Tactics (band)
| Company type | Band |
|---|---|
| Industry | Music |
| Founded | 1977 in Canberra, Australia |
| Founder | David Studdert |
| Headquarters | Canberra , Australia |
| Products | Studio albums, live albums, singles |
Tactics is a post-punk ensemble that originated in Canberra in 1977, featuring David Studdert as the principal songwriter and vocalist throughout its existence. The band produced four studio albums: My Houdini (1980), Glebe (1981), Blue and White Future Whale (1986), and The Great Gusto (1990). Although they earned critical praise and were known for compelling live shows, they did not attain widespread commercial popularity, largely remaining influential within the alternative independent music circuit. Their sound was characterized by being "energetic, discordant, and rhythmically unconventional." The group dissolved in 1989 when Studdert moved to London; however, they reunited for performances in Sydney in 2006, 2008, and 2019. Studdert has intermittently collaborated with former members on various projects since.
Formation and early years
Established in 1977 as a post-punk pop band in Canberra, Tactics initially comprised Angus Douglas on lead guitar, Steve Kilbey handling bass duties, David Studdert on vocals and rhythm guitar, and Robert Whittle on drums. Kilbey's tenure was brief, departing after a handful of shows; he was succeeded by Steve Ball on bass in 1978.
Studdert’s songwriting drew inspiration from artists such as Tom Verlaine, Arthur Lee, Bob Dylan, Neil Young, and the poet Rimbaud. His objective was to craft a unique musical identity akin to groups like Talking Heads and Television. Early on, their distinctive approach struggled to gain significant attention within the Canberra music scene.
In February 1979, responding to an invitation from the punk band Thought Criminals, Tactics relocated to Sydney. There they built momentum performing at venues including French's and the Civic. Geoff Marsh replaced Ball on bass and contributed backing vocals. Their initial recordings—the Long Weekend EP (1979) and the single "Hole in My Life" (1980)—were hampered by subpar production quality but revealed promising potential.
A return performance in Canberra during September 1979 faced a lukewarm reception compared to Sydney’s more enthusiastic audiences. Critics acknowledged their vigorous stage presence and strong songwriting despite some minor technical flaws. By late 1979, Ingrid Spielman joined the lineup as pianist and keyboardist.
1980: My Houdini album
December 1980 saw the release of Tactics’ first album, My Houdini, under Green Records. The record delivered "high-energy performances, gritty guitar tones, unsettling melodies, complex compositions, and insightful lyrics," co-produced by the band alongside Martin Bishop. Australian music writer Clinton Walker regarded it as a milestone within Australia’s indie music landscape, highlighting its innovation and Studdert’s distinctive vocal delivery.
The album incorporated a wider array of instruments than their live sets typically featured, including Spielman’s piano as well as saxophone and flute parts performed by Danny Field. It also contained a reimagined version of "Buried Country" from the Long Weekend EP along with slower-paced songs such as "The Usual," "Frozen Park," and "A Settler's Complaint," which were seldom played during concerts.
Reflecting in a 2006 interview, Studdert described the recording sessions as rigorous and intense, with Bishop maintaining close oversight while the band balanced daytime studio work with nighttime gigs.
1981–1983: from Glebe to hiatus
In 1981, Garry Manley took over bass duties from Marsh. The band's sophomore album, Glebe, released in November of the same year, showcased a pronounced shift towards reggae and dub styles. Although Studdert later admitted that this change was not well promoted, he appreciated the creative direction it represented.
Additional personnel adjustments occurred in 1982 with the addition of Michael Farmer on drums and Duncan McKenzie handling keyboards. That August, the live compilation The Bones of Barry Harrison was issued, featuring recordings spanning from 1979 to 1982; however, its reception was hampered by subpar sound fidelity. By 1983, Dave Studdert decided to dissolve Tactics.
1984–1989: Reformation through The Great Gusto
Tactics reassembled in Sydney in 1984 with Studdert and Douglas joined by Nicky Baruch (vocals, keyboards), Tony Donohue (drums), and David "Snajik" Miller (bass). In July 1985, they released the single "Fat Man" under Waterfront Records. Their third studio effort, Blue and White Future Whale, arrived in November 1986 and marked a departure from their earlier intense rhythmic style.
The band recorded their fourth album, The Great Gusto, in 1989 with a lineup featuring Studdert, Snajik, Garry Manley (guitar, piano), and Malcolm MacCallum (drums, keyboards). This album also included contributions from trumpeter Robert Weaver and violinist Amanda Brown (formerly of the Go-Betweens). Released in November 1989, it aimed for broader commercial success but ultimately underperformed. Later that year, Tactics disbanded as Studdert moved to the UK.
Now Tactics, Post-Tactics, and retrospective releases
Soon after completing mixing for The Great Gusto, Studdert relocated to the United Kingdom at the request of independent label Red Flame. There, he collaborated with several London-based bands before establishing Mumbo Jumbo, an eight-piece ensemble that released material during the mid-1990s and briefly toured Australia in 1996 alongside the release of the Tactics compilation The History of the Sky.
In 1999, Studdert reunited with Manley and Lex Robertson to form The Inside Up, which toured across Australia until disbanding in 2003.
Memorandum Recordings issued a comprehensive double-CD anthology in late 2006 featuring Tactics’ first two albums (My Houdini and Glebe), supplemented by live recordings and previously unreleased tracks. The Glebe album was fully remixed from its original master tapes. Ahead of this release, Tactics reassembled for two performances with a lineup including Studdert, Manley, Spielman, Galvin (guitar), Cecire (drums), Robertson (keyboards), and Kelly (trumpet).
In March 2008, Memorandum followed up with a second volume containing a remastered version of Blue and White Future Whale alongside live and studio outtakes from The Great Gusto, reflecting Studdert’s critical view of that record. The band briefly reunited to promote this release and recorded five new tracks in April 2008.
During August 2019, Tactics embarked on their High Speed Picnic Tour covering Sydney, Brisbane, and Melbourne to support their new album Early Shift at Charles de Gaulle (Scenic View Records). The touring lineup featured Studdert (vocals, rhythm guitar, production), Spielman (piano, organ), Manley (bass), Cecire (drums), Robertson (backing vocals), and Wayne Connolly (lead guitar, production), with guest appearances by Peter Fenton (backing vocals) and Matt Galvin (guitar solos). French musician Jili Serra contributed guitar, e-bow, harmonica, and bass both in studio sessions and live performances.
Members
- David Studdert - Lead vocals and rhythm guitar on all albums – 1977 to 2019
- Angus Douglas - Lead guitar on My Houdini, Glebe, and The Bones... – 1977 to 1984
- Robert Whittle - Drums and vocals featured on My Houdini, Glebe, and The Bones... – 1977 to 1982
- Geoff Marsh - Bass and vocals on My Houdini and The Bones... – 1979 to 1981
- Ingrid Spielman - Piano contributions on My Houdini, Glebe, The Bones..., and Early Shift at Charles de Gaulle – studio recordings from 1980 to 1982; live performances in September 2006, March 2008, and August 2019
- Garry Manley - Bass and guitar parts on Glebe, The Bones...,The Great Gusto, and Early Shift at Charles de Gaulle – bass from 1981 to 1983; guitar during 1989–1990; live bass in September 2006, March 2008, and August 2019
- Duncan MacKenzie - Organist in 1982
- Michael Farmer - Drummer in 1982
- Nicky Baruch - Vocals, keyboards, percussion, and flute on Glebe and Blue & White Future Whale – active between 1982 and 1986
- David 'Snajik' Miller - Bass player on Blue & White Future Whale and The Great Gusto – periods spanning 1984–1986 and again from 1989 to 1990
- Tony Donohoe - Drums featured on Blue & White Future Whale – from 1984 to 1986
- Michael Sherman - Trumpet on the singles Fatman and Committee of Love – released in 1986
- Lex Robertson - Keyboardist for Early Shift at Charles de Gaulle, with live performances in September 2006, March 2008, and August 2019 – active during 1989–1990
- Pete Kelly - Trumpet player between 1989 and 1990; also performed live in September 2006 and March 2008
- Adam 'Sloth' Burrell - Trumpet musician from 1989 to 1990
- Robbie Weaver - Trumpet contributions on The Great Gusto, active from 1988 to 1989
- Nic Cecire - Drums during live shows of Early Shift at Charles de Gaulle, performed in September 2006, March 2008, and August 2019
- Matt Galvin - Guitarist for live performances of Early Shift at Charles de Gaulle, appearing September 2006 and March 2008
- Wayne Connolly - Guitarist during the August 2019 live rendition of Early Shift at Charles de Gaulle
- Jili Serra - Guitar, harmonica, and bass for French live shows in August 2018 and Sydney concerts in August 2019
- Geoffrey Datson - Guitarist during France live performances in August 2018
- Additional members include: Hamish Reid (bass) and Errol Gooding (saxophone)
Studio albums
| Title | Details |
|---|---|
| My Houdini |
|
| Glebe |
|
| Blue and White Future Whale |
|
| The Great Gusto |
|
| Early Shift at Charles de Gaulle |
|
Live albums
| Title | Details |
|---|---|
| The Bones of Barry Harrison |
|
Compilations
| Compilation Title | Release Information |
|---|---|
| History of the Sky |
|
| The Sound of the Sound Vol. 1: My Houdini, Glebe & More |
|
| The Sound of the Sound Vol. 2: 1984 - 1988 |
|
Extended PLays
| EP Title | Release Details |
|---|---|
| Long Weekend |
|
References
- General
- Note: Archived version offers limited access.
- Specific