The Hoodoo Gurus

Back in the bestest decade in history, there was a little Aussie band that could, the Hoodoo Gurus. In the latest in our where are they now series, we look at where the Hoodoo Gurus came from and where they are now.

Formed in Sydney in 1981, I was 11, a skinny kid with big bat ears, I was learning about music, Kiss were the rage, and this thing called music was growing in those ears, maybe that’s why they grew so big.

The Gurus had a string of pop hits from the mid to late ’80s, breaking into the US in the early ’90s. The Guru’s biggest hit was the pop “Song What’s My Scene”, released in 1987.

The Forming Of The Le Hoodoo Gurus

Founded in Sydney, three of the four founding members were from Perth. Dave Faulkner, Roddy Radalj, and Kimble Rendall assumed bass duties.

The three guitarists met at the end of a New Year’s Eve party in 1980. The Gurus had three guitar players and originally no bass. Their sound fused together Pop, Punk and American Trash, giving an almost surfer sound. Don’t believe me listen to Like Wipe Out.

The Hoodoo Gurus released their first single in 1982, “Leilani”. Not long after the release they dropped the Le and became “The Hoodoo Gurus”. Around this time Rendall left the band to pursue other talents. Rendall went on to be a successful career in film and was replaced by bassist Clyde Bramley.

Guitarist Radalj wasn’t happy when Randall left and also left the Gurus, replaced by Brad Shepherd. Next to leave was drummer James Baker, replaced by Mark Kingsmill. Another change happened in 1988 when Richard Grossman replaced Clyde.

There was one final change when James Baker was replaced by Nik Rieth in 2015.

The final lineup as of now is Dave Faulkner, Brad Shepherd, Richard Grossman and Nik Rieth, who continue playing to this day (2022). A number of the past and present members have had successful careers outside of the Gurus, but that’s a story for another time.

Break up and makeup

The Hoodoo Gurus had a hiatus from 1998 to 2003, this allowed the band to take on some side projects and come back refreshed. In 2007 were inducted into the ARIA hall of fame, by Roy and HG.

For two and a half decades the Hoodoo Gurus have consistently been one of the most inventive, lyrically smart and exciting rock’n’roll bands Australia has ever produced… along the way they’ve influenced an entire generation of bands which explains why the likes of You Am I, The Living End, Dallas Crane, Grinspoon and many others queued up a few years back to pay tribute to the band’s 1984 debut album, Stoneage Romeos‘.
ARIA

To date, the Hoodoo Gurus have released 10 Studio albums and over 40 Singles of which 8 were top 40 hits. their highest charting track What’s my Scene peaked at number 3.

If you want to know more about this great Aussie band head over to their website here.

As always, Like, Love, Share and follow. Until next time stay safe!