Beasts of Bourbonwere an Australianblues rockband formed in August 1983, withJames Bakeron drums (ex-Hoodoo Gurus,The Scientists),Spencer P. Joneson guitar (The Johnnys),Tex Perkinson vocals (Dum Dums),Kim Salmonon guitar and Boris Sujdovic on bass guitar (both ex-The Scientists). Except for mainstays Jones and Perkins, the line-up changed over time as the group splintered and reformed several times. Their debut album,The Axeman's Jazzwas released in July 1984. Their debut single, "Psycho", was a cover version of theLeon Payneoriginal. The group disbanded by mid-1985 and each member pursued other musical projects.
Beasts of Bourbon | |
|---|---|
 Beasts of Bourbon at theBig Day Out,Perth,in February 2006 | |
| Background information | |
| Origin | Sydney,New South Wales,Australia |
| Genres |
|
| Years active | 1983–1985,1987–1993,1996–1997,2003–2008,2013–2018 |
| Labels | Green/Big Time,Red Eye,Polydor,Universal,Spooky,Alberts,Bang! |
| Spinoffs | The Cruel Sea,Kim Salmon and the Surrealists,The Beasts |
| Spinoff of | The Scientists,Salamander Jim,Hoodoo Gurus,The Johnnys,The James Baker Experience |
| Past members | See "Members" |
| Website | myspace |
They reformed in 1987 and issued a second album,Sour Mash,in December 1988 onRed Eye Records.According to rock music historian,Ian McFarlane,it "virtually redefined the parameters of guitar-based rock'n'roll. The Cramps-influenced swamp-rock of old had been discarded for a more adventurous slab of gutbucket blues and avant-garde weirdness. Perkins' voice had matured into an authentic blues growl". Their fifth studio album,Gone(January 1997), reached the Top 50ARIA Albums Chart.They released their seventh and final studio album,Little Animals(21 April 2007) onAlbert Productions,which also peaked in the Top 50.
History
edit1983–1985: Beginnings
editBeasts of Bourbon were formed in August 1983 by vocalistTex Perkinsto fulfil bookings for his previous band, Tex Deadly and the Dum-Dums, and began playing in small Sydney venues.[1]The initial version of the group wasJames BakerofHoodoo Guruson drums,Spencer P. JonesofThe Johnnyson guitar,Kim Salmonon guitar and Boris Sudjovic on bass guitar: both ofThe Scientists.[1][2][3]This line-up was featured on the band's first album,The Axeman's Jazz,which was recorded during October 1983 in a single eight-hour session for $100 byTony Cohen.Also in 1983Richard Ploog(former member ofThe Church) joined the band for a short time on drums as a side project. In January 1984 the line-up of Jones, Perkins, Sujdovic, Brett Rixon on drums and Tony Thewlis on guitar (both from The Scientists) played gigs in Perth.[1]In July that year the album was issued on Green Records and according to Australian rock music historian,Ian McFarlane,"it remains a classic of Australian garage/swamp rock. It was the best-selling Australian alternative album for 1984. It also went on to sell over 30000 copies in Europe".[1]A cover ofLeon Payne's "Psycho" was issued as a single in July, which was a hit on alternative radio and became the best selling Australia alternative single for 1984.[1]The previous line-up fell apart in March when The Scientists left Australia to tour overseas; fill-ins includedStu SpasmofLubricated Goat,Zulu Rattle and Salamander Jim on bass guitar; andBrad Shepherdof Hoodoo Gurus on guitar.[1][2]By early 1985 the line-up of Baker, Perkins, Spasm (now on lead guitar) and Spencer, were joined by Graham Hood (The Johnnys) on bass guitar.[1][2]Although the album became an underground success, the band was largely a side project for its various members and Beasts of Bourbon disbanded by June that year.[1]Perkins worked with Salamander Jim and various other projects, Jones had The Johnnys, and Salmon and Sujdovic had The Scientists.[1][3]Baker tried a self-named group, The James Baker Experience, backed by Perkins and Spasm and joined byRoddy Radalj(The Scientists, Hoodoo Gurus) on guitar and vocals.[1]The ensemble released a one-off single in June 1985 and promptly separated.[1]
1988–1993:Sour MashtoThe Belly of the Beasts
editIn March 1988 Beasts of Bourbon reconvened after both The Johnnys and The Scientists had disbanded. The line-up of Baker, Jones, Perkins, Salmon and Sujdovic recordedSour Mashwith audio engineer and producer, Phil Punch (The Mexican Spitfires).[1][2]The album appeared in December onRed Eye Records,with McFarlane declaring that it "virtually redefined the parameters of guitar-based rock'n'roll.The Cramps-influencedswamp-rockof old had been discarded for a more adventurous slab of gutbucket blues and avant-garde weirdness. Perkins' voice had matured into an authentic blues growl ".[1]Allmusic's Skip Jansen found "[a] raw blues-rock album with post-punk afflictions... dream come true for fans of the Australian rock and garage punk... [with] the blistering slide-guitar-driven sound, the band does a fine job of re-creating the sound of a twisted night out at the pub".[4]Their cover of "Hard Work Drivin' Man" (original byRy CooderandJack Nitzsche) was issued as a single in November, which became a number-one independent hit single.[1]In August 1989 they followed up with another independent number-one single, "Hate Inside",[1]which was written by Jones and Perkins.[5]By that time, Perkins was also performing irregularly as a member ofThe Cruel Sea.[6]
Beasts of Bourbon toured Europe and then released a third album,Black Milk,in July 1990.[1]Jansen was disappointed "it pales by comparison to the two previous albums" although it was "a fine album of lurching blues-driven rock".[7]In Germany they issued a non-album single, "You Let Me Down" / "Blanc Garçon", the tracks appeared on the German version of the album,[2][8]Jansen felt these "two cuts surpass anything on [Black Milk] ".[7]By February 1991, Baker and Sujdovic were replaced by Brian Henry Hooper on bass guitar and Tony Pola on drums – both from Salmon's new band,The Surrealists.[1][2]Beasts of Bourbon undertook their Kick Arse Australian tour.[1]The line-up of Hooper, Jones, Perkins, Pola and Salmon recorded the group's fourth album,The Low Road,withTony Cohenproducing.[1][2]McFarlane saw it was "brimming with urgency, surrealism, atmosphere, myth, illusion and honesty, but above all, hard-nosed rock riffs".[1]While Jansen described their "straighter, less garage punk sound" although "it proved a little tough to get the live energy of a performance to tape".[9]The Low Roadfeatured "Chase the Dragon" – which relates toheroin smuggling– a "blistering... nefarious delight".[1]
Beasts of Bourbon performed at the inauguralBig Day OutSydney concert in January 1992 and followed with another tour of Europe.[1]In January 1993 a double album of live tracks and rarities,The Belly of the Beasts - Live '91 & '92 and Shit We Didn't Put Out the First Time,was issued to celebrate the group's tenth anniversary.[1][10]Also in '93 came the sheet music songbookTen Years Behind Bars,which boasted an introduction byClinton Walker.[11]The band played the second Big Day Out in 1994, which had expanded into a series of concerts to four Australian capital cities, and then toured Europe again.[1][10]Following the tour, Salmon – with Hooper and Pola – left the group to concentrate on The Surrealists while Perkins focused on The Cruel Sea, which was achieving success with their albumThe Honeymoon Is Over(May 1993).[10]Jones joined various projects and released his debut solo album,Rumour of Death(November 1994).[3]
1996–2012: Later years
editIn September 1996, Beasts of Bourbon reformed with Hooper, Jones, Perkins and Pola joined by formerDivinyls' memberCharlie Owen– also inTex, Don and Charliewith Perkins – on guitar.[1][2]In January 1997 they releasedGoneprior to another appearance on the Big Day Out series.[1][2]The album reached theARIA Albums ChartTop 50.[12]Gonereceived lukewarm reviews, but produced a single, "Saturated". The group's 1997 live performance at theEsplanade Hotelwas recorded – five tracks appeared as a bonus disc on their 1999 compilation,Beyond Good and Evil.However, by the end of 1997 the group had dissolved again.[1][2]
In late 2003, they reformed and recorded a live album,Low Life,which was released onSpooky Recordsin August 2005.[2][13]In 2006, they reformed to play in the Big Day Out around Australia andNew Zealand.In late December 2006, Albert Productions signed an exclusive worldwide recording deal with the band, and they released a new album,Little Animals,on 21 April 2007. Perkins declared "Alberts label releases have been a huge influence on the Beasts of Bourbon, so to be signed to this legendary label is not only a great honour and the start of an exciting new chapter in the bands history, it feels like... destiny". The album peaked in the Top 50.[12]The group played with Australian bands and artists at the Rockin' for Rights concert, which protested the Workchoices legislation. In April 2008 after a show inBerlinthe group cancelled their remaining tour dates and ended the band.[14]
In 2012 the group announced plans to reunite the original line-up for a one-off gig at the 2013 AustralianAll Tomorrow's Partiesmusic festival in mid-February.[15][16]In January 2013 Jones worked in his band, Nothing Butts, with Baker andThe Drones' membersGareth Liddiardand Fiona Kitschin;[17]while Perkins fronts Tex Perkins & the Apes with Gus Agars (Dark Horses with Perkins) on drums andRaúl Sánchez(Magic Dirt) on guitar.[17]
2013–present: 30th anniversary and The Beasts
editIn August 2013, Beasts of Bourbon played a series of shows in Sydney and Melbourne to celebrate their first 30 years.[18]The three shows in each city featured alternate lineups for each night with James Baker and Tony Pola sharing drumming, Boris Sujdovic and Brian Hooper swapping as bass player and Kim Salmon and Charlie Owen rotating on guitar. As it has been for the history of the band, Jones and Perkins are the only persistent members. A triple live album30 Years On Borrowed Timewas released to coincide with the live shows.
The group returned in 2019 with the name of The Beasts. The name change was made out of respect for Spencer P. Jones and Brian Hooper, who both died in 2018. The band released a new albumStill Herewhich included contributions from Jones before his death.[19]The band completed an Australian tour in November and December 2019 withAdalitain support.[20]The line up for the tour was Tex Perkins, Charlie Owen, Tony Pola, Kim Salmon and Boris Sujdovic. In December 2020, The Beasts Of Bourbon were listed at number 42 inRolling Stone Australia's "50 Greatest Australian Artists of All Time" issue.[21]
In May 2023, The Beasts announced two shows under the banner of "The Beasts Be Suburban" to celebrate the 40th anniversary of Beasts of Bourbon's formation.[22]
Members
edit- Spencer P. Jones– guitar, backing vocals(1983–1985, 1988–1993, 1996–1997, 2003–2008, 2013; died 2018)
- Tex Perkins– lead vocals(1983–1985, 1988–1993, 1996–1997, 2003–2008, 2013, 2019-2024)
- Boris Sujdovic – bass guitar(1983–1985, 1988–1990, 2013)
- James Baker– drums(1983–1984, 1984–1985, 1988–1990, 2013, 2023-2024)
- Kim Salmon– guitar, harmonica, backing vocals, slide guitar(1983–1984, 1988–1993, 2013, 2019-2024)
- Brett Rixon – drums(1984; died 1993)
- Tony Thewlis – guitar(1984)
- Graham Hood – bass guitar(1984–1985)
- Stu Spasm– guitar(1984–1985)
- Brian Henry Hooper – bass guitar(1990–93, 1996–1997, 2003–2008; died 2018)
- Tony Pola – drums(1990–93, 1996–97, 2003–2008, 2019; died 2021)
- Charlie Owen– guitar(1996–1997, 2003–2008, 2019-2024)
Discography
editStudio albums
edit| Title | Album details | Peak chart positions |
|---|---|---|
| AUS [1][2][23][24] | ||
| The Axeman's Jazz |
|
- |
| Sour Mash |
|
- |
| Black Milk |
|
142 |
| The Low Road |
|
85 |
| Gone |
|
49 |
| Little Animals |
|
44 |
| Still Here (asThe Beasts) |
|
- |
Live albums
edit| Title | Album details | Peak chart positions |
|---|---|---|
| AUS [1][2][23] | ||
| From the Belly of the Beasts |
|
85 |
| Low Life |
|
- |
| 30 Years on Borrowed Time |
|
- |
Compilation album
edit| Title | Album details |
|---|---|
| Beyond Good & Evil - The Best of The Beasts of Bourbon |
|
Extended plays
edit| Title | EP details | Peak chart positions |
|---|---|---|
| AUS [24] | ||
| Just Right |
|
121 |
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.Retrieved10 April2012.Note: Archived [on-line] copy has limited functionality.
- Specific
- ^abcdefghijklmnopqrstuvwxyzaaabacMcFarlane,'Beasts of Bourbon'entry. Archived fromthe originalArchived9 August 2004 at theWayback Machineon 20 April 2004. Retrieved 21 January 2013.
- ^abcdefghijklmHolmgren, Magnus; Penkie, Henkie."Beasts of Bourbon".Australian Rock Database.Passagen (Magnus Holmgren). Archived fromthe originalon 27 September 2013.Retrieved21 January2013.
- ^abcMcFarlane,'The Johnnys'entry. Archived fromthe originalon 9 August 2004. Retrieved 22 January 2013.
- ^Jansen, Skip."Sour Mash– Beasts of Bourbon ".AllMusic.Retrieved22 January2013.
- ^"'Hate Inside' at APRA search engine ".Australasian Performing Right Association(APRA).Retrieved22 January2013.
- ^Nimmervoll, Ed."The Cruel Sea".Howlspace.White Room Electronic Publishing Pty Ltd. Archived fromthe originalon 21 February 2001.Retrieved22 January2014.
- ^abJansen, Skip."Black Milk– Beasts of Bourbon ".AllMusic.Retrieved22 January2013.
- ^Miles, Richard (21 April 2002)."Beasts of Bourbon Discography".Richard Miles. Archived fromthe originalon 25 September 2006.Retrieved22 January2013.
- ^Jansen, Skip."The Low Road– Beasts of Bourbon ".AllMusic.Retrieved22 January2013.
- ^abcLewis, Jonathan."Beasts of Bourbon".AllMusic.Retrieved22 January2013.
- ^"Beasts of Bourbon".Clinton Walker.Retrieved24 April2018.
- ^abHung, Steffen."Discography The Beasts of Bourbon".Australian Charts Portal. Steffen Hung. Archived fromthe originalon 1 September 2013.Retrieved22 January2013.
- ^"Low Life– Beasts of Bourbon ".AllMusic.Retrieved22 January2013.
- ^Teague, Marcus (22 April 2008)."Beasts of Bourbon beat themselves up again".The Vine.Archived fromthe originalon 30 December 2012.Retrieved22 January2013.
- ^"ARP Launch I'll Be Your Mirror Melbourne w/ The Drones, My Bloody Valentine, GY!BE".All Tomorrow's Parties.9 August 2012.Retrieved22 January2013.
- ^Roberts, Jo (10 August 2012)."All Tomorrow's Parties Returns to Melbourne".The Age.Retrieved22 January2013.
- ^ab"A Flaming Good Time Had by Falls: The Beasts Are Back".The Age.4 January 2013.Retrieved22 January2013.
- ^"Beasts Of Bourbon Plan Six Shows With Three Different Line Ups ♫ Late…".Archive.today.24 August 2013. Archived fromthe originalon 24 August 2013.Retrieved24 April2018.
- ^Condon, Dan (17 February 2019)."The Beasts – Still Here".Double J.Retrieved2 January2020.
- ^"The Beasts and Adalita team up for Australian tour".Double J.5 August 2019.Retrieved2 January2020.
- ^50 Greatest Australian Artists of All Time – #42: The Beasts Of Bourbon.Adalita,Rolling Stone Australia,3 February 2021. Retrieved 3 February 2021.
- ^Varvaris, Mary."Beasts Of Bourbon Announce Two 40th Anniversary Aus Tour Dates".theMusic.au.SCG Media.Retrieved4 August2023.
- ^ab"Discography".Beasts of Bourbon Official Website. Archived fromthe originalon 12 November 2001.Retrieved23 January2013.
- ^ab"Bubbling Down Under Week Commencing 10 February1992".Bubbling Down Under.Retrieved11 February2023.