I know that staying here and drinking beer is no good for my health

After my recent musical tune purchases that were inspired by childhood memories I have decided to do a spot of writing on the bands that fit into the category in my mind. I must say a couple of things before I launch into my spiel.

Firstly, these are by no means all the bands/songs that remind me of moments in my childhood… a few others that I wont mention in any detail here include: the terrifying song Billie Jean by Michael Jackson, which was clearly about a rogue band of chairs that went around kidnapping children (“the chairs have got my son”); You Can’t Hurry Love by Phil Collins; and anything by Dexy’s Midnight Runners.

Secondly, an apology to those a few years older than me who are sure to know a great deal more about these bands (mainly because there is sooo much to write about and I‘m not planning to write a definitive history here) and probably like them for greater reasons than I do. Please feel free to contact me and harass me and/or set me straight regarding any mistakes I make.

Hoodoo Gurus
Formed in Sydney in 1981, the current members included Dave Faulkner (songwriter, lead singer and guitarist), Richard Grossman (bass), Mark Kingsmill (drums), and Brad Shepherd (guitar, vocals, harmonica). Not a strictly “pub rock” band, the Hoodoo Gurus took inspiration from various genres including  a number of various types of rock music (60’s, pop rock, psychaedelic-esque rock, etc) and hence attracted a wide variety of fans.

A mighty 8 studio albums the band has under it’s belt as well as an induction into the ARIA Hall of Fame in 2007 locks the Hoodoo Gurus in as one of Australia’s most notable and brilliant rock acts of all time. They were a mainstay on the Australian music scene from the early 80’s up to the late 90’s and I can also remember a tour with Spiderbait and Peabody, which must have been in about 2003 (?) and I’m fairly sure they are still doing their thing somewhere in the world at this very minute (in fact, looking at their official website, it seems they‘ve just wrapped up an Australian tour). I wont go into any further history, but just take a look at some of the associated bands: The Victims, The Scientists, XL Capris, The Hitmen, The Dubrovniks, Monarchs, Antenna, The Moops/Persian Rugs, and Ghostwriters.

The song that brings me back to my childhood is the song “What’s my Scene?”. Released in 1987 on their 3rd album Blow Your Cool!, I specifically remember the film clip as being hilarious (in the mind of a 7 year old). I realise it’s not their best or most profound song, but there was always something about it that stuck in my head. It, since the, was modified and utilised by Australian Rugby League as their theme song in the form of “That’s my Team!”…. so profound. (It's the Newcastle Knights, in case you were wondering.)

Icehouse
Icehouse were another Sydney-based band, formed (under the name Flowers) in 1977 that took simple “pub rock” to a whole new level. Utilising a vast array of synthesizers and other instruments, Icehouse were able to produce a number of epic-sounding tracks (as well as many not-so-epic sounding tracks) that were the basis of their success both in Australia and Internationally.

At the front of Icehouse, we had Iva Davies. According to various sources, Iva seems to have been the only permanent member with a long list of members that stepped in and out during various periods of the bands history.
Icehouse were always one of those bands, to me, that had so many familiar songs that I didn’t know were by Icehouse until I reached a certain age (same as Kiss, but that’s a whole different story). For example, Great Southern Land, from my favourite childhood movie, Young Einstein, I didn’t realise was Icehouse until I was at least 15.

The Icehouse song that has always stood out for me is Electric Blue. Aside from being one of the best songs to do karaoke to (see you at Chatswood RSL on any given Friday night!) it was one of the singles on their 5th album, Man Of Colours, that was released in 1987 and was the highest selling album in Australia by an Australian band as recently as 2006 (I can’t seem to work out who holds this title now…. Feel free to let me know).

I'm not sure if this is their official website... if it's not.. i don't know where it is!

Mental As Anything
Formed in 1976 through a meeting of the founding members Martin Plaza and Reg Mombassa at the East Sydney Technical College art school (now the National Art School). Mental as Anything are known for poppy , well-crafted melodies and lyrics, and a very unique sense of humour.  I’m not sure who came up with this one but it seems that “they are arguably one of the most typically "Australian" of rock groups”.

The original lineup of the group, which boasted four songwriters and lasted more than twenty years, was: Martin Plaza (Martin Murphy) – vocals, guitar; Reg Mombassa (Chris O'Doherty) – lead guitar, vocals; Andrew "Greedy" Smith – vocals, keyboards, harmonica; Peter O'Doherty – bass, vocals; and Wayne "Bird" De Lisle (David Twohill) – drums.

With 18 albums (including “best of” and various compilations) it’s really difficult to write a concise blurb on Mental as Anything. From 1976 to present, they’ve had quite an epic history.  So if you feel like learning more…. look HERE at their official website.

Again, there are a tonne of  notable songs that I could talk about including the 1979 single "The Nips Are Getting Bigger" to “Mr Natural”, which was their most recent song to enter the Australian Top 40 charts in 1995. Two of the songs that figure most prominently in my childhood are “Live It Up” (1985) and “Too Many Times” (1981). Both more pop than rock, but Live It Up being significantly more reminiscent of what music was like in the mid-80’s.

Specifically, Live It Up reminds me of my half-brothers 18th birthday party at Whitebridge Community Hall… don’t ask me what year… but I must have been no older than 5. It’s the perfect cheesy party tune and the lyrics sum up my adolescent years…. almost.

Too Many Times was definitely a jig-around-the-kitchen-in-overalls type tune. It’s catchy and has a banjo and a harmonica (which incidentally, was the name of my imaginary friend at the time). It’s currently the anthem of this summer holiday I’m having (apart from the break-up bit).

Mental As Anything - Live It Up

Mental As Anything - Too Many Times (1981) 1 comment

Well…. I know there are many others I could talk about… but for now I wont.
I’ll let you digest these ones first.
Enjoy!

Sally
sally@weheartmusic.com