Slaughtermen (band)
Encyclopedia
The Slaughtermen are an Australian post-punk
alternative
southern gospel
group, formed in Melbourne
in 1984.
, Models
, Sacred Cowboys
), Pierre Jaquinot (guitar), Peter Linden (pedal steel) and Ian Stephen
(vocals, keyboards). Ferrie and Stephen were later joined by Andrew Pendlebury
(ex-The Sports
; lead guitar, vocals), Terry Doolan (ex-Sacred Cowboys; rhythm guitar, vocals), and Des Hefner (ex-The Birthday Party
; drums, vocals). The band's first single, "God's Not Dead" b/w "Jesus Saves White Trash", was released on the Au Go Go
label in 1986. This was followed with 1987's Still Lovin' You LP on the Cleopatra Records
label, and 1988's Melbourne, Memphis and the Mansion in the Sky LP on the Agape label. The Slaughtermen gained a following playing revved up versions of southern gospel songs and barroom country classics at inner city rock venues in Sydney and Melbourne between 1985 and 1988.
The band enjoyed a year's residency at the Rising Sun Hotel in Melbourne which built a fairly even following of believers and sceptics. Singer Stephen, only added to the mystique and/or confusion by purchasing a twenty five dollar Reverendship from a religious organization from out of the back pages of the National Enquirer. A nationally broadcast hour long live concert on Australia's ABC TV, cemented their unique place to this day, as Australia's first and only southern gospel group, albeit twelve thousand miles from the original source of inspiration, America's Deep South.
Pendlebury and Hefner left the band after the release of Melbourne, Memphis and a Mansion, and were replaced by Tony Thornton, (drums) and Martin Lubran (lead guitar and pedal steel).
After a lacklustre Sydney tour in 1988 the band ceased performing and released Jesus Can't Remember in April 1989 as a 12" EP. Later in 1989, Stephen formed the Ian Stephen Band and released solo material. In 1994 The Slaughtermen reconvened for a series of performances in Melbourne, and released a CD, Gospel Gold, on the Massive label in 1995. This 20 track disc featured live recordings of their gospel material culled from the Live Naturally album and various sound board recordings. In 1997, 2007 and 2009 the original members reformed for one-off concerts in Melbourne.
Post-punk
Post-punk is a rock music movement with its roots in the late 1970s, following on the heels of the initial punk rock explosion of the mid-1970s. The genre retains its roots in the punk movement but is more introverted, complex and experimental...
alternative
Alternative rock
Alternative rock is a genre of rock music and a term used to describe a diverse musical movement that emerged from the independent music underground of the 1980s and became widely popular by the 1990s...
southern gospel
Southern Gospel
Southern Gospel music—at one time also known as "quartet music"—is music whose lyrics are written to express either personal or a communal faith regarding biblical teachings and Christian life, as well as to give a Christian alternative to mainstream secular music...
group, formed in Melbourne
Melbourne
Melbourne is the capital and most populous city in the state of Victoria, and the second most populous city in Australia. The Melbourne City Centre is the hub of the greater metropolitan area and the Census statistical division—of which "Melbourne" is the common name. As of June 2009, the greater...
in 1984.
History
Founder members of The Slaughtermen were Rob Eastcott (piano), Mark Ferrie (bass guitar, vocals), Jans Friedenfelds (aka Johnny Crash, drums; ex-JABJAB
JAB was an Australian punk rock that band formed in Adelaide in 1976. The band's original lineup consisted of Bohdan X on guitar and vocals, Ash Wednesday playing bass guitar, synthesizer and tapes, and Johnny Crash on drums and vocals. The band took its name from the first initials of the...
, Models
Models (band)
Models were an alternative rock group formed in Melbourne, Australia, in August 1978 and went into hiatus in 1988. They are often incorrectly referred to as The Models. They re-formed in 2000, 2006 and 2008 to perform reunion concerts. "Out of Mind, Out of Sight", their only No. 1 hit,...
, Sacred Cowboys
Sacred Cowboys
Sacred Cowboys are an Australian post-punk rock band based in Melbourne and active in 1982-85, 1987-97 and since 2006.The band's lead singer and lyricist is Garry Gray. The current line-up includes: Spencer P. Jones ; Penny Ikinger ; Nick Rischbieth and; Stephan Fiddock . A special guest for shows...
), Pierre Jaquinot (guitar), Peter Linden (pedal steel) and Ian Stephen
Ian Stephen
Ian Stephen , is an Australian musician living in the USA.In 1984, with bass player Mark Ferrie, guitarists Terry Doolan and Andrew Pendlebury, and drummer Des Hefner, he formed the Slaughtermen in Melbourne, a mid eighties post-punk alternative Southern gospel group Ian Stephen (born in Armadale,...
(vocals, keyboards). Ferrie and Stephen were later joined by Andrew Pendlebury
Andrew Pendlebury
Andrew Pendlebury is an Australian, Melbourne based guitarist known for his membership of bands such as The Sports and Slaughtermen , as well as other projects and solo efforts.-Biography:...
(ex-The Sports
The Sports
The Sports were a popular Australian rock group that performed and recorded between 1976 and 1981.Based in Melbourne, Victoria, the group released a number of successful singles and albums. Their sound fitted well with both 1970s British pub rock bands and British New Wave...
; lead guitar, vocals), Terry Doolan (ex-Sacred Cowboys; rhythm guitar, vocals), and Des Hefner (ex-The Birthday Party
The Birthday Party (band)
The Birthday Party were an Australian rock band, active from 1973 to 1983.Despite being championed by John Peel, The Birthday Party found little commercial success during their career...
; drums, vocals). The band's first single, "God's Not Dead" b/w "Jesus Saves White Trash", was released on the Au Go Go
Au Go Go Records
Au Go Go Records is the name of a Melbourne, Australia based independent record label.It was founded by Bruce Milne and Philip Morland from a house in Brunswick Street, Fitzroy in 1979 and is now operated by Greta Moon....
label in 1986. This was followed with 1987's Still Lovin' You LP on the Cleopatra Records
Cleopatra Records
Cleopatra Records is a Los Angeles-based independent record label.- History :Founded in 1992 by Brian Perera, it specializes in gothic rock, hard rock, heavy metal and reissues of out-of-print music...
label, and 1988's Melbourne, Memphis and the Mansion in the Sky LP on the Agape label. The Slaughtermen gained a following playing revved up versions of southern gospel songs and barroom country classics at inner city rock venues in Sydney and Melbourne between 1985 and 1988.
The band enjoyed a year's residency at the Rising Sun Hotel in Melbourne which built a fairly even following of believers and sceptics. Singer Stephen, only added to the mystique and/or confusion by purchasing a twenty five dollar Reverendship from a religious organization from out of the back pages of the National Enquirer. A nationally broadcast hour long live concert on Australia's ABC TV, cemented their unique place to this day, as Australia's first and only southern gospel group, albeit twelve thousand miles from the original source of inspiration, America's Deep South.
"The Slaughtermen were, and still are, one of the most original bands ever to see the light of day in Australia." Mathew W. McPherson, Rolling Stone AustraliaRolling Stone AustraliaRolling Stone Australia is an Australian-based magazine devoted to music, politics, and popular culture that is published monthly, it is the Australian edition of the United States' Rolling Stone. Rolling Stone was initially released in Melbourne in May 1970 as a supplement in Revolution, an...
Pendlebury and Hefner left the band after the release of Melbourne, Memphis and a Mansion, and were replaced by Tony Thornton, (drums) and Martin Lubran (lead guitar and pedal steel).
After a lacklustre Sydney tour in 1988 the band ceased performing and released Jesus Can't Remember in April 1989 as a 12" EP. Later in 1989, Stephen formed the Ian Stephen Band and released solo material. In 1994 The Slaughtermen reconvened for a series of performances in Melbourne, and released a CD, Gospel Gold, on the Massive label in 1995. This 20 track disc featured live recordings of their gospel material culled from the Live Naturally album and various sound board recordings. In 1997, 2007 and 2009 the original members reformed for one-off concerts in Melbourne.
Members
- Rob Eastcott – piano (1984)
- Mark Ferrie – bass, vocals (1984–1987, 1989)
- Jans Freidenfelds – drums (1984)
- Pierre Jaquinot – guitar (1984)
- Peter Linden – pedal steel (1984)
- Ian StephenIan StephenIan Stephen , is an Australian musician living in the USA.In 1984, with bass player Mark Ferrie, guitarists Terry Doolan and Andrew Pendlebury, and drummer Des Hefner, he formed the Slaughtermen in Melbourne, a mid eighties post-punk alternative Southern gospel group Ian Stephen (born in Armadale,...
– vocals, piano, organ (1984–1989, 1994) - Andrew Pendlebury – guitar, vocals (1985–1987)
- Terry Doolan – guitar, vocals (1986–87, 1989)
- Des Hefner – drums (1986–1988)
- Martin Lubran – pedal steel, guitar (1989)
- Tony Thornton – drums (1989)
Singles
- "God's Not Dead"/"Jesus Saves White Trash" - Au Go GoAu Go Go RecordsAu Go Go Records is the name of a Melbourne, Australia based independent record label.It was founded by Bruce Milne and Philip Morland from a house in Brunswick Street, Fitzroy in 1979 and is now operated by Greta Moon....
(ANDA 046) (June 1986) - "Jesus Can't Remember"/"Jesus Can't Remember" (Instrumental) - Agape (April 1989)
Albums
- Live Naturally - CleopatraCleopatra RecordsCleopatra Records is a Los Angeles-based independent record label.- History :Founded in 1992 by Brian Perera, it specializes in gothic rock, hard rock, heavy metal and reissues of out-of-print music...
(1986) (Cassette) - Still Lovin' You - Cleopatra (CLP220) (1987)
- Melbourne, Memphis and a Mansion in the Sky Agape (1988)
- Gospel Gold - Massive (1995)
- Temptation - Endtime (30 May 2007)