Black Jack (Australian band)

Did You Know?

• Former members include Paul Gleason aka 'Jackie' on bass and John Van Tongaren aka 'Thunderfoot' on drums.
• A studio demo tape released locally in 1979 included tracks 'Spanish Lover', 'Black Russian', 'Pyramid Hill' and 'Fish Creek boogie'.
• Prelude no.3 was re-written and re-recorded for the EP.

History

Blackjack came together in Melbourne in 1979, putting out a demo that year and a second one in 1983. Their 1985 EP, Five Pieces o' Eight, was cut at Saturn studio with George Simak of Taramis and released on the Metal for Melbourne label. They recorded a first and second album that never saw release, held back by heavy workloads and the deaths of two band members. Their sound mixed NWOBHM, classical, power metal, and doom metal. The band was led by brothers Rick and Jonny Giles, who trace their lineage to Thomas Giles, a pirate hanged for his crimes. Blackjack remains active, currently re-recording at Guruland Studios and Voodoo Lounge with engineer and owner Kevin Welgus. Rehearsals are underway, making a live return a real possibility. These days, the members also play as the more conventional rock act Rick Giles' Crackerjack and the black metal project Poison Blood, which features guest Peter Hobbs from Hobbs' Angel of Death. They were early pioneers in blending pirate themes with metal.