Artists/Bands [I-J]

NB: If an individual’s Christian or surname is currently unknown this is indicated by an asterisk placed between brackets [*].

THE INMATES

(ca. 1978-1979)

The Inmates (L-R): Preston Stahlut, Peter Newall, John Solomons, Simon Morgan †

The Inmates’ reign as Armidale’s premiere punk band of the late-1970s may have only been brief, but was also hugely influential. The band was founded in February 1978 by Peter Newall and John Solomons. In an email to the NTMIA, Newall recalls that he had mentioned to Rod Gilette, manager of the University of New England Bistro, that he had formed a punk band (“it was wishful thinking”) and when Gilette booked the non-existent band to play the venue the very next weekend he had to round up a band quickly. “As was usual in those days,” says Newall, “I found everyone I needed hanging round the Armidale mall.”

The initial lineup, billed as Jack Hammer and the Inmates, comprised former Blue Max/Edge vocalist Simon Morgan; John ‘KK’ Solomons, drums and vocals; Peter Justin Newall (aka Jack Hammer) bass; and David Morris and Greg ‘Theo Rocks’ Woodland on guitars. The band rehearsed out at the Old Rockvale Pub (later owned by Jon Anderson), and made its debut at the UNE Bistro. The line-up changed shortly afterwards, however, when Morris went to New Zealand briefly and was replaced by Preston Stahlut. Morris later joined another Armidale punk-influenced band, Vice Squad. When Woodland left shortly afterwards the band stayed as a four-piece and shortened its name to The Inmates. As the only punk and hi-energy band in town at that time, it “burned pretty brightly” recalls Newall.

With Simon Morgan as frontman, and Stahlut on guitar The Inmates’ visual energy and musicianship effectively raised the bar to a new level. Solomons, the band’s driving force, had the most professional experience (having previously played with Dave Warner prior to the formation of Warner’s From the Suburbs), while Newall was the member most in tune with the punk ethos (despite coming from the British blues revival tradition). One of the band’s last Armidale gigs, for example, saw him slice himself up on UNE Bistro stage with a piece of broken glass he’d found on the stage – the blood streaming down his body as the band powered through its final numbers. Newly emerging hippy punk bands like Vice Squad took notice.

Simon Morgan and Pete Newall †

Typical of most regional bands, The Inmates played a mix of covers and originals, with the latter being written primarily by Stahlut and Newall. The covers included classics from the Stooges, Sex Pistols and Radio Birdman.

“The music was fast, loud and actually played quite well, particularly by Stahlut (arguably one of Armidale’s best-ever guitarists) and Solomons (a very hard-at-it but swinging drummer). Morgan was a fearless frontman, regularly leaping into the audience. Standout songs were ‘No Fun’, ‘Hand of Law’ and ‘God Save the Queen’ (Morgan: ‘Noooo  fuuuuuture for  youse fucken’ cunts’). A particular crowd favourite was a thunderingly fast version of Abba’s ‘Fernando’ titled, with typical wry humour, ‘Fuck You Fernando'” (ctd. Newall).

One of the band’s biggest gigs was Rock Fest ’78, a radio benefit concert put on at UNE’s Great Hall (15 Sept.). Headlined by Melbourne band Stiletto, the local contingent also included Constable Green and Moore and Patterson’s Curse.

Late in 1978 a horn section (comprising Robert Moss and Ian Reece on saxes) was added to the line-up. Some Saints material – notably “Know Your Product’, ” and songs of that type were also included in the repertoire. The band’s Bistro gigs were legendary, not least when fans Wayne Cockbain and Neville Lascar became involved.

In December 1978 The Inmates moved to Sydney where they attracted initial interest from Trafalgar Records. “Some gigs were played – at the Stage Door Tavern for example,” recalls Newall. “Some graffiti saying ‘Preston is God’ also appeared on walls round Surry Hills and Chippendale but The Inmates shortly broke up in January/February 1979 in a welter of drug and girlfriend difficulties.”

Simon Morgan and John Solomons soon afterwards linked up with Sydney musicians Craig Bloxom and Michael Wiley to form the short-lived R.A.F. It mutated into v Spy v Spy after the two ex-Inmates moved on. Solomons was replaced by former Armidale drummer, Cliff Grigg (on either his or Morgan’s recommendation), while Bloxom took over the frontman duties. Morgan’s minor classic “Dead Girls” appears on the The Spys’ first EP (although he remains uncredited). John Solomons, always the professional, went on playing. After moving to Newcastle (NSW) he established himself as a musical institution in the Hunter Valley region. He later lived in Tamworth (NSW). Preston Stahlut continued to reside in Sydney for some time before moving to Grafton (NSW) and then Newcastle. Peter Newall pursued a career as a Sydney barrister before joining the Australian ex-pat community, living first in the Ukraine, and then Japan. He has continued to perform live, mostly as a singer, while also establishing himself as an award-winning short story writer.

Sources: John Maxman, “Inmates Sadly Missed,” Letter, Neucleus (Armidale) 28 Mar. 1979, pp.5-6. • David Povey, “Inmates: The Kids are Alright,’ Neucleus (Armidale) 27 Oct. 1978, 14-15 (thanks to Fran Stahlut) • Newall, Peter. email (31 Jan. 2014). Clay Djubal. “Peter Newall.” AustLit: The Australian Literature Database (2014) [sighted 28/11/2023]  Images: Photos by David Povey (opp cit.).

IN SECT

TONY JAGGERS

DOIRAN JAMES

(1961 -)

Doiran James on drums with Vice Squad (ca. 1978)

Guitar/drums/banjo/bass/vocals/songwriter/producer.

David Morris (guitar) and Doiran James (drums) with Health Club (1979)

A multi-instrumentalist, proficient on drums, guitar and banjo among other instruments Dorian James is the third youngest of 10 siblings. He grew up in a musical environment, with most of his family taking up a musical instrument during their childhood, and after attending The Armidale School (TAS) he began to collaborate with other young musicians in the city. This eventually led to him co-founding seminal hippy punk bands Health Club (1978) and Vice Squad (1978-79) with Rod Clay,† David Morris and Dick Rummery (Health Club only). He and Clay also formed a songwriting partnership, with a number of their songs being recorded during the late-1970s at Muscle Music Studios (Armidale). Several became repertoire staples for not only Vice Squad but also several later bands, including Shoot the DJ – among them “Radical Boy” (aka “Put the Boy Down“), written in jest about David Morris, “You Can’t Do That,” “Christine Seventeen,” “Mayday” (also with Peter Stanley), “Lolita” and “Paralytic with Intelligence” (also with David Morris).

Following the departure of Clay and Morris to Sydney in early-1979, James decided to move from drums to guitar. With singer Bruce Jones [below] and drummer Pat O’Brien he formed Kordz, which went on to become one of New England’s more popular bands of the period. James reunited with Rod Clay several years later, putting together Crash Landing with Katoomba drummer Ashley Carroll. The band later recruited former Elsess rhythm guitarist, Jon Anderson. In 1983, after Clay and Anderson formed Shoot the DJ, James co-founded The Zip. With debutant singer Sue Sims on lead vocals The Zip was the only band in Armidale at that time fronted by a female.

In 1986 James moved from Armidale to Katoomba (NSW) and soon afterwards formed The Snoggs (as drummer) with fellow-Armidalian, Bart Douglass†† on guitar. A three piece unit, it played the Blue Mountains pub circuit until breaking up in 1988. During that period James and Douglas also performed as a duo. A recording of some covers was made in 1986 at the Some Trippin’ Diggers’ studio in Mona Vale (NSW). The Snoggs reformed in 1993 with a new line-up – James (guitar/vocals), Fraser Lumsden (bass/vocals) and Mark Newtown (drums/lead vocals). Although the new band quickly established itself as one of the Mountain’s leading bands, and eventually expanded its gig network into Sydney, internal difficulties led to it disbanding in the mid-1990s.

ca. 2007

James has worked with numerous musicians during the 1980s and 1990s, including Black and as an early collaborator with the Some Trippin’ Diggers collective.  His guitar playing can be heard on its 2008 release The Larrikin Demofestos. From 2007 until the early to mid-2010s he performed in the duo Classic Dry Reds with violinist Gustaw Szelski. The pair released one CD, Live at Mes Amis. James has recorded several albums worth of material since the 1990s but has not yet made these available. Several of his songs (and joint compositions) do appear on the Crash Landing retrospective Smiles from Nowhere (2023). His song “Blue” is also included on Some Trippin’ Diggers’ Paralytic with Intelligence (2024). Sometime during the mid-2010s James and his wife Barbara divorced and he soon afterwards moved to the regional Victorian city of Geelong. His musical activities since that time are presently unknown.

Crash Landing. “You Saved the Day.” (1982)

Some Trippin’ Diggers. “Blue.” (1985)

The Snoggs. “Gotta Dance.” (1994)

The Snoggs. “I Could Have Danced All Night.” (1994)

The Classic Dry Reds. “La Paloma.” (ca. 2004)  

Words/music: Doiran James except “La Paloma” (“The Dove”) by Sebastián Iradier (ca. 1860). The Snoggs EP can be accessed via the AVTA’s Music Hub 1 page.
james-doiran-zipWith The Zip (ca. 1985)
  • Discography [pdf]
  • See also Phil James (brother) [below]
Source: Clay Djubal (2009) • Doiran James (interview/correspondence, 2009, 2020). Images: Top photo courtesy of Clay Djubal • Bottom photo courtesy of Doiran James.
† See Clay Djubal ▪ †† See Bart Black.

PHIL JAMES

  • Bands incl. It’s Not Us ▪ Thunderheads

Guitar, keyboards, sound

Phil James’ association with the Armidale music scene dates back to the early-1970s when he and his friends frequented the Armidale Coffee House. Throughout the remainder of the 1970s he played with numerous local musicians and was involved in many parties and jam sessions. By the early 1980s he had formed a creative partnership with several musicians whose musical tastes had moved away from blues and psychedelic rock genres and towards reggae. Among these musicians were percussionist Phil Ferntree and bassist James Dacca. Together they formed the band It’s Not Us, which later morphed into Thunderheads. That band remained together for some five years, and found particular popularity within the Northern Tablelands and New South Wales North Coast hippie communities. They also played on a number of occasions in Tamworth.

James continued to be involved in numerous musical collaborations throughout the 1990s and early 2000s, and in his later years as been engaged as sound engineer for local Armidale bands like the Jug Addicts.

  • See also Dorian James (brother) [above]
Source: Phil James (interview, Aug. 2010).

AL JAPALJARRI

(aka Alan Oshlack / Alan Japaljari)

Alan Oshlack (ca. 1973)

Al Japaljarri’s association with Armidale is believed to have begun in the late-1960s when as Alan Oshlack he undertook a degree at the University of New England. Politically active and heavily involved in student affairs, he is recorded in Neucleus as having been a Student Representative Council (SRC) officer between ca. 1969/1970. Oshlack also established himself as a musician and singer of some note. In July 1972, for example, he teamed up briefly with fellow student Rod Noble to play as the support to American folk legend Phil Ochs and Ron Cobb (the US political cartoonist who had recently moved to Australia). It is possible that Oshlack and Noble were billed as “Motley” for this performance.

While it is not clear when Oshlack completed his studies he is believed to have either still been living in the Armidale area or was still associated with the city/university in some way in 1976. By that time, too, he had changed his surname to Japaljari (later Japiljarri). Saul Kibberman, in a review of the 1976 Split Enz concert at the University of New England (11 March), records that Japaljari had stepped in at the last moment to replace Liz Watters as the first support act on the bill. ‘[His] songs were strong in rhythm and texture and it is hoped that he will play the New England circuit more regularly this year,” he writes (17 Mar. 1976, 17).

In 1979 Japaljarri formed Suta Records as a means of releasing and promoting his own material. His first album, Soul on a Shoestring, also comprised two singles. The following year Japaljarri supported English singer/song writer Ralph McTell on his Australian tour. Best known for his song “The Streets of London,” McTell was then without a record deal (Warner Brothers had not renewed his contract and his own label, Mays Records, was still a year away). McTell’s Australian promoter, Ian Oshlack subsequently set up a deal with McTell’s manager/brother Bruce McTell to release the the newly-recorded “Song for Martin” (backed with “Promises”) on the Suta label. The company also held an option on McTell’s last Warner Brothers album Slide Away the Screen, and arranged a lease deal with PolyGram to distribute both the album and a single in Australia through Polydor.

Suta’s next release was a single by Timelords Inc (with Japaljarri on bass). Led by Bo Kaan (later Bo Kahn or Bo Deadly) the Timelords were a cult radical punk/ska/reggae/ rock band which played the New South Wales North Coast between 1986 and 1988. The band also gained some TV and radio exposure with a number of film clips. In 1990, Suta released a mini-LP cassette, Local Issues, by Al Japaljarri and the Komradz.

For further details regarding Al Japaljarri, Suta Records and the Ralph McTell connection see:

Sources: Kibberman, Saul. “Spellbound with Split Enz.” Neucleus (Armidale) 17 Mar. 1976, 17 • Neucleus (Armidale) various issues 1970-76) • Rod Noble (correspondence, Jan. 2010/Apr. 2010). Image: Alan Oshlack photo, Neucleus (Armidale) 29 Oct. 1974, 9 • Ralph McTell’s “Song for Martin” cover courtesy of the Ralph, Albert and Sydney: A Ralph McTell website (online) †

JOHN GRIGG QUARTET

(1979-80)

Shortly after the John Grigg Jazz Band [above] broke up in late-1978, John Grigg put together a four-piece pop/rock/jazz fusion ensemble, that some in the local industry as the ‘God Squad’ (in reference to Grigg’s immense size). The band built a strong following through gigs in a number of Armidale venues. It was also especially popular with the University of New England Bistro crowd. The John Grigg Quartet’s first established gig was at the Bistro on 2 May 1979 (although it may well have played elsewhere before that), while the 16 May gig at the same venue the following year may have been one of its last before disbanding.

Two of the members of the John Grigg Quartet, Rhonda Burchmore and Graham Wilson, were not from Armidale. Burchmore, then a 19 year old UNE theatre student, had been resident in the town since 1977. She moved to Melbourne in 1980 after completing her degree and soon afterwards began to establish herself as one of Australia’s popular ‘all-round’ performers of the 1980s and 1990s. Graham Wilson is believed to have spent only about a year in Armidale, having come to the town looking for employment opportunities through his brother, Ray Wilson (then a member of Aquarius). He returned to the Illawarra region in 1980 but shortly afterwards was invited to join the Four Kinsmen, a career move that went on to last several decades.

Sources: Brian Moore (interview, Aug. 2010) • Neucleus (Armidale) various issues 1979-1980.

JOHN JUDGE JAZZ BAND

(ca. 1975)

  • Personnel incl. John Judge ▪ Penny Judge

The John Judge Jazz Band is believed to have formed in 1975 at the University of New England, and probably comprised a mostly student line-up. Both John and Penny Judge were heavily involved in running the UNE Jazz Club in 1975. Towards the end of the previous year Penny Judge had also briefly taken on the position of Neucleus editor (the October-November issues).

While it is not clear how long the group remained together, and whether the line-up was regular or floating, it is known that Judge secured a regular Thursday night gig at the Galloping Grape wine bar/bistro during the year (and certainly by October).

Source: “Jazz.” Neucleus  (Armidale) Jan. 1975, 23.

BRUCE JONES

(ca. 1960 – )

Guitar/vocals

In 1975, while a student at Armidale High School Bruce Jones co-founded Elsess with Peter Kerr, Peter Makeham, David Lennon and Jon Anderson. Along with the Duval High-based Edge, Elsess was one of Armidale’s leading high school bands. Jones, who had a distinctive vocal and stage presence, later played with Peter Kerr in the pop/rock outfit, Kordz, with Doiran James [above]

Armidale High School (3rd Form, 1974). Bruce Jones: second row, far left. Peter Kerr: front row, second from left.
  • See also: Robert ‘Bob’ Jones (brother) [below]
Source: Clay Djubal (2010), Jon Anderson (2010) • Image source: Facebook “Armidale of Yesteryear (1974)” page (NB: 3rd Form in Australia is now known a Year 9). See also Peter Kerr entry for an Armidale High School photograph from 1977 (also with Bruce Jones).

ROBERT ‘BOB’ JONES

  • Bands: The Chooks ▪ Forever 15 ▪ Kelsey ▪ Le Club Nerd ▪ Manic Depression ▪ Midnight Flyers ▪ Silver Spuds ▪ Stunned Mullet

Guitar/vocals/flute/songwriter

Bob Jones’ parents immigrated to Australia from England in 1970 and almost immediately after settling in Armidale joined Manic Depression, one of two rock bands to form out of De La Salle Catholic College that year. Brian Moore recalls that Jones’ English ‘cool’ was as impressive as his record collection, and hence the decision to bring him in to the band, unfortunately at Michael Kregan’s expense). Between 1972 and 1976 Jones was guitarist/singer in the four-piece Kelsey (with Rocky Lane, James Arthur and Brian Moore). During that period Kelsey was arguably Armidale’s premiere band, and played at all the major venues in the town as well as touring to other regional centres.

James Arthur and Bob Jones

After Armidale Jones left Armidale for Sydney he fronted the band Stunned Mullet (1978-1980). Two of its singles included a Jones’ songs, the first being, “Changing Horses,” an A-side collaboration with two other members. It was followed a year of so later by Jones’ “I Want You a Lot” (which was backed by a cover of Michael Nesmith’s “Different Drum”). After the demise of Stunned Mulket Jones formed The Chooks with fellow-Armidalians Brian Moore and Kim Constable (both had previously played in Constable, Green and Moore). Of the two Sydney groups The Chooks arguably had the most popular following, particularly in inner city venues such as the Sandringham Hotel (Newtown) and the Oxford Tavern (Petersham). The band released at least one single, a cover of the Herman’s Hermits classic, “Something Good.” The B-side comprised a Bob Jones original, “Heads or Tails.”  Following the disbanding of The Chooks in March 1982 Jones formed Forever 15.

Kelsey at the 7 Brothers – L-R: Ron Lane, Brian Moore and Bob Jones (James Arthur out of shot)

Stunned Mullet. “Changing Horses.” (1978). Released as a single (A-side). Lead vocals by Bob Jones.

Stunned Mullet. “I Want You a Lot.” (ca.1980).  Released as a single (A-side). Lead vocals by Bob Jones. 

Stunned Mullet. “Different Drum.” (ca. 1980). Released as a single (B-side). Lead vocals by Felicity Whitelaw.

Stunned Mullet (Sydney, 1978)

The Chooks. “The Only Girl in the World For Me is My Mother.” (1986) Recorded live in the Blue Mountains (NSW) during the Chooks reunion gig. Lead vocals by Bob Jones.

With The Chooks (1986 reunion)

Words and music: Robert Jones, except “Changing Horses” (Paul Dorahy, John Halsey and Bob Jones), and “Different Drum” (Michael Nesmith, 1964). The live recording is taken from video footage of the gig, and is subsequently somewhat poorer in quality.
  • See also: Bruce Jones (brother) [above]
  • Discography [PDF file]
Source: Clay Djubal (2009) • Brian Moore (interview, Aug. 2010). Images: Photos courtesy of Brian Moore†

have gravity will threaten

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Northern Tablelands Music Industry Archive