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Sacred Cowboys

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Sacred Cowboys
Company typeBand
IndustryMusic
Founded1982 in Melbourne, Australia
FounderGarry Gray, Mark Ferrie
Headquarters
Melbourne
,
Australia
ProductsMusic albums, singles, EPs

Sacred Cowboys emerged as an Australian post-punk and rock ensemble in 1982, founded by vocalist and songwriter Garry Gray alongside Mark Ferrie. The group experienced several lineup adjustments and intermittent periods of activity spanning 1982–1985, 1987–1991, 1994–1997, and 2006–2008. The 2006 roster included Gray, drummer Stephan Fidock, guitarists Penny Ikinger and Spencer P. Jones, bassist Nick Rischbieth, and keyboardist Ash Wednesday. Former members featured drummer Johnny Crash (Janis Friedenfelds) and bassist Mark Ferrie, both previously part of Models, as well as Terry Doolan, Andrew Picouleau, and Ian Forrest.

Their discography comprises six albums: Sacred Cowboys (1984), We Love You ... Of Course We Do (1985), Trouble from Providence (1988), Things to Come (1996), Cold Harvest (2007), along with the compilation 1982–85: Nailed to the Cross (2008). Australian music historian Ian McFarlane characterized them as "one of the most confrontational live outfits," fusing post-punk's brooding atmosphere with country-infused grit layered over a swamp-blues rhythm.

History

Originating in Melbourne in early 1982, Sacred Cowboys initially consisted of Terry Doolan on guitar, Janis Friedenfelds (Johnny Crash) handling drums, Mark Ferrie on guitar, Ian Forrest on keyboards, Garry Gray as lead vocalist, and Andrew Picouleau playing bass. The band’s name was inspired by an episode of the American television series Get Smart, coined by Gray and Ferrie. Starting out primarily as a cover band, they quickly gained notoriety for their provocative live performances.

Within half a year of formation, they secured a deal with Mushroom Records’ White Label imprint and launched their debut single "Nothing Grows in Texas" in November 1982. Their contentious appearance on the TV program Countdown, where host Molly Meldrum labeled them "the worst group I've seen in five years," only solidified their rebellious image. In July 1983, they released a rendition of Alex Chilton’s "Bangkok" and supported the American punk group Dead Kennedys during their Melbourne show.

December 1983 saw the release of a six-track self-titled EP produced by Tony Cohen. Around this time, Chris Whelan took over keyboard duties from Forrest. Early in 1984, their self-titled album was issued through the French label New Rose Records. Subsequently, Nick Rischbieth replaced Picouleau on bass as the band opted to eliminate keyboards from their lineup. The following year they issued We Love You ... Of Course We Do, a collection of live and demo recordings released via Man Made Records. The band then went on hiatus while Gray sought treatment for heroin addiction.

By late 1987, Sacred Cowboys regrouped with members Doolan, Ferrie, Gray, Rischbieth, and new drummer Stephan Fidock. Keyboardist Ash Wednesday briefly joined during the production of Trouble from Providence, which came out under Citadel Records in August 1988. Co-produced by Ferrie, Doolan, Cohen, and Martin Armiger, the album received acclaim as one of the best independent releases that year. It was also distributed by Germany’s Normal Records featuring additional tracks. Singles such as "Trouble from Providence" and "Hell Sucks"—the latter becoming emblematic for the band—were promoted. Forrest returned on keyboards in 1990 before the group disbanded again in 1991.

The band reassembled in 1994 with a lineup including Doolan, Ferrie, Fidock, Gray, Spencer P Jones, and later Penny Ikinger. They released the EP Black City through Siren Records followed by the album Things to Come in July 1996 via Greasy Pole Records with Shock Records handling distribution. Several members had ties to Sydney’s alternative rock/blues outfit Beasts of Bourbon. Touring ceased by 1997 when Gray moved to Montpellier in France.

In 2005, "Hell Sucks" was featured on Clinton Walker’s compilation Inner City Sounds, spotlighting Australian punk and post-punk acts. The band reunited once more in August 2006 with Fidock, Gray, Ikinger, Jones, Rischbieth, and Wednesday; Ferrie rejoined in 2008. They performed live across Melbourne and completed the album Cold Harvest, which Bang! Records released in January 2007. Critics praised Ikinger’s and Jones’s distinctive guitar contributions alongside Gray’s powerful vocal delivery. PBS 106.7FM commended its storytelling approach reflecting urban turmoil. February 2008 brought forth the compilation 1982–85: Nailed to the Cross, accompanied by touring that continued until August that year.

Members

  • Garry Gray – lead vocals (1982–1985, 1987–1991, 1994–1997, 2006–2008)
  • Terry Doolan – guitar, backing vocals, keyboards (1982–1985, 1987–1991, 1994–1997)
  • Mark Ferrie – guitar and backing vocals (1982–1985, 1987–1991, 1994–1997, 2008), bass guitar (1994–1997, 2008)
  • Ian Forrest – keyboardist (1982–1983, 1990–1991)
  • Andrew Picouleau – bass guitarist (1982–1984)
  • Janis Friedenfelds (also known as Johnny Crash) – drummer (1982–1985) (deceased)
  • Chris Whelan – keyboards (1983)
  • Nick Rischbieth – bass guitar (1984–1985, 1987–1991, 1994–1997, 2006–2008)
  • Stephan Fidock – drums (1987–1991, 1994–1997, 2006–2008) (deceased)
  • Ash Wednesday – keyboards (1987, 2006)
  • Penny Ikinger – guitar and backing vocals (1994–1997, 2006–2008)
  • Spencer P. Jones – guitar and backing vocals (1992–1995, 2006–2008)

Albums

  • Sacred Cowboys – released in 1984
  • We Love You...Of Course We Do – released in 1985
  • Trouble from Providence – released August 1988
  • Things to Come – released July 1996
  • Cold Harvest – released January 2007
  • 1982–85: Nailed to the Cross – released February 2008

Extended plays

  • Sacred Cowboys – released in 1983
  • Black City – released in 1994

Singles

  • "Nothing Grows in Texas" – released in 1982
  • "Bangkok" – released in 1983
  • "Twisted Nerve" – released in 1983
  • "Trouble from Providence" – released in 1988
  • "Hell Sucks" – released in 1990
  • "Black City" – released in 1994
  • "Drop By Drop" – released in 1997

References

General
  • Note: Archived online version offers limited features.
Specific

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External links

  • Archived version of the original site as of 17 March 2012. Accessed on 13 June 2013.
  • Interview with Garry Gray at i94bar: [1]
  • Additional memories featured at i94bar: [2]
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