Formed in 1983, the Beasts have become something of an Australian indie "supergroup", the only constant being the vocals of Tex Perkins (Cruel Sea, The, Salamander Jim).
The original line up included Perkins, Guitarists Spencer P. Jones (Johnnys, The) and Kim Salmon (Scientists, The (2), Kim Salmon And The Surrealists), Bassist Boris Sudjovic (Scientists, The (2), Dubrovniks) and Drummer James Baker (2) (Hoodoo Gurus, Dubrovniks).
The alcohol fuelled, swampy blues of The Beasts was instantly popular, particularly on the festival circuit, and their first LP "The Axeman's Jazz" (recorded allegedly in one afternoon with 3 cases of beer and a bottle of scotch) was a huge indie success.
Since then The Beasts have recorded 5 other studio LPs, (the best of which were probably the 1988 "Sour Mash" and 1990 "Black Milk" ) but have always been essentially a side project with a revolving membership. Some of those who have been Beasts at some point include:
Tony Thewlis (Scientists, The (2))
Brett Rixon (Scientists, The (2))
Brad Shepherd (Hoodoo Gurus)
Tony Pola (Kim Salmon And The Surrealists)
Richard Ploog (Church, The)
Brian Hooper (Kim Salmon And The Surrealists)
Mark Ferrie (Sacred Cowboys, Models (2))
Graham Hood (Johnnys, The)
Charlie Owen (Divinyls)
The Beasts took a break from playing live from 1997 but returned to play the "Big Day Out" series of festivals in January and February 2006 with a line up of Perkins, Jones, Hooper, Owen and Pola
The original line up included Perkins, Guitarists Spencer P. Jones (Johnnys, The) and Kim Salmon (Scientists, The (2), Kim Salmon And The Surrealists), Bassist Boris Sudjovic (Scientists, The (2), Dubrovniks) and Drummer James Baker (2) (Hoodoo Gurus, Dubrovniks).
The alcohol fuelled, swampy blues of The Beasts was instantly popular, particularly on the festival circuit, and their first LP "The Axeman's Jazz" (recorded allegedly in one afternoon with 3 cases of beer and a bottle of scotch) was a huge indie success.
Since then The Beasts have recorded 5 other studio LPs, (the best of which were probably the 1988 "Sour Mash" and 1990 "Black Milk" ) but have always been essentially a side project with a revolving membership. Some of those who have been Beasts at some point include:
Tony Thewlis (Scientists, The (2))
Brett Rixon (Scientists, The (2))
Brad Shepherd (Hoodoo Gurus)
Tony Pola (Kim Salmon And The Surrealists)
Richard Ploog (Church, The)
Brian Hooper (Kim Salmon And The Surrealists)
Mark Ferrie (Sacred Cowboys, Models (2))
Graham Hood (Johnnys, The)
Charlie Owen (Divinyls)
The Beasts took a break from playing live from 1997 but returned to play the "Big Day Out" series of festivals in January and February 2006 with a line up of Perkins, Jones, Hooper, Owen and Pola
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