Dom Mariani is an Australian guitarist, vocalist and songwriter. Mariani has been a member of several bands since the early 1980s, including The Stems, The Someloves, DM3, Datura4 and instrumental side project The Majestic Kelp. The Stems is the best-known and most successful of Mariani's projects. Australian musicologist Ian McFarlane described the power pop group as "one of the best live bands on the Australian scene".
In 2005 Mariani was inducted into the West Australian Music Industry Awards Hall of Fame. In August of that year he curated a double-CD compilation album, Popsided Guitar: Anthology 1984–2004, which included material from several of his bands. In 2007 United States writer John M. Borack rated Mariani as "one of the top five pop titans of the past couple of decades".
Mariani (second from left) performing with The Stems Tokyo, Japan, January 2008
The Stems formed in late 1983[6] with Dom Mariani on guitar and vocals, Gary Chambers on drums, Richard Lane on keyboards, guitar and vocals, and John Shuttleworth on bass guitar.[2][7]:2[8] The power pop band's repertoire was mostly original material predominately written by Mariani in the style of "1960s pop/R&B/garage bands", with a few cover versions included.[2] In March 1984 they played their debut gig supporting The Saints and The Triffids in Perth. The Stems built up a substantial local following. In June 1984 Shuttleworth was replaced by Julian Matthews on bass guitar.[2][8]
In early 1985 the group travelled to Sydney, home of their label Citadel Records, and promoted their first single, "Make You Mine" (May).[7]:2[6] The track, written by Mariani,[9] reached the top of the independent charts and sold 5000 copies in Australia. "Make You Mine" was the second highest selling independent single in Australia for the year.[2] During this period they recorded their second single, "Tears Me in Two", and an extended play, Love Will Grow (February 1986), both produced by Rob Younger and Alan Thorne.[2][7]:2[8] The EP reached No.72 on the Australian Kent Music Report Singles Chart.[10] Australian musicologist, Ian McFarlane, described The Stems' early work as "classic slices of exuberant, simplistic garage-fuzz pop".[2]
In December 1985 David Shaw replaced Chambers on drums. The group spent most of 1986 touring Australia. They signed with Mushroom Records' subsidiary label White Records and started recording their debut studio album, At First Sight, Violets Are Blue, with Thorne producing.[2][8] However, the sessions were disrupted and Mariani took on production duties with Guy Gray.[8] The album was released in May 1987 and became the third-highest selling independent album in Australia for that year.[2][7]:2 The Stems embarked on another national tour, with appearances on national TV. The lead single, "At First Sight" (February), appeared on the soundtrack of the movie Young Einstein in December 1988.[2] Mariani wrote the track and its follow up singles, "For Always" (May 1987) and "Sad Girl" (September).[2][11][12] "Sad Girl" was premiered in a performance on TV pop show Countdown on 12 July 1987 – the show's second-last episode, which was co-hosted by Kylie Minogue and Mike Hammond.[13]
On 31 August 1987 The Stems played what turned out to be their last gig. In October of that year, a proposed six-week European tour was cancelled and the group disbanded.[6][14] McFarlane wrote; "by that time they had developed into one of the best live bands on the Australian scene".[2] In October 2009 Mariani told The Age's Michael Dwyer, "we were on the charts, getting airplay, very popular. But within the band there was a bit of burnout ... you have these moments where you can't stop thinking negatively and I kept picturing myself pushing a van in the snow. I thought, 'I don't want to be doing that. I'm getting out of here'".[14]The Huffington Post's Holly Cara Price described the group as "one of the most tuneful and tasty garage rock bands of the era. Avid fans of pop, R&B and 60's garage punk, their predilection translated to great punchy songs".[15]
The Stems line-up of Mariani, Lane, Matthews and Shaw played a reunion gig in Fremantle in late February 1997.[16] Adam Connors for The Australian recalled that; "since the disbandment their simple yet unassailable songsmithery endeared them to a huge European music public and propelled them on to play the final Countdown".[16] At the reunion he noted Shaw's drumming was "fluid and driving", Mathews played "his bass like he was oiling a bat", while Mariani and Lane showcased their "fuzzed-out appliances and Beach Boys bah bah bahs".[16]
In 2002 Off the Hip Records issued The Great Stems Hoax – A Tribute to The Stems, which had 19 cover versions of Stems songs performed by various artists.[17][18]The Age's Patrick Donovan noted the album "highlighted the band's continuing influence" as the contributors were from Australia, Europe and the U.S.A.[17][19]
In March 2003 The Stems the line-up of Mariani, Chambers, Lane and Matthews reformed for a national tour. They performed periodically over subsequent years making regular treks to both Europe, America and the east coast of Australia.[14][20] In 2007 they released their second studio album, Heads Up on Shock Records.[14][20] The Barman at the I-94 Bar website wrote that the work was "accomplished and focussed" and displayed a "heavier, more aggressive edge, plus the odd dark moment, lyrically".[21] The group disbanded again in October 2009.[14][20]
In April 2013 The Stems reformed (with Shaw on drums and Ashley Naylor replacing Lane) for performances at the prestigious Dig It Up! festivals which, curated by the Hoodoo Gurus, is a traveling roadshow featuring classic power pop and garage bands. In March 2014 they played shows in Melbourne, Brisbane and Sydney.
Side projects (1986–1991)
During his time in The Stems, Dom Mariani undertook a number of side-projects.[2] One of these, The Stonefish, was an instrumental surf rock group formed in February 1986, which reunited him with Hitchcock (now on guitar and dobro) and Zupanovich, alongside his Stems' cohort Dave Shaw.[2][22] In March the following year they issued a four-track 12" EP, From 20,000 Fathoms, on Citadel Records.[2][22][23] The EP included material written and performed by Mariani's earlier instrumental group, The Go-Starts.[24] However, The Stonefish had disbanded by the time the record was released.
Early in 1986 Dom Mariani formed another alternative rock/power pop band, The Someloves, with Darryl Mather of Lime Spiders on guitar.[2][7]:3[25] The Stems' former drummer Gary Chambers soon joined and together with Christian Houllemare (ex-Happy Hate Me Nots) on bass guitar and vocals, The Someloves recorded their debut single, "It's My Time", which was released in June.[2] Late in 1987 he resumed The Someloves with Mather and in September 1988 they issued a second single, "Know You Now".[7]:2 By 1989 the pair were joined by Zupanovich, Martin Moon (ex-Marigolds) on drums and Tony Italiano on bass guitar.[2][25]
In May 1990 The Someloves issued their debut album, Something or Other, which was produced by Mariani and Mather with Mitch Easter and John Villani.[2][25][26] The album appeared on the ARIA Albums Chart Top100 and provided a single, "Melt" (April 1990), and an EP, Sunshine's Glove (August).[2][10][25] McFarlane felt Something or Other was "full of shimmering power pop melodies and glittering guitar sounds".[2] The album and the band won West Australian Music Industry Awards that year.[6] Various personal issues and problems with the idea of touring led to the group disbanding by the end of the year.[2][26]
In mid-1986 Mariani briefly joined The Summer Suns,[2] which played a blend of 1960s folk rock and 1970s power pop with an emphasis on melody. The band was formed by Kim Williams (ex-Louie Louie, Holy Rollers) on lead vocals, guitar and bass guitar, and had a variable line-up that included Mariani, Chambers and Zapunovich as well as other Perth musicians.[2][27] In October they issued a debut single, "Rachel Anne", on Williams's own label, Easter Records.[2][27] Mariani left for other commitments but returned in 1989 for a new line-up of The Summer Suns with Williams now joined by Moon and Steve Kind on bass guitar. They issued a second single, "All Away", in September before Mariani moved on again.[2][27]
Although The Someloves' Mather was not interested in touring or even performing live, the other members created Dom Mariani's Orange with the line-up of Mariani, Moon, Italiano and Zupanovich to showcase the album. They also recorded a track, "Christ-masonic", for a various artists' compilation, Rockin' Bethlehem: The Second Coming (1990).[2] In 1998 Mariani described how Orange developed, "The Someloves was a loose studio idea ... I was hanging out to play live again but Darryl wasn't into it ... the record company were also putting the pressure on us to go on the road ... The album had been well received, so it was a real shame we couldn't go on with it. So it became Orange".[28] Orange performed The Someloves' and some new material but by mid-1991 Orange had also disbanded. In 2006, Half A Cow records issued "Don't Talk About Us: The Real Pop Recordings of the Someloves 1985–89" which collected together every official recording The Someloves made.[28]
DM3 (1992–1999)
In late 1992 Dom Mariani formed DM3 with Toni Italiano on bass and Pascal Bartolone (ex-The Summer Suns) on drums.[2][6][29] Initially, Ian Campbell was an auxiliary member on lead guitar.[2] In May they issued their first single, "Foolish", and followed in September with they eponymous debut album, One Times, Two Times, Three Red Light, on Citadel Records. The album was produced by the band's members.[2][6][29] In 1993 Mariani was inducted into the WAMIA ‘Rock ‘n’ Roll of Renown’.[6] In mid-1994 DM3 undertook a European tour in support of these releases,[6] one of their appearances was on 1 July in Denmark at the Roskilde Festival.[30][31] That performance was recorded and released in May 2013 as Live (Roskilde Festival 1994).[30] In June 1996 DM3's second album, Road to Rome, appeared.[2][29] It was produced by the band with Mich Easter.[29]
US writer, John M. Borack, rated the album at No.11 in his list of The 200Greatest Power Pop Albums, as it demonstrated "a sublime concoction of equal parts '90s pop power and '60s melodicism" with tracks full of "meaty, beaty, big and ballsy guitar riffs living in a state of sheer bliss with non-cliched lyrics".[32] An EP, 5 Greasy Pieces, was released that same year, while a compilation of b-sides and out takes, Garage Sale, was issued the following year.[29] US label Bomp! Records also issued a compilation, Dig It the Most, in support of the band's 1997 tour.[2][29] That year Italiano left and was replaced by ex-The Stems, bass guitarist, Matthews. DM Three's third album, Rippled Soul, appeared in September 1998. In 1999 Jeff Baker joined on guitar but the group disbanded later that year.[6] Price declared that DM3 could "arguably be called the best power pop band ever to come out of Australia".[15]
21st Century music (2002–present)
In 2002 Dom Mariani replaced Danny McDonald in power pop group, The Stoneage Hearts. The group began with McDonald on lead vocals and guitar (P76, Jericho), Mickster Baty on drums (Finkers, Crusaders, Pyramidiacs), and Ian Wettenhall on bass guitar and vocals (The Philisteins, Seminal Rats, Hands of Time, Freeloaders).[33] They had released a debut album, Turn On, and McDonald left to pursue a solo career. With Mariani aboard, the new line-up recorded their next album, Guilty as Sin (2004), for Off the Hip Records. It was also released in the US on the Bomp! Records subsidiary, Alive Records, on green vinyl LP and CD. Mariani left soon after.
Dom Mariani & the Majestic Kelp were formed as an instrumental group in 2003. Mariani reunited with former Go-Starts drummer Robbie Scorer, and new associates Killian Albrecht on guitar and Stu Loasby on bass guitar. Price described their sound as "cool surf guitar/postmodern lounge instrumental".[15] They released their debut album, Underwater Casino in July. In 2005 Mariani was inducted into the WAMIA Hall of Fame.[6] In August that year he curated a 2×CD compilation album, Popsided Guitar: Anthology 1984–2004, which featured material from The Stems, The Someloves, DM3, The Stoneage Hearts and The Majestic Kelp.[7][34] The cover depicts Mariani holding his Rickenbacker 330 Fireglo six-string guitar, which he used for The Stems and DM3.[35] Mariani put together a new line-up to promote the retrospective under the banner of Dom Mariani & The Rippled Souls. Featuring Kelp cohort Stu Loasby on bass, Kevin Borruso on guitar and Shaun Sibbes on drums. The newly christened 4 piece toured throughout Europe and Japan in early 2006 as well as a successful eastern states tour. The Rippled Souls also opened for John Fogerty and Teenage Fanclub. Following on from the tour, The Majestic Kelp's second album, Music to Chase Cars By, was recorded in Perth and mixed in San Diego by Mark Neill (The Black Keys, The Palominos, Old 97's) at Soil of the South Studios and issued in 2006. The group's line-up was expanded with the addition of two new members, Toby Gosfield on keyboards and Billy Rogers on saxophone.
The DomNicks featuring Mariani (centre) and Nick Sheppard (The Cortinas, The Clash), performing in November 2012.
In 2007 Mariani formed The DomNicks with Nick Sheppard (The Cortinas, The Clash), together with bass guitarist, Howard Shawcross (The Elks) and drummer Marz Frisina (The Chevelles). They play a mix of Mariani and Sheppard originals with a spread of 1960s and 1970s garage rock and soul material. Also that year Borack rated Mariani as "one of the top five pop titans of the past couple of decades".[32] In September 2008 Mariani appeared on celebrity music trivia TV show, RocKwiz, including performing a duet, "Sinister Purpose", with Abbe May.[36] In 2009 The DomNicks released an EP, Hey Rock 'n' Roller, which was produced by Wayne Connolly (The Vines, You Am I). The DomNicks toured supporting Hoodoo Gurus and in September 2010 they performed in Sydney and Melbourne at the Joe Strummer tribute concerts, 'Revolution Rock'.[37]
In 2008 Mariani decided it was time to get back to the music that fired him up as a youngster and form the heavy boogie blues combo Datura. Datura consists of Greg Hitchcock on guitar and vocals, Stu Loasby on bass and Warren Hall on drums. Musically indebted to '70's hard rock, Datura often perform improvised sets with a loose rock'n'roll feel. Their debut album is expected by late 2014.
In 2011 Mariani reactivated DM3. They toured extensively overseas as well as dates throughout Australia.[38] On 21 September 2012 The DomNicks issued their debut album, Super Real, which Mess+Noise described as "power-pop with soul" and "comprises predominantly Sheppard's originals, punctuated with a couple of Mariani's tracks and the odd cover".[39][40] The Barman finds the two leaders are "great foils; Mariani with his classic '60s pop stylings and Sheppard with his gritty blues and old style rocker-cum-roller touches. Toss in a shared love for soul, probably a dash of competitive tension, and you have a recipe for a classic".[41] The following month the group played at the 30th anniversary of Citadel Records; also at the celebration were Penny Ikinger (ex-Sacred Cowboys) and Deniz Tek (Radio Birdman) both on guitars.[42] In March 2013 The DomNicks appeared at the West Coast Blues & Roots Festival.[43]
In June 2013 DM3 toured Italy, France and Spain, including a performance at 6th Annual Andoaingo Rock Festival.
In August 2013 the Majestic Kelp released their third album, Turn Up the Sun. The album received positive reviews prompting the April 2014 release of Turn Up The Sun on vinyl through Head Records
Personal life
Aside from performing music Dom Mariani's main occupation is as an architectural designer,[6][28] with his own firm,[15] Dom Mariani Designs. He also works as a producer for local, interstate and overseas acts.[6][28] According to Mariani; "the business allows me the flexibility to do this music ... I still love it and I'm still writing a lot and recording".[15] By 1990 Mariani was married to Angelina and the couple had started a family.[7]:4 As from November 2011 their daughter Ruby Mariani is a fashion designer and one half of a DJ duo, The Gruesome Twosome.[44][45] As of June 2013 Angelina runs a biscotti bakery in South Fremantle – formerly her parents family home.[4] The Mariani's son, John Mariani, and nephew, Dion Mariani, formed a garage rock band, The Flairz, in 2003 – the band members' average age was ten-and-a-half years-old.[6][46][47] On 3 November 2007 The Flairz supported The Stems' Heads Up Tour for a late afternoon gig, later that night they were supported by The Gruesome Twosome.[48] Mariani's brother, Laurie, who has archived some of the early The Stems memorabilia,[49] runs a theatrical supply business.
Something or Other– White Label (Mushroom Records) (1990)
Don't Talk About Us: The Real Pop Recordings of the Someloves 1985–89– Half A Cow (July 2006)[26]
DM3
One Time Two Times Three Red Light– Citadel Records (CITCD530) (August 1993);[51] Running Circle (1995) (different cover, different track listing, extra tracks: "High Rotations", "Up in the Air (coffee house mix)")[29]
Road to Rome– Citadel Records (CITCD532) (March 1996)[52] (first pressing came with bonus disc: 5 Greasy Pieces); Running Circle (1996) (different cover)[29] In some markets, 5 Greasy Pieces, was issued as a separate EP.[29]
Garage Sale– Citadel Records (CITCD533) (April 1997)[53]
"Tears Me in Two"/"Can't Resist"– Citadel Records (1985)
"At First Sight"/"Grooviest Girl in Town"– (1987)
"Sad Girl"/"My Beach"– (1987)
"For Always"/"Mr Misery"– (1987)
"Let Your Head Rest"/"Don't Let Me"/"Tears Me in Two"– (Zero Hour Records) (1993)
The Someloves
"It's My Time"/"Don't Talk About Us"– Citadel Records (1986)
"Know You Know"/"Don't Have to Try"– White Label / Mushroom Records (1988)
"Melt"/"Jack Robinson"– White Label / Mushroom Records (1989)
"Sunshine's Glove"/"Girl Soul"– White Label / Mushroom Records (1990)
DM3
"Foolish"/"Oriana"/"High Rotations"– Citadel Records (CITCD052) (June 1993)[65][66]
"Far from Here"/"Take It All"/"1x2xDevastated"– Citadel Records (CITCD053) (1993);[66][67] Screaming Apple Records (July 1994) (different track listing)
"Soultop"/"TV Sound"/"Making Time"– Citadel Records (CITCD054) (December 1994)[68]
"Everything That You Told Me"/"Priest"– Munster Records (1996)[70] (B-Side "Priest" is an exclusive track recorded live at ABC Studios in July 1993)
"Lure"/"Rome"/"Jumping to Conclusions"– Citadel Records (CITCD058) (July 1998)[71]
"Snapshots"– Freshwater Records
The Stoneage Hearts
"Stephanie"/"Looking Good"/"Little Too White"– Pop the Balloon (2002)[72]
"Suzie"/"Shoot My Mouth Off"/"The Bitter Thoughts of Little Jane"– Butterfly Records (2003)[72]
Dom Mariani (solo)
"Real Friend"/"Jenny"– Pop the Balloon (BANG 9) (2000)
Notes
^ For details of Giovanni Mariani see National Archives of Australia, item No. K1331, 1957/MARIANI G,[73] and Western Australian Museum Welcome Walls.[74] For details of Giovanna Mariani see National Archives of Australia, item No. PP350/1, W1963/3649,[75] and Western Australian Museum Welcome Walls.[76] For details of Domenico Mariani see Western Australian Museum Welcome Walls.[77]
The Stems are a garage punk band formed in Perth, Western Australia in late 1983. They were founded by Dom Mariani in late 1983. The Stems are heavily influenced by 1960s garage rock and 1970s power pop. The band initially broke up in August 1987 and reformed in 2003, releasing a new album in 2007. Although the group disbanded in October 2009, as of 2013 The Stems are an ongoing live concern.
Bam Balams were an Australian rock band which formed in 1984 and disbanded in 1992. They were led by singer-songwriter and guitarist, Brendan "Wig" Kibble. The group issued one album, Genuine Rock & Roll Medicine Show, an EP and six singles. Their records did well in the Australian independent charts but they did not appear on the ARIA Charts. They toured nationally but did not perform overseas.
Divinyls were an Australian rock band that were formed in Sydney in 1980. The band primarily consisted of vocalist Chrissy Amphlett and guitarist Mark McEntee. Amphlett garnered widespread attention for performing on stage in a school uniform and fishnet stockings, and she often used an illuminated neon tube as a prop for displaying aggression towards both band members and the audience. Originally a five-piece, the band underwent numerous line-up changes, with Amphlett and McEntee remaining as core members, before its dissolution in 1996.
The New Christs are an Australian garage rock band formed in 1980 by founding mainstay, Rob Younger, on lead vocals. Younger was the lead singer for punk rockers, Radio Birdman, and in other hard rock groups, New Race, Bad Music, the Other Side, Nanker Phelge, and Deep Reduction. The New Christs line-up since 2011 is Younger with Jim Dickson on bass guitar, Dave Kettley on guitar, Paul Larsen on drums and Brent Williams on guitar and keyboards. Over their career the group have issued five studio albums, Distemper (1989), Lower Yourself (1997), We Got This! (2002), Gloria (2009) and Incantations (2014). Three former members have died: Stevie Plunder in January 1996, Mark Wilkinson in December 2012 and Christian Houllemare in June 2014.
Melanie Susan Oxley is an Australian musician, singer-songwriter and primary school teacher. Oxley was a member of the dance pop group, The Sparklers, which in October 1988 released their debut album, Persuasion.
David Daniel Lane is an Australian musician. He is a solo artist and lead guitarist of You Am I. He was also lead singer-guitarist of The Pictures and member of Australian supergroup, The Wrights.
The Bo-Weevils are a psychedelic rock band blending psychedelic music, pop music, garage rock and rock music which formed in early 1985. Their early garage incarnation was a lot easier to classify and won fans easily, but the band evolved away from these roots from the late 1980s into more cerebral and accomplished directions. They released four studio albums, Where Particular People Congregate (1988), Destroyer of Worlds (1990), Reap (1992), and Burn (1994) before they semi-retired in 1999. Australian musicologist, Ian McFarlane described the group as "one of the first Australian bands of the 1980s to play wild, 1960s-inspired garage-punk".
The Celibate Rifles were an Australian punk rock band which formed in 1979 with a line-up that included mainstays Dave Morris on rhythm guitar and Kent Steedman on lead guitar; within a year they were joined by Damien Lovelock on lead vocals. They released their first album, Sideroxylon, in April 1983 on the Hot Records label. The band has toured both America and Europe extensively, and released their ninth studio album, Beyond Respect on 19 July 2004. In 1985 the group's style was described as post-Radio Birdman sound which is "a combination of fast, guitar-driven, hard rock and power pop". In November 1987 Sounds magazine's Roger Holland described their album, Roman Beach Party as showing the group's "sawn off rock potential all the way down to the bleached white of the bone, the lyrics reveal all the anger, insight and humour that makes [them] one of the most powerful rock bands in the world today". In April 1994 The Celibate Rifles issued Spaceman in a Satin Suit which according to Australian rock music historian, Ian McFarlane "was [their] best studio album since Blind Ear". Lovelock undertook a solo career and issued two albums as well as becoming a TV sports presenter prior to his death in 2019.
Nick Sheppard is an English guitarist. He played lead guitar for The Clash from 1983 until the band's breakup in 1986.
Little Heroes were an Australian band formed in 1980, by founding mainstay Roger Hart on lead vocals and guitar. They released three studio albums, Little Heroes, Play by Numbers and Watch the World. Their highest charting hit, "One Perfect Day", which was released in 1982, reached No. 12 on the Kent Music Report Singles Chart. Their other charting singles are "Young Hearts" (1982), "Watch the World" and "Bon Voyage". They disbanded in June 1984.
The Flairz were an Australian garage rock band from Perth. They were formed as a trio in late 2003 by pre-teens, Dion Mariani on guitar, bass guitar and vocals, his cousin, John Mariani on guitar, bass guitar and vocals, and Scarlett Stevens on drums and vocals. Late in 2006 Georgia Wilkinson-Derums joined on bass guitar. The group issued a studio album, Black Fox, and two extended plays, Rock and Roll Ain't Evil and Bullseye. The group disbanded in November 2009 with Stevens forming an indie pop band, San Cisco.
The Someloves were an alternative rock band from Perth, Western Australia which formed in 1986. They were led by Dom Mariani, on guitar and lead vocals; and Darryl Mather on lead guitar. The group's sole album, Something or Other, was released in April 1990 and reached the Top 100 on the ARIA Albums Chart. They were noted for their 1980s power-pop underground style. Various personal issues and problems with the idea of touring led to the group disbanding by the end of 1990.
Louis Rohan Tillett was an Australian rock music singer-songwriter, keyboardist and saxophonist. Tillett was the front man in Australian bands The Wet Taxis, Paris Green and The Aspersion Caste. He also worked as a backing musician with Catfish, Laughing Clowns, New Christs and Tex Perkins. As a solo artist, he issued seven albums, Ego Tripping at the Gates of Hell (1987), A Cast of Aspersions (1990), Letters to a Dream (1992), Cry Against the Faith (1998), Learning to Die (2001), The Hanged Man (2005) and Soliloquy (2006). He often worked with Charlie Owen, releasing two albums, The Ugly Truth (1994) and Midnight Rain. The latter album won the Rolling Stone Critics Award for Best Album of 1996.
"Leilani" is the debut single by Australian rock group Hoodoo Gurus when they were called Le Hoodoo Gurus, 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 release and, not long after, the band dropped the 'Le' to become Hoodoo Gurus. Le Hoodoo Gurus were noted for having three guitars and no bass player, creating a distinctive, layered sound. This was captured on "Leilani", which told the story of a maiden sacrificed to the gods and an erupting volcano while her true love looked on helplessly. A re-recorded version of the song was later released on Hoodoo Gurus' first album Stoneage Romeos (1984).
"Astute listeners will note the absence of bass guitar in the band... "Leilani" was based on an old 50s movie, Bird of Paradise starring Jeff Chandler..." - Dave Faulkner.
Citadel Records is an independent record label from Sydney, Australia. It was established in the early 1980s by John Needham. Bands released through Citadel include Died Pretty, Deniz Tek, Kim Salmon and the Surrealists, The Trilobites, Porcelain Bus, Johnny Thunders & Patti Palladin, Harem Scarem, New Christs, Louis Tillett, The Bamboos, The Moffs, The Screaming Tribesmen, The Stems, The Plunderers, The Bam Balams, Sacred Cowboys, Dubrovniks, Lime Spiders, The Someloves, Lipstick Killers, Hard-Ons, The Barbarellas, Leadfinger and Dom Mariani.
Mr Floppy were an Australian alternative rock, punk rock and oi! band formed in 1989 by Tim Aylward on guitar, Mick Carroll on guitar, Paul Johnson on bass guitar and vocals and Joseph Kennedy on drums. They issued three studio albums on Zombie Penis Death Records, which were distributed by Waterfront Records, Breakfast (1991), Gratuitous (1992) and The Unbearable Lightness of Being a Dickhead (1993). They enjoyed a cult following; however, the band broke up in 1994. They were compared to TISM throughout their career, with some people actually claiming Mr Floppy were a TISM side project, although the band members hated such comparisons.
The Plunderers were an Australian band which formed in May 1984 in Canberra. The group's founding mainstays were Nic Dalton on bass guitar and vocals and Stevie Plunder on guitar and vocals. The group issued three mini-albums, Trust Us, Sarah's not Falling in Love, and Home Movie (1992); a live album, 13.7.91 Live! Live! Live! (1991); and three albums, No Era Is Safe (1986), Half A Cow (1986), and Banana Smoothie Honey (1992). Australian musicologist, Ian McFarlane, described their sound as "a punky brand of power pop that mixed frantic guitar riffs, sharp harmonies and diamond-hard pop melodies" before starting to "explore a more tripped-out kind of psychedelic revivalism". In 1989 Dalton and Plunder and their drummer, Geoff Milne, formed a side project, Hippy Dribble, playing their more psychedelic songs. In December 1990 the trio also formed Captain Denim to play "more laid-back songs mostly ... influenced by the likes of Buffalo Springfield, Country & Western and folk rock". Both these groups issued material including a split album, Silver Apples/Fade in 1994. In 1992, Dalton joined US band The Lemonheads and former Plunderers' keyboard player Andy Lewis and Plunder formed The Whitlams with Tim Freedman. Plunder died on 25 January 1996, at the age of 32 years and Lewis died on 12 February 2000, at the age of 33 years.
Tlot Tlot were an Australian pop rock band formed in 1986 as Man in the Wood. The original line-up was Owen Bolwell on bass guitar and lead vocals, Andrew Briant on lead guitar, and Stanley Paulzen on drums and lead vocals. Briant left in 1991 and the band name was changed to Tlot Tlot. Their 1995 single, "The Girlfriend Song", reached the ARIA Singles Chart Top 100 and was nominated for Best Pop Release at ARIA Music Awards of 1995. The group issued four albums, A Day at the Bay (1991), Pistolbuttsa'twinkle (1992), The Live Set - Volume 1 (1993) and Fashion Takes a Holiday (1995), before disbanding in 1997.
Harem Scarem were an Australian blues rock group which formed in 1982. They issued two studio albums, Pilgrim's Progress on Au Go Go Records (1986) and Lo & Behold on Citadel Records (1988) before disbanding in 1989. The early line-up was fronted by Christopher Marshall on lead vocals and included his brother, Charlie Marshall first on bass guitar, then rhythm guitar and, when fronting the group from 1987, was also on lead vocals. By September 1985 they had been joined by Peter Jones on drums and percussion; Barry Palmer on lead guitar; Glen Sheldon first on rhythm guitar and then on bass guitar; and Chris Wilson on harmonica and saxophone. Australian musicologist, Ian McFarlane, felt that "Few alternative bands of the day could ever hope to match that line-up for muscular bravado and sheer instrumental firepower". On 18 May 2012 Peter Jones died of brain cancer, aged 45.
"Heart in Danger" is the debut single by Australian pop-rock band Southern Sons, released in August 1990. It was written by the group's guitarist, Phil Buckle, and produced by Ross Fraser. The song peaked at number five in Australia and was included on their debut album, Southern Sons (1990).
1 2 The Great Stems Hoax – A Tribute to The Stems (Media notes). Various Artists. Off the Hip Records. 2002. OTH 7002.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
↑ Fox, Sylvester (November 2003). "Features: Dom Mariani". Groove. No.5. CJ King & Co Printers (Pete Wachmer). Archived from the original on 20 July 2008. Retrieved 17 July 2013.
1 2 3 Live (Roskilde Festival 1994) (Media notes). DM3. Citadel Records. 2013. Retrieved 21 July 2013. DM3 Live at Roskilde Festival recorded Friday July 1, 1994 on the Blue Stage by the Roskilde recording mobile. Dom Mariani – guitar / vocals Toni Italiano – bass / vocals Pascal Bartolone – drums Ian Campbell guitar / vocals{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
↑ Underwater Casino (Media notes). Dom Mariani and The Majestic Kelp. Head Records. 2003. HEAD040. Retrieved 19 July 2013.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
↑ Music to Chase Cars By (Media notes). Dom Mariani and The Majestic Kelp. Head Records. 2003. HEAD073. Retrieved 19 July 2013.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
This page is based on this Wikipedia article Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply. Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.
