Redgum
| Company type | Music group |
|---|---|
| Industry | Music |
| Founded | 1975 in Adelaide, Australia |
| Founder | John Schumann, Michael Atkinson, Verity Truman |
| Defunct | 1990 |
| Headquarters | Adelaide , Australia |
| Products | Music albums, singles |
Redgum emerged as an Australian folk and politically driven music ensemble, originating in Adelaide in 1975. Founding members included singer-songwriters John Schumann and Michael Atkinson who contributed guitars and vocals, alongside Verity Truman on flute and vocals. Subsequently, Hugh McDonald joined on fiddle, and Chris Timms on violin. All four initial members were students at Flinders University, where they cultivated a pronounced political perspective. Their most acclaimed work is the protest anthem "I Was Only 19", which reached the top position on the National singles chart. This track is recognized in the Australasian Performing Right Association (APRA) compilation of the Top 30 Greatest Australian Songs.
In 1984, Redgum also explored themes related to Australian consumer culture with the single "I've Been to Bali Too," both this and their signature song being penned by Schumann. Additional significant compositions include "The Diamantina Drover," authored by Hugh McDonald, and "Poor Ned," written by Trevor Lucas from Fairport Convention. Lucas produced their live album Caught in the Act released in May 1983, which climbed to No. 5 on the National albums chart. Schumann departed for a solo career in 1986, followed by Atkinson's exit in 1987, leading to Redgum's dissolution in 1990.
Starting in 2005, Schumann and McDonald collaborated again within John Schumann and the Vagabond Crew.
History
Redgum was established in 1975 when Flinders University students John Schumann, Michael Atkinson, and Verity Truman united for a Politics and Art course project. By 1976, violinist Chris Timms had joined, and the band gained recognition throughout South Australia and Victoria for their politically motivated music. Their first album, If You Don't Fight You Lose (1978), positioned them among the few Australian groups addressing domestic political and cultural issues. Initially functioning part-time—with two members employed as educators—Redgum transitioned to full-time status following strong sales and positive reviews of their second release, Virgin Ground (1980), which facilitated nationwide tours.
On 14 October 1979, Redgum took part in an Anti-Uranium Benefit concert held in Melbourne that supported trade union bans on uranium mining. Their momentum continued with releases including Brown Rice and Kerosine (1981) and the EP Cut to the Quick (1982). During this period, lineup changes occurred: the didgeridoo was incorporated into their sound, and Chris Timms was replaced by Hugh McDonald in 1982. Additionally, they published The Redgum Songbook: Stubborn Words, Flagrant Vices (1981).
Working alongside Australian folk producer Trevor Lucas marked a high point in their career: the live album Caught in the Act (1983) featured the hit single "I Was Only 19", which contributed to triggering a Royal Commission investigating chemical agent use during Australia's Vietnam War involvement. The album also showcased prominent folk songs such as "The Diamantina Drover" and "The Last Frontier."
Their subsequent album, Frontline (1984), included the track "I've Been to Bali Too" and supported tours across the UK and Europe. In late 1985, Schumann left after securing a solo contract with CBS Records. Redgum produced one more studio album, Midnight Sun (1986), followed by a final single "Roll it on Robbie" (1987) before Atkinson's departure. Plans for another album recorded at Melbourne’s Warrenwood studio were abandoned due to the studio’s closure. The remaining lineup—McDonald, Truman, Michael Spicer, James Spicer, and Tim Hannaford—continued performing until 1990 when they settled outstanding debts and officially disbanded Redgum.
Post-Redgum Careers of Band Members
Following his departure from Redgum, John Schumann embarked on a solo career, releasing two albums before briefly entering politics. He ran for the South Australian seat of Mayo during the 1998 Federal election but was narrowly defeated. Subsequently, Schumann served as a staff member for the Democrats party until 2000, after which he resumed his solo musical endeavors. In 2005, he returned to recording with the Vagabond Crew, which included fellow former Redgum member Hugh McDonald, producing albums in both 2005 and 2008.
Chris Timms transitioned into the field of Adult Education within South Australia's Department of TAFE, also engaging actively with the Australian Labor Party for a time.
Several other ex-members continue to contribute to Australia's music scene. Atkinson has built a career composing scores for film and television, notably including the 1997 movie Heaven's Burning featuring Russell Crowe. Verity Truman performs in Adelaide as part of CrossRoads, a cabaret and cover band. Michael Spicer is currently an instructor in MIDI, synthesis, and composition at Singapore Polytechnic.
Redgum's influence was revitalized in 2005 when Australian hip hop group The Herd produced an acoustic and hip hop rendition of "I Was Only 19," featuring Schumann’s vocals. This version received substantial rotation on national broadcaster Triple J.
Hugh McDonald succumbed to cancer on 19 November 2016 at the age of 62.
Band Members
Listed chronologically:
- John Schumann – vocals, guitar (1975–1985)
- Michael Atkinson – songwriter, bass, mandolin, piano, vocals (1975–1987)
- Verity Truman – vocals, flute, tin whistle (1975–1990)
- Chris Timms – violin, backing vocals (1975–1982)
- Bruce Barry – bass, guitar (1975)
- Chris Boath – bass guitar (1978–1979)
- Gordon McLean – drums (1978–1979)
- Tom Stehlik – drums (1981)
- David Flett – bass guitar (1980–1983)
- Geoff Gifford – drums (1980–1982)
- Russel Coleman – drums (1982–1983)
- Hugh McDonald – guitar, violin, vocals (1982–1990)
- Michael Spicer – keyboards, flute (1983–1990)
- Brian Czempinski – drums (1984–1986)
- Stephen Cooney – bass guitar, didgeridoo, guitar, mandolin, banjo (1984–1985)
- Andy Baylor – guitar, fiddle (1986)
- Peter Bolke – bass guitar (1986)
- Ray Rafael – drums (1986–1989)
- Darren Deland Darren – bass guitar, vocals (1987–1988)
- Louis McManus – guitar (circa 1987)
- Malcolm Wakeford – drums (circa 1987)
- Bob Sender Bob – guitar (circa 1987)
- James Spicer – drums, vocals (1988–1990)
- Tim Hannaford – bass guitar, vocals (1989–1990)
Studio Albums
| Year | Album Title | Highest Chart Position |
|---|---|---|
| AUS Kent | ||
| 1978 | If You Don't Fight You Lose
|
— |
| 1980 | Virgin Ground
|
53 |
| 1981 | Brown Rice and Kerosine
|
48 |
| 1984 | Frontline
|
18 |
| 1986 | Midnight Sun
|
77 |
Live albums
| Year | Title | Highest chart rankings | Certification |
|---|---|---|---|
| AUS Kent | |||
| 1983 | Caught in the Act
|
5 |
|
| 2017 | Live in Melkweg, Amsterdam 1985
|
— |
Compilation albums
| Year | Title | Highest chart rankings |
|---|---|---|
| AUS Kent | ||
| 1985 | Redgum's Greatest: Everything's Legal – Anything Goes
|
49 |
| 1987 | The Very Best of Redgum
|
37 |
| 2004 | Against the Grain
|
— |
| 2011 | The Essential Redgum
|
— |
Extended plays
| Year | Title |
|---|---|
| 1982 | Cut to the Quick
|
| 1988 | 4 Play Vol 19
|
Singles
| Year | Title | Highest chart rankings | Certification | Album |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| AUS | ||||
| Jan 1981 | "The Long Run" | Template:Center | Virgin Ground | |
| Nov 1981 | "100 Years On" | Template:Center | Brown Rice and Kerosine | |
| 1982 | "Working Girls" | Template:Center | Cut to the Quick | |
| March 1983 | "I Was Only 19" | Template:Center |
|
Caught in the Act |
| Aug 1983 | "Long Run" (reissued) | Template:Center | Virgin Ground | |
| March 1984 | "I've Been to Bali Too" | Template:Center | Frontline | |
| June 1984 | "Friday Night" | Template:Center | ||
| 1984 | "A.S.I.O." | Template:Center | ||
| May 1985 | "The Drover's Dog" | Template:Center | Redgum's Greatest: Everything's Legal – Anything Goes | |
| October 1985 | "Just Another Moment on Your Own" | Template:Center | ||
| October 1986 | "Running with the Hurricane" | Template:Center | Midnight Sun | |
| May 1987 | "Roll It on Robbie" | Template:Center | The Very Best of Redgum |
Country Music Awards of Australia
Since 1973, the Country Music Awards of Australia (CMAA), popularly referred to as the Golden Guitar Awards, have been conducted yearly during the Tamworth Country Music Festival to honor outstanding achievements in Australian country music.
|- |rowspan="2"| 1984 |rowspan="2"| "I Was Only 19" (written by John Schumann) | Top Selling Song of the Year | |- | APRA Song of the Year | |-
Mo Awards
The Australian Entertainment Mo Awards, which celebrated excellence in live performance from 1975 until 2016, awarded Redgum twice during their tenure. (wins only) |- | 1984 | Redgum | Country Showgroup of the Year | |- | 1987 | Redgum | Country Showgroup of the Year | |-
References