Morris Glen (g) 1989,1991-1995 Kings Of The Sun, Bloodshot, Monk
Newman Andy (b,k) 1996-present ME 262, Trans 262, Howling Commandos, Party Bores, Rattlesnake Shake
Peno Ron (v) 1981 Virgin Frog, Uncle Mils, The Hellcats, Frozen Stiffs, The 31st, Died Pretty, Naked Lunch, The Twinkies
Shepherd Murray (d) 1981-1984 The Aliens, The Phantom Agents, The Fun Things, The Myth, The Four Horsemen, Hydrosaurus, Harpoon, The Monarchs, Lime Spiders
Silver Jeff (b,bv) 1989-1996 Somebody's Sister, Volcanoes, Radio Luxemburg
The Screaming Tribesmen was a band formed in Brisbane by Mick Medew, John Hartley & Murray Shepherd. They took the Australian independent scene by storm with a series of singles on Citadel Records. Their earliest hit "Igloo" was penned by Medew and Died Pretty frontman Ron Peno.
The "Vampyre" EP reigned at the top of the Australian independent charts for over 40 weeks, while the band toured constantly in support. The follow up "Top of the Town" EP released on the boutique Rattlesnake Records label saw a change in direction for the band as it morphed into the sound of their first full length release "Bones and Flowers".
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"Ive Got A Feeling" - Rage - 1988
The band toured the US on the strength of the album and at home they enjoyed a run of Australian Alternative 1 hits as well as gaining Stateside attention with regular airplay on the US College Radio circuit. Their 1988 single "I've Got a Feeling" featured heavily on US MTV's 120 Minutes, hitting 1 on the KROQ charts in LA and 7 on Billboard's modern rock chart.
There's nothing tribal about the sound of these Aussies, and they don't scream either. Their music is full of pop-song harmonies, including "oohh" and "ahh" background singing, jangle chords and repeated refrains. From beginnings as a post-Ramones punky ensemble (on the first four-track EP), they've gone through an assortment of members and sonic textures but all of their releases have been exercises in good old pop-rock. Move a Little Closer, a compilation of the band's first two Australian singles ("Igloo" and "A Stand Alone") could easily mix and match with a stack of mod-revival albums, while the squealier and grungier guitar chords of Date with a Vampyre (also four songs) nudge their sound closer to garage territory.
Top of the Town contains six songs by a new lineup that reveals an ongoing transition towards more mainstream pop-rock. "You Better Run" is the most impressive track, and a fair precursor to the excellent Bones + Flowers. The album launches the Tribesmen into a new international league, offering richly played rock-melody songwriting (by ex-Radio Birdman guitarist/pianist/producer Chris "Klondike" Masuak and singer/guitarist Mick Medew) that's got all the needed attributes for major stardom. Standouts: a new version of "Igloo," the wittily '60sish "Our Time at Last," the peppy Anglo-popping "Dream Away" and the Rockpiling "Living Vampire." The CD has two bonus tracks.
Despite the album's appeal and high commercial prospects, nothing much came of Bones + Flowers. By the time of the disappointing 1989 12-inch (five songs, including covers of Lou Reed and the Dictators), Medew was the only member remaining from the LP's lineup.
David Virgin interviewed by Warhol Superstar Joe Dallesandro in June Issue of Hollywood's Punk Globe Magazine OUT NOW (With David Virgin on Front Cover! Click Pic' to read
This may or may not sound odd, i dunno.. but when the Tribesman, H&C and Big Pig played at Melbourne Uni (i think) way back in the 80s, I started chanting "All Hail The Tribesmen!" all the way through the Big Pig set (much to the annoyance of the singer) over and over and over.. No kidding.. Its a misquoted lyric from a song i cant recall, possibly by Radio Birdman, but it sounds like they are singing "all hail the tribesmen".. Not saying it was my chant that gave them the idea to call their album that, it just strikes me as odd.. thats all..
Thank you for the add. I know im probably bias, but werent 80's Australian bands so much better than what was on offer from America or Britain. I mean give me The Tribesman, The Riptides, The Birthday Party or Midnight Oil over Duran Duran, Culture Club or God help them and us all Tears For Fears. Cya
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