Artists/Bands [S]
Scamp to Shearwater ……. 1.
Shooting School to Shoot the DJ ……. 2.
Jo-Ann Simmons to John Solomons
Some Trippin’ Diggers to Preston Stahlut ……. p.4.
Pete Stanley to Sundown ……. p.5.
JO-ANN SIMMONS
(1961 – ) [aka Jo-ann Djubal]
- Bands: Shoot the DJ [above] ▪ Some Trippin’ Diggers [below]
- Industry: Clayz Kitchen (co-owner)
Poet/lyricist/sound and lighting/set design
As a writer Jo-Ann Simmons’ work has appeared in a number of publications. Her creative output over the years has ranged from poetry and song lyrics to short stories and reviews. Although born in Sydney Simmons’ was largely raised in Darwin, Northern Territory. From 1981 to 1984 she resided in Armidale, first as a student at the Armidale College of Advanced Education where she undertook, and later graduated with a teaching diploma, and later through her association with Shoot the DJ. During her time in the town Simmons also co-published a collection of verse titled Kind Threats (1983) with American poet Dennis A. Landy.
During her final year at A.C.A.E., Simmons was induced by Jon Anderson to operate the lighting and sound desk for Shoot the DJ’s early live shows. As both systems became ever more expansive she eventually focused on the band’s light show. Within a few months Simmons also began collaborating with Clay Djubal on some of the band’s original songs and stage designs. Although she once claimed that her worst poetry often made the best lyrics, the variant metres, themes and writing styles reflected in her poetry/lyrics during that period allowed Shoot the DJ greater opportunity to experiment with new musical directions and thereby evolve from its initial hippy/punk leanings towards a more intricate rock/pop/progressive sound. Simmons collaboration with Shoot the DJ continued when the band relocated to Sydney in 1984. She also contributed lyrics to a number of songs recorded by the creative collective Some Trippin’ Diggers. Her lyrics can be heard on the retrospective Shoot the DJ releases Mind-Driving and Cleared for Action (both 2008), and Some Trippin’ Diggers Paralytic with Intelligence (2023). One of her collaborations with Clay Djubal and Ross Stagg, “… And I Laugh,” also appears on the collective’s Larrikin Demofestos (2008).
Simmons and Djubal returned to Armidale in early-1987, having spent much of the previous year on the Gold Coast, and established the arts/literary cafe, Clayz Kitchen). The cafe’s demise and their separation coincided in late-1988. They were amicably divorced a few years later. In 1994 Simmons returned to live in Darwin, and has since spent many years on the North Queensland coast. She has also written reviews and articles under the name Joann Djubal for magazines such as Multihulls.
Shoot the DJ (Mk II). “Write and Stare” (1985 – from Mind-Driving).
Some Trippin’ Diggers. “… And I Laugh” (1985 – from Mind-Driving).
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“Write and Stare” and “…And I Laugh” written by Jo-ann Simmons (words) and Clay Djubal (music).
Source: Abstract derived from AustLit: The Australian Literature Resource. Images: Photo by Heather Grigg.
THE SNOGGS:
(1986-1988 ; 1993-1994)
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Personnel: Dorian James (guitar/vocals) ▪ Fraser Lumsden (bass/vocals, 1993-94) ▪ Mark Newton (drums/vocals) ▪ Bart Douglass (bass) ▪ Brad [*] (drums)
The first Snoggs line-up, although based out of Katoomba, comprised two former Armidalians, Doiran James and Barton Douglass who had moved to the area in 1986. The band enjoyed some success playing the Blue Mountains pub circuit for two years before disbanding in 1988. James resurrected the band with new bass player Fraser Lumsden and lead vocalist/drummer Mark Newton in 1993. Although this line-up quickly established itself as one of the Blue Mountain’s leading bands, internal difficulties led to it breaking up in 1994.
The Snoggs’ sound can be heard on a mini-LP recorded shortly before it disbanded for the second and final time. Although mostly covers the CD includes two of Doiran James’ originals – ‘Gotta Dance” and “I Could Have Danced All Night” (see the Doiran James entry to hear these songs or visit the NTMIA’s Music Hub: HGWT Releases page to hear the EP in its entirety).
The Snoggs. “Gloria” – from The Snoggs (1994).
The Snoggs. “Mustang Sally” – from The Snoggs (1994).
“Gloria” by Van Morrison (1964). “Mustang Sally” by Wilson Pickett (1967).
- Discography [pdf]
- For details relating to Bart Douglass see Bart Black
Source: Doiran James (interview/correspondence, 2009).
JOHN SOLOMONS
- Bands: The Inmates
Originally from Perth John Solomons was associated with several bands before moving to Armidale in the mid to late-1970s. Among the Perth bands he played with were Rockbottom and Armageddon. He also played with Dave Warner some time prior to the formation of Dave Warner’s From the Suburbs. Shortly after arriving in Armidale Solomons joined David Morris, Simon Morgan and Peter Newell in forming The Inmates. Preston Stahlut [below] later replaced Morris. Solomons’ whereabouts after the band broke up have not yet been ascertained.
Have Gravity Will Threaten 