Dynamic Hepnotics
| Company type | Band |
|---|---|
| Industry | Music |
| Founded | 1979 in Sydney, Australia |
| Founder | Robert Susz |
| Defunct | 1986 |
| Headquarters | Sydney , Australia |
| Products | Soul, blues and funk music |
Dynamic Hepnotics was an Australian band specializing in soul, blues, and funk, established in Sydney in 1979 by lead singer "Continental" Robert Susz. They gained notable commercial recognition with their 1984 single "Soul Kind of Feeling", which reached the top 5, followed by the 1985 track "Gotta Be Wrong (Way to Love)" that entered the top 20. Their album Take You Higher climbed into the top 20 on the Australian Albums Chart by June 1985. In 1986, "Soul Kind of Feeling" received the APRA Music Award for 'Most Performed Australasian Popular Work'.
History
The group originated in Sydney in 1979, featuring Tim Martin on saxophone, Manuel Patty handling bass, Richard Ruhle on drums, Andrew Silver playing guitar, and Robert Susz as vocalist and harmonica player. Early shows included performances at Arthur's nightclub in Potts Point. By May 1980, they had released a four-track EP titled Shakin' All Over through Mambo Records. At this stage, Bruce Allen (saxophone), Allen Britton (bass), and Robert Souter (drums) had joined the lineup. In September 1981, the band released the single "Hepnobeat" after signing with Missing Link Records. Jim Niven from The Sports contributed organ parts on this single, and television host Jonathan Coleman briefly appeared on piano.
August 1982 saw the release of a six-track EP, Strange Land, produced by Ross Wilson under Missing Link Records. The band also contributed music to the soundtrack of the 1983 film Going Down. By 1984, Dynamic Hepnotics had secured a contract with Mushroom Records' White Label imprint and performed at the Narara Music Festival. Their single "I'll Make You" was issued in May 1984. Their most successful single, "Soul Kind of Feeling", reached number 5 on the Australian Kent Music Report Singles Chart in October.
In early 1985, they put out Live (also known as The Dynamic Hepnotics Live), an album featuring live studio recordings of original songs and covers. Keyboardist Mike Gubb joined during this time. The subsequent single "Gotta Be Wrong (Way to Love)" hit the top 20 in May, while their album Take You Higher entered the top 20 albums chart in June. Later that year, lineup changes included Dave Brewer replacing Andrew Silver on guitar; Mark Simmonds taking over saxophone duties from Bruce Allen; and Peter Bishop joining on trumpet.
Their last single, "On Our Way Now", was released in March 1986 and charted within the top 100. Additional personnel shifts involved Duncan Archibald replacing Robert Souter on drums, Chris Pascoe succeeding Mike Gubb on keyboards, and Lloyd Swanton taking over bass from Allen Britton. The band dissolved before the close of 1986.
After disbandment
In 1988, Robert Susz formed The Mighty Reapers, a stylish soul and R&B group including Archibald, Brewer, and Ruhle. They released three albums: The Mighty Reapers (1993), Trouble People (1994), and The Hurt Is On (1997). Susz later became part of Continental Blues Party. Bruce Allen collaborated or toured with acts such as The Allniters, Eurogliders, The Eddys, Glenn Shorrock, Doug Parkinson, and Ross Wilson; he currently performs with Sydney-based groups including The Layabouts, The Bellhops, and The Hollywood Hombres. Mike Gubb has worked with Australian bands like Mental As Anything, Ganggajang, The Whitlams, and Dog Trumpet. Lloyd Swanton founded jazz trio The Necks in 1987 alongside Chris Abrahams and Tony Buck. Dave Brewer joined The Catholics—formed by Swanton in 1991—and now plays with Perth blues ensemble The Doodaddies; he also released a solo album titled Life of Riley in 2008. Richard Ruhle performs with Seriously Cool, a Sydney jazz quartet. Robert Souter is associated with Mental As Anything, while Duncan Archibald plays with Sydney’s The Moods.
In 2015, four founding members—Susz, Souter, Britton, and Brewer—reunited for two performances under the Dynamic Hepnotics banner at both the Caloundra Music Festival and the final Great Southern Blues and Roots Music Festival held near Narooma.
Albums
| Album Title | Release Information | Highest Chart Positions |
|---|---|---|
| AUS | ||
| Live |
|
66 |
| Take You Higher |
|
30 |
Compilation albums
| Compilation Title | Release Details |
|---|---|
| Hepnobest |
|
Extended plays
| EP Title | Release Details |
|---|---|
| Shakin' All Over |
|
| Strange Land |
|
Singles
| Year | Single Title | AUS Peak Position |
|---|---|---|
| 1981 | "Hepnobeat" | - |
| 1984 | "I'll Make You" | - |
| "Soul Kind of Feeling" | 5 | |
| "Gotta Be Wrong (Way to Love)" | 20 | |
| 1985 | "Whenever You're Ready" | - |
| "Believe Me" | - | |
| 1986 | "On Our Way Now" | 86 |
Countdown Australian Music Awards
The Countdown program was a prominent Australian music television show broadcast on ABC-TV from 1974 to 1987, which hosted music awards during the years 1979 to 1987. These awards combined votes from both the public and industry professionals.
| Year | Work | Award Category | Outcome |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1984 | "Soul Kind of Feeling" | Best Single | Nominated |
Band personnel
Lead vocals, harmonica
- Robert Susz (1979–1986)
Guitarists
- Andrew Silver (1979–1986)
- Dave Brewer (1986)
Bass guitarists
- Manuel Patty (1979)
- Vickie Kenny (1979–1980)
- Allen Britton (1980–1986)
- Lloyd Swanton (1986)
Drummers
- Richard Ruhle (1979–1980)
- Robert Souter (1980–1986)
- Duncan Archibald (1986)
Saxophonists
- Tim Martin (1979–1980)
- Bruce Allen (1980–1985)
- Mark Simmonds (1985–1986)
Trumpet player
- Peter Bishop (1985–1986)
Keyboard players
- Mike Gubb (1985–1986)
- Chris Pascoe (1986)