Hoodoo Gurus
Australian rock band formed in Sydney in 1981.
via Wikipedia: Hoodoo Gurus · see source
Hoodoo Gurus are an Australian rock band that got started in Sydney in 1981. Dave Faulkner, who writes songs and sings while playing guitar, founded the group. Richard Grossman on bass, Mark Kingsmill on drums, and Brad Shepherd on guitar, vocals, and harmonica later joined. The band was most popular in the mid-to-late 1980s, putting out the albums Mars Needs Guitars!, Blow Your Cool!, and Magnum Cum Louder.
They released a bunch of pop-rock singles, such as "Leilani" (1982), "Tojo" (1983), "My Girl" (1983), "I Want You Back" (1984), "Bittersweet," "Like Wow – Wipeout" (1985), and "What's My Scene?" (1987). Starting in 1984, they toured the United States and built a following on the college rock circuit. "Come Anytime" (1989) hit number one on the Billboard Modern Rock Tracks chart, and "Miss Freelove '69" (1991) reached number three. Their biggest Australian single was "What's My Scene?" from 1987, which made the top three and later got parodied as the National Rugby League's 2000s theme "That's My Team." In 2007, the Hoodoo Gurus were inducted into the ARIA Hall of Fame.
Quick Facts
- Also known as
- Le Hoodoo Gurus
- Origin
- Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
- Genre
- Rock
- new wave
- college rock
- garage rock
- Years active
- 1981–1998, 2003–present
- Label
- Phantom
- Big Time
- A&M
- Elektra
- RCA
- Chrysalis
- BMG
- Zoo/Volcano
- Mushroom
- Acadia/Evangeline
- EMI
- Current members
- Dave Faulkner
- Brad Shepherd
- Rick Grossman
- Nik Rieth
- Past members
- James Baker
- Roddy Radalj
- Kimble Rendall
- Clyde Bramley
- Mark Kingsmill
Facts from the source article.
Did You Know?
- The band's first single "Leilani" told the story of a maiden sacrificed to the gods and an erupting volcano while her true love looked on helplessly.
- The title of their first album Stoneage Romeos came from a 1955 Three Stooges short of the same name.
- The song "1000 Miles Away" was adopted by the crew of Royal Australian Navy frigate HMAS Canberra as its unofficial anthem in 1993.
- The band's 1987 'Blow Your Cool' concert tour took them to 19 countries playing 204 venues.
History
Three of the Hoodoo Gurus' founders came from Perth protopunk and punk bands: Dave Faulkner of The Legendary Manikins, James Baker of The Victims, and Roddy Radalj of The Scientists. The third founding member, Kimble Rendall, had been in Sydney punk rockers XL Capris. Faulkner, Rendall and Radalj met at an end-of-1980 New Year's Eve party and formed Le Hoodoo Gurus with Baker. The unorthodox line-up of three guitars and no bass player created a sound fusing pop melodies, punk guitars and an American trash culture ethic.
Their first single, "Leilani", was released in October 1982 on Phantom Records. They dropped the 'Le' from their name not long after the single's release. Rendall left in 1982 before the release of "Leilani" and later became a music video and film director, working as second unit director on The Matrix Reloaded and The Matrix Revolutions. He was replaced by Clyde Bramley from Sydney bands The Hitmen and Super K. Radalj left the Gurus, unhappy with Rendall's departure and Faulkner's greater influence.
He was replaced by ex-Fun Things guitarist Brad Shepherd, who had been Bramley's flatmate. Faulkner wrote "I Want You Back" in response to Radalj's public dissatisfaction. Radalj later performed with The Johnnys, Love Rodeo, The Dubrovniks and Roddy Ray'Da & the Surfin' Caesars.
Awards and nominations
The Hoodoo Gurus were inducted into the ARIA Hall of Fame in 2007. In 1993, the album Electric Soup / Gorilla Biscuit won Best Cover Art at the ARIA Music Awards. In 1996, the video for "Waking Up Tired" won Best Video, and Blue Cave won Best Pop Release. In 1997, Charles Fisher won Producer of the Year for "Down on Me". In 2005, Tunnel Vision won Best Music DVD. The Age EG Awards inducted the Hoodoo Gurus into their Hall of Fame in 2011. At the TV Week / Countdown Awards, Charles Fisher won Best Record Producer in 1983 for his work with the band, and Stoneage Romeos won Best Debut Album in 1984.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Hoodoo Gurus from?
Hoodoo Gurus originated in Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.
Which record labels has Hoodoo Gurus released music on?
Hoodoo Gurus has released music on Phantom, Big Time, A&M, Elektra, RCA, Chrysalis and others.
Who are the current members of Hoodoo Gurus?
The current members of Hoodoo Gurus are listed as Dave Faulkner, Brad Shepherd, Rick Grossman and Nik Rieth.
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