Olympic Sideburns
| Industry | Music |
|---|---|
| Founded | 1982 in Melbourne, Australia |
| Defunct | 1988 |
| Headquarters | Melbourne , Australia |
| Products | Albums, Extended plays, Singles |
Olympic Sideburns was an Australian shockabilly group that originated in Melbourne towards the end of 1982. The ensemble, composed of Paul Bryant on bass, Peter "Jex" Byron handling lead vocals, Maurice Frawley on lead guitar and vocals, Ian Hill playing keyboards, and Maurice Molletta on drums, launched their debut record, The Olympic Sideburns, in 1985. Following the replacement of Molletta with Calum McAlpine on drums in late 1985, the band released their sophomore album, Dixie Truck Stop! in 1987 before dissolving in 1988. Music historian Ian McFarlane observed that their second album embraced "a more genuine Rolling Stones/Creedence Clearwater Revival sound," contrasting with the punk/psychedelic/shockabilly fusion present on their first release. Maurice Frawley passed away in 2009, while founding guitarist Spencer P. Jones died in 2018.
History
The formation of Olympic Sideburns as a shockabilly outfit took place in Melbourne in late 1982, featuring Lindy Allen on bass, Peter "Jex" Byron as vocalist (formerly of Glamstars), Ian Hill on keyboards (ex-Crackajacks), Spencer P. Jones on guitar (ex-Cuban Heels), Tom McEwan playing drums, and David "George" Spencer handling lead guitar duties. As described by Ian McFarlane, shockabilly is a blend that merges "garage-punk, swamp blues, 1950s rockabilly, 1960s psychedelia and voodoo imagery."
By early 1983, Jones departed to join Sydney's pub rock band the Johnnys. His spot was initially filled by Jimmy Williams and later by Maurice Frawley (formerly of Paul Kelly and the Dots) who took over lead guitar and vocal responsibilities. On bass, Lindy Allen was succeeded by Paul Bryant (ex-Corporate Body), while Chuck Meo (ex-Dorian Gray) replaced McEwan on drums. This lineup recorded the four-track EP Drunkyard during late 1983, which was released in May 1984 through Strine Records. Maurice Molletta took over drums from Meo for the single "13th Floor," produced by Tony Cohen. After Ian Hill exited the group, they recorded their self-titled album released in May 1985 via Major Records with production assistance from John Archer. Philip Brophy (formerly of → ↑ →) briefly joined as drummer prior to Calum McAlpine (ex-Chosen Few) assuming drumming duties by the end of that year.
In August 1987, Olympic Sideburns signed with Mushroom Records' Doc/White label — an imprint created by fellow Melbourne band Painters and Dockers to promote emerging acts such as Olympic Sideburns and X. Their second album, Dixie Truck Stop!, produced by Francois Taviaux, was released the following month. Reviewers highlighted its raw energy combined with a more refined production compared to their debut effort. Before disbanding at the close of 1988, Bryant was replaced on bass by Alan Brooker (ex-Paul Kelly and the Dots).
Afterwards
Philip Brophy expanded his career into composing for film, academia, and radio presenting. Ian Hill went on to establish the garage rock group the Bo-Weevils in 1985. Peter Byron and Calum McAlpine briefly collaborated with Lobby Loyde in Dirt during 1990 alongside Tim Brosnan, Mick Holmes, Geordie Leach, and Trevor Young. In June 2006, Brooker, Frawley, and Williams formed the Yard Hands and released their album Good Things. Maurice Frawley succumbed to liver cancer on 16 May 2009. Similarly, Spencer P. Jones died from liver cancer on 21 August 2018.
Members
- Lindy Allen – bass guitar
- Peter "Jex" Byron – lead vocalist
- Ian Hill – keyboardist
- Spencer P. Jones – guitarist, backing vocals (deceased 2018)
- Tom McEwan – drummer
- David "George" Spencer – lead guitarist
- Jimmy Williams – guitarist
- Maurice Frawley – lead guitar, backing vocals
- Paul Bryant – bass guitarist
- Chuck Meo – drummer
- Maurice Molletta – drummer
- Philip Brophy – drummer
- Calum McAlpine – drums, backing vocals
- Alan Brooker – bass guitar
Albums
- The Olympic Sideburns (May 1985) – Major Records (MRLP001)
- Dixie Truck Stop! (September 1987) – Doc/White/Mushroom (L-38755)
Extended plays
- Drunkyard (May 1984) – Strine (SR 001)
- I've Been Away (1985) – New Rose (NEW 54)
Singles
- "13th Floor" (1984) – Strine
- "Here Comes the Rain" (1987) – White/Mushroom