Supernaut (Australian band)
| Company type | Band |
|---|---|
| Industry | Music |
| Founded | 1974 in Perth, Australia |
| Founder | Chris Burnham, Joe Burnham |
| Headquarters | Perth , Australia |
| Products | Music albums, singles |
Supernaut originated as an Australian glam rock ensemble based in Perth, initially formed under the name Moby Dick by British-born siblings Chris Burnham (guitar) and Joe Burnham (drums). In late 1974, British immigrant Gary Twinn joined as the lead singer. After Randall Murphy was added on bass guitar, the band adopted the name Supernaut. Their first single, "I Like It Both Ways" (May 1976), produced by Molly Meldrum and featured on his television program Countdown, climbed to No. 16 on the Kent Music Report singles chart. Their debut album, titled Supernaut, peaked at No. 13 on the Kent Music Report albums chart in November 1976. Murphy departed in June 1976 and was succeeded by Philip Foxman in August. The album also included the hit single "Too Hot to Touch" (September 1976), which reached No. 14. In April 1979, the band abbreviated their name to the Nauts, reverted to a heavier pub-rock sound, and released their sophomore album, The Nauts, in December 1979. The group dissolved by March 1980 but reunited briefly in 2007 and again in 2016.
History
The band initially formed as Moby Dick, a pub-rock outfit, created by British-born brothers Chris Burnham (guitar) and Joe Burnham (drums). Late in 1974, British immigrant Gary Twinn (formerly of Sidewinders) joined as lead vocalist. With Randall Murphy on bass guitar, the group changed its name to Supernaut, inspired by Black Sabbath's 1972 track "Supernaut". According to Australian music historian Ian McFarlane, they cultivated a commercially oriented glam rock style that prioritized striking visual presentation.
Relocating to Melbourne, they secured a contract with Polydor Records in 1976 through endorsements from Molly Meldrum and Paul McCartney. Their debut single "I Like It Both Ways," produced by Meldrum and released in May 1976, initially faced radio bans due to its provocative lyrics but gained traction after promotion on Meldrum's TV show Countdown. The track eventually reached No. 16 on the Kent Music Report singles chart.
Following Randall Murphy's exit in June 1976, Little Russ Silver temporarily filled the bass role before Philip Foxman (ex-Zygotes) became the permanent replacement in August. The subsequent single "Too Hot to Touch," issued in September 1976, attained No. 14 on the charts. Their self-titled debut album appeared in November 1976, climbing to No. 13 and earning double gold status. That year, Supernaut received TV Week King of Pop Awards for Best Australian TV Performer and Most Popular New Group.
By November 1976, Supernaut had supported prominent artists such as Lou Reed, Suzi Quatro, and Sweet, generating fervent audience enthusiasm. In 1977, they released original singles "Young and Innocent" (April) and "The Kids Are Out Tonight" (July), along with a cover of the Rolling Stones' "Let's Spend the Night Together" (November). Despite extensive recording sessions for a second album under working titles Exile and Test Pressing, these projects were shelved when it became clear their musical approach was losing relevance. After releasing "Unemployed" in April 1978, they parted ways with Polydor.
The band moved to Sydney and signed with Robie Porter's Wizard Records mid-1978, shifting back towards pub rock infused with punk and new wave influences. Keyboardist Noel Kennedy joined during this period, and they released "Spies" in December 1978. Their live performances featured covers from artists such as David Bowie, the Stranglers, XTC, and the Doors. In April 1979, they shortened their name to the Nauts and issued "Black Market World," followed by an album produced by Porter that December. The group disbanded by March 1980.
Subsequent Activities
After a two-year interval, Gary Twinn made his way back to the United Kingdom and established Twenty Flight Rockers alongside Mark Laff, formerly the drummer for Generation X. Twinn eventually became part of the rock supergroup known as the International Swingers. Between 1982 and 1989, Chris Burnham collaborated with The Saints featuring Chris Bailey. In 1984, Philip Foxman created Illustrated Man, a group comprising musicians from Japan, Gary Numan, and Gang of Four. This band produced a single album and embarked on tours across both the UK and the United States; their track "Head Over Heels" attained a position within the top 20 on MTV’s dance charts. Subsequently, Foxman pursued a solo path, releasing two albums and composing the score for the Off Broadway production Atomic in New York City.
Supernaut reunited for the Australian Countdown Spectacular 2 Tour held from August through September 2007. In 2016, commemorating four decades since "I Like It Both Ways," they conducted a three-day tour culminating in a final performance at Perth’s Charles Hotel.
Members
- Chris Burnham – guitar (1974–80, 2007, 2016)
- Joe Burnham – drums (1974–80, 2007, 2016)
- Gary Twinn – vocals (1974–80, 2007, 2016)
- Randall Murphy – bass guitar (1974–76)
- Little Russ Silver (also known as Argentino Russo) – bass guitar (1976)
- Philip Foxman – bass guitar, keyboards (1976–80, 2007, 2016)
- Noel Kennedy – keyboards (1978–80, 2016)
Albums
| Album Title | Album Information | Highest Chart Position |
|---|---|---|
| AUS | ||
| Supernaut |
|
13 |
| The Nauts |
|
- |
| I Like it Both Ways |
|
— |
| The Best of Supernaut |
|
— |
Singles
| Year | Song Title | AUS |
|---|---|---|
| 1976 | "I Like It Both Ways" | 16 |
| 1976 | "Too Hot to Touch" | 14 |
| 1977 | "Let's Spend the Night Together" | — |
| 1977 | "Young and Innocent" | 40 |
| 1977 | "The Kids Are out Tonight" | 44 |
| 1978 | "Unemployed" | 80 |
| 1978 | "Spies" | — |
| 1979 | "Black Market World" (credited to the Nauts) | — |
King of Pop Awards
The King of Pop Awards, determined by votes from TV Week readers, were held annually from 1967 through 1978.
| Year | Recipient | Award | Outcome |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1976 | the band | Best Australian TV Performer | Awarded |
| Most Popular New Group | Awarded |