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The Hitmenare an Australianhard rockband formed in November 1977 by long-term members, Johnny Kannis on lead vocals and Chris Masuak on lead guitar asJohnny and 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) andMoronic Inferno(November 1991). The Hitmen reformed in 2007; Masuak left in 2015.
The Hitmen | |
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| Origin | Sydney, New South Wales, Australia |
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| Past members | seeMembers |
History
edit1977–1983: early years,HitmenandIt Is What it Is
editThe Hitmen were formed in November 1977 in Sydney by Warwick Gilbert to maintain 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 inRadio Birdman), Johnny Kannis on lead vocals, Ron Keeley on drums and Chris Masuak on lead guitar (both also in Radio Birdman).[1][2]Kannis and Masuak had been bandmates in the Jackals from 1974 to 1975 alongside Rubin Acosta, Archie Archilles, Alf Azzopardi and Steve Willman.[2]
According to Kannis, the Jackals were "a school band that Chris Masuak and I started while we were in year 10 [with a] Maltese rhythm section."[3]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".[3]Masuak joined Sydney-based punk rockers Radio Birdman in October 1976 alongside Gilbert and Keeley.[2][4]Kannis 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.[1]
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.[1]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 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.[1][2]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.[1][2]In September Gilbert was asked join on guitar.[1]
The Hitmen were signed toWEAin March 1979 and released their debut single, "Didn't Tell the Man", in July of that year.[1][2]By that time Hay was replaced by Geoff Peterkin (ex-Ol' 55) until August whenMark Kingsmilljoined on drums (ex-the Hellcats, the Other Side).[1][2]Soon after Sommerville left, Gilbert switched back to bass guitar and Tony Vidale joined on guitar.[1][2]A second single, "I Want You", appeared in March 1980.[1][2]
In December 1980 the band entered the studio to record their debut self-titled album, which was released in the following July, withMark Opitzas producer (AC/DC,the Angels,the Reels).[1][2]Vidale had been replaced on guitar byBrad Shepherd(ex-Fun Things,31st) during the recording sessions – Shepherd re-recorded the guitar parts.[1][2]Susan Moore ofThe Australian Women's Weeklydescribed the group as "keeping the riotous rock flag flying with a crystal clear production... The songs are well-crafted although it's 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."[5]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 the band's fierce live reputation."[1]
Whilst signed to WEA and MMA management the group toured with international acts Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers, The Stranglers and Steppenwolf.[1] 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).[1][2]Early in 1982 the group left WEA and signed toRCA Records:they released their second album,It Is What It Is(November 1982), which was produced by Bruce Brown andRussell Dunlop.[1][2]Shepherd had already left, a month earlier, to joinHoodoo Gurusand the Hitmen continued as a quartet.[1]According to McFarlane "[they] continued to draw big crowds on tour, but could not sell records. Consequently, RCA dropped The Hitmen and the band went into hibernation."[1]
WhenIggy Poptoured Australia in June 1983, Radio Birdman's singer,Rob Younger,was asked to provide his opening act.[1][6]Younger formedthe New Christswith three of the Hitmen: Kingsmill, Masuak and Robertson, as well as Kent Stedman on guitar (also inthe Celibate Rifles).[6]Kannis formed a soul music band, Johnny Kannis and the Night Train, during this hiatus. The line-up alongside Kannis 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).[1][2]In July 1983 Harris, Kannis and Phillips were all injured in a car accident while on tour; Kannis was hospitalised for months and that group broke up.[1][2]
1984–1989: first reformation andTora Tora DTK
editBy 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).[1][2]While on tour they recorded a live album,Tora Tora DTK(November 1984), at theSt George-Budapest Soccer Cluband Family Inn byABCMobile with Ian Davies and Masuak producing.[1][2][7]Soon after the tour Kingsmill, Masuak and Robertson all joinedthe Screaming Tribesmenand the Hitmen disbanded.[1][2][8]
1989–1991: second reformation andMoronic Inferno
editKannis 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).[1][2]They issued a four-track extended play,U.E.L.A(initialism forUtopianEmotionalLoveAura) via Survival Records in November 1989, which was produced by Masuak.[1][2]During 1990 they toured Australia co-headlining with Voodoo Lust, andPeter Wells' group, Heart Attack, as support.[1]
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 the Surfin' Caesars).[1][2]They recorded a studio album,Moronic Inferno(November 1991), inAustin, Texas,with Andy Bradley and Masuak co-producing.[1][2]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 titledTonight We Ride![9]In December of 1991 they toured Australia opening for US rock group, Dark Carnival (seeRon Asheton), but they broke up early in the following year.[1]
2007–present
editThe 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.[10]Re-issues ofHitmen(November 2007),[11]It Is What It Is(2007) andTora 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 andDestroy All Monsterssinger-visual artist,Niagara,at The Crest Hotel,Sylvania,was recorded and released asSt Valentine's Day Massacrein October 2009 via Savage Beat/Shock Recordsin Australia and US label, Steel Cage, around the world.[12]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 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-the Psychotic Turnbuckles). They continued to tour during 2018.[13]
Members
editTimeline
edit
- Peter Banesevic: Guitar
- Gye Bennetts: Drums (1989)
- Clyde Bramley: Bass (1978)
- Alan Brown: Drums (1978)
- Charlie Georges: Guitar (1977–78)
- Warwick Gilbert: Bass, Guitar (1977–78, 1981)
- Steve Harris: Keyboard, Guitar (1978)
- Ivor Hay: Drums (1978–79)
- Richard Jakimyszyn: Guitar, Vocals (1984)
- Tony Jukic: Guitar (2007–present)
- Johnny Kannis: Vocals (1977–present)
- Ron Keeley: Drums (1977)
- Mark Kingsmill:Drums, Vocals (1979–84)
- Chris Masuak:Guitar, Vocals (1976–2015)
- Angie Pepper: Vocals (1977–78)
- Geoff Peterkin: Drums (1979)
- Lynne Phillips: Vocals (1978)
- Tony Robertson: Bass, Vocals (1982–86, 2007– )
- Brad Shepherd:Guitar (1981–82)
- Murray Shepherd: Drums (2007– )
- Phil Somerville: Bass (1978–79)
- Tony Vidale: Guitar (1979–81)
- Robert Sattler: Guitar (1987–91)
- Vince Wiz Cuscuna:Guitar (2016–)
- Gerard (Sundance) Presland
- Drums 1990–1993 (moronic inferno)
Discography
editStudio albums
edit| Title | Album details | Peak chart positions |
|---|---|---|
| AUS [14] | ||
| Hitmen | 67 | |
| It Is What it Is |
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81 |
| Moronic Inferno |
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Live albums
edit| Title | Album details |
|---|---|
| Tora Tora DTK |
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| St. Valentine's Day Massacre (with Niagara) |
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| Live Action |
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Compilation albums
edit| Title | Album details |
|---|---|
| 78-82 |
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| Dancing Time '78-'79 |
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| Kicks Right Now: Demos & Out-Takes |
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| Solid as a Rock: The Best of The Hitmen |
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EPs
edit| Title | Album details |
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| U.E.L.A. |
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| Six Pistols |
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Singles
edit| Year | Title | Peak chart positions | Album |
|---|---|---|---|
| AUS[14] | |||
| 1979 | "Didn't Tell the Man" / "I Am the Man" | 75 | |
| 1980 | "I Want You" " | 98 | Hitmen |
| 1981 | "I Don't Mind" / "Rock & Roll Soldier" | — | Hitmen/Tora Tora D.T.K. |
| 1982 | "Everybody Knows" / "Dancin' Time" | — | Tora Tora D.T.K. |
| "Bwana Devil" / "Didn't Wanna Love You" | — | ||
| 1991 | "Surfing in Another Direction" | — | Moronic Inferno |
References
edit- General
- McFarlane, Ian(1999)."Whammo Homepage".Encyclopedia of Australian Rock and Pop.St Leonards, NSW:Allen & Unwin.ISBN1-86508-072-1.Archived fromthe originalon 5 April 2004.Retrieved23 June2017.Note: Archived [on-line] copy has limited functionality.
- Specific
- ^abcdefghijklmnopqrstuvwxyzaaabacadMcFarlane,'The Hitmen'entry. Archived fromthe originalon 3 August 2004. Retrieved 23 June 2017.
- ^abcdefghijklmnopqrstuvAustralian Rock Databaseentries:
- The Hitmen/Hitmen D.T.K. (1977–84, 1989–92):Holmgren, Magnus; Georgieff, Didier; Weld, Henry; Regan, Craig; Bennetts, Gye."The Hitmen/Hitmen D.T.K."Australian Rock Database. Archived from the original on 30 December 2003.Retrieved15 July2024.
{{cite web}}:CS1 maint: unfit URL (link) - Johnny Kannis (1977–84, 1989–92):Holmgren, Magnus."Johnny Kannis".Australian Rock Database. Archived from the original on 3 March 2004.Retrieved23 June2017.
{{cite web}}:CS1 maint: unfit URL (link) - Chris Masuak (1977–84, 1989–92):Holmgren, Magnus."Chris Masuak".Australian Rock Database. Archived from the original on 29 December 2003.Retrieved23 June2017.
{{cite web}}:CS1 maint: unfit URL (link) - Brad Shepherd (1981–82):Holmgren, Magnus."Brad Shepherd".Australian Rock Database. Archived from the original on 2 January 2004.Retrieved23 June2017.
{{cite web}}:CS1 maint: unfit URL (link) - Deniz Tek (1991):Holmgren, Magnus; Whyte, Tony."Deniz Tek".Australian Rock Database. Archived from the original on 10 March 2004.Retrieved23 June2017.
{{cite web}}:CS1 maint: unfit URL (link)
- The Hitmen/Hitmen D.T.K. (1977–84, 1989–92):Holmgren, Magnus; Georgieff, Didier; Weld, Henry; Regan, Craig; Bennetts, Gye."The Hitmen/Hitmen D.T.K."Australian Rock Database. Archived from the original on 30 December 2003.Retrieved15 July2024.
- ^abKannis, Johnny."Johnny Kannis Story".Radio Birdman Official Website. Archived fromthe originalon 16 August 2016.Retrieved24 June2017.
- ^McFarlane,'Radio Birdman'entry. Archived fromthe originalon 9 August 2004. Retrieved 23 June 2017.
- ^Moore, Susan (29 July 1981)."TV and Entertainment World – Moore on Pop".The Australian Women's Weekly.Vol. 49, no. 8. p. 169.Retrieved24 June2017– viaNational Library of Australia.
- ^abMcFarlane,'The New Christs'entry. Archived fromthe originalon 3 August 2004. Retrieved 25 June 2017.
- ^Lenny, Fletski (November 1984).Tora Tora DTK(album insert). The Hitmen. ABC Records (Australian Broadcasting Corporation(ABC)). p. 3. L-38240.
- ^McFarlane,'Screaming Tribesmen'entry. Archived fromthe originalon 3 August 2004. Retrieved 26 June 2017.
- ^"Hitmen D.T.K.* With Special Guest Deniz Tek – Tonight We Ride! (Official Bootleg Release Live In Sydney: 13 November 1991)".www.discogs.com.13 November 1991.Retrieved11 November2024.
- ^The Barman (1 November 2007)."The Barman talks to the Hitmen about their 2007 reunion at the I-94 Bar".I-94 Bar.Archived from the original on 27 May 2016.Retrieved27 June2017.
{{cite web}}:CS1 maint: unfit URL (link) - ^Rabid, Jack."Hitmen[2007] – Hitmen | Songs, Reviews, Credits ".AllMusic.Retrieved27 June2017.
- ^Deming, Mark."St. Valentine's Day Massacre– Niagara & the Hitmen | Songs, Reviews, Credits ".AllMusic.Retrieved27 June2017.
- ^"Concerts: Hitmen DTK".Suburban.Sydney.June 2017.Retrieved27 June2017.
- ^abKent, David(1993).Australian Chart Book 1970–1992(illustrated ed.). St Ives, N.S.W.: Australian Chart Book. p. 139.ISBN0-646-11917-6.