Bughouse (band)
| Company type | Independent band |
|---|---|
| Industry | Music |
| Founded | 1989 |
| Founder | Peter Brookes |
| Defunct | 1994 |
| Headquarters | Sydney , Australia |
| Products | Indie rock music, albums, singles |
Bughouse was an independent indie rock ensemble originating from Sydney, active between 1989 and 1994, with tours primarily along Australia's East Coast.
1989–1991: Origins and initial phase
In 1989, drummer Peter Brookes established Bughouse initially as a recording endeavor, enlisting Lea Cameron (vocals), Steve Campbell (guitar), and Genevieve Maynard (bass). Their first live appearance occurred on 27 May 1989 at Sydney's Hopetoun Hotel. Early performances were concentrated at venues such as the Hopetoun, Annandale, Lansdowne, and the Sandringham hotels, alongside university campuses.
Their first single, "V for Vendetta"/"Burn it Back," produced by Damien Lovelock of The Celibate Rifles and featuring pianist Louis Tillett (Wet Taxis), was released through their own Ursula label. The track received significant airplay on Triple J and reached number six on the Australian Independent Charts. ABC TV created a video for the song that aired on Rage. Additionally, the band recorded a Live at the Wireless session for Triple J.
Bughouse followed up with the self-titled Bughouse EP, engineered by John Hresc at Powerhouse Studios. Containing four songs—"Tax Stamp," "Bruce's Song," "Salad Days," and "One More Thing"—the EP climbed to number four on the Australian Independent Charts. These early releases showcased the band's distinctive and diverse musical style.
Building on their initial success, Bughouse secured a deal with Mushroom Records' White Label. Their debut full-length album, Every Fool in Town, was recorded within ten days, produced by Lovelock and engineered by Tony Espie. The album featured guest musicians Amanda Brown (The Go-Betweens) and James Cruickshank (The Cruel Sea). It garnered favorable reviews from critics and topped the Australian Independent Charts. A music video was produced for the single "Hell for Leather."
1992–1994: Bardo and Fink Tank
Bughouse maintained an active touring schedule across Australia, performing alongside notable domestic and international artists including Crowded House, Hoodoo Gurus, Hunters & Collectors, Yothu Yindi, Concrete Blonde, and Bob Dylan.
Following Every Fool in Town, drummer Peter Brookes left the group and was succeeded by Nick Fisher (Wet Taxis, New Christs).
In 1992, they issued the EP Bardo, titled after the Tibetan Book of the Dead, symbolizing the band's transitional phase amid record label delays. This five-track release included a music video for "Brightest Firework".
After parting ways with Mushroom Records, their final album Fink Tank appeared in 1994 via Mushroom Distribution Services to critical acclaim, with Rolling Stone describing it as a "screaming surprise packet". Recorded by Tim Powles and mixed by Paul McKercher, the album featured a video for "Fathom" and led to an appearance on ABC TV's Live & Sweaty.
Bughouse’s concluding live show took place on 4 October 1994 at Sydney’s Annandale Hotel.
Albums and EPs
| Release | Year | Label | type |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bughouse | 1989 | Ursula | EP |
| Every Fool in Town | 1990 | Ursula/Mushroom | Album |
| Bardo | 1992 | Ursula/MDS | EP |
| Fink Tank | 1994 | Ursula | Album |
Singles
| Release | Label | Format | Year |
|---|---|---|---|
| "V for Vendetta" | Ursula Records | Single | 1989 |
| "V for Vendetta" | Ursula/Waterfront | Reissued single | |
| "Somebody To Love" | Ursula/Mushroom | 12" single | 1990 |