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Hoodoo Gurus by Christopher Ferguson
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I first saw the legendary Australian band
Hoodoo Gurus at the Hammersmith Palais back in 1985 when they were touring to promote their breakthrough second album "Mars Needs Guitars!" This LP built on all the great things present in their classic debut "Stoneage Romeos" which to this day remains one of my all time favourite records. Hoodoo Gurus combined all the best bits of my favourite music from 60's Garage nuggets, stomping Glam Rock, the down-town Punk Rock of New York Dolls and Ramones and melodic Power Pop to the swampy Blues of The Gun Club and The Cramps...they have it all! But most of all they have the tunes...the songwriting genius of frontman Dave Faulkner, ably abetted by guitarist Brad Shepherd, lifted the band to another level and earned them international recognition with songs such as "I Want You Back" and "Bittersweet". Well, the good news is that they are back with a new album "Chariots of The Gods" and they've lost none of their trademark brilliance. Thanks to
Hungry Promotion, I'm able to give you an in-depth look into background behind "Chariots of The Gods".
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Hoodoo Gurus "Chariot of The Gods" cover
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Hoodoo Gurus
hold a singular place in Australian and indeed international
Rock’n’Roll history. Comprising members of seminal ‘70s Aus-Punk outfits
including The Victims and Fun Things, the band were unrepentant Garage-rockers whose colourful personality and pop culture smarts,
superb songcraft and unabashed rocking took them to the top of the
charts at home and to the forefront of an international Garage-rock,
Alternative-rock and Power Pop movements in the mid-‘80s. Accepted as
friends and contemporaries by bands ranging from The Bangles to The
Fleshtones and Flamin’ Groovies to Redd Kross, the band became
real-deal, Rock’n’Roll heroes of the pre-Grunge era, playing to packed
houses across the US and in the UK and Europe and making their way to
the top of the US College charts. Now with the
addition of a couple of members who have added both the Divinyls and
Radio Birdman to th group’s extended family tree, the Gurus have solidified
a sound that combines a range of ‘60s and ‘70s influences into a
classic Punk/Garage/Hard rock sound that – like that of their heroes the
Ramones – is instantly recognizable even as it is wide-ranging.
The album includes five songs that were released as singles. The Punk-snarl of
"Answered Prayers" emerged in late 2019 followed by the politically
charged "Hung Out To Dry" in July 2020 and a slice of soaring power pop
in the form of "Get Out Of Dodge" in October last year. "World Of Pain"
was released in June 2021 and the band ended the year with "Carry On",
an anthem celebrating resilience and tenacity. The releases follow the
official reprisal of Hoodoo Gurus owned and operated label "Big Time
Phonograph Recording Co" in 2018 - under which the band reissued their
entire album recording catalogue on coloured vinyl in the same year. So,
while celebrating their 40 years of touring, recording and global
success – Hoodoo Gurus are embracing 2022 with full vigour. Bassist Rick
Grossman explains: "40 years as a band this year. I’ve spent half my
life with these guys and looking forward to making more memories with
them. When I played in Divinyls, I bought the first 2 Gurus albums and
the single Tojo. So, I was a fan. And now, 33 years later, I still am. I
always dreamt as a kid to be a member of a band, so my dream came true.
The Gurus are a great live band so it’s always exciting to play - and
to play great songs. I love Dave's writing and how we as a band, turn
them into Hoodoo Gurus songs. And we still are. And so it goes on."
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Hoodoo Gurus
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2022 looks like it will be one of
Hoodoo Gurus most eventful years to date. They were going to celebrate the 40th Anniversary of the band’s formation in 2021 but COVID messed with that! The release of "Chariot of The Gods", their first album in over a decade, alongside a welcome return to the stage sees the band full of a palpable level of determination, drive and spirit as Hoodoo Gurus’ founder Dave Faulkner explains: "The last twelve months have been frustrating and nerve-racking for everyone but, for the Hoodoo Gurus, this dark cloud has had a silver lining. Forced to rely on ourselves instead of the outside world for validation, there has been a creative rebirth within the band that has resulted in a string of singles and a new album. Most important of all, the musical bonds between the four of us have never been stronger. When the discussions are all about which songs we're sad about having to leave off the record, that's a damn good sign. I'm tellin' ya, folks, we've got a real spring in our step right now". The new album is the first with new recruit on drums, Nik Reith, a veteran of some of Australia’s most esteemed Rock’n’Roll bands including Radio Birdman, The Celibate Rifles, The New Christs and Tumbleweed. Nik said: "It's a real honour to be playing for such an iconic band. I've been a fan for a long time (since cassettes!) and to be playing for them in a milestone year is a privilege. We've recorded some wonderful songs that I hope continue the rich Power Pop/Rock catalogue that fans will recognise and love. I’m looking forward to a huge year for the band's 40th birthday to celebrate with past members and the extended family, and hopefully a few more years of doing what Hoodoo Gurus do best".
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My first time - London 1985.
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The announcement of the original, pre-COVID rescheduled 2021 tour with The Dandy Warhols coincided with the release of a new Hoodoo Gurus’ single, the explosive Glam-stomper "World Of Pain". The track simply, enthusiastically leaps from the speakers, demanding your attention. It’s a sign of the revitalised approach to writing and recording the band have undergone in recent times as guitarist Brad Shepherd beautifully articulates: "There were times as younger men when making a record seemed easier; we operated largely on initial impulses and others were more or less OK with it. Through the years, as a consequence of us becoming more confident in our abilities, and developing an acute responsibility to the songs, our process has evolved into a more meticulous pursuit. These tunes haven’t simply happened by accident. Very few details have been left unattended, although on occasion the most important idea may be to have no idea at all, which can be challenging when we’re rolling tape. I learned it a long while back, but it holds true: tolerance and patience are your allies, easily as valuable in a band as creative aptitude or ability on your instrument. Nonetheless we’ve stayed the course, working hard into nights of long hours, revising and fine tuning. It was a pleasant surprise then, amidst the close scrutiny and hand wringing, that one day strong songs revealed themselves unannounced in a kind of miracle. It would appear that even at this late stage of our game, we are capable of turning in some of our best work".
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