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Mondo Rock

From Alfawiki
Mondo Rock
Company typeBand
IndustryMusic
FoundedNovember 1976 in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
FounderRoss Wilson
Headquarters
Melbourne
,
Australia
Area served
Australia
Key people
Ross Wilson, Eric McCusker, James Black, Paul Christie, Gil Matthews
ProductsMusic albums, singles, live performances

Mondo Rock is a rock group originating from Australia, established in Melbourne, Victoria, in November 1976 by vocalist and songwriter Ross Wilson following the dissolution of his former band, Daddy Cool. Guitarist Eric McCusker became part of the ensemble in 1980 and collaborated closely with Wilson to compose many of their successful tracks, forming the band's central partnership. Their sophomore album, Chemistry (released in July 1981), climbed to number 2 on the Australian Kent Music Report. The track "Come Said the Boy" also achieved a peak position of number 2 on Australian charts in 1983.

Although Mondo Rock disbanded in 1991, they have reunited sporadically and have been more consistently active since 2014. According to Australian music historian Ian McFarlane, through relentless touring and delivering polished pop rock records, Mondo Rock established themselves as one of Australia's leading acts during the early 1980s. The band embarked on a national tour in 2019 and still performs occasionally.

1976–1979: Formation and Primal Park era

The band was initiated in Melbourne in November 1976 by drummer Bob Bickerton (formerly of Rock Granite and the Profiles); bassist Mike Clarke (previously with Mick Rogers and Eclipse); keyboardist and guitarist Greg Cook (ex-Cam-Pact, Skylight, Phil Manning Band); guitarist Peter Laffy (formerly with Fox and Freeway); alongside lead singer and harmonica player Ross Wilson (ex-Daddy Cool).

Frequent personnel changes occurred except for Wilson's ongoing involvement. By mid-1978, the lineup consisted of Wilson, Laffy, guitarist Randy Bulpin, keyboardist Tony Slavich, bassist Simon Gyllies, and drummer Iain McLennan. In September 1978, this formation released their debut single "The Fugitive Kind" on Oz Records, which reached number 49 on the Australian Kent Music Report. Shortly afterward, Slavich departed.

Following the release of another single titled "Love Shock," which failed to chart, they recorded live sessions for their first album in May 1979. Later that year, with Rex Bullen replacing Slavich on keyboards, they completed studio recordings for Primal Park, issued through Oz/EMI Records. The album attained number 40 on Australian charts and included two singles—"Searching for My Baby" and "Primal Park"—neither of which charted. Before touring, drummer McLennan contracted hepatitis and was succeeded initially by Eddie Van Roosendael (ex-Stiletto) and subsequently by Gil Matthews (ex-Billy Thorpe & the Aztecs).

1980–1984: Rise to prominence – Chemistry, Nuovo Mondo and The Modern Bop

In February 1980, Mondo Rock reassembled with a lineup featuring Wilson; Matthews; James Black (ex-Rum Jungle, Russell Morris Band) handling keyboards and guitar; Paul Christie (ex-Kevin Borich Express) on bass; and Eric McCusker (ex-The Captain Matchbox Whoopee Band) on guitar. Wilson continued as lead vocalist and principal songwriter while McCusker became an essential creative force, eventually penning most of their songs.

This group produced their initial major hit with "State of the Heart" in October 1980, which peaked at number 6 on the Kent Music Report. Composed by McCusker during a period when Wilson experienced writer's block, it alleviated creative pressures. After this single's release, Matthews departed; Andy Buchanan (ex-Darryl Cotton Band) briefly took over drums for certain recordings. Their subsequent single "Cool World" reached number 8 in April 1981. Buchanan was replaced by John James "J. J." Hackett (ex-Stars, the Fabulaires).

Their second studio album, Chemistry (July 1981), peaked at number 2 on the Kent Music Report. Singles such as "Chemistry" and "Summer of '81" attained positions 20 and 31 respectively; proceeds from "Summer of '81" were donated to Amnesty International.

In June 1982, Mondo Rock released "No Time", inspired by The Beatles' "Don't Let Me Down," which reached number 11 on the charts. Their third album Nuovo Mondo, launched in July 1982 via RCA/WEA, climbed to number 7. Paul Christie left in September to establish The Party Boys and was replaced by James Gillard. Singles "The Queen and Me" and "In Another Love" followed this change. This album also featured "A Touch of Paradise", later famously covered by John Farnham in 1987 achieving top 30 success.

By 1983, the ensemble consisting of Wilson, Black, Gillard, Hackett, and McCusker recorded their fourth album. The lead single "Come Said the Boy", released in December, reached number 2 but encountered radio censorship due to its controversial subject matter. The Modern Bop was released in March 1984, reaching number 5 on charts with singles like "Baby Wants to Rock" and "The Modern Bop". Later that year Black departed; Mondo Rock proceeded as a quartet.

1985–1991: Up to the Moment and Boom Baby Boom

Polydor Records issued Mondo Rock's inaugural compilation album, Up to the Moment, in June 1985, which climbed to number 5 on the charts. This release featured two singles: "Good Advice" and "The Moment". On 13 July 1985, the band contributed four songs to the Oz for Africa concert, a segment of the worldwide Live Aid event, which was broadcast both in Australia and on MTV in the United States.

The group's fifth studio album, Boom Baby Boom, arrived in September 1986, showcasing an expanded six-member lineup with Andrew Ross on saxophone and Duncan Veall handling keyboards. The album reached number 27 on the Australian charts. Its second single, "Primitive Love Rites," entered the Australian top 40 and later appeared on the US Billboard Hot 100 and Mainstream Rock charts in 1987. In November 1987, Mondo Rock released the extended play Aliens. Early in 1988, Wilson disbanded Mondo Rock to embark on a solo career, releasing The Dark Side of the Man in June 1989, which included the top 40 single "Bed of Nails".

In 1990, Mondo Rock reassembled as a duo consisting of Wilson and McCusker, supported by session musicians, and released their sixth studio album, Why Fight It?, in November. Although three singles—"Why Fight It?", "I Had You in Mind", and "Soul Reason"—were launched, none achieved a national chart position above number 94. The band dissolved once more in 1991.

1991–present: After disbandment

Following Mondo Rock's breakup, Wilson formed RAW alongside Barry Deenik (bass), Michael Sheridan (guitar), and Craig Waugh (drums), performing across Australia's pub rock venues until 1993 before resuming his solo endeavors. Black departed in 1984 and collaborated with several bands including GANGgajang, Men at Work, and The Black Sorrows. By the mid-1990s, McCusker had taken on a directorial role at the Australasian Performing Right Association. From 2005 onward, Black became a regular member of the house band on SBS's quiz program RocKwiz.

In 2006, Wilson reunited with Black, Christie, and McCusker for the Countdown Spectacular concert series. Then in June 2014, Mondo Rock regrouped to perform their 1981 album Chemistry featuring their classic early '80s lineup: Ross Wilson, Eric McCusker, James Black, Paul Christie, and Gil Matthews. They followed this with the release of Besto Mondo in August 2015 and embarked on a national tour in 2019; they continue to perform live shows.

On 8 May 2020, Mondo Rock unveiled their first live recording titled Summer of '81, Live at the Pier.

Members

Current members
  • Ross Wilson – lead vocals, guitar, harmonica (1976–1991, 2006–2007, 2014–present)
  • Gil Matthews – drums (1979–1980, 2014–present)
  • Eric McCusker – guitar, keyboards, backing vocals (1980–1991, 2006–2007, 2014–present)
  • James Black – keyboards, backing vocals (1980–1984, 2006–2007, 2014–present)
  • Paul Christie – bass guitar (1980–1982, 2006–2007, 2014–present)
Former members
  • Bob Bickerton – drums (1976)
  • Mike Clarke – bass guitar (1976)
  • Greg Cook – keyboards, guitar (1976)
  • Peter Laffy – guitar, backing vocals (1976–1978)
  • Trevor Courtney – drums (1977–1978)
  • Barry Sullivan – bass guitar (1977–1978)
  • Ian Winter – guitar (1977–1978)
  • Gunther Gorman – guitar (1977)
  • Chris Jones – guitar (1978)
  • Simon Gyllies – bass guitar (1978–1979)
  • Iain McClennan – drums, backing vocals, occasional lead vocals (1978–1979)
Former members (cont'd)
  • Tony Slavich – keyboards (1978–1979)
  • Randy Bulpin – guitar (1978–1979)
  • Eddie Van Roosendael – drums (1979)
  • Simon Philips – bass guitar (1979)
  • Andrew Bell – guitar (1980)
  • Kerry Jacobsen – drums, backing vocals (1980, 2006–2007)
  • Andy Buchanan – drums (1981)
  • John James Hackett – drums, percussion, guitar (1981–1990)
  • James Gillard – bass guitar (1982–1990)
  • Andrew Ross – saxophone, keyboards (1986–1990)
  • Duncan Veall – keyboards (1984–1990)
  • Colin Newham – keyboards (1988)
  • Ian Belton – bass guitar (1990–1991)
  • Mitch Farmer – drums (1990)
  • Sean Timms – keyboards (1990)
  • Mary Azzopardi – backing vocals (1991)
  • Mark Williams – backing vocals (1991)
  • Bernie Worrell – keyboards (1991)

Discography

TV Week / Countdown awards

The TV Week / Countdown awards represented a fusion of fan-based and industry-voted accolades presented by the Australian pop music television program Countdown, which aired on ABC-TV from 1974 through 1987.

|- |1980 | "State of the Heart" | Best Single Record | |- | rowspan="4" |1981 | Chemistry | Best Australian Album | |- | "Cool World" | Best Australian Single | |- | Eric McCusker – Mondo Rock | Best Australian Songwriter | |- | Themselves | Most Consistent Live Act | |- |1983 | "Come Said the Boy" | Best Australian Single | |-


References

General

  • Note: The archived online version has restricted features.

Specific


External links

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