announced that the band would be breaking up in December. March was the Gurus undertake another tour of Brazil
, where they played a concert in front of 40,000 people. The Gurus commenced their final Australian tour, the three-month 'Spit the Dummy' tour, in October 1997. The tour coincided with the release of the double compilation album Armchair Gurus
/Electric Chair
, which made #29 on the national chart. The band played its final show in Melbourne on 11 January 1998. The show made up for dates missed during December 1997, when Faulkner was ill.
In November 1998 Mushroom
had issued the Hoodoo Gurus’ live album, Bite the Bullet. The songs had been recorded during the band’s 'Spit the Dummy' farewell tour. The standard, single album version was joined by a limited edition, triple CD version subtitled Director’s Cut. It included the additional CDs, Doppelgänger (a collection of live-to-air Broadcasts from between 1983–1996) and Bubble and Squeak (a collection of outtakes and oddities).
Although Hoodoo Gurus officially split in 1998 they signed with Acadia Records, who released the band's career-spanning compilation Ampology
in October 2000.
, with Rob Hirst
from Midnight Oil
. Ghostwriters
have released four albums with 2007's Political Animal on Sony BMG. Shepherd had played with Ghostwriters on their albums Ghostwriters in 1991 and Fibromoon in 1999. During 2001, Grossman performed 20 concerts with long-time friend Matt Moffitt (1956–2003) singer-songwriter and founder of Matt Finish
. Grossman had been an early member of Matt Finish
, he returned to perform and record Just a Short Note (Best of) released in December 2001. The Kelly Gang was a 2004 project Grossman formed with Jack Nolan, they brought in Hirst and Scott Aplin (Waikiki) to record Looking for the Sun; Shepherd performed as a session musician.
alongside fellow Guru, James Baker. He recorded their four-track CD, From the Belly of the Beasts in live 1984 performance at the Trade Union Club, Sydney. Shepherd's tenure with Beasts ended after Baker was sacked from the Gurus. He joined another ex-Guru, Roddy Radalj, in Roddy Ray'Da and the Surfin' Caesars during 1989. In 1999, following Gurus break-up, Shepherd recorded "Alex Chilton
" for The Replacements tribute album, I'm In Love... With That Song (Antfarm Records). He also produced Shutterspeed
's debut 1999 EP, Up Go The Shutters and co-produced their second EP, Well Ain't That Something A Good Thing's Comin' on Laughing Outlaw Records. Shepherd went onto to form a new band, The Monarchs (initially known as The Honkies), together with Andy Kelly on bass (Glide), Greg Hitchcock on guitar (The Neptunes, The Kryptonics, New Christs, The Verys, Challenger 7, You Am I
, The Dearhunters
) and his brother Murray Shepherd (Harpoon, The Fun Things, Screaming Tribesmen
) on drums. The Monarchs played with The Meanies
, Even
, You Am I
, Joe Strummer
and The Hellacopters
. In August 1999 The Monarchs recorded a self-financed album with Wayne Connolly
and in 2000 they released their first single, "2001" b/w "This Is All I Can Do" (Ivy League Records
); this was followed by their debut album, Make Yer Own Fun, in October 2001, on Shock Records
.
(The Cheap Nasties, The Manikins
, The Scientists
, Beasts of Bourbon
), also in Antenna were Justin Frew and Stuart McCarthy (both of Southend
). Antenna recorded an album mid-1998, and then made its live debut at the Telstra Concert of the Century/Mushroom
25th anniversary in November 1998. The concert coincided with the release of the band’s debut single, "Come on Spring", and album, Installation. Guest performers on the album included Matt Thomas (The Mavis's) on "All Rise", and Christina Amphlett
(Divinyls
) on "Divine". "Come on Spring" reaching #64 on the 1998 Triple J Hottest 100
list. Antenna appeared on the 1999 Big Day Out
tour but disbanded soon after.
Faulkner also wrote original music for the films Broken Highway (1993) and The Sum of Us
(1994) starring Russell Crowe
and Jack Thompson
. Faulkner was one of the new entries in the 2007 edition of Who's Who in Australia
.
2001, (8 December) both Hoodoo Gurus and Persian Rugs performed separate sets. Persian Rugs recorded a five-track EP Mr. Tripper in June 2002, Grossman then left, and Shepherd recommended bassist Kendall James as his replacement (ex Thurston Howlers, Crusaders). With James, the Persian Rugs recorded their debut album Turkish Delight, released in August 2003.
Persian Rugs provided the track "Be My Guru" for the Hoodoo Gurus' tribute album Stoneage Cameos (2005) (see Stoneage Romeos
) and by that time Hoodoo Gurus, with Grossman on bass, had already reformed.
between 2003 and 2007 (a CD was released September 2003 see "What's My Scene?
") with all profits donated to Breast Cancer
charities. The original film clip of "What's My Scene?" included shots of band members in Wests
and Cronulla
jumpers.
On 17 November 2003 EMI
Records announced Hoodoo Gurus' reformation to record a new album, Mach Schau
, they also released the track "White Night" as a radio-only single. In January 2004 the band co-headlined the annual Big Day Out
festival with Metallica
and The Strokes
. Proudly Australian - celebrate Australia Day 2004 which included "Nothing's Changing My Life" by Hoodoo Gurus was a four-track give-away CD. "Nothing's Changing My Life" (February 2004) was released as a single with Mach Schau following in March. The 'Mach Schau' tour started in Perth late in March and was joined by Spiderbait
from April to June. EMI reissued expanded/remastered editions of all Hoodoo Gurus albums (from February 2005); also released was Tunnel Vision (2005), a two-DVD set compiling every Gurus' video, never-before-seen live material and a retrospective documentary, "Be My Guru".
The band performed at the 2006 NRL Grand Final.
Hoodoo Gurus toured during 2007 including several US dates, kicking off at the South By Southwest
(SXSW) Music Festival in Austin, Texas (see SXSW photo above), performances in Europe, including the Azkena
Festival (Spain). This was followed by a national tour of Australia called 'Clash of the Titans' with The Stems
and Radio Birdman
. Their tour poster depicts the three bands as 'Heavyweights' of the Australian music scene. Another solo tour started late in 2007 (including performances at the Apollo Bay Music Festival, Splendour in the Grass
, Meredith Music Festival
, and the St Kilda Festival
) and continued into 2008. There are tentative plans to release a new album in 2009, although little material has been written so far. In June 2008 The Age
newspaper commemorated 50 years of Australian rock 'n' roll (the anniversary of the release of Johnny O'Keefe
's "Wild One
") by selecting the Top 50 Australian Albums, with Stoneage Romeo coming in at No. 5 on the list. The Hoodoo Gurus performed at the Glastonbury Festival
in the United Kingdom on 29 June 2008.
Hoodoo Gurus performed on 14 March 2009 for Sound Relief
at the Sydney Cricket Ground
. Sound Relief was a benefit concert for victims of the Victorian Bushfire Crisis
and the Queensland
Flood
s. Appearing with Hoodoo Gurus at the Sydney concert were, Coldplay
, Eskimo Joe
, Icehouse
, Jet
, Josh Pyke
, Little Birdy
, The Presets
, Wolfmother
, You Am I
and additional artists.
In March 2009 the Hoodoo Gurus also signed a new recording contract with Sony Music Australia, the deal includes the band's back catalogue as well as a new album, the band's ninth and the first since the release of Mach Schau in 2004. The album was originally scheduled for release in September 2009 but they were not happy with the final mix. Hoodoo Gurus then sent their songs off to Durango, Colorado
, where Ed Stasium
, who worked on the band's previous albums Kinky and Crank worked with Faulkner. Faulkner flew to the US after Hoodoo Gurus performed in Japan
, their first performances there in over 20 years.
On 6 May 2009, Faulkner was inducted into the Western Australian Music Industry (WAM) Hall of Fame.
In August 2009 it was revealed that Shepherd had been diagnosed with cancer
and was recovering from recent surgery. It was his second cancer diagnosis, having had a melanoma
removed five years earlier.
The first single from their new album, "Crackin' Up", was released in December 2009 and received some airplay on Australian radio stations. The album, Purity of Essence
, was released on 16 March 2010 in Australia and internationally on 11 May 2010.
On 3 October 2010, Hoodoo Gurus toured to London, UK, performing at O2 Shepherd's Bush Empire.
on 18 July 2007 at the Plaza Ballroom, Melbourne. The ceremony was hosted by Julia Zemiro
of SBS Television's RocKwiz
. The band were inducted by HG Nelson
of Triple J
's This Sporting Life
. They performed "The Right Time
" and "I Want You Back
" at the ceremony and subsequently toured with fellow inductees Radio Birdman
.
The citation for the band's nomination includes:
For Grossman, this was his second Hall of Fame induction in a row; the 2006 award was for his (1982–1987) stint with Divinyls
.
| 1984 || Stoneage Romeos
|| Countdown Music and Video Awards
– Best Debut Album ||
|-
| 1993
|| Electric Soup
/ Gorilla Biscuit
– Paul McNeil, Richard All || ARIA Music Awards
– Best Cover Art ||
|-
| rowspan="2"| 1996
|| "Waking Up Tired" – John Witterton || ARIA Music Awards – Best Video ||
|-
| Blue Cave
|| ARIA Music Awards – Best Pop Release ||
|-
|| 1997
|| "Down on Me" – Charles Fisher || ARIA Music Awards – Producer of the Year ||
|-
| 2005
|| Tunnel Vision || ARIA Music Awards – Best Music DVD ||
|-
| 2007
|| Hoodoo Gurus || ARIA Music Awards – ARIA Hall of Fame
||
Rock Band
Rock Band is a music video game developed by Harmonix Music Systems, published by MTV Games and Electronic Arts. It is the first title in the Rock Band series. The PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 versions were released in the United States on November 20, 2007, while the PlayStation 2 version was...
, formed in Sydney
Sydney
Sydney is the most populous city in Australia and the state capital of New South Wales. Sydney is located on Australia's south-east coast of the Tasman Sea. As of June 2010, the greater metropolitan area had an approximate population of 4.6 million people...
in 1981, by the mainstay Dave Faulkner
Dave Faulkner (musician)
Dave Faulkner is an Australian rock musician who also performed as Dave Flick. Faulkner is a singer-songwriter, guitarist and keyboardist; he has performed with several bands, but is best known as a member of Hoodoo Gurus...
(songwriter, lead singer and guitarist) and later joined by Richard Grossman
Richard Grossman (musician)
Richard Grossman is an Australian rock musician who has played bass guitar for two iconic bands Divinyls and Hoodoo Gurus. Hoodoo Gurus iconic status on the Australian rock scene was acknowledged when they were inducted into the 2007 ARIA Hall of Fame. For Grossman, this was his second Hall of Fame...
(bass), Mark Kingsmill (drums), and Brad Shepherd
Brad Shepherd
Brad Shepherd is an Australian rock musician. Shepherd is a guitarist, singer-songwriter and harmonica player; he has performed with several bands, especially the Hoodoo Gurus...
(guitar, vocals, harmonica). Their popularity peaked in the mid to late 1980s with albums Mars Needs Guitars!
Mars Needs Guitars!
Mars Needs Guitars! was iconic Australian rock group Hoodoo Gurus' second album. The title is a reference to the 1967 science fiction film, Mars Needs Women. Singles from the album were "Bittersweet" , "Like Wow – Wipeout" , "Death Defying" and "Poison Pen" . Mars Needs Guitars! reached No...
, Blow Your Cool!
Blow Your Cool!
Blow Your Cool! is iconic Australian rock group Hoodoo Gurus' third album released in May 1987 and contains their hit single "What's My Scene?". The single reached #3 on the Australian Music Charts...
and Magnum Cum Louder
Magnum Cum Louder
Magnum Cum Louder was Australian rock group Hoodoo Gurus' fourth album, the first with their new label, RCA Records having been dropped by Elektra Records following disappointing sales in the United States. The album was released in Australia on 28 June 1989.The album reached No. 101 on the...
.
Hoodoo Gurus had a string of acclaimed pop-rock singles including "Leilani
Leilani (song)
"Leilani" was the first single by iconic Australian rock group Hoodoo Gurus when they were called Le Hoodoo Gurus and was released on Phantom Records in October 1982. It had been written by all four Gurus: James Baker, Dave Faulkner, Roddy Radalj and Kimble Rendall. Rendall left shortly before its...
" (1982), "Tojo
Tojo (song)
"Tojo" aka "Tojo Never Made it to Darwin" was the second single by iconic Australian rock group Hoodoo Gurus and was released on Big Time Records and distributed by EMI in June, 1983. It was written by Dave Faulkner. It was also featured on their first album Stoneage Romeos...
" (1983), "My Girl
My Girl (Hoodoo Gurus song)
"My Girl" was the third single by iconic Australian rock group Hoodoo Gurus and was released on Big Time Records and distributed by EMI in October, 1983; it peaked at #35 on the Australian charts. It was written by Dave Faulkner and was also on their first album Stoneage Romeos...
" (1983), "I Want You Back
I Want You Back (Hoodoo Gurus song)
"I Want You Back" was the fourth single released by iconic Australian rock group Hoodoo Gurus from their debut album Stoneage Romeos. It was released on Big Time Records in March, 1984 . "I Want You Back" was written by Dave Faulkner...
" (1984), "Bittersweet
Bittersweet (Hoodoo Gurus song)
"Bittersweet" was a single by Australian rock group Hoodoo Gurus which reached #10 on the Melbourne Record Charts. It was released on Big Time Records in June, 1985; and was written by Dave Faulkner....
", "Like Wow - Wipeout!
Like Wow - Wipeout!
"Like Wow - Wipeout" is a song written by Dave Faulkner and recorded by Australian rock group Hoodoo Gurus for their album Mars Needs Guitars!. As a single, it was released on Big Time Records in October 1985 and reached #28 on the Melbourne Record Charts....
", and "What's My Scene?
What's My Scene?
"What's My Scene" is an Australian Top 3 single performed by iconic rock group Hoodoo Gurus and was written by their singer-songwriter Dave Faulkner. It was included on Gurus' third album Blow Your Cool! released by Elektra Records. The B-side, "Heart of Darkness" was also written by Faulkner...
". After touring the United States from 1984 onwards they gained popularity on the U.S. college rock
College rock
College rock is a term that was used in the United States to describe 1980s alternative rock before the term "alternative" came into common usage. The term's use of the word "college" refers to campus radio stations located at institutions of higher education in Canada and the United States, where...
circuit with singles "Come Anytime
Come Anytime
"Come Anytime" was a single by iconic Australian rock group Hoodoo Gurus which reached #27 on the ARIA Singles Charts and #1 on the Billboard Modern Rock Tracks. It was released on RCA Records in June, 1989; and was written by Dave Faulkner. B side "Cajun Country" was also written by Faulkner."...
" (1989) reaching #1 and "Miss Freelove '69
Miss Freelove '69
"Miss Freelove '69" was a single by iconic Australian rock group Hoodoo Gurus which reached #19 on the ARIA Singles Charts and #3 on the Billboard Modern Rock Tracks. It was released on RCA Records in February, 1991; and was written by Dave Faulkner...
" (1991) reaching #3 on the Billboard
Billboard (magazine)
Billboard is a weekly American magazine devoted to the music industry, and is one of the oldest trade magazines in the world. It maintains several internationally recognized music charts that track the most popular songs and albums in various categories on a weekly basis...
Modern Rock Tracks chart. Gurus’ biggest Australian hit single was their 1987 Top 3 hit song "What's My Scene?" or, as modified for the National Rugby League
National Rugby League
The National Rugby League is the top league of professional rugby league football clubs in Australasia. The NRL's main competition, called the Telstra Premiership , is contested by sixteen teams, fifteen of which are based in Australia with one based in New Zealand...
2000s theme, "That's My Team".
Hoodoo Gurus' iconic status on the Australian rock scene was acknowledged when they were inducted into the 2007 ARIA Hall of Fame
ARIA Hall of Fame
Since 1988 the Australian Recording Industry Association has inducted artists into its ARIA Hall of Fame. While most have been recognised at the annual ARIA Music Awards, in 2005 ARIA sought to create a separate standalone "ARIA Icons: Hall of Fame" event as only one or two acts could be inducted...
. Their induction announcement stated that the Gurus were one of the most "inventive, lyrically smart and exciting" bands from Australia. From 1960s power pop, and wild garage punk to hard driving rock and funky psychedelic kitsch their music stood out from Sydney's Detroit
Music of Detroit
This article discusses the Music of Detroit, Michigan. World renowned for its Detroit Symphony Orchestra and music celebrities, the area has a long and rich heritage, including several Platinum artists in different genres whose recordings had surpassed forty million copies by the year...
-inspired bands.
Formation (1981–1983)
Three Hoodoo Gurus founders were from Perth protopunkProtopunk
Protopunk is a term used retrospectively to describe a number of musicians who were important precursors of punk rock in the late 1960s to mid-1970s, or who have been cited by early punk musicians as influential...
and punk
Punk rock
Punk rock is a rock music genre that developed between 1974 and 1976 in the United States, the United Kingdom, and Australia. Rooted in garage rock and other forms of what is now known as protopunk music, punk rock bands eschewed perceived excesses of mainstream 1970s rock...
bands: Dave Faulkner (guitars) and James Baker
James Baker (musician)
James Baker is a rock musician from Perth, Western Australia. He has drummed with, and was instrumental in the founding of several influential Australian bands including The Scientists, Le Hoodoo Gurus, Beasts of Bourbon, and The Dubrovniks.-Early days:Baker has named Ronnie Bond of The Troggs as...
(drums) of The Victims; while Baker had been with Roddy Radalj
Roddy Radalj
Roddy Radalj is a rock musician and singer-songwriter who grew up in Perth, Western Australia...
(aka Roddy Ray'Da) (guitars) in The Scientists
The Scientists
The Scientists are an influential post-punk band from Perth, Australia, led by Kim Salmon, initially known as Exterminators and then Invaders. The band had two primary incarnations: the Perth-based punk band of the late 1970s and the Sydney/London-based swamp rock band of the 1980s...
. The fourth founding member, Kimble Rendall
Kimble Rendall
Kimble Rendall is an Australian director, musician and writer mostly known for his Second unit direction of Matrix Reloaded , Matrix Revolutions , I, Robot , Casanova and Ghost Rider...
(guitars) was formerly in Sydney punk rockers XL Capris
XL Capris
XL Capris were an Australian indie-punk band formed in Sydney in 1978 by Julie Anderson, Tim Gooding, Johanna Pigott and Kimble Rendall.Their best known single was a punk version of Tommy Leonetti's "My City of Sydney"...
. The three guitarists Faulkner, Rendall and Radalj met at an end-of-1980 New Year's Eve party and were joined by Baker to form Le Hoodoo Gurus.
Le Hoodoo Gurus unorthodox line-up of three guitars and no bass
Bass guitar
The bass guitar is a stringed instrument played primarily with the fingers or thumb , or by using a pick....
player, fused pop melodies, punk guitars and an American trash culture ethic. This was captured on their first single, "Leilani
Leilani (song)
"Leilani" was the first single by iconic Australian rock group Hoodoo Gurus when they were called Le Hoodoo Gurus and was released on Phantom Records in October 1982. It had been written by all four Gurus: James Baker, Dave Faulkner, Roddy Radalj and Kimble Rendall. Rendall left shortly before its...
" released in October 1982, on Phantom Records
Phantom Records
Phantom Records was an Australian independent record label established by Dare Jennings Phantom Records was an Australian independent record label established by Dare Jennings Phantom Records was an Australian independent record label established by Dare Jennings (founder of Mambo (Clothing) and...
. This told the story of a maiden sacrificed to the gods and an erupting volcano while her true love looked on helplessly. They dropped the 'Le', to become Hoodoo Gurus, not long after the single's release. As the Hoodoo Gurus, they gave their first ever performance on a segment of the kids' TV program Simon Townsend's Wonder World
Simon Townsend's Wonder World
Simon Townsend's Wonder World! was a multi-award–winning Australian children's television show that aired on the Ten Network from 1979 until 1986...
; this was followed by a performance alongside a man and his singing dog, on The Don Lane Show.
Rendall left in 1982 before the release of "Leilani", and went on to become an award-winning music video
Music video
A music video or song video is a short film integrating a song and imagery, produced for promotional or artistic purposes. Modern music videos are primarily made and used as a marketing device intended to promote the sale of music recordings...
and film director. Rendall was Second Unit Director on the latter two Matrix films, The Matrix Reloaded
The Matrix Reloaded
The Matrix Reloaded is a 2003 American science fiction film and the second installment in The Matrix trilogy, written and directed by the Wachowskis. It premiered on May 7, 2003, in Westwood, Los Angeles, California, and went on general release by Warner Bros. in North American theaters on May 15,...
and The Matrix Revolutions
The Matrix Revolutions
The Matrix Revolutions is a 2003 American science fiction film and the third installment of The Matrix trilogy. The film was released six months following The Matrix Reloaded. The film was written and directed by the Wachowski brothers and released simultaneously in sixty countries on November 5,...
, as well as I, Robot
I, Robot (film)
I, Robot is a 2004 science-fiction action film directed by Alex Proyas. The screenplay was written by Jeff Vintar, Akiva Goldsman and Hillary Seitz, and is very loosely based on Isaac Asimov's short-story collection of the same name. Will Smith stars in the lead role of the film as Detective Del...
. Rendall also directed the slasher film
Slasher film
A slasher film is a type of horror film typically involving a psychopathic killer stalking and killing a sequence of victims in a graphically violent manner, often with a cutting tool such as a knife or axe...
, Cut in 2000. Rendall was effectively replaced by Clyde Bramley (bass guitar, backing vocals) from Sydney bands The Hitmen
The Hitmen
Hitmen are an Australian Hard rock band. The group went through a large number of lineup changes in its short late 1970s and early 1980s run, then regrouped under a new name, Hitmen DTK, between 1989 and 1992. They reformed in 2007 and continue to play....
and Super K.
Radalj was not happy with Rendall's leaving or Faulkner's greater influence and left the Gurus. He was replaced by ex-Fun Things guitarist Brad Shepherd
Brad Shepherd
Brad Shepherd is an Australian rock musician. Shepherd is a guitarist, singer-songwriter and harmonica player; he has performed with several bands, especially the Hoodoo Gurus...
, who had been Bramley's flatmate. Bramley and Shepherd had both been in The Hitmen and Super K. Faulkner wrote "I Want You Back
I Want You Back (Hoodoo Gurus song)
"I Want You Back" was the fourth single released by iconic Australian rock group Hoodoo Gurus from their debut album Stoneage Romeos. It was released on Big Time Records in March, 1984 . "I Want You Back" was written by Dave Faulkner...
" in response to Radalj's public dissatisfaction with the Gurus. Radalj went on to perform with a number of other acts, including The Johnnys, Love Rodeo, The Dubrovniks
Dubrovniks
The Dubrovniks are an Australian rock band formed in Sydney in 1987. The band's name was coined from the fact that founding members Roddy Radalj and Boris Sujdovic were born in Dubrovnik, a town in Croatia....
and Roddy Ray'Da & the Surfin' Caesars. As Roddy Ray'Da, he released Lost, Lonely and Vicious in 1990, Orgazmatazz a year later and Mouthful of Chicken in 1993.
Stoneage Romeos (1983–1984)
Gurus new line-up (Baker, Bramley, Faulkner and Shepherd) recorded the band's first album in 1984, Stoneage RomeosStoneage Romeos
Stoneage Romeos was iconic Australian rock group Hoodoo Gurus' first album and saw them receive record sales to complement their already strong reputation for live performances. The album name is from a Three Stooges short film...
. The title came from a 1955 Three Stooges
Three Stooges
The Three Stooges were an American vaudeville and comedy act of the early to mid–20th century best known for their numerous short subject films. Their hallmark was physical farce and extreme slapstick. In films, the Stooges were commonly known by their first names: "Moe, Larry, and Curly" and "Moe,...
short Stone Age Romeos
Stone Age Romeos
Stone Age Romeos is the 163rd short subject starring American slapstick comedy team the Three Stooges. The trio made a total of 190 shorts for Columbia Pictures between 1934 and 1959.-Plot:...
. The album was dedicated to characters from Get Smart
Get Smart
Get Smart is an American comedy television series that satirizes the secret agent genre. Created by Mel Brooks with Buck Henry, the show starred Don Adams , Barbara Feldon , and Edward Platt...
, F-Troop and Petticoat Junction
Petticoat Junction
Petticoat Junction is an American situation comedy produced by Filmways which originally aired on CBS from 1963 to 1970. The series is one of three interrelated shows about rural characters created by Paul Henning; the others are The Beverly Hillbillies and Green Acres.The setting for the series...
. They were awarded 'Best Debut Album' of 1984 at the July 1985 Countdown Music Awards. When Stoneage Romeos was released in America it stayed at number 1 in the Alternative/College charts for seven weeks, becoming one of the most played albums for the year on the college network.
Initially a cult inner-city act, their popularity expanded due to regular airplay on radio station Triple J
Triple J
triple j is a nationally networked Australian radio station intended to appeal to listeners between the ages of 18 and 30. The government-funded station is a division of the Australian Broadcasting Corporation...
and nationwide pop TV show Countdown from mid-1983. Their breakthrough single "My Girl
My Girl (Hoodoo Gurus song)
"My Girl" was the third single by iconic Australian rock group Hoodoo Gurus and was released on Big Time Records and distributed by EMI in October, 1983; it peaked at #35 on the Australian charts. It was written by Dave Faulkner and was also on their first album Stoneage Romeos...
" was accompanied by a video clip featuring a dog trainer with his once champion greyhound
Greyhound
The Greyhound is a breed of sighthound that has been primarily bred for coursing game and racing, and the breed has also recently seen a resurgence in its popularity as a pedigree show dog and family pet. It is a gentle and intelligent breed...
. Members of Spiderbait
Spiderbait
Spiderbait are an Australian alternative rock band formed in Finley in 1989 by bass guitarist Janet English, singer-drummer Mark Maher , and guitarist Damian Whitty. In 2004 the group's cover version of the 1930s Lead Belly song "Black Betty" reached number one on the ARIA Singles Chart...
described seeing the video for the first time as "a beautiful, classic pop song". Some viewers insisted the song was "written about a dog". This was closely followed by "I Want You Back
I Want You Back (Hoodoo Gurus song)
"I Want You Back" was the fourth single released by iconic Australian rock group Hoodoo Gurus from their debut album Stoneage Romeos. It was released on Big Time Records in March, 1984 . "I Want You Back" was written by Dave Faulkner...
", which featured animated
Stop motion
Stop motion is an animation technique to make a physically manipulated object appear to move on its own. The object is moved in small increments between individually photographed frames, creating the illusion of movement when the series of frames is played as a continuous sequence...
plastic model dinosaur
Dinosaur
Dinosaurs are a diverse group of animals of the clade and superorder Dinosauria. They were the dominant terrestrial vertebrates for over 160 million years, from the late Triassic period until the end of the Cretaceous , when the Cretaceous–Paleogene extinction event led to the extinction of...
s. Both videos were aired frequently raising the group's profile around the country.
Original drummer James Baker was sacked from the band in August 1984 and was replaced by Mark Kingsmill (The Hitmen
The Hitmen
Hitmen are an Australian Hard rock band. The group went through a large number of lineup changes in its short late 1970s and early 1980s run, then regrouped under a new name, Hitmen DTK, between 1989 and 1992. They reformed in 2007 and continue to play....
, New Christs
New Christs
The New Christs are an Australian rock and roll band, led by Rob Younger, with various lineups through the 80s, 90s, Noughties. Younger was the singer in the influential Australian band Radio Birdman....
, Screaming Tribesmen
Screaming Tribesmen
The Screaming Tribesmen was a band formed in Brisbane by Mick Medew, John Hartley & Murray Shepherd. After their I Don't Wanna Know EP and a string of successful singles, including "A Stand Alone" and their first hit, "Igloo" which was penned by Medew and Died Pretty frontman Ron Peno, the band...
, Hellcats and Super K). Based on the success of the Stoneage Romeos
Stoneage Romeos
Stoneage Romeos was iconic Australian rock group Hoodoo Gurus' first album and saw them receive record sales to complement their already strong reputation for live performances. The album name is from a Three Stooges short film...
the Hoodoo Gurus, with their new drummer, then embarked on their first tour of the United States in late 1984.
From Mars to Kinky (1985–1993)
Following the US tour the Hoodoo Gurus went into the studio and recorded their second album, Mars Needs Guitars!Mars Needs Guitars!
Mars Needs Guitars! was iconic Australian rock group Hoodoo Gurus' second album. The title is a reference to the 1967 science fiction film, Mars Needs Women. Singles from the album were "Bittersweet" , "Like Wow – Wipeout" , "Death Defying" and "Poison Pen" . Mars Needs Guitars! reached No...
(1985). The title was a twist on a Sci Fi B movie
B movie
A B movie is a low-budget commercial motion picture that is not definitively an arthouse or pornographic film. In its original usage, during the Golden Age of Hollywood, the term more precisely identified a film intended for distribution as the less-publicized, bottom half of a double feature....
titled Mars Needs Women
Mars Needs Women
Mars Needs Women is an American International Pictures made for TV science fiction film filmed in 1966 and released in 1967 which features Tommy Kirk, Yvonne Craig, and Byron Lord. it was shot during a two week period in Houston and Dallas, Texas...
. The album's first single, "Bittersweet
Bittersweet (Hoodoo Gurus song)
"Bittersweet" was a single by Australian rock group Hoodoo Gurus which reached #10 on the Melbourne Record Charts. It was released on Big Time Records in June, 1985; and was written by Dave Faulkner....
", had a more subdued regular-looking video. The Hoodoo Gurus played Europe and the United States including sell-out shows at London
London
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
’s Hammersmith Palais
Hammersmith Palais
The Hammersmith Palais de Danse, later simply the Hammersmith Palais, was a ballroom and entertainment venue in London that operated from 1919 until 2007...
and a two month tour as special guests with The Bangles
The Bangles
The Bangles are an American all-female band that originated in the early 1980s, scoring several hit singles during the decade.-Formation and early years :...
.
The sacking of Baker upset some die-hard fans and critics who felt that the group was losing touch with its "indie" roots, and Faulkner is said to have written the single "Poison Pen
Poison Pen (song)
"Poison Pen" was a single by iconic Australian rock group Hoodoo Gurus. It was released on Big Time Records in September, 1986; and was written by Dave Faulkner....
" (September 1986) in response to some of the critical articles in the music press written about Baker's departure. Another view was that it was about the replacement of their first manager, Stuart Coupe (journalist, writer, tour promoter), but according to songwriter Faulkner it was about a relationship that had turned bitter. Baker had been involved with The Beasts of Bourbon as a side project from 1983 and now concentrated on their 1984 album The Axeman's Jazz, subsequently he founded James Baker Experience and The Dubrovniks
Dubrovniks
The Dubrovniks are an Australian rock band formed in Sydney in 1987. The band's name was coined from the fact that founding members Roddy Radalj and Boris Sujdovic were born in Dubrovnik, a town in Croatia....
(latter two included Radalj), Novakill and eventually The Painkillers.
Gurus' peak of popularity was in the mid-to-late 1980s with the albums Mars Needs Guitars!
Mars Needs Guitars!
Mars Needs Guitars! was iconic Australian rock group Hoodoo Gurus' second album. The title is a reference to the 1967 science fiction film, Mars Needs Women. Singles from the album were "Bittersweet" , "Like Wow – Wipeout" , "Death Defying" and "Poison Pen" . Mars Needs Guitars! reached No...
, Blow Your Cool!
Blow Your Cool!
Blow Your Cool! is iconic Australian rock group Hoodoo Gurus' third album released in May 1987 and contains their hit single "What's My Scene?". The single reached #3 on the Australian Music Charts...
and Magnum Cum Louder
Magnum Cum Louder
Magnum Cum Louder was Australian rock group Hoodoo Gurus' fourth album, the first with their new label, RCA Records having been dropped by Elektra Records following disappointing sales in the United States. The album was released in Australia on 28 June 1989.The album reached No. 101 on the...
. The albums reached No. 140 (1986), No. 120 (1987) and No. 101 (1989) on the American Billboard 200
Billboard 200
The Billboard 200 is a ranking of the 200 highest-selling music albums and EPs in the United States, published weekly by Billboard magazine. It is frequently used to convey the popularity of an artist or groups of artists...
album charts respectively. The band's 1987 'Blow Your Cool' concert tour took them to 19 countries playing 204 venues. A concert from the Ritz in New York
New York
New York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east...
City was broadcast by MTV
MTV
MTV, formerly an initialism of Music Television, is an American network based in New York City that launched on August 1, 1981. The original purpose of the channel was to play music videos guided by on-air hosts known as VJs....
America. The 'Magnum Cum Louder' tour in 1990, with dates in Europe, America and Australasia; included Japan for the first time. Based on their extensive touring of America, the band gained a solid following in the U.S. with regular exposure on US college radio (and later MTV
MTV
MTV, formerly an initialism of Music Television, is an American network based in New York City that launched on August 1, 1981. The original purpose of the channel was to play music videos guided by on-air hosts known as VJs....
's 120 Minutes
120 Minutes
120 Minutes is a television show in the United States dedicated to alternative music, originally airing on MTV from 1986 to 2000, and then on MTV's sister channel MTV2 from 2001 to 2003....
) and even developed a big fan base in Brazil
Brazil
Brazil , officially the Federative Republic of Brazil , is the largest country in South America. It is the world's fifth largest country, both by geographical area and by population with over 192 million people...
. The third album Blow Your Cool! let go of some of the peripheral quirkiness and just concentrated on the band's pop power. Members of their international peer group The Bangles
The Bangles
The Bangles are an American all-female band that originated in the early 1980s, scoring several hit singles during the decade.-Formation and early years :...
and Dream Syndicate
Dream Syndicate
The Dream Syndicate was an alternative rock band from Los Angeles, California active from 1981 to 1989. The band was associated with the Paisley Underground music movement.-History:...
contributed backing vocals to some songs. Then, Hoodoo Gurus decided to opt out of its record contract, tying up the group in legal wranglings for more than a year. In 1988 Richard Grossman
Richard Grossman (musician)
Richard Grossman is an Australian rock musician who has played bass guitar for two iconic bands Divinyls and Hoodoo Gurus. Hoodoo Gurus iconic status on the Australian rock scene was acknowledged when they were inducted into the 2007 ARIA Hall of Fame. For Grossman, this was his second Hall of Fame...
(ex Matt Finish
Matt Finish
Matt Finish are an Australian rock band formed by singer-songwriter/guitarist Matt Moffitt and drummer/composer/producer John Prior in mid 1979....
, Divinyls
Divinyls
Divinyls were an Australian rock band formed in Sydney in 1980 and featuring vocalist Christina Amphlett and guitarist Mark McEntee. As the focal point, Amphlett performed on stage wearing a school uniform and fishnet stockings, often using an illuminated neon tube as a prop and displaying...
) replaced Clyde Bramley on bass. The most stable line-up of Faulkner, Grossman, Kingsmill, and Shepherd saw Hoodoo Gurus from 1988 to the break-up in January 1998.
After two albums under their new contract, Magnum Cum Louder and 1991's Kinky
Kinky (Hoodoo Gurus album)
Kinky was iconic Australian rock group Hoodoo Gurus' fifth studio album, and was released on 9 April 1991 by RCA Records.The album reached No. 172 on the American Billboard charts in 1991, with the single "Miss Freelove '69" reaching No. 19 on the ARIA Singles Chart, No. 3 on the Billboard Modern...
, which reached No. 101 and 172 on the American Billboard 200
Billboard 200
The Billboard 200 is a ranking of the 200 highest-selling music albums and EPs in the United States, published weekly by Billboard magazine. It is frequently used to convey the popularity of an artist or groups of artists...
album charts respectively the band then released in 1992 two compilations at once, Electric Soup
Electric Soup (album)
Electric Soup a.k.a. Electric Soup: The Singles Collection is the first compilation album by iconic Australian rock group Hoodoo Gurus and contained all their Australian singles to date . It was also released as a 2CD set with Gorilla Biscuit a collection of their b-sides and rarities. The album...
, which contained the band's hits and Gorilla Biscuit
Gorilla Biscuit
Gorilla Biscuit aka Gorilla Biscuit: B Sides and Rarities is a compilation album by iconic Australian rock group Hoodoo Gurus. It was also released as a 2CD set with Electric Soup...
, which was made up of B-sides and rarities.
Kinky provided the single "Miss Freelove '69
Miss Freelove '69
"Miss Freelove '69" was a single by iconic Australian rock group Hoodoo Gurus which reached #19 on the ARIA Singles Charts and #3 on the Billboard Modern Rock Tracks. It was released on RCA Records in February, 1991; and was written by Dave Faulkner...
" which reached No. 19 on the ARIA
Australian Recording Industry Association
The Australian Recording Industry Association is a trade group representing the Australian recording industry which was established in 1983 by six major record companies, EMI, Festival, CBS, RCA, WEA and Universal replacing the Association of Australian Record Manufacturers which was formed in 1956...
Singles Chart, and No. 3 on the Billboard
Billboard charts
The Billboard charts tabulate the relative weekly popularity of songs or albums in the United States. The results are published in Billboard magazine...
Modern Rock Tracks
Modern Rock Tracks
Alternative Songs is a music chart in the United States that has appeared in Billboard magazine since September 10, 1988. It lists the 40 most-played songs on modern rock radio stations, most of which are alternative rock songs...
chart in 1991. Another single of the same year "1000 Miles Away
1000 Miles Away
"1000 Miles Away" was a single by iconic Australian rock group Hoodoo Gurus which reached #37 on the ARIA Singles Charts. It was released on RCA Records in June, 1991 reaching #33 on the Australian singles chart; and was written by Dave Faulkner...
" reached No. 37 in Australia. It was adopted by the crew of Royal Australian Navy
Royal Australian Navy
The Royal Australian Navy is the naval branch of the Australian Defence Force. Following the Federation of Australia in 1901, the ships and resources of the separate colonial navies were integrated into a national force: the Commonwealth Naval Forces...
frigate HMAS Canberra
HMAS Canberra (FFG 02)
HMAS Canberra was an Adelaide class guided missile frigate of the Royal Australian Navy . Based on the Oliver Hazard Perry class design, Canberra was one of four Adelaide class ships constructed in the United States of America, and one of six to serve in the RAN.The frigate entered service in 1981...
as their 'anthem' in 1993, playing it whenever they left port. Hoodoo Gurus played a concert, including "1000 Miles Away", on-board HMAS Canberra during its last voyage prior to decommissioning in 2005.
Crank through to the Bullet (1994–1998)
They followed Kinky with CrankCrank (Hoodoo Gurus album)
Crank was iconic Australian rock group Hoodoo Gurus' sixth studio album. The album was produced by Ed Stasium , who had mixed Hoodoo Gurus last studio album, Kinky in 1991. It was the band's first release on Zoo Records...
in 1994. The 'Crank' world tour took the Gurus through USA, Canada, Europe and included a one month tour of Brazil
Brazil
Brazil , officially the Federative Republic of Brazil , is the largest country in South America. It is the world's fifth largest country, both by geographical area and by population with over 192 million people...
. Faulkner also composed the soundtrack to Laurie McInnes' 1994 feature film Broken Highway. In 1995, the Gurus collaborated with The Masters Apprentices
The Masters Apprentices
The Masters Apprentices were an Australian rock band fronted by mainstay Jim Keays on lead vocals, which formed in 1965 in Adelaide, South Australia, relocated to Melbourne in February 1967 and attempted to break into the United Kingdom market from 1970, before disbanding in 1972...
frontman Jim Keays
Jim Keays
James "Jim" Keays is an Australian musician who fronted rock band The Masters Apprentices as singer-songwriter, guitarist and harmonica-player during 1965–1972, and subsequently had a solo career including leading Jim Keays' Southern Cross...
on an updated rendition of "Turn Up Your Radio". The song was included on a new Masters' Best of album, as well as being issued as a single.
In 1996 they moved to Mushroom Records for the release of their next album, Blue Cave
Blue Cave (Hoodoo Gurus album)
Blue Cave or In Blue Cave was Australian rock group Hoodoo Gurus' seventh studio album. The album was nominated for 'Best Pop Release' at the 1996 ARIA Awards...
. The band then undertook a national tour of Australian tour with US outfit The Posies
The Posies
The Posies are an alternative rock/power pop group. The band was formed in 1987 in Bellingham, Washington by primary songwriters Jon Auer and Ken Stringfellow. They are best known for their radio hits "Golden Blunders" , as well as "Dream All Day", "Solar Sister" and "Flavor of the Month"...
and local band Drop City. Touring commitments were curtailed when Kingsmill severed tendons and nerves in his arm as a result of an onstage accident. Once Kingsmill recovered, the Gurus completed their 'Circus Maximus' Australian tour by end of 1996. In January 1997, Faulkner announced that the band would be breaking up in December. March was the Gurus undertake another tour of Brazil
Brazil
Brazil , officially the Federative Republic of Brazil , is the largest country in South America. It is the world's fifth largest country, both by geographical area and by population with over 192 million people...
, where they played a concert in front of 40,000 people. The Gurus commenced their final Australian tour, the three-month 'Spit the Dummy' tour, in October 1997. The tour coincided with the release of the double compilation album Armchair Gurus
Armchair Gurus
Armchair Gurus is the third compilation album by Australian rock group Hoodoo Gurus. It was originally released as a 2CD set to coincide with the band's 1997 farewell tour of Australia...
/Electric Chair
Electric Chair (album)
Electric Chair is a compilation album by Australian rock group Hoodoo Gurus. It was originally released as a 2CD set with Armchair Gurus, the album features seventeen Hoodoo Gurus' rock/party tracks whilst Armchair Gurus contains seventeen ballads and slower songs...
, which made #29 on the national chart. The band played its final show in Melbourne on 11 January 1998. The show made up for dates missed during December 1997, when Faulkner was ill.
In November 1998 Mushroom
Mushroom Records
Mushroom Records is an Australian recoJrd company formed by Michael Gudinski and Ray Evans in Melbourne in 1972. After its sale in 1998, it merged into Festival Mushroom Records. From 2005 to 2009, it is one of the record labels operated by Warner Bros...
had issued the Hoodoo Gurus’ live album, Bite the Bullet. The songs had been recorded during the band’s 'Spit the Dummy' farewell tour. The standard, single album version was joined by a limited edition, triple CD version subtitled Director’s Cut. It included the additional CDs, Doppelgänger (a collection of live-to-air Broadcasts from between 1983–1996) and Bubble and Squeak (a collection of outtakes and oddities).
Although Hoodoo Gurus officially split in 1998 they signed with Acadia Records, who released the band's career-spanning compilation Ampology
Ampology
Ampology is a two disc compilation album by Australian rock group Hoodoo Gurus, spanning their entire career from their first single, "Leilani" through to "Real Deal" . At the time of its release Hoodoo Gurus had been disbanded for two years...
in October 2000.
Grossman
From 1990 onwards, Grossman has been involved in a side project, GhostwritersGhostwriters
-Singles:* "Someone's Singing New York New York" Virgin Records * "Runaway Bay" Virgin Records* "World Is Almost At Peace" Virgin Records* "Second Skin" Mercury Records* "Impossible Shame" Mercury Records...
, with Rob Hirst
Rob Hirst
-External links:*******...
from Midnight Oil
Midnight Oil
Midnight Oil , were an Australian rock band from Sydney originally performing as Farm from 1972 with drummer Rob Hirst, bass guitarist Andrew James and keyboard player/lead guitarist Jim Moginie...
. Ghostwriters
Ghostwriters
-Singles:* "Someone's Singing New York New York" Virgin Records * "Runaway Bay" Virgin Records* "World Is Almost At Peace" Virgin Records* "Second Skin" Mercury Records* "Impossible Shame" Mercury Records...
have released four albums with 2007's Political Animal on Sony BMG. Shepherd had played with Ghostwriters on their albums Ghostwriters in 1991 and Fibromoon in 1999. During 2001, Grossman performed 20 concerts with long-time friend Matt Moffitt (1956–2003) singer-songwriter and founder of Matt Finish
Matt Finish
Matt Finish are an Australian rock band formed by singer-songwriter/guitarist Matt Moffitt and drummer/composer/producer John Prior in mid 1979....
. Grossman had been an early member of Matt Finish
Matt Finish
Matt Finish are an Australian rock band formed by singer-songwriter/guitarist Matt Moffitt and drummer/composer/producer John Prior in mid 1979....
, he returned to perform and record Just a Short Note (Best of) released in December 2001. The Kelly Gang was a 2004 project Grossman formed with Jack Nolan, they brought in Hirst and Scott Aplin (Waikiki) to record Looking for the Sun; Shepherd performed as a session musician.
Shepherd
Shepherd was briefly involved with Beasts of BourbonBeasts of Bourbon
Beasts of Bourbon was an Australian alternative rock band formed in 1983, with a line-up that has changed as the band splintered and reformed several times - Beginnings :...
alongside fellow Guru, James Baker. He recorded their four-track CD, From the Belly of the Beasts in live 1984 performance at the Trade Union Club, Sydney. Shepherd's tenure with Beasts ended after Baker was sacked from the Gurus. He joined another ex-Guru, Roddy Radalj, in Roddy Ray'Da and the Surfin' Caesars during 1989. In 1999, following Gurus break-up, Shepherd recorded "Alex Chilton
Alex Chilton (song)
"Alex Chilton" is a song by American rock band The Replacements from their fifth studio album Pleased to Meet Me. The song is an homage to Alex Chilton, lead singer of The Box Tops and Big Star....
" for The Replacements tribute album, I'm In Love... With That Song (Antfarm Records). He also produced Shutterspeed
Shutterspeed
Shutterspeed was an independent rock band from Australia, led by frontman Andrew Petersen, which has released two albums and several singles and EPs. The band enjoyed some radio airplay, especially the 'Good Little Monkey' single, but it was their live performances with established their reputation...
's debut 1999 EP, Up Go The Shutters and co-produced their second EP, Well Ain't That Something A Good Thing's Comin' on Laughing Outlaw Records. Shepherd went onto to form a new band, The Monarchs (initially known as The Honkies), together with Andy Kelly on bass (Glide), Greg Hitchcock on guitar (The Neptunes, The Kryptonics, New Christs, The Verys, Challenger 7, You Am I
You Am I
You Am I are an Australian alternative rock band, fronted by vocalist/guitarist and main songwriter Tim Rogers. They were the first Australian band to have three albums successively debut at #1 on the ARIA Charts, and are renowned for their live performances.-History:Tim Rogers formed the first...
, The Dearhunters
The Dearhunters
The Dearhunters were an indie and alternative country band from Sydney, Australia.-History:In 1998, Greg Hitchcock, Tim Oxley, Jodi Phillis and Raphael Whittingham, who were successful artists solo or in various other acts, formed The Dearhunters in a pub in Sydney. They first performed several...
) and his brother Murray Shepherd (Harpoon, The Fun Things, Screaming Tribesmen
Screaming Tribesmen
The Screaming Tribesmen was a band formed in Brisbane by Mick Medew, John Hartley & Murray Shepherd. After their I Don't Wanna Know EP and a string of successful singles, including "A Stand Alone" and their first hit, "Igloo" which was penned by Medew and Died Pretty frontman Ron Peno, the band...
) on drums. The Monarchs played with The Meanies
The Meanies
The Meanies are an indie Australian punk rock band, formed in 1989. The current band members include Link Meanie , Ringo Meanie and Wally Meanie . The Meanies had a hiatus in the mid-late 1990s, but began performing again in 1998...
, Even
Even (band)
Even are an Australian indie rock three-piece fronted by singer/songwriter/guitarist Ashley Naylor, with Matthew Cotter on drums and Wally Kempton on bass and backing vocals...
, You Am I
You Am I
You Am I are an Australian alternative rock band, fronted by vocalist/guitarist and main songwriter Tim Rogers. They were the first Australian band to have three albums successively debut at #1 on the ARIA Charts, and are renowned for their live performances.-History:Tim Rogers formed the first...
, Joe Strummer
Joe Strummer
John Graham Mellor , best remembered by his stage name Joe Strummer, was the co-founder, lyricist, rhythm guitarist and lead vocalist of the British punk rock band The Clash. His musical experience included his membership in The 101ers, Latino Rockabilly War, The Mescaleros and The Pogues, in...
and The Hellacopters
The Hellacopters
The Hellacopters were a Swedish garage rock band that was formed in 1994 by Nicke Andersson , Dregen , Kenny Håkansson and Robert Eriksson . Andersson had been the drummer for death metal band Entombed and Dregen was taking a break from his full-time band Backyard Babies...
. In August 1999 The Monarchs recorded a self-financed album with Wayne Connolly
Wayne Connolly
Wayne Connolly is an Australian producer/engineer and musician. Throughout the 1990s Connolly played in Sydney band The Welcome Mat, who released a series of critically acclaimed albums and EPs through Waterfront Records and id/Mercury...
and in 2000 they released their first single, "2001" b/w "This Is All I Can Do" (Ivy League Records
Ivy League Records
For other uses of the term Ivy League see Ivy League Ivy League Records is a record label based in Sydney, Australia.Associated with the music management company Winterman & Goldstein and Ivy League Music publishing, Ivy League is the creation of Cameron Emerson-Elliot , Peter Lusty and James Roden...
); this was followed by their debut album, Make Yer Own Fun, in October 2001, on Shock Records
Shock Records
Shock Records is Australia's largest independent record label. It helps distribute records from overseas records labels such as Epitaph Records, and also for small record labels designed specifically for that band such as Cement Records...
.
Faulkner
Antenna was Faulkner's side project (1998–1999) collaborating with long-time friend Kim SalmonKim Salmon
Kim Leith Salmon is an Australian indie rock musician and songwriter, who attained fame in June 2004, when he was inducted into the West Australian Music Industry Association Hall of Fame....
(The Cheap Nasties, The Manikins
The Manikins
The Manikins were a protopunk and new wave band from Perth, Australia.-History:The band formed in August 1976 as the Cheap Nasties. Their debut gig was at The Rivervale Hotel in mid-1977. They lay claim to the title of Perth's first punk band...
, The Scientists
The Scientists
The Scientists are an influential post-punk band from Perth, Australia, led by Kim Salmon, initially known as Exterminators and then Invaders. The band had two primary incarnations: the Perth-based punk band of the late 1970s and the Sydney/London-based swamp rock band of the 1980s...
, Beasts of Bourbon
Beasts of Bourbon
Beasts of Bourbon was an Australian alternative rock band formed in 1983, with a line-up that has changed as the band splintered and reformed several times - Beginnings :...
), also in Antenna were Justin Frew and Stuart McCarthy (both of Southend
Southend (band)
Southend is an Australian house-techno band formed around 1992. Based in Sydney and formed around synthesiser/keyboardists Stuart McCarthy, Steve Younan, Sameer Sen-Gupta and vocalist Melinda Page, they had a number of hits in the mid-1990s, most notably "The Winner Is...", released in June 1994...
). Antenna recorded an album mid-1998, and then made its live debut at the Telstra Concert of the Century/Mushroom
Mushroom Records
Mushroom Records is an Australian recoJrd company formed by Michael Gudinski and Ray Evans in Melbourne in 1972. After its sale in 1998, it merged into Festival Mushroom Records. From 2005 to 2009, it is one of the record labels operated by Warner Bros...
25th anniversary in November 1998. The concert coincided with the release of the band’s debut single, "Come on Spring", and album, Installation. Guest performers on the album included Matt Thomas (The Mavis's) on "All Rise", and Christina Amphlett
Christina Amphlett
Christine Joy Amphlett was the lead singer of Australian rock band Divinyls. She is also known as Chrissy Amphlett.She grew up in Geelong as a singer and dancer...
(Divinyls
Divinyls
Divinyls were an Australian rock band formed in Sydney in 1980 and featuring vocalist Christina Amphlett and guitarist Mark McEntee. As the focal point, Amphlett performed on stage wearing a school uniform and fishnet stockings, often using an illuminated neon tube as a prop and displaying...
) on "Divine". "Come on Spring" reaching #64 on the 1998 Triple J Hottest 100
Triple J Hottest 100
The Triple J Hottest 100 is an annual music poll, based on the votes of national Australian radio station Triple J listeners, in order to determine their favourite song of the year. Voting is conducted by the internet and begins roughly two weeks prior to the new year for the previous year's songs...
list. Antenna appeared on the 1999 Big Day Out
Big Day Out
The Big Day Out is an annual music festival held in several cities in Australia and New Zealand in late January. It started in Sydney in 1992, spread to Adelaide, Melbourne and Perth by 1993, with the Gold Coast and Auckland joining in 1994...
tour but disbanded soon after.
Faulkner also wrote original music for the films Broken Highway (1993) and The Sum of Us
The Sum of Us
The Sum of Us is a play by David Stevens.The plot revolves around the comfortable relationship between widower Harry and his gay son Jeff and their individual searches for the right mate. Harry unconditionally loves his Rugby-playing son, and even takes an active part in Jeff's search for Mr. Right...
(1994) starring Russell Crowe
Russell Crowe
Russell Ira Crowe is a New Zealander Australian actor , film producer and musician. He came to international attention for his role as Roman General Maximus Decimus Meridius in the 2000 historical epic film Gladiator, directed by Ridley Scott, for which he won an Academy Award for Best Actor, a...
and Jack Thompson
Jack Thompson (actor)
Jack Thompson, AM is an Australian actor and one of the major figures of Australian cinema. He was educated at University of Queensland, before embarking on his acting career. In 2002, he was made an honorary member of the Australian Cinematographers Society...
. Faulkner was one of the new entries in the 2007 edition of Who's Who in Australia
Who's Who in Australia
The Who's Who in Australia is an Australian biographical reference first published by Fred Johns in 1906 as Johns's Notable Australians. It has been used by academics as a resource that identifies Australia's leading individuals, and has been analysed when studying the social backgrounds –...
.
Persian Rugs
In September 2001, the four ex-Gurus (Faulkner, Grossman, Kingsmill & Shepherd) performed as The Moops and were later called Persian Rugs. At HomebakeHomebake
Homebake is an annual Australian rock festival, featuring an all-Australian lineup . The festival was first held on 4 January 1996 at Belongil Fields in Byron Bay, on the far north coast of New South Wales...
2001, (8 December) both Hoodoo Gurus and Persian Rugs performed separate sets. Persian Rugs recorded a five-track EP Mr. Tripper in June 2002, Grossman then left, and Shepherd recommended bassist Kendall James as his replacement (ex Thurston Howlers, Crusaders). With James, the Persian Rugs recorded their debut album Turkish Delight, released in August 2003.
Persian Rugs provided the track "Be My Guru" for the Hoodoo Gurus' tribute album Stoneage Cameos (2005) (see Stoneage Romeos
Stoneage Romeos
Stoneage Romeos was iconic Australian rock group Hoodoo Gurus' first album and saw them receive record sales to complement their already strong reputation for live performances. The album name is from a Three Stooges short film...
) and by that time Hoodoo Gurus, with Grossman on bass, had already reformed.
Gurus regroup (2003-present)
By early 2003 Hoodoo Gurus had re-formed to record "That's My Team" as the promotional theme for the National Rugby LeagueNational Rugby League
The National Rugby League is the top league of professional rugby league football clubs in Australasia. The NRL's main competition, called the Telstra Premiership , is contested by sixteen teams, fifteen of which are based in Australia with one based in New Zealand...
between 2003 and 2007 (a CD was released September 2003 see "What's My Scene?
What's My Scene?
"What's My Scene" is an Australian Top 3 single performed by iconic rock group Hoodoo Gurus and was written by their singer-songwriter Dave Faulkner. It was included on Gurus' third album Blow Your Cool! released by Elektra Records. The B-side, "Heart of Darkness" was also written by Faulkner...
") with all profits donated to Breast Cancer
Breast cancer
Breast cancer is cancer originating from breast tissue, most commonly from the inner lining of milk ducts or the lobules that supply the ducts with milk. Cancers originating from ducts are known as ductal carcinomas; those originating from lobules are known as lobular carcinomas...
charities. The original film clip of "What's My Scene?" included shots of band members in Wests
Western Suburbs Magpies
The Western Suburbs Magpies are an Australian rugby league football club based in the western suburbs of Sydney, New South Wales. Formed in 1908, Wests, as they are commonly referred to, were one of the nine foundation clubs of the first New South Wales Rugby League competition in Australia...
and Cronulla
Cronulla Sharks
The Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks are Australian professional Rugby league team based in Cronulla, in the Sutherland Shire, Southern Sydney, New South Wales...
jumpers.
On 17 November 2003 EMI
EMI
The EMI Group, also known as EMI Music or simply EMI, is a multinational music company headquartered in London, United Kingdom. It is the fourth-largest business group and family of record labels in the recording industry and one of the "big four" record companies. EMI Group also has a major...
Records announced Hoodoo Gurus' reformation to record a new album, Mach Schau
Mach Schau (Hoodoo Gurus album)
Mach Schau is iconic Australian rock group Hoodoo Gurus' eighth studio album. It was recorded eight years after their last studio album, Blue Cave, and released six years after the band had officially split in January 1998....
, they also released the track "White Night" as a radio-only single. In January 2004 the band co-headlined the annual Big Day Out
Big Day Out
The Big Day Out is an annual music festival held in several cities in Australia and New Zealand in late January. It started in Sydney in 1992, spread to Adelaide, Melbourne and Perth by 1993, with the Gold Coast and Auckland joining in 1994...
festival with Metallica
Metallica
Metallica is an American heavy metal band from Los Angeles, California. Formed in 1981 when James Hetfield responded to an advertisement that drummer Lars Ulrich had posted in a local newspaper. The current line-up features long-time lead guitarist Kirk Hammett and bassist Robert Trujillo ...
and The Strokes
The Strokes
The Strokes are an American indie rock band formed in 1999 in New York City. Consisting of Julian Casablancas , Nick Valensi , Albert Hammond, Jr. , Nikolai Fraiture and Fabrizio Moretti ....
. Proudly Australian - celebrate Australia Day 2004 which included "Nothing's Changing My Life" by Hoodoo Gurus was a four-track give-away CD. "Nothing's Changing My Life" (February 2004) was released as a single with Mach Schau following in March. The 'Mach Schau' tour started in Perth late in March and was joined by Spiderbait
Spiderbait
Spiderbait are an Australian alternative rock band formed in Finley in 1989 by bass guitarist Janet English, singer-drummer Mark Maher , and guitarist Damian Whitty. In 2004 the group's cover version of the 1930s Lead Belly song "Black Betty" reached number one on the ARIA Singles Chart...
from April to June. EMI reissued expanded/remastered editions of all Hoodoo Gurus albums (from February 2005); also released was Tunnel Vision (2005), a two-DVD set compiling every Gurus' video, never-before-seen live material and a retrospective documentary, "Be My Guru".
The band performed at the 2006 NRL Grand Final.
Hoodoo Gurus toured during 2007 including several US dates, kicking off at the South By Southwest
South by Southwest
South by Southwest is an Austin, Texas based company dedicated to planning conferences, trade shows, festivals and other events. Their current roster of annual events include: SXSW Music, SXSW Film, SXSW Interactive, SXSWedu, and SXSWeco and take place every spring in Austin, Texas, United States...
(SXSW) Music Festival in Austin, Texas (see SXSW photo above), performances in Europe, including the Azkena
Vitoria-Gasteiz
Vitoria-Gasteiz is the capital city of the province of Álava and of the autonomous community of the Basque Country in northern Spain with a population of 235,661 people. It is the second largest Basque city...
Festival (Spain). This was followed by a national tour of Australia called 'Clash of the Titans' with The Stems
The Stems
The Stems were an alternative rock band formed in Perth, Western Australia in 1983 and were heavily influenced by 1960s garage rock and 1970s power pop. They broke up in 1987, reformed in 2003 and released a new album in 2007.-Formation:...
and Radio Birdman
Radio Birdman
Radio Birdman was one of the first punk bands in Australia along with The Saints. Deniz Tek and Rob Younger formed the group in Sydney, Australia in 1974...
. Their tour poster depicts the three bands as 'Heavyweights' of the Australian music scene. Another solo tour started late in 2007 (including performances at the Apollo Bay Music Festival, Splendour in the Grass
Splendour in the Grass
Splendour in the Grass is an annual Australian music festival held in July at Woodford, Queensland, and previously held at Belongil Fields, outside Byron Bay...
, Meredith Music Festival
Meredith Music Festival
The Meredith Music Festival is a three-day outdoor music festival held every December at the Supernatural Amphitheatre, a natural amphitheatre located on private farmland near the town of Meredith in Victoria, Australia...
, and the St Kilda Festival
St Kilda Festival
The St Kilda Festival is a popular community festival held in the Melbourne suburb of St Kilda. Traditionally held on the second Sunday in February, the festival is about showcasing live Australian music, family and children's entertainment, beach activities and much more all presented in a...
) and continued into 2008. There are tentative plans to release a new album in 2009, although little material has been written so far. In June 2008 The Age
The Age
The Age is a daily broadsheet newspaper, which has been published in Melbourne, Australia since 1854. Owned and published by Fairfax Media, The Age primarily serves Victoria, but is also available for purchase in Tasmania, the Australian Capital Territory and border regions of South Australia and...
newspaper commemorated 50 years of Australian rock 'n' roll (the anniversary of the release of Johnny O'Keefe
Johnny O'Keefe
John Michael O'Keefe, known as Johnny O'Keefe was an Australian rock and roll singer whose career began in the 1950s. Some of his hits include "Wild One" , "Shout!" and "She's My Baby"...
's "Wild One
Wild One (Johnny O'Keefe song)
"Wild One" or "Real Wild Child" is an Australian rock and roll song written by Johnny Greenan, Johnny O'Keefe, and Dave Owens. Sydney disc jockey Tony Withers was credited with helping to get radio airplay for the song but writer credits on subsequent versions often omit Withers, who later worked...
") by selecting the Top 50 Australian Albums, with Stoneage Romeo coming in at No. 5 on the list. The Hoodoo Gurus performed at the Glastonbury Festival
Glastonbury Festival 2008
The 2008 Glastonbury Festival of Contemporary Performing Arts was held from 25 to 29 June 2008.-New features:* The John Peel stage doubled in size and had a screen outside it to watch bands.* There was a new 'Shangri-La' area that replaced Lost Vagueness...
in the United Kingdom on 29 June 2008.
Hoodoo Gurus performed on 14 March 2009 for Sound Relief
Sound Relief
Sound Relief was a multi-venue rock music concert held on 14 March 2009, which was announced by the Premier of Victoria, John Brumby on 24 February 2009...
at the Sydney Cricket Ground
Sydney Cricket Ground
The Sydney Cricket Ground is a sports stadium in Sydney in Australia. It is used for Australian football, Test cricket, One Day International cricket, some rugby league and rugby union matches and is the home ground for the New South Wales Blues cricket team and the Sydney Swans of the Australian...
. Sound Relief was a benefit concert for victims of the Victorian Bushfire Crisis
February 2009 Victorian bushfires
The Black Saturday bushfires were a series of bushfires that ignited or were burning across the Australian state of Victoria on and around Saturday, 7 February 2009...
and the Queensland
Queensland
Queensland is a state of Australia, occupying the north-eastern section of the mainland continent. It is bordered by the Northern Territory, South Australia and New South Wales to the west, south-west and south respectively. To the east, Queensland is bordered by the Coral Sea and Pacific Ocean...
Flood
Flood
A flood is an overflow of an expanse of water that submerges land. The EU Floods directive defines a flood as a temporary covering by water of land not normally covered by water...
s. Appearing with Hoodoo Gurus at the Sydney concert were, Coldplay
Coldplay
Coldplay are a British alternative rock band formed in 1996 by lead vocalist Chris Martin and lead guitarist Jonny Buckland at University College London. After they formed Pectoralz, Guy Berryman joined the group as a bassist and they changed their name to Starfish. Will Champion joined as a...
, Eskimo Joe
Eskimo Joe
Eskimo Joe is an Australian alternative rock band formed by Stuart MacLeod on guitars, Joel Quartermain on drums and guitar and Kavyen Temperley on bass guitar and vocals, in East Fremantle, Western Australia in 1997....
, Icehouse
Icehouse (band)
Icehouse is an Australian rock band, formed as Flowers in 1977 in Sydney. Initially known in Australia for their pub rock style, they later achieved mainstream success playing new wave and synthpop style music and attained Top Ten singles chart success in both Europe and the U.S...
, Jet
Jet (band)
Jet are an Australian rock band formed in 2001 while attending St Bede's College Mentone in Melbourne, . The band consists of lead guitarist Cameron Muncey, bassist Mark Wilson, and brothers Nic and Chris Cester on vocals/rhythm guitar and drums respectively...
, Josh Pyke
Josh Pyke
Josh Pyke is an Australian singer-songwriting musician.-Beginnings and Feeding the Wolves :Josh Pyke was in his first band by age 12 and played his first performance in front of 650 parents and students at his primary school graduation. Playing guitar and initial song writing efforts came aged 14...
, Little Birdy
Little Birdy
Little Birdy are an Australian indie rock band formed in Perth, Western Australia in 2002 by singer and guitarist Katy Steele, drummer Matt Chequer, guitarist and keyboardist Simon Leach, and bass guitarist Scott O'Donoghue...
, The Presets
The Presets
The Presets are an Australian electronic duo formed in 2003, consisting of Julian Hamilton on vocals and keyboards, and Kim Moyes on drums and keyboards. They released their debut album Beams in 2005 to positive critical response. Their 2008 release Apocalypso debuted at number-one on the ARIA...
, Wolfmother
Wolfmother
Wolfmother is an Australian rock band from Erskineville, Sydney. Formed in 2000, the group was originally a trio composed of vocalist and guitarist Andrew Stockdale, bassist and keyboardist Chris Ross and drummer Myles Heskett. Wolfmother released their self-titled debut album in October 2005,...
, You Am I
You Am I
You Am I are an Australian alternative rock band, fronted by vocalist/guitarist and main songwriter Tim Rogers. They were the first Australian band to have three albums successively debut at #1 on the ARIA Charts, and are renowned for their live performances.-History:Tim Rogers formed the first...
and additional artists.
In March 2009 the Hoodoo Gurus also signed a new recording contract with Sony Music Australia, the deal includes the band's back catalogue as well as a new album, the band's ninth and the first since the release of Mach Schau in 2004. The album was originally scheduled for release in September 2009 but they were not happy with the final mix. Hoodoo Gurus then sent their songs off to Durango, Colorado
Durango, Colorado
The City of Durango is a Home Rule Municipality that is the county seat and the most populous city of La Plata County, Colorado, United States. The United States Census Bureau said that the city population was 16,887 in 2010 census.-History:...
, where Ed Stasium
Ed Stasium
Ed Stasium is an American record producer and engineer who has worked on albums by The Ramones, Talking Heads, The Smithereens and Living Colour.- History :Stasium first surfaced in 1970 fronting the band Brandywine, appearing on their sole LP Aged....
, who worked on the band's previous albums Kinky and Crank worked with Faulkner. Faulkner flew to the US after Hoodoo Gurus performed in Japan
Japan
Japan is an island nation in East Asia. Located in the Pacific Ocean, it lies to the east of the Sea of Japan, China, North Korea, South Korea and Russia, stretching from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea and Taiwan in the south...
, their first performances there in over 20 years.
On 6 May 2009, Faulkner was inducted into the Western Australian Music Industry (WAM) Hall of Fame.
In August 2009 it was revealed that Shepherd had been diagnosed with cancer
Cancer
Cancer , known medically as a malignant neoplasm, is a large group of different diseases, all involving unregulated cell growth. In cancer, cells divide and grow uncontrollably, forming malignant tumors, and invade nearby parts of the body. The cancer may also spread to more distant parts of the...
and was recovering from recent surgery. It was his second cancer diagnosis, having had a melanoma
Melanoma
Melanoma is a malignant tumor of melanocytes. Melanocytes are cells that produce the dark pigment, melanin, which is responsible for the color of skin. They predominantly occur in skin, but are also found in other parts of the body, including the bowel and the eye...
removed five years earlier.
The first single from their new album, "Crackin' Up", was released in December 2009 and received some airplay on Australian radio stations. The album, Purity of Essence
Purity of Essence (Hoodoo Gurus album)
-Track listing:-Release history:-Charts:-Personnel:Credited to:Hoodoo Gurus members* Dave Faulkner – lead vocals, guitar* Rick Grossman – bass* Mark Kingsmill – drums* Brad Shepherd – guitar, vocalsAdditional musicians...
, was released on 16 March 2010 in Australia and internationally on 11 May 2010.
On 3 October 2010, Hoodoo Gurus toured to London, UK, performing at O2 Shepherd's Bush Empire.
ARIA Hall of Fame
Hoodoo Gurus was inducted into the ARIA Hall of FameARIA Hall of Fame
Since 1988 the Australian Recording Industry Association has inducted artists into its ARIA Hall of Fame. While most have been recognised at the annual ARIA Music Awards, in 2005 ARIA sought to create a separate standalone "ARIA Icons: Hall of Fame" event as only one or two acts could be inducted...
on 18 July 2007 at the Plaza Ballroom, Melbourne. The ceremony was hosted by Julia Zemiro
Julia Zemiro
Julia Zemiro is an Australian television presenter, radio host, actor, singer and comedian.- Early life :...
of SBS Television's RocKwiz
RocKwiz
RocKwiz is an Australian television quiz show series, focused on rock music, and broadcast on SBS One. It premiered in 2005.-Summary:The forty minute program airs on Saturday at 9:20 pm, and is hosted by Julia Zemiro. It is shot in The Gershwin Room at St Kilda's Esplanade Hotel, commonly...
. The band were inducted by HG Nelson
Greig Pickhaver
alt=Greig Pickhaver|thumb|In May 2010Greig Pickhaver AM is an actor, comedian and writer, who forms one half of the Australian sports comedy duo Roy and HG...
of Triple J
Triple J
triple j is a nationally networked Australian radio station intended to appeal to listeners between the ages of 18 and 30. The government-funded station is a division of the Australian Broadcasting Corporation...
's This Sporting Life
This Sporting Life (radio program)
This Sporting Life was a culturally iconic Triple J radio comedy programme, created by award-winning actor-writer-comedians John Doyle and Greig Pickhaver, who performed as their characters Roy and HG. Broadcast from 1986 to 2008, it was one of the longest-running, most popular and most successful...
. They performed "The Right Time
The Right Time (Hoodoo Gurus song)
"The Right Time" was a single by iconic Australian rock group Hoodoo Gurus which reached #41 on the ARIA Singles Charts. It was released on RCA Records in November, 1993; and was written by Dave Faulkner. First B side "Road Hog" was written by Brad Shepherd and second B side "Wait for the Sun" by...
" and "I Want You Back
I Want You Back (Hoodoo Gurus song)
"I Want You Back" was the fourth single released by iconic Australian rock group Hoodoo Gurus from their debut album Stoneage Romeos. It was released on Big Time Records in March, 1984 . "I Want You Back" was written by Dave Faulkner...
" at the ceremony and subsequently toured with fellow inductees Radio Birdman
Radio Birdman
Radio Birdman was one of the first punk bands in Australia along with The Saints. Deniz Tek and Rob Younger formed the group in Sydney, Australia in 1974...
.
The citation for the band's nomination includes:
For Grossman, this was his second Hall of Fame induction in a row; the 2006 award was for his (1982–1987) stint with Divinyls
Divinyls
Divinyls were an Australian rock band formed in Sydney in 1980 and featuring vocalist Christina Amphlett and guitarist Mark McEntee. As the focal point, Amphlett performed on stage wearing a school uniform and fishnet stockings, often using an illuminated neon tube as a prop and displaying...
.
Current members
- Dave FaulknerDave Faulkner (musician)Dave Faulkner is an Australian rock musician who also performed as Dave Flick. Faulkner is a singer-songwriter, guitarist and keyboardist; he has performed with several bands, but is best known as a member of Hoodoo Gurus...
— vocals, guitarGuitarThe guitar is a plucked string instrument, usually played with fingers or a pick. The guitar consists of a body with a rigid neck to which the strings, generally six in number, are attached. Guitars are traditionally constructed of various woods and strung with animal gut or, more recently, with...
, keyboards (1981–1998, 2003–present) - Brad ShepherdBrad ShepherdBrad Shepherd is an Australian rock musician. Shepherd is a guitarist, singer-songwriter and harmonica player; he has performed with several bands, especially the Hoodoo Gurus...
— guitar, vocals, harmonicaHarmonicaThe harmonica, also called harp, French harp, blues harp, and mouth organ, is a free reed wind instrument used primarily in blues and American folk music, jazz, country, and rock and roll. It is played by blowing air into it or drawing air out by placing lips over individual holes or multiple holes...
(1982–1998, 2003–present) - Mark Kingsmill — drumsDrum kitA drum kit is a collection of drums, cymbals and often other percussion instruments, such as cowbells, wood blocks, triangles, chimes, or tambourines, arranged for convenient playing by a single person ....
(1984–1998, 2003–present) - Richard GrossmanRichard Grossman (musician)Richard Grossman is an Australian rock musician who has played bass guitar for two iconic bands Divinyls and Hoodoo Gurus. Hoodoo Gurus iconic status on the Australian rock scene was acknowledged when they were inducted into the 2007 ARIA Hall of Fame. For Grossman, this was his second Hall of Fame...
— bass guitarBass guitarThe bass guitar is a stringed instrument played primarily with the fingers or thumb , or by using a pick....
, backing vocals (1988–1998, 2003–present)
Former members
- Kimble RendallKimble RendallKimble Rendall is an Australian director, musician and writer mostly known for his Second unit direction of Matrix Reloaded , Matrix Revolutions , I, Robot , Casanova and Ghost Rider...
– bass guitar, backing vocals (1981–1982) - Roddy RadaljRoddy RadaljRoddy Radalj is a rock musician and singer-songwriter who grew up in Perth, Western Australia...
– guitar, backing vocals (1981–1982) - James BakerJames Baker (musician)James Baker is a rock musician from Perth, Western Australia. He has drummed with, and was instrumental in the founding of several influential Australian bands including The Scientists, Le Hoodoo Gurus, Beasts of Bourbon, and The Dubrovniks.-Early days:Baker has named Ronnie Bond of The Troggs as...
– drums (1981–1984) - Clyde Bramley – bass guitar, backing vocals (1982–1988)
Studio albums
- 1984: Stoneage RomeosStoneage RomeosStoneage Romeos was iconic Australian rock group Hoodoo Gurus' first album and saw them receive record sales to complement their already strong reputation for live performances. The album name is from a Three Stooges short film...
- 1985: Mars Needs Guitars!Mars Needs Guitars!Mars Needs Guitars! was iconic Australian rock group Hoodoo Gurus' second album. The title is a reference to the 1967 science fiction film, Mars Needs Women. Singles from the album were "Bittersweet" , "Like Wow – Wipeout" , "Death Defying" and "Poison Pen" . Mars Needs Guitars! reached No...
- 1987: Blow Your Cool!Blow Your Cool!Blow Your Cool! is iconic Australian rock group Hoodoo Gurus' third album released in May 1987 and contains their hit single "What's My Scene?". The single reached #3 on the Australian Music Charts...
- 1989: Magnum Cum LouderMagnum Cum LouderMagnum Cum Louder was Australian rock group Hoodoo Gurus' fourth album, the first with their new label, RCA Records having been dropped by Elektra Records following disappointing sales in the United States. The album was released in Australia on 28 June 1989.The album reached No. 101 on the...
- 1991: KinkyKinky (Hoodoo Gurus album)Kinky was iconic Australian rock group Hoodoo Gurus' fifth studio album, and was released on 9 April 1991 by RCA Records.The album reached No. 172 on the American Billboard charts in 1991, with the single "Miss Freelove '69" reaching No. 19 on the ARIA Singles Chart, No. 3 on the Billboard Modern...
- 1994: CrankCrank (Hoodoo Gurus album)Crank was iconic Australian rock group Hoodoo Gurus' sixth studio album. The album was produced by Ed Stasium , who had mixed Hoodoo Gurus last studio album, Kinky in 1991. It was the band's first release on Zoo Records...
- 1996: Blue CaveBlue Cave (Hoodoo Gurus album)Blue Cave or In Blue Cave was Australian rock group Hoodoo Gurus' seventh studio album. The album was nominated for 'Best Pop Release' at the 1996 ARIA Awards...
- 2004: Mach SchauMach Schau (Hoodoo Gurus album)Mach Schau is iconic Australian rock group Hoodoo Gurus' eighth studio album. It was recorded eight years after their last studio album, Blue Cave, and released six years after the band had officially split in January 1998....
- 2010: Purity of EssencePurity of Essence (Hoodoo Gurus album)-Track listing:-Release history:-Charts:-Personnel:Credited to:Hoodoo Gurus members* Dave Faulkner – lead vocals, guitar* Rick Grossman – bass* Mark Kingsmill – drums* Brad Shepherd – guitar, vocalsAdditional musicians...
Awards and nominations
|-| 1984 || Stoneage Romeos
Stoneage Romeos
Stoneage Romeos was iconic Australian rock group Hoodoo Gurus' first album and saw them receive record sales to complement their already strong reputation for live performances. The album name is from a Three Stooges short film...
|| Countdown Music and Video Awards
Australian pop music awards
Australian pop music awards are a series of inter-related national awards that gave recognition to popular musical artists and have included the Go-Set pop poll ; TV Week King of Pop Awards ; TV Week and Countdown Music Awards ; and Countdown Music and Video Awards...
– Best Debut Album ||
|-
| 1993
ARIA Music Awards of 1993
The Seventh Australian Recording Industry Association Music Awards was held on 14 April 1993 at the Entertainment Centre in Sydney. Host, Richard Wilkins, was assisted by presenters, James Reyne, Elle Macpherson, Billy Birmingham, Tim Finn, Neil Finn and Daryl Somers to distribute 24 awards...
|| Electric Soup
Electric Soup (album)
Electric Soup a.k.a. Electric Soup: The Singles Collection is the first compilation album by iconic Australian rock group Hoodoo Gurus and contained all their Australian singles to date . It was also released as a 2CD set with Gorilla Biscuit a collection of their b-sides and rarities. The album...
/ Gorilla Biscuit
Gorilla Biscuit
Gorilla Biscuit aka Gorilla Biscuit: B Sides and Rarities is a compilation album by iconic Australian rock group Hoodoo Gurus. It was also released as a 2CD set with Electric Soup...
– Paul McNeil, Richard All || ARIA Music Awards
ARIA Music Awards
The Australian Recording Industry Association Music Awards is an annual series of awards nights celebrating the Australian music industry, put on by the Australian Recording Industry Association...
– Best Cover Art ||
|-
| rowspan="2"| 1996
ARIA Music Awards of 1996
The 10th Australian Recording Industry Association Music Awards was held on 30 September 1996 at the Sydney Convention & Exhibition Centre...
|| "Waking Up Tired" – John Witterton || ARIA Music Awards – Best Video ||
|-
| Blue Cave
Blue Cave (Hoodoo Gurus album)
Blue Cave or In Blue Cave was Australian rock group Hoodoo Gurus' seventh studio album. The album was nominated for 'Best Pop Release' at the 1996 ARIA Awards...
|| ARIA Music Awards – Best Pop Release ||
|-
|| 1997
ARIA Music Awards of 1997
The eleventh Annual Australian Recording Industry Association Music Awards were held on 22 September 1997 at the Capitol Theatre in Sydney. The event was hosted by Australian actor–comedian Paul McDermott, with presenters Elle McFeast, Kylie Minogue, Ben Folds and The Presidents of the United...
|| "Down on Me" – Charles Fisher || ARIA Music Awards – Producer of the Year ||
|-
| 2005
ARIA Music Awards of 2005
The 19th Annual Australian Recording Industry Association Music Awards were held on 23 October 2005 at the Sydney Superdome at the Sydney Olympic Park complex, thus continuing the previous year's innovation of televising the awards on Sunday evening...
|| Tunnel Vision || ARIA Music Awards – Best Music DVD ||
|-
| 2007
ARIA Music Awards of 2007
The 21st Annual Australian Recording Industry Association Music Awards were held on 28 October 2007 at the Acer Arena at the Sydney Olympic Park complex. Rove McManus was the host of the event...
|| Hoodoo Gurus || ARIA Music Awards – ARIA Hall of Fame
ARIA Hall of Fame
Since 1988 the Australian Recording Industry Association has inducted artists into its ARIA Hall of Fame. While most have been recognised at the annual ARIA Music Awards, in 2005 ARIA sought to create a separate standalone "ARIA Icons: Hall of Fame" event as only one or two acts could be inducted...
||