Like most bands, Australia's
Hoodoo Gurus were largely the product of their influences; unlike most bands, however,
the Hoodoos channeled their inspiration from the vast entirety of the American pop cultural landscape, drawing on such disparate sources as B-movies, bad sitcoms, and junk food -- in tandem with the usual suspects like garage rock, power pop, and surf -- to create a distinctly kitschy and catchy sound. Formed in Sydney in 1981,
Le Hoodoo Gurus (as they were originally dubbed) were led by singer/songwriter
Dave Faulkner, who along with drummer
James Baker previously served as a member of the short-lived Perth punk unit
the Victims (best known for the autobiographical single "Television Addict"). Ex-
Scientist Rod Radalj and
Kimble Rendall rounded out the group's initial lineup, and their unique sound (three guitars, no bass) -- along with
Faulkner's infectious songs -- quickly earned them a record deal. After issuing the 1982 debut single "Leilani," both
Radalj and
Rendall quit, and were replaced by former
Super-K guitarist
Brad Shepherd and bassist
Clyde Bramley.
In 1983,
the Hoodoo Gurus (having dropped the French article) recorded their excellent debut record,
Stoneage Romeos; dedicated to luminaries like F-Troop's Larry Storch and Green Acres' pig Arnold Ziffel, the album offered such trash-pop treats as the single "I Want You Back," "In the Echo Chamber," and "I Was a Kamikaze Pilot."
Mark Kingsmill replaced
Baker in 1985, leaving
Faulkner the band's sole founding member. He responded by writing an even stronger batch of tunes for 1985's college radio smash
Mars Needs Guitars!, an album highlighted by the superb single "Bittersweet" and marked by a widening scope that touched base with demented hillbilly humor ("Hayride to Hell") and crazed surf ("Like Wow -- Wipeout").
With 1987's
Blow Your Cool,
the Hoodoos appeared poised for the big time; their tourmates,
the Bangles, even contributed to the singles "What's My Scene" and "Good Times." However, the album failed to register beyond alternative radio, and
Bramley exited, replaced by onetime
Divinyl Rick Grossman. Released in 1989,
Magnum cum Louder didn't fare much better -- although the singles "Come Anytime," "Another World," and "Baby Can Dance" all garnered significant airplay -- while 1991's
Kinky featured "Miss Freelove '69," a smirking look at flower-power romance that was the latest in a long line of near hits. After a three-year hiatus,
the Hoodoo Gurus returned with the harder-edged
Crank, produced by
Ed Stasium;
Blue Cave followed in 1996.
In 1998,
the Gurus announced they were splitting up, and the career-spanning compilation
Ampology was issued in 2000. Two years later,
Dave Faulkner,
Brad Shepherd, and
Mark Kingsmill were working together again as members of the garage-influenced
the Persian Rugs, and in 2004, after
Faulkner had reworked "What's My Scene" from
Blow Your Cool as a theme song for an Australian football team, the band reunited (with Rick Grossman returning on bass), staging a successful tour down under and releasing a new album,
Mach Schau. In 2009
the Hoodoo Gurus inked a deal with Sony Music Australia, resulting in their ninth full-length album, 2010's
Purity of Essence.
–
Jason Ankeny, Rovi