Richard Ploog
Encyclopedia
Richard John Ploog from Adelaide
, South Australia is an Australian drummer
and songwriter who was a member of rock band The Church
between 1981 and 1990. Ploog also drummed for Beasts of Bourbon
in 1983, Damien Lovelock
in 1988 and with fellow The Church member Peter Koppes
in 1991 for an album and tour.
, South Australia. As a drummer
, he joined various bands including, The Name Droppers, The Brats and Exhibit A. In early 1981, at the age of 18, he replaced The Church
's founding drummer, Nick Ward. In April the band released their debut album, Of Skins and Heart
and the associated single, "The Unguarded Moment", which had been recorded late the previous year with Ward. Ploog's first recording with The Church was the five-track double single, "Too Fast for You" released in July. When Of Skins and Heart was released internationally (Carrere for Europe, Capitol
for North America) it was re-titled as The Church with "Tear It All Away" replacing original track "Fighter Pilot...Korean War". On early record covers of The Church, Ploog was incorrectly credited with all the drumming—Ward is not listed.
Aside from drumming, Ploog also contributed song writing to The Church's releases. He also became involved in various side projects. Firstly, with Beasts of Bourbon
as a drummer in 1983 and then performing with its members, Tex Perkins
on vocals and Kim Salmon
on guitar and harmonica, as Salamander Jim in February 1984. He worked on The Celibate Rifles
' vocalist Damien Lovelock
's debut solo album, Wig Wig Wig Wig World in 1988. Ploog left The Church after recording their seventh album, Gold Afternoon Fix
which was released in February 1990. He was replaced by Jay Dee Daugherty
(ex-Patti Smith Group
). Ploog joined The Church member Peter Koppes
' group The Well to tour and record From the Well (1990) and Iridescence (1991). Ploog has also drummed for The Wigmen, The Deadly Hume and Funkicide.
Adelaide
Adelaide is the capital city of South Australia and the fifth-largest city in Australia. Adelaide has an estimated population of more than 1.2 million...
, South Australia is an Australian drummer
Drum kit
A drum kit is a collection of drums, cymbals and often other percussion instruments, such as cowbells, wood blocks, triangles, chimes, or tambourines, arranged for convenient playing by a single person ....
and songwriter who was a member of rock band The Church
The Church (band)
The Church is an Australian rock band formed in Sydney in 1980. Initially associated with new wave and the neo-psychedelic sound of the mid 1980s, their music later became more reminiscent of progressive rock, featuring long instrumental jams and complex guitar interplay...
between 1981 and 1990. Ploog also drummed for Beasts of Bourbon
Beasts of Bourbon
Beasts of Bourbon was an Australian alternative rock band formed in 1983, with a line-up that has changed as the band splintered and reformed several times - Beginnings :...
in 1983, Damien Lovelock
Damien Lovelock
Damien "Damo" Lovelock is an Australian musician who is also a sports broadcaster and writer.-Music career:Lovelock first came to fame as the lead singer and songwriter for the Sydney hard rock band The Celibate Rifles.-Sports:...
in 1988 and with fellow The Church member Peter Koppes
Peter Koppes
Peter Koppes is a guitarist and founding member of Australian independent rock band The Church. As well as his contributions to The Church, he has also released several solo albums....
in 1991 for an album and tour.
Biography
Richard John Ploog was born on 29 October 1962 and is from AdelaideAdelaide
Adelaide is the capital city of South Australia and the fifth-largest city in Australia. Adelaide has an estimated population of more than 1.2 million...
, South Australia. As a drummer
Drum kit
A drum kit is a collection of drums, cymbals and often other percussion instruments, such as cowbells, wood blocks, triangles, chimes, or tambourines, arranged for convenient playing by a single person ....
, he joined various bands including, The Name Droppers, The Brats and Exhibit A. In early 1981, at the age of 18, he replaced The Church
The Church (band)
The Church is an Australian rock band formed in Sydney in 1980. Initially associated with new wave and the neo-psychedelic sound of the mid 1980s, their music later became more reminiscent of progressive rock, featuring long instrumental jams and complex guitar interplay...
's founding drummer, Nick Ward. In April the band released their debut album, Of Skins and Heart
Of Skins and Heart
Of Skins and Heart is the debut album by Australian alternative rock band The Church. It was released in April 1981 by EMI/Parlophone records and reached No. 22 on the Australian Kent Music Report Albums Chart. It is the only album to feature founding member Nick Ward on drums and is largely...
and the associated single, "The Unguarded Moment", which had been recorded late the previous year with Ward. Ploog's first recording with The Church was the five-track double single, "Too Fast for You" released in July. When Of Skins and Heart was released internationally (Carrere for Europe, Capitol
Capitol Records
Capitol Records is a major United States based record label, formerly located in Los Angeles, but operating in New York City as part of Capitol Music Group. Its former headquarters building, the Capitol Tower, is a major landmark near the corner of Hollywood and Vine...
for North America) it was re-titled as The Church with "Tear It All Away" replacing original track "Fighter Pilot...Korean War". On early record covers of The Church, Ploog was incorrectly credited with all the drumming—Ward is not listed.
Aside from drumming, Ploog also contributed song writing to The Church's releases. He also became involved in various side projects. Firstly, with Beasts of Bourbon
Beasts of Bourbon
Beasts of Bourbon was an Australian alternative rock band formed in 1983, with a line-up that has changed as the band splintered and reformed several times - Beginnings :...
as a drummer in 1983 and then performing with its members, Tex Perkins
Tex Perkins
Tex Perkins is an Australian singer-songwriter, who is widely known for fronting the popular Australian rock-band The Cruel Sea, but has also performed with the Beasts of Bourbon, Thug, James Baker Experience, The Butcher Shop, Salamander Jim, and Tex, Don and Charlie. He has also released many...
on vocals and Kim Salmon
Kim Salmon
Kim Leith Salmon is an Australian indie rock musician and songwriter, who attained fame in June 2004, when he was inducted into the West Australian Music Industry Association Hall of Fame....
on guitar and harmonica, as Salamander Jim in February 1984. He worked on The Celibate Rifles
The Celibate Rifles
The Celibate Rifles are a punk rock band from Sydney, Australia.The band was formed in 1979 and released their first album Sideroxylon in April 1983 on the Hot Records label...
' vocalist Damien Lovelock
Damien Lovelock
Damien "Damo" Lovelock is an Australian musician who is also a sports broadcaster and writer.-Music career:Lovelock first came to fame as the lead singer and songwriter for the Sydney hard rock band The Celibate Rifles.-Sports:...
's debut solo album, Wig Wig Wig Wig World in 1988. Ploog left The Church after recording their seventh album, Gold Afternoon Fix
Gold Afternoon Fix
Gold Afternoon Fix, The Church's seventh studio album, and second on Arista, was released in February 1990. Meant to capitalize and build on the success of 1988's Starfish, the album saw considerable promotion upon its release...
which was released in February 1990. He was replaced by Jay Dee Daugherty
Jay Dee Daugherty
Jay Dee Daugherty is an American drummer and songwriter most known for his work with Patti Smith. As a member of the Patti Smith Group, he has been nominated twice to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.- Biography :...
(ex-Patti Smith Group
Patti Smith
Patricia Lee "Patti" Smith is an American singer-songwriter, poet and visual artist, who became a highly influential component of the New York City punk rock movement with her 1975 debut album Horses....
). Ploog joined The Church member Peter Koppes
Peter Koppes
Peter Koppes is a guitarist and founding member of Australian independent rock band The Church. As well as his contributions to The Church, he has also released several solo albums....
' group The Well to tour and record From the Well (1990) and Iridescence (1991). Ploog has also drummed for The Wigmen, The Deadly Hume and Funkicide.