When we get our time machine working, Adelaide 1977 is pretty far down our list of destinations to visit. Despite being home in the '60s to a vibrant beat scene, Adelaide seemed to have well and truly shot its load by the time punk reared its ugly head (in contrast to Brisbane whose relatively moribund '60s and early '70s scene gave way to a thriving 1977). Hopped up on goofballs in Rundle Street in 1977, and wanting to avoid hippie, folk and boogie rubbish, you didn't have a lot to choose from. Maybe Phantom, a lively pub rock band led by an AWOL American Vietnam deserter, Irving and the U-Bombs, or... Black Chrome.
It must be said that of all the original 1977 Aussie bands Black Chrome are the one most shrouded in mystery. The single remains unheard, uncomped (but not unloved) and the facts we can report are scant. The original lineup was Simon Stretton on vocals, Simon Dillon on bass and Andrew Griffiths on drums. By 1978 it was Mike Flash on bass, Tony Techno on drums and Simon Stretton on vocals. No guitarist is credited anywhere. Stretton resurfaced in Ungrateful Children around 1980 (one track on the 5MMM compilation). And, um, that's it.
So to the record, perhaps the most singular sounding of the first generation Australian punk records with its restrained fuzz, and strange (moaning?) backing vocals. It's in the lyrics where the punch is packed - cut out the lyric sheets below and sing along.
Tomorrow also released the Bohdan X 7" of course. Black Chrome and Bohdan (in JAB) shared stages in Adelaide in 1977. Of note were the Bijou concerts, a movie of which was shown at the 2010 Adelaide Fringe Festival - you can see a tantalisingly brief glimpse of Black Chrome at 00:40 at this promo clip. A DVD of the movie is available from Patrick O'Grady at PO Box 336, North Adelaide, SA 5006.
Australia's God
We Are Tomorrow
30 April update:
Thanks to an anonymous commenter for this video. Fantastic Black Chrome footage and interview, and an interesting insight into some radio's resistance to punk in Australia in 1977. When we wrote this post we were gonna link the phrase "boogie rubbish" to the great original clip of the 1976 Angels (who were from Adelaide). Note the slight similarity between the Australia's God intro and bridge (around 2:05-2:15 of the mp3) and the bedrock riff of Am I Ever Gonna See Your Face Again (around 0:10-0:20). Now notice the alarming similarity between the Black Chrome singer's collar and Doc Neeson's raised jacket collar!
11 comments:
Thanks for this one - at least you have some information! I bought the two Tomorrow singles at the same time; I am pretty sure it was a mail order from an ad in the music press, maybe RAM? I defintely got the Live At The Marryatville tape that way.
Steve
Would you believe a video on Adelaide and punk rock in 1977 - with some footage of Black Chrome!!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9iqEjxbrZss
Wow! Great clip, thanks!
Mike Flash and Tony Techno were Michael Hodson and Tony Lewis, bass player and drummer for the band Lucas Aaron. You will see the name Lucas Aaron in that same Bijou film promo clip. The "reformed" band shown there seems to consist of Lucas Aaron guitarist Paul Stacey with Tony Nirta and Kate Watson, as well as a drummer who I can't identify from that clip. Maybe I need to buy the DVD.
For anyone interested... there will be a BLACK CHROME reunion this weekend, Feb 25 at Enigma Bar on Hindley Street, featuring the original vocalist and a new backing band, as well as another Bijou movie: http://www.adelaidefringe.com.au/fringetix/bijou-hall-of-fame-movie/223813ab-033a-4ddb-be11-dab071e27f4d
Black Chrome are playing a reunion gig on 15 February 2013 at the Squatters Arms Hotel in Adelaide, with the equally legendary Grong Grong.
In the meantime a detailed & accurate description of late 1970's punk rock in Adelaide can be found in issue 67 of "DNA" fanzine - www.ozmusicbooks.com .
Iam The Uber Bijou Guru who booked Black Chrome for the Bijou Little Festival up at Crafers .JAB(Pronounced (Djarb) were the Lead Act.Audio recording of Black Chrome "can be heard on "Noblesse Oblige" The Late Johnny(Crash)Ash(Wednesday)Bohdan (Xero) were the Headliner.along with Prog Rock Lucas Aaron (Pre Punk)1977 in the Adelaide Music Scene was in Transistion. The three Bands Exist on the Tomorrow Records Compact Disc Bijou( Underground Adelaide Bands of the 1970's) Titled" Noblesse Oblige" few original CD copies left at Tomorrow Records PO 336, Post Office box ,North adelaide SA 5006 with the O'Grady Quest on the Cover. Peter Doley and Rufus Red (also heard on "Noblesse Oblige" AKA Pop Gun Men AKA X Ray Z .The Z's can be heard on the Melbourne Albumn now reissued Compact Disc on Suicide Weapons released in 1978,it also Features JAB, there is of course Nick Cave, Sean Kelly, who teamed up with Ash and Johnny Crash as Founding Members of Highly Successful Models.So alot of good things come out of Adelaide SA. Pioneers of Punk Feb 2014 Fringe at the Ed Castle was Professionally recorded by Lisa Lane- Collins, The Audio Turned in to a Vinyl !12 inch Pressing, featuring Bohdan X, Black Chrome. UBOMBS and Perdition it will be Launched at the Edinburgh Castle Hotel 233 Currie, On 18th of October plus compact disc included, $25 Admission on entry you recieve The Pioneers of Punk Vinyl /CD Package, as a Bonus. 9.30 pm start presented by Mercenary Promotions/Bijou Concerts/Tomorrow Records.also released through Tomorrow Records The Bijou Movie (D.V.D.) Excerpts from the Reunion Concert?CD Launch June 10 2001. plus a rejigged Noblesse Oblige Compact Disc included)Bohdan and Johnny Fredenfelds(Crash) performed to what English Music Magazine" "Uncut" Reviewer Sept 20114 Issue "to a sparsley packed Hall."Andrew Muellerthat was released in 2010,Available at Po. Box 336, North Adelaide 5006. The Bijou Hall of fame Movie released 2012 (D.V.D) has a reformed live performance of Black Chrome (David Bunney Of Exploding White Mouse)on drums,Tom on Rythm and Lead Guitar.Stretton on Bass and Vocals.Precious Memories featuring James Lloyd Erstwhile Bassist for X Ray Z, Clare Moore of the Dave Graney show on Drums, the Late James Tizard on Rythm (Daygoes, Spikes, Haggards)Henry Manetta on Vocals(of Henry Manetta and the Trip)Angela Darlington on Congas(Beige SA, Mercenary Promotions Head Honcho)Yours Truely Patrick O'Grady on SG Gibson Precious Memories were the House Band, Black chrome Released amn EP Compact Disc Black Chrome Recorded Live at Fowlers.still available thru Tomorrow Records, Orders for the Latest Pioneers of Punk 12 inch Vynill Featuring "Black Chrome" "Bohdan X""Perdition" "UBombs, it will be available in all good Melbourne and Adelaide record Stores Late October.2014
Black Chrome will be guests of Perdition who are presenting at The Gaslight Tavern, Chief Street Brompton on Saturday 10th. January 2015, there will be a third band. Perdition went off like a Rocket at the Pioneers of Punk Vinyl Record Launch in October 2014. Black Chrome will be road testing new Material at the January the Tenth January Gaslight Gig
Thanks for all the information! Unfortunately, after all this time since the above posts, I can't access the links because they have become broken. Can I get any more links about Black Chrome and whether or not they will be having another reunion this year in 2015? I would also like to find out where I can get the DVD / album if they still have any. Many thanks!
The Pioneers of Punk LP is available at Magil Road Big star.
Interesting to think that former punk Simon Stretton went to St Peters College and is now a District Court judge...
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