43-503: The Psychotic Turnbuckles are an Australian garage punk band, which were formed in 1984. The group's original members were Jesse the Intruder on lead vocals, The Creep on bass guitar and vocals, The Grand Wizard on guitar, The Spoiler on drums and El Sicodelico on guitar. Other long-term members were The Psychedelic Unknown/The Unknown on bass guitar and guitars and Gorgeous Lord Karl Domah on drums. The group issued three studio albums, Beyond
86-619: A 1992 show by the band at the Lansdowne Hotel, Sydney. Psychotic Turnbuckles released their next studio album, Figure Four Brain Trance (October 1993) via Shagpile/ Shock . Late in 1994 The Unknown was replaced on bass guitar by Chuck the Rock and the group issued a compilation album, Ride the Wild Sounds (1994), before disbanding. The band existed for a decade and had signed to US label Sympathy for
129-561: A four-track extended play, U.E.L.A (initialism for U topian E motional L ove A ura) via Survival Records in November 1989, which was produced by Masuak. During 1990 they toured Australia co-headlining with Voodoo Lust, and Peter Wells ' group, Heart Attack, as support. The line-up of Hitmen DTK changed with Kannis and Masuak joined by Shane Cooke on bass guitar (ex-Vampire Lovers, Four Horsemen), Gerald Presland on drums and Bob Sattler on guitar (ex-Johnny Kannis Explosion, Roddy Ray'da and
172-625: A lot of noise about nothing". The line-up of The Intruder, The Unknown, The Grand Wizard and Mr Ultimate on drums recorded the band's second studio album, Pharaohs of the Far Out (1989) for Survival Records. The disc was produced by Johnny Kannis (ex- the Hitmen ). Mr Ultimate was replaced on drums by Gorgeous Lord Karl Domah before the album appeared. The Intruder, Wizard, The Unknown and Domah line-up issued an EP, Lunar Chik (1989). Two members of touring US band Guns and Roses, Duff McKagan and Slash, attended
215-547: A non-released track, "Your Face is Driving Me Insane". The Psychotic Turnbuckles' first studio album, Beyond the Flip-out (October 1987), was recorded in March with Clark (The Creep) leaving before it was released. He was replaced on bass guitar by The Psychedelic Unknown/The Unknown). Bud "The Sledgehammer" Slater replaced El Sicodelico on guitar later that year, who was replaced in turn by Kid Sunshine in 1988. Psychotic Turnbuckles were
258-796: A regular attraction on the Sydney live music circuit and shared stages with the Troggs , the Hitmen , Dark Carnival, Beasts of Bourbon and the Screaming Tribesmen . They regularly worked as the house band at the Petersham Inn, Sydney, which ran The Pismo Bar, in their honour. Their single, "Good Times Outweigh the Bad Times" (1988), was reviewed by Wallace's colleague Kathryn Whitfield, "these boys have attempted to not only hide their identities, but also any inkling of talent... 60s-flavoured thrash rock that makes
301-731: A solo Johnny Kannis 7" single, "King of the Surf" backed by a cover version of the Drifters' 1964 single, " Under the Boardwalk ", as Kannis' solo effort in November 1978. Following the demise of Radio Birdman, Kannis and Masuak reformed the Hitmen in July '78 with Ivor Hay on drums (ex- the Saints ) and Phil Sommerville on bass guitar. In September Gilbert was asked join on guitar. The Hitmen were signed to WEA in March 1979 and released their debut single, "Didn't Tell
344-581: Is undertaking an Australian tour "40 Years Undefeated" in 2024 to mark their fourth decade. The Psychotic Turnbuckles were formed in Sydney in 1984 as part of a wave of hard rock bands that sprang up in Australia in the first half of the 1980s with roots in the US 1960s punk and 1970s big-energy Detroit rock scenes. The band were professional wrestlers who re-located from Pismo Beach in California after being banned by
387-467: The original 1960s garage rock movement rather than the 1980s-90s fusion style. The 1980s-90s style itself is sometimes referred to interchangeably as "garage rock" or " garage revival ". The term "garage punk" dates back as early as 1972 in reference to the original 1960s garage rock style, although "punk" as it is known today was not solidified as its own distinct genre until 1976. Therefore, despite earlier references to 1960s garage rock as "garage punk",
430-406: The 1960s. He explains that mid 1960s garage punk was largely the domain of untrained teenagers who used sonic effects, such as fuzz tones , and relied heavily on riffs . Hann locates the "golden years" of garage punk to 1965–67. The Sonics are credited as a pioneering act in the genre. Critic Tim Sommer wrote: "The Sonics created the template for American garage punk, not to mention crafting
473-669: The 1972 psychedelic music compilation Nuggets to describe a song by the 1960s garage rock band, the Shadows of Knight , as "classic garage punk". The Guardian 's Michael Hann writes: "Look at the tracklisting for Lenny Kaye's original Nuggets album, the record that codified garage punk and you'll find an awful lot of music that would not now fit comfortably into the genre [psychedelic music]." MTV ' s Beverly Bryan says that "garage punk" may be used "more likely" to refer to "garage rock" or " garage revival ". Simon Reynolds traces garage punk to American garage rock bands in
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#1733086294417516-546: The Flip-out (October 1987), Pharaohs of the Far Out (1989) and Figure Four Brain Trance (October 1993), before disbanding in 1994. The Spoiler died in 2013. The Psychotic Turnbuckles reformed in 2012 and issued a compilation album in the following year, thereafter they have performed sporadically in the 2020s. They toured Japan in October 2023, playing four shows including an appearance at the Tokyo Halloween Ball. The band
559-433: The Hitmen . The group went through numerous line up changes in its first run from 1977 to 1984. They regrouped under a new name, Hitmen DTK , between 1989 and 1992. They have issued three studio albums, Hitmen (July 1981), It Is What It Is (November 1982) and Moronic Inferno (November 1991). The Hitmen reformed in 2007; Masuak left in 2015. The Hitmen were formed in November 1977 in Sydney by Warwick Gilbert to maintain
602-517: The Jackals were "a school band that Chris Masuak and I started while we were in year 10 [with a] Maltese rhythm section." They played cover versions of material by Aerosmith, Alice Cooper, Blue Öyster Cult, Ted Nugent, Lou Reed and original country rock tracks written by Masuak, including "Death by the Gun". Masuak joined Sydney-based punk rockers Radio Birdman in October 1976 alongside Gilbert and Keeley. Kannis
645-586: The Man", in July of that year. By that time Hay was replaced by Geoff Peterkin (ex- Ol' 55 ) until August when Mark Kingsmill joined on drums (ex-the Hellcats, the Other Side). Soon after Sommerville left, Gilbert switched back to bass guitar and Tony Vidale joined on guitar. A second single, "I Want You", appeared in March 1980. In December 1980 the band entered the studio to record their debut self-titled album, which
688-786: The Pismo Beach Wrestling Alliance. Founding members were Jesse the Intruder on lead vocals, The Creep on bass guitar and vocals, The Grand Wizard on guitar, The Spoiler on drums and El Sicodelico on guitar. Their influences were the 13th Floor Elevators , Radio Birdman , the Moving Sidewalks , the Masters Apprentices , the Sonics and the Aztecs . The Psychotic Turnbuckles released two singles on Vi-nil Records, "The Creeps" (May 1985) and "Psychotic Situation" (November),. while
731-480: The Record Industry as well as several Australian imprints. The band eventually dissolved as members moved back to the US in the early 1990s. In June 1997 the line-up of The Intruder, The Grand Wizard, The Unknown (on guitar), Chuck the Rock (on bass guitar) and Karl Domah reformed for a one-off gig, where they provided a giveaway EP, Louder than Distortion (1997). Supposedly inspired by a fan's social media page,
774-487: The Sonics. In contrast to the retro garage revival scene, bands who continued to draw heavily from stripped-down 1970s punk, rather than just mid-1960s styles, would be widely categorized as "garage punk". According to the AllMusic guide, "Before the punk-pop wing of America's '90s punk revival hit the mainstream, a different breed of revivalist punk had been taking shape in the indie-rock underground. In general, garage punk
817-596: The Surfin' Caesars ). They recorded a studio album, Moronic Inferno (November 1991), in Austin, Texas , with Andy Bradley and Masuak co-producing. To launch the album, the band performed four Sydney dates in November with guest guitarist Deniz Tek. In 2024, the first of these shows, recorded at Newtown, was released as a live album titled Tonight We Ride! In December of 1991 they toured Australia opening for US rock group, Dark Carnival (see Ron Asheton ), but they broke up early in
860-697: The Tokyo Halloween Ball. The band is undertaking an Australian tour "40 Years Undefeated" in 2024 to mark their fourth decade. Garage punk (fusion genre) Garage punk is a rock music fusion genre combining the influences of garage rock , punk rock , and often other genres, that took shape in the indie rock underground between the late 1980s and early 1990s. Bands drew heavily from 1960s garage rock, stripped-down 1970s punk rock, and Detroit proto-punk , and often incorporated numerous other styles into their approach, such as power pop , 1960s girl groups , hardcore punk , blues , early R&B and surf rock . The term "garage punk" often also refers to
903-711: The band went into hibernation." When Iggy Pop toured Australia in June 1983, Radio Birdman's singer, Rob Younger , was asked to provide his opening act. Younger formed the New Christs with three of the Hitmen: Kingsmill, Masuak and Robertson, as well as Kent Stedman on guitar (also in the Celibate Rifles ). Kannis formed a soul music band, Johnny Kannis and the Night Train, during this hiatus. The line-up alongside Kannis
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#1733086294417946-411: The band's daily surf which turned their hair psychedelic green and purple. They now drink Turnbuckle Tonic to keep it that way." The Canberra Times ' Lisa Wallace described their third EP, Go Go Gorilla (1987), as "throwbacks from a bad '60s acid trip [which] made me smile... Be different, be daring." In that year the group were in an episode of comedy TV series, Willing and Abel performing
989-524: The band's fierce live reputation." Whilst signed to WEA and MMA management the group toured with international acts Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers, The Stranglers and Steppenwolf. Conflict of direction prior to the debut LP's release prompted WEA to withdraw promotion for its release and drop the band from the label, which led to Gilbert's departure from the band in 1981. Gilbert was replaced by Tony Robertson (ex-Credits, Wasted Daze, 31st). Early in 1982
1032-643: The core unit of Radio Birdman and its fan base during Deniz Tek's absences from RB. The line-up was Charlie Georgees on guitar (ex-Hellcats), Warwick Gilbert on bass guitar (also in Radio Birdman ), Johnny Kannis on lead vocals, Ron Keeley on drums and Chris Masuak on lead guitar (both also in Radio Birdman). Kannis and Masuak had been bandmates in the Jackals from 1974 to 1975 alongside Rubin Acosta, Archie Archilles, Alf Azzopardi and Steve Willman. According to Kannis,
1075-500: The development of stoner rock , a more psychedelic variation of the genre. The term "punk rock" was first used to describe the music of American garage bands of the mid 1960s, and was not solidified as a genre until 1976. When referring to 1960s groups, the term "garage punk" is usually deployed interchangeably with "garage rock". The earliest known use of the term "garage punk" appeared in Lenny Kaye 's track-by-track liner notes for
1118-664: The following year. The Hitmen reformed in 2007, with Kannis, Masuak and Robertson joined by Tony "Juke" Jukic on guitar (ex-Johnny Kannis Explosion, Oblivian) and Murray "Muzz" Shepherd (Brad Shepherd's older brother) on drums (ex-Screaming Tribesmen, Lime Spiders); they undertook a set of Australian shows. Re-issues of Hitmen (November 2007), It Is What It Is (2007) and Tora Tora DTK (2009) occurred via Savage Beat/Shock Records: each with detailed liner notes and extra discs of bonus material. A one-off gig on 23 February 2008 with former Dark Carnival and Destroy All Monsters singer-visual artist, Niagara , at The Crest Hotel, Sylvania ,
1161-474: The group left WEA and signed to RCA Records : they released their second album, It Is What It Is (November 1982), which was produced by Bruce Brown and Russell Dunlop . Shepherd had already left, a month earlier, to join Hoodoo Gurus and the Hitmen continued as a quartet. According to McFarlane "[they] continued to draw big crowds on tour, but could not sell records. Consequently, RCA dropped The Hitmen and
1204-552: The latter had been co-written by The Intruder and The Grand Wizard for another band, band, Conspirators. Australian musicologist Ian McFarlane described these singles as "primitive slices of buzzing R&B/garagemania" with "authentic 1960s sound and sheer acid-guitar firepower". In 1986 they appeared on Network 10 's TV talent show Star Search , performing "The Creeps". Their debut extended play of six tracks, Destroy Dull City , followed in August 1986 via Rattlesnake Records, which
1247-761: The line-up of Jesse the Intruder, The Grand Wizard, The Unknown and Karl Domahreunited in Sydney in December 2012. Encouraged by their audience's reaction, they signed to Citadel and issued a retrospective 2× CD compilation album, Destroy Dull City (2013). The collection includes the EP of the same name, their first studio album, previously unreleased demos, out-takes and their singles. The band played shows in Melbourne, Sydney and Brisbane . Former member The Spoiler died in 2013. The Psychotic Turnbuckles have performed sporadically since then and toured Japan in 2023, including an appearance at
1290-428: The overall onslaught that's the most memorable; the direction is decisive and determined. And there's a lucid layering of instrumentation – each component rubbing shoulders comfortably." Australian musicologist, Ian McFarlane , opined that the album and lead single, "I Don't Mind" (June 1981), were "excellent slices of melodic hard rock. Opitz had achieved a full-throated production sound in the studio that did justice to
1333-414: The prototype for every punk rock band that thought that three chords and a horny shriek was enough to move a nation." In the 1980s, there began a revived interest in the music of the 1960s, starting with garage punk. Labels like Crypt and Norton began reissuing the work of "lost mid-century weirdos", which led a new generation of punk musicians to rediscover older rock artists like Little Richard and
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1376-853: The same influences and aesthetics (in fact, Mudhoney became one of the founders of grunge)." Bands like New Bomb Turks , the Oblivians , the Gories , the Mummies , the Dirtbombs , and the Humpers helped maintain a cult audience for the style through the 1990s and 2000s. Associated bands from that period contributed to the development of stoner rock , a more psychedelic variation of the genre. The Hitmen The Hitmen are an Australian hard rock band formed in November 1977 by long-term members, Johnny Kannis on lead vocals and Chris Masuak on lead guitar as Johnny and
1419-513: The tour Kingsmill, Masuak and Robertson all joined the Screaming Tribesmen and the Hitmen disbanded. Kannis and Masuak re-formed the group as the Hitmen DTK in April 1989 with a new line-up: Gye Bennetts on drums (ex-Terminal Twist, Johnny Kannis Explosion), Brad Ferguson on bass guitar (ex-Voodoo Lust) and Matt Le Noury (a.k.a. Matt Nasty) on guitar (ex- Vampire Lovers , Flying Tigers). They issued
1462-522: The types of social codes and ideologies associated with the punk subculture . However, there are exceptions like the (International) Noise Conspiracy , who played a highly politicised variation of garage punk. AllMusic adds: "Some of the first garage punk bands who appeared in the late '80s and early '90s ( Mudhoney , the Supersuckers ) signed with the Sub Pop label, whose early grunge bands shared some of
1505-429: The usage of the term "punk" in regard to the 1980s-90s "garage punk" fusion genre refers to the fusion of 1960s garage rock with the late 1970s-1980s genre currently and more commonly referred to as “ punk rock ”. After the 1980s, groups who were labelled as "garage punk" stood in contrast to the nascent retro garage revival scene, moving past a strictly mid 1960s influence. Associated bands from that period contributed to
1548-508: Was Harris and Phillips from an early version of the Hitmen, together with Michael Buckley on drums (ex- the Radiators ), Rohan Cannon on guitar (ex-Rupert B, Earthlings), Don Raffael on saxophone (ex-Rupert B, the Party Boys ), Paul Reed on bass guitar and Mick Thornton on trumpet (both ex-Rupert B). In July 1983 Harris, Kannis and Phillips were all injured in a car accident while on tour; Kannis
1591-525: Was hospitalised for months and that group broke up. By June 1984 Kannis had recovered sufficiently for the Hitmen to reform with Kingsmill, Masuak and Robertson joined by a new member, Richard Jakimyszyn, on guitar (ex- Lime Spiders , New Christs). While on tour they recorded a live album, Tora Tora DTK (November 1984), at the St George-Budapest Soccer Club and Family Inn by ABC Mobile with Ian Davies and Masuak producing. Soon after
1634-696: Was not nearly as melodic as punk-pop; instead, garage punk drew its inspiration chiefly from the Detroit protopunk of the Stooges and the MC5 . Allan Rutter writes that the music is often fast-paced and characterized by dirty, choppy guitars and lyrics typically expressing rebelliousness and sometimes "bad taste", and may be performed by " low-fi " acts who are on independent record labels , or who are unsigned. Bands are generally apolitical and tend to distance themselves from hardcore punk and generally avoid strict adherence to
1677-514: Was produced by Rob Younger ( Died Pretty , Lime Spiders , the Stems ). The Music ' s Michael Smith referred to the band's "mythical" origin story. According to Destroy Dull City ' s liner notes the members were former professional American wrestlers who re-located to Australia by 1982 from Pismo Beach, California , after banishment from Pismo Beach Wrestling Alliance by promoter Sammy Duke. Their publicity described "a nuclear accident during
1720-510: Was recorded and released as St Valentine's Day Massacre in October 2009 via Savage Beat/ Shock Records in Australia and US label, Steel Cage, around the world. The band gigged solidly with a national tour with Niagara undertaken in April 2010. The Hitmen marked their 30th anniversary with a one-off show at the Sandringham Hotel, Newtown, in Sydney on 21 May 2010. Another retrospective collection, Dancin' Time , of studio and live material
1763-543: Was released in November of that year. The band went into hiatus when Masuak moved to Spain in 2015. Kannis finished recording his solo single which was produced by fellow Hitman, Jukic, at the Alchemy Music Group Studios. In 2017 the Hitmen regrouped for a national tour to promote their compilation album, Solid as a Rock , Kannis, Jukic, Robertson and Murray Shepherd were joined by Vince "the Wiz" Cuscuna on guitar (ex-
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1806-539: Was released in the following July, with Mark Opitz as producer ( AC/DC , the Angels , the Reels ). Vidale had been replaced on guitar by Brad Shepherd (ex- Fun Things , 31st) during the recording sessions – Shepherd re-recorded the guitar parts. Susan Moore of The Australian Women's Weekly described the group as "keeping the riotous rock flag flying with a crystal clear production... The songs are well-crafted although it's
1849-605: Was that group's MC and he formed the new group, as Johnny and the Hitmen, "for a series of fun gigs" between Radio Birdman commitments. Radio Birdman started a European tour early in 1978, and Kannis formed a new line-up of Johnny and the Hitmen with Georgees, Clyde Bramley on bass guitar, Alan Brown on drums, Steve Harris on keyboards, Angie Pepper on vocals and Lynne Phillips on vocals. Prior to Radio Birdman's European tour Johnny Kannis recorded three tracks with Radio Birdman members Ron Keeley, Warwick Gilbert and Chris Masuak plus Charlie Georges at Trafalgar Studios and released two as
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