Screaming Believers
| Company type | Band |
|---|---|
| Industry | Music |
| Founded | 1981 |
| Headquarters | Adelaide , Australia |
| Products | Music albums, singles, EPs |
Screaming Believers was a rock band originating from Adelaide, Australia, established in 1981. The lineup prominently featured Paul Hughes (vocals, saxophone), Craig Rodda (drums), and Ken Sykes (guitar, vocals). Over their active years, they released two full-length albums: Communist Mutants from Space in 1985 and Refugees from the Love Generation in 1988, before dissolving in 1991. Subsequently, a compilation titled Stories from the Other Side was issued in 2010.
History
Formed during the middle of 1981, Screaming Believers consisted of Graeme Burdett on guitar, Paul Hughes handling vocals and saxophone, Rees Hughes on bass, Craig Rodda playing drums, and Ken Sykes contributing guitar and vocals. Before this formation, several members had been part of the Shreds, which transformed into Screaming Believers following personnel changes. Additionally, Rees Hughes and Rodda had prior experience playing together in the guitar pop ensemble Fools Apart.
Their initial release was the EP Show Me Your Money (1981), comprising four live recordings captured at Adelaide’s Union Hotel, distributed through Empty Dogma/EMI. The band supported notable artists including the Human League, Psychedelic Furs, and John Cooper Clarke. The first single "My Eyes" came out in February 1984 via Greasy Pop Records and was met with favorable critiques for its energetic rock approach. They also contributed two songs to the Greasy Pop sampler album Greasy Selection released in March 1985.
Work on their first album, Communist Mutants from Space, began in late 1984 with Bob Allen as producer. This record displayed a wide-ranging guitar-driven rock style, incorporating elements from beat music to psychedelic rock. Before the album’s release, John Cavuoto replaced Burdett on guitar, while Cloudi Katern succeeded Rees Hughes on bass later that year.
After issuing their second album, Refugees from the Love Generation in March 1988, Cloudi Katern was replaced by Chris Lambden on bass, who was then succeeded by Jodie Petersen. The group recorded an additional album that remained unreleased prior to their breakup in 1991. Music historian Ian McFarlane observed that their recordings demonstrated polished songwriting and adept melodic guitar work but regretted their limited commercial success. The compilation Stories from the Other Side, released by Early Bird Records in 2010, featured the band's 1987 lineup including Burdett, Paul Hughes, Rees Hughes, Rodda, and Sykes.
Members
- Graeme Burdett – guitar (1981–1985)
- Paul Hughes – vocals, saxophone (1981–1991)
- Rees Hughes – bass guitar (1981–1985)
- Craig Rodda – drums, percussion (1981–1991)
- Ken Sykes – guitar, vocals (1981–1991)
- John Cavuoto – guitar (1985–1991)
- Cloudi Katern – bass guitar (1985–1988)
- Chris Lambden – bass guitar (1988)
- Jodie Peterson – bass guitar (1988–1991)
- Dave Goulden – manager, percussion (1981–1985)
Studio albums
- Communist Mutants from Space (June 1985) – Greasy Pop (GPR 111)
- Refugees from the Love Generation (March 1988) – Greasy Pop (GPR 135)
Compilation albums
- Stories from the Other Side (2010)
Extended plays
- Show Me Your Money (1981) – Empty Dogma/EMI (DOG-001)
Singles
- "My Eyes" (1984)
- "Sandra" (1987)