Hoodoo Gurus
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The Hoodoo Gurus are a rock band from Sydney, Australia, although three of the original members Dave Faulkner, Rod Radalj and James Baker were originally from Perth.
Both Radalj and Baker were members of the original line-up of Perth band The Scientists; Faulkner and Baker were also members of Perth punk band The Victims.
Originally called Le Hoodoo Gurus when they formed in 1981, they soon dropped the "Le" to become simply Hoodoo Gurus.
Original member Kimble Rendall (formerly of XL-Capris) left in 1982 just prior to the release of their first single and went on to become a noted music video director; he was effectively replaced by Clyde Bramley.
Radalj was not happy with this outcome and left the band to be replaced by ex-Fun Things guitarist Brad Shepherd who had been in Bramley's previous band. Radalj went on to perform with a number of other acts, including The Johnnys and Love Rodeo.
Contents |
Music
With a repertoire of strong original compositions by Faulkner, their sound combined elements of Sixties power-pop, bubblegum pop, Beatle-esque harmonies, psychedelia and grungey garage rock, highlighted by the impressive guitar work of Shepherd. Hoodoo Gurus were their best on their string of widely acclaimed pop-rock singles including "My Girl", "Tojo", "Leilani", "Like Wow Wipeout", "Bittersweet" and "What's My Scene?" (the last named song reworked as "That's My Team", the current promotional theme for the National Rugby League. The film clip of "What's My Scene" saw band members appear in Wests and Cronulla jumpers)
Band history
Initially a cult inner-city act, their popularity rapidly expanded thanks to regular airplay on Triple J and particularly after their distinctively quirky music video clips began to aired on the nationwide pop show Countdown.
Original drummer James Baker was replaced in 1985 by Mark Kingsmill. (Kingsmill's brother Richard Kingsmill is an on-air presenter for the Triple J network.
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 song 'Poison Pen' in response to some of the critical articles in the music press written about Baker's departure. Baker subsequently joined The Beasts of Bourbon.
The peak of their popularity was in the mid-to-late 1980s with the albums Mars Needs Guitars, Blow Your Cool, and Magnum Cum Louder, although they continued producing music through the mid to late 1990s. They toured America extensively several times, gained a solid following in the U.S. through regular exposure on US college radio (and later MTV) and even developed a big fan base in Brazil. Original bassist Clyde Bramley left in 1987 and was replaced by Rick Grossman (ex Matt Finish, Divinyls).
Hoodoo Gurus officially split in 1998 but reformed occasionally for concerts. In 2004, they released a new album, Mach Schau and started touring again.
Members
Current and past members of the Hoodoo Gurus:
- David Faulkner (singer/songwriter)
- Mark Kingsmill (drummer)
- Brad Shepherd (guitarist)
- Richard Grossman (bassist)
- Kimble Rendall (guitarist, 1981-1982)
- Rod Radalj (aka Roddy Radar) (guitarist, 1981-1982)
- James Baker (drummer, 1981-1985)
- Clyde Bramley (bassist, 1981-1987)
Discography
Albums
- Stoneage Romeos (1984)
- Mars Needs Guitars! (1985)
- Blow Your Cool! (1987)
- Magnum Cum Louder (1989)
- Kinky (1991)
- Crank (1994)
- Blue Cave (1996)
- Mach Schau (2004)
Compilations
- Electric Soup (1992)
- Gorilla Biscuit (1992)
- Electric Chair (1998)
- Armchair Gurus (1998)
- Bite The Bullet (1998)
- Ampology (2000)
Singles
| Year | Title | Chart positions | Album |
| US Modern Rock | |||
| 1989 | "Come Anytime" | #1 (3 weeks) | Magnum Cum Louder |
| 1991 | "Miss Freelove '69" | #3 | Kinky |