Hoodoo Gurus

Hoodoo Gurus
Also known as	Le Hoodoo Gurus
Origin	Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
Genre(s)	Rock, New Wave, College rock
Years active	1981–1998 2004–Present
Label(s)	Big Time, A&M Elektra, RCA Chrysalis, BMG Zoo/Volcano, Mushroom Evageline, EMI
Associated acts	The Victims The Scientists XL Capris The Dubrovniks Persian Rugs Ghostwriters
Website	Hoodoo Gurus Official website
Members
Dave Faulkner Mark Kingsmill Brad Shepherd Richard Grossman
Former members
Kimble Rendall Roddy Radalj James Baker Clyde Bramley

Hoodoo Gurus are an Australian rock band, formed in Sydney in January 1981, their popularity peaked in the mid to late 1980s with albums Mars Needs Guitars!, Blow Your Cool! and Magnum Cum Louder displaying their New Wave style. Mainstay of the band is founder Dave Faulkner (originally from Perth) who is their chief songwriter, lead singer and guitarist.^[1] Since 1987 they have consisted of Faulkner, Richard Grossman (bass), Mark Kingsmill (drums), and Brad Shepherd (guitar, vocals, harmonica).^[1] After touring the United States from 1984 onwards they gained popularity on the U.S. College rock circuit. Sometimes referred to as the Gurus, they are recognised for their 1987 Australian Top 3 hit song "What's My Scene?"^[2] or, as modified for the National Rugby League 2000s theme, "That's My Team". Other hit singles include "Bittersweet" (June, 1985) (No. 10 Melbourne charts) and "Like Wow - Wipeout!" (October, 1985) (No. 28 Melbourne charts).^[3] "Come Anytime" (June, 1989) reached No. 27 on the ARIA Singles Charts ^[4] and was the theme song of Australian television series Thank God You're Here in 2006 and the American series in 2007. While "Miss Freelove '69" (February 1991) reached No. 19 on the ARIA Singles Chart.^[5] Hoodoo Gurus influence on the Australian rock scene was acknowledged when they were inducted into the 2007 ARIA Hall of Fame.^[6][7]

Contents 1 History 1.1 Formation 1.2 Pop rockers 1.3 Australian New Wave 1.4 Hoodoo hiatus 1.5 Gurus regroup 1.6 ARIA Hall of Fame 2 Members 2.1 Current members 2.2 Former members 3 Discography 4 Nominations/Awards 5 References 6 External links

History

Formation

Three Hoodoo Gurus founders were from Perth protopunk and punk bands: Dave Faulkner and James Baker of The Victims;^[8] while Baker had been with Roddy Radalj (aka Roddy Ray'Da)^[9] in The Scientists.^[10] The fourth founding member, Kimble Rendall was formerly in Sydney punk rockers XL Capris.^[11]

"A chance meeting [by Dave Faulkner] with guitarists Kimble Rendall and Rod Radalj at an end-of-1980 New Year's Eve party led to the formation of Le Hoodoo Gurus, with former Victims drummer James Baker rounding out the roster." - Fred Mills, Harp Magazine correspondent.^[12]

Le Hoodoo Gurus were notable for having three guitars and no bass player, creating a distinctive, layered sound. This was captured on their first single, "Leilani" (October, 1982), which 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, they then backed a man and his singing dog on The Don Lane Show. Rendall left in 1982, just prior to the release of "Leilani", and went on to become a noted music video and film director. Rendall was Second Unit Director on the latter two Matrix films and I, Robot and he directed Cut (2000).^[13] Rendall was effectively replaced by Clyde Bramley (bass guitar, backing vocals) from Sydney bands The Hitmen and Super K.^[1] Radalj was not happy with Rendall's leaving or Faulkner's greater influence^[12] and left the Gurus to be replaced by ex-Fun Things guitarist Brad Shepherd, who had been with Bramley in previous bands.^[14] 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.^[9] As Roddy Ray'Da, he released Lost, Lonely and Vicious (1990), Orgazzamatazz (1991) and Mouthful of Chicken (1993).^[15] Gurus new line-up (Baker, Bramley, Faulkner and Shepherd) recorded the band's first album, Stoneage Romeos (1984). The title came from a Three Stooges short. The album was dedicated to characters from 'Get Smart', 'F-Troop' and 'Petticoat Junction'.

Pop rockers

With a repertoire of strong original compositions usually written by Faulkner, Hoodoo Gurus' sound combined elements of sixties power-pop, bubblegum pop, Beatle-esque harmonies, psychedelia and grungy 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 "Leilani", "Tojo" (1983), "My Girl" (1983), "I Want You Back" (1984), "Bittersweet" (1985), "Like Wow - Wipeout!" (1985), and "What's My Scene?".

Australian New Wave

Initially a cult inner-city act, their popularity rapidly expanded due to regular airplay on Triple J and nationwide pop show Countdown from mid-1983. Their breakthrough single "My Girl" was accompanied by an unusual video clip featuring a dog trainer with his champion greyhound. Ths was closely followed up by "I Want You Back", which featured animated plastic model dinosaurs. Both videos were aired fruequently raising the group's profile around the country. Original drummer James Baker was replaced in 1985 by Mark Kingsmill (like Bramley and Shepherd had also been in bands The Hitmen and Super K).^[1] Kingsmill's brother Richard Kingsmill is an on-air presenter for the Triple J network. Hoodoo Gurus went into the studio with Mark Kingsmill and recorded another album, Mars Needs Guitars! (1985). This time the title was a twist on a B Grade Sci Fi movie title Mars Needs Women. The first single, "Bittersweet", had a more subdued regular-looking video. 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, James Baker Experience, The Dubrovniks (latter two included Radalj) and Novakill.^[16] Gurus' peak of popularity was in the mid-to-late 1980s with the albums Mars Needs Guitars!, Blow Your Cool! (1987), and Magnum Cum Louder (1989), 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'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 1987 Rick Grossman (ex Matt Finish, Divinyls)^[17] replaced Clyde Bramley on bass. The most stable line-up of Faulkner, Grossman, Kingsmill, and Shepherd saw Hoodoo Gurus from 1987 to the break-up in January 1998.^[18] After two albums under their new contract - Magnum Cum Louder and Kinky (1991) - the band released two compilations at once, Electric Soup (1992) contained the band's hits and Gorilla Biscuit (1992) was made up of B-sides and rarities. They followed with Crank (1994) and in 1996 they moved to Mushroom Records for the release of their next album, Blue Cave. From 1990 onwards, Grossman has been involved in a side project, Ghostwriters, with Rob Hirst from Midnight Oil.^[17] Ghostwriters have released four albums with their latest Political Animal (2007) released by Sony BMG. Shepherd has also played with Ghostwriters.^[17]

Hoodoo hiatus

Hoodoo Gurus officially split in January 1998, but reformed occasionally for concerts; the career-spanning compilation Ampology was issued in 2000. In 2002, members Faulkner, Shepherd, and Kingsmill joined with bassist Kendall James and recorded an EP entitled Mr. Tripper under the name Persian Rugs. Persian Rugs later went on to record an album Turkish Delight (2003), setting the stage for an eventual reunion of Hoodoo Gurus.

“

'The Persian Rugs was me doing a complete ‘60s revival sort of thing. Also, in a funny way, it was my own sort of version of retaliating at all the critics who always harped on the Gurus’ ‘60s influences: ‘You want to hear what I do when I do ‘60s? Here it is!’ But I also had a whole lot of songs after the Gurus broke up, and though I rehearsed them with different musicians, they just couldn’t seem to get the flavor of what I was trying to do. It became obvious to me that there was only one band that could play these songs the way I wanted to hear them. So Mach Schau, far from us coming back and being ‘middle aged’ and writing for an older fan base, we just wanted to make a hard rocking record that out-did anything we’d ever done. We really blew a gasket on that one—it’s our Presence, like Led Zeppelin.' - Dave Faulkner [12]

”

Gurus regroup

By early 2003 Hoodoo Gurus had re-formed to record "That's My Team" as the promotional theme for the National Rugby League between 2003 and 2007 (a CD was released September 2003 see "What's My Scene?"). The original film clip of "What's My Scene?" included shots of band members in Wests and Cronulla jumpers. In 2004, reunited with Grossman on bass, Hoodoo Gurus recorded a new album, Mach Schau and started touring again. Following the December 2004 release of Mach Schau, from February 2005, the Australian division of EMI Records reissued expanded/remastered editions of all Hoodoo Gurus albums; 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". In 2005 the band co-headlined the annual Big Day Out festival with Metallica and The Strokes. Hoodoo Gurus toured during 2007 including several US dates, kicking off at the South By Southwest Music Festival in Austin, TX, performances in Europe, including the Azkena Festival (Spain) followed by a national tour of Australia, with The Stems and Radio Birdman.

According to the band's official website, the band is recording material for a 2007 studio release.^[19]

ARIA Hall of Fame

They were inducted into the ARIA Hall of Fame on 18 July 2007 at the Plaza Ballroom, Melbourne.^[6]

“

For two and a half decades the Hoodoo Gurus have consistently been one of the most inventive, lyrically smart and exciting rock'n'roll bands Australia has ever produced... along the way they've influenced an entire generation of bands which explains why the likes of You Am I, The Living End, Dallas Crane, Grinspoon and many others queued up a few years back to pay tribute to the band's 1984 debut album, Stoneage Romeos'.[6]

”

Members

Current members

• Dave Faulkner - vocals, guitar, keyboard (1981-1998, 2004-present)
• Mark Kingsmill - drums (1984-1998, 2004-present)
• Brad Shepherd - guitar, vocals, harmonica (1982-1998, 2004-present)
• Richard Grossman - bass, backing vocals (1988-1998, 2004-present)

Former members

• Kimble Rendall - guitar, backing vocals (1981-1982)
• Roddy Radalj - guitar, backing vocals (1981-1982)
• James Baker - drums (1981-1984)
• Clyde Bramley - bass, backing vocals (1982-1988)

Discography

Main article: Hoodoo Gurus discography

Studio albums 1984: Stoneage Romeos 1985: Mars Needs Guitars! 1987: Blow Your Cool! 1989: Magnum Cum Louder 1991: Kinky 1994: Crank 1996: Blue Cave 2004: Mach Schau Live recordings and compilations 1992: Electric Soup 1992: Gorilla Biscuit 1997: Electric Chair 1997: Armchair Gurus 1998: Bite the Bullet 2000: Ampology

Extended plays 1997: Hoodoo Voodoo DVDs 2005: Tunnel Vision Video 1987: Best of The Cutting Edge Vol. 1 1992: Electric Soup 1996: More Electric Soup 1999: Electric Soup - The Complete Video Collection

Nominations/Awards

• 1993 ARIA Award - 'Best Cover Art' by Paul McNeil & Richard All for - Electric Soup/Gorilla Biscuit^[20]
• 1996 ARIA Award nominee - 'Best Video' by John Witterton for - "Waking Up Tired"^[21]
• 1996 ARIA Award nominee - 'Best Pop Release' - Blue Cave^[21]
• 1997 ARIA Award - 'Producer of the Year' Charles Fisher for (amongst other productions) - Down on Me^[22]
• 2005 ARIA Award nominee - 'Best Music DVD' - Tunnel Vision^[23]
• 2007 ARIA Hall of Fame inductee^{[6] [7]}

References

External links

• Hoodoo Gurus' Official Homepage
• Hoodoo Gurus' Official MySpace website
• AMO artist profile - Hoodoo Gurus
• Hoodoo Gurus Lyrics
• Australian Encyclopedia of Rock & Pop article

This box:  •  • edit Hoodoo Gurus
Current : Dave Faulkner  · Mark Kingsmill  · Brad Shepherd  · Richard Grossman Former : Kimble Rendall  · Roddy Radalj  · James Baker  · Clyde Bramley
Discography
Studio Albums
Stoneage Romeos  · Mars Needs Guitars!  · Blow Your Cool!  · Magnum Cum Louder  · Kinky  · Crank  · Blue Cave  · Mach Shau
Compilation Albums
Electric Soup  · Gorilla Biscuit  · Electric Chair  · Armchair Gurus  · Bite the Bullet  · Ampology
EPs
Hoodoo Voodoo
Singles
"Leilani"  · "Tojo"  · "My Girl"  · "I Want You Back"  · "Bittersweet"  · "Like Wow - Wipeout!"  · "Death Defying"  · "Poison Pen"  · "What's My Scene?"  · "In the Middle of the Land"  · "Good Times"  · "The Generation Gap"  · "Come Anytime"  · "Axegrinder"  · "Another World"  · "Miss Freelove '69"  · "1000 Miles Away"  · "A Place in the Sun"  · "Castles in the Air"  · "The Right Time"  · "You Open My Eyes"  · "Less Than A Feeling"  · "Nobody"  · "Turn Up Your Radio"  · "Big Deal"  · "If Only..."  · "Waking Up Tired"  · "In Blue Cave"  · "Down On Me"  · "The Real Deal"  · "That's My Team"  · "Nothing's Changing My Life"
DVD/Videos
Electric Soup  · More Electric Soup  · Electric Soup - The Complete Video Collection  · Best of The Cutting Edge Vol. 1  · Tunnel Vision