Exploding White Mice
| Company type | Band |
|---|---|
| Industry | Music |
| Founded | 1983 in Adelaide, Australia |
| Defunct | April 1999 |
| Headquarters | Adelaide , Australia |
| Products | Punk-pop music, studio albums, EPs, singles |
Exploding White Mice was a punk-pop group originating from Adelaide, Australia, established in 1983. The original lineup featured Paul Gilchrist on vocals, Andy MacQueen handling bass, Gerry Barrett on guitar, Craig Rodda playing drums, and Giles Barrow on rhythm guitar. In 1984, Jeff Stephens took over guitar duties from Barrett and later assumed lead vocal responsibilities. By 1985, David Bunney replaced Rodda as the drummer. Their discography includes four studio albums: Brute Force and Ignorance (1988), the self-titled Exploding White Mice (1990), Collateral Damage (1992), and We Walk Alone (1994). The band completed two European tours prior to their dissolution in April 1999.
1983–1999
The band was formed in Adelaide in 1983 initially as a cover ensemble, comprising musicians from local groups such as The Deviants and Del Webb Explosion. Their name was inspired by a scene from the 1979 film Rock 'n' Roll High School. Their musical style drew heavily from acts like The Ramones, Radio Birdman, MC5, and American garage punk bands of the 1960s. Following a successful early performance, Giles Barrow joined to play rhythm guitar. In 1984, Jeff Stephens replaced Gerry Barrett on guitar.
Transitioning from covers to original compositions, the group added David Bunney on drums in 1985 and released a six-song EP titled A Nest of Vipers through Greasy Pop Records, with production by Kim Horne. The track "Down on the Street" featured on Greasy Pop’s compilation album An Oasis in a Desert of Noise. This EP was honored as the best Australian record of the year by Sydney's RAM magazine in 1986. In the United States, it was issued under the title In the Nest of Vipers via Bigtime Records; however, financial difficulties with the label hindered royalty payments.
During 1986 and 1987, Exploding White Mice toured extensively across Australia's major cities and released singles such as "Blaze of Glory" in 1987. Their first full-length album, Brute Force and Ignorance, came out in August 1988 after being recorded at Soundtrack Studios with Kim Horne producing. Shortly before this release, Giles Barrow departed and was succeeded by Dave Mason; Mason was later replaced by Jack Jacomos in 1989.
In 1990, they embarked on a European tour and released a self-titled album combining studio recordings with live performances on Normal Records. Following Paul Gilchrist's exit from the band, Jeff Stephens stepped up as lead vocalist. Work on Collateral Damage began in early 1991; due to Greasy Pop Records ceasing operations, its release occurred internationally in 1992 through Normal Records (Germany) and NKVD Records (United States). Andrew Bunney joined the lineup as rhythm guitarist during this period.
Their final studio effort, We Walk Alone (1994), was distributed by Au Go Go Records in Australia, Lucky Records in the US, Subway in Europe, and Rock & Roll Inc in Spain. The band made a brief appearance in John Winter’s 1994 film The Roly Poly Man. In 1995, they reissued Nest of Vipers featuring additional tracks via Bastard Records. The EP Prepare to Die followed in 1996 alongside a European tour supporting German group The Richies. Exploding White Mice officially disbanded in April 1999.
Post-breakup activities
Starting from 1985, Gerry Barrett became part of Dust Collection, a psychedelic garage-punk cover band that celebrated its 25th anniversary with a concert in September 2009.
In 1997, Andrew Bunney co-produced a five-track EP named Loose for Adelaide punk outfit The Gels; this release appeared on Bastard Records. Jeff Stephens later co-produced two songs for The Gels’ EP Somebody Someday in 2002 and participated again in producing their debut album Never Mind the Title, Here's The Gels, which was released in November 2003. Notably, their song "We Don't Get no Radio Play" incorporated a segment from Exploding White Mice’s track "Enemies".
David Bunney joined Black Chrome—an Adelaide punk band from the first wave formed in the 1970s—in 2010.
As of March 2012, Jack Jacomos was employed as a mental health nurse.
Bassist Andy MacQueen passed away unexpectedly on 27 May 2018.
In 2023, Jeff Stephens became part of Adelaide hardcore punk band Where’s The Pope? for their reunion performance.
Studio albums
| Album Title | Information | Highest Chart Positions |
|---|---|---|
| AUS | ||
| Brute Force and Ignorance |
|
60 |
| Exploding White Mice |
|
90 |
| Collateral Damage |
|
— |
| We Walk Alone |
|
— |
Extended plays
| EP Title | Information |
|---|---|
| A Nest of Vipers |
|
| Prepare to Die |
|
Singles
| Release Year | Single Title | Highest Chart Positions | Associated Album |
|---|---|---|---|
| AUS | |||
| 1987 | "Blaze of Glory" / "He's Gonna Step on You Again" | — | non album single |
| 1988 | "Fear (Late at Night)" / "Without Warning" | — | Brute Force and Ignorance |
| 1989 | "Breakdown Number 2" / "Bury Me" | — | |
| "Make It" / "Ain't It Sad" | 149 | non album single | |
| 1990 | "I Just Want My Fun" | 96 | Exploding White Mice |