The Bhagavad Guitars
| Company type | Indie rock band |
|---|---|
| Industry | Music |
| Founded | 1985 in Canberra, Australia |
| Founder | Jeremy Butterworth, Kynan Hughes, Matt Kerr, John Kilbey |
| Defunct | 1998 (initially) |
| Fate | Reunited in 2008 |
| Headquarters | Canberra, Sydney , Australia |
| Products | Music albums, EPs, singles |
The Bhagavad Guitars originated as an indie-rock group established in 1985 under the name Inner Circle in Canberra. The founding members included Jeremy Butterworth (guitar, vocals), Kynan Hughes (bass), Matt Kerr (drums), and John Kilbey (performing as John Underwood) on guitar and vocals. After Hughes' departure, Adrian Workman took over bass duties, followed later by Tony Locke. Prior to their studio album, they issued three 12-inch EPs through Red Eye Records. Their album Introversion, recorded in 1991, faced release delays due to conflicts with their label and eventually came out in 1996. Their debut album, Hypnotised, was released in May 1992 via Karmic Hit/Shock Records. The band dissolved in 1998 but reunited in 2008, subsequently releasing Unfamiliar Places in May 2011.
History
Initially formed as Inner Circle in Canberra during 1985 by Butterworth, Kilbey (under the pseudonym Underwood), Hughes, and Kerr, the members had collaborated since their days at Dickson College. In 1987, they moved to Sydney and adopted the name The Bhagavad Guitars, a play on the Hindu scripture Bhagavad Gita. Butterworth remarked that their early fascination with Eastern spiritual traditions influenced their musical path.
Their first EP, a five-track release titled Foreverglades (July 1988), was produced by Steve Kilbey of The Church for Red Eye Records and included the track "Just to Be Sure," which gained radio traction. By the time of their second EP, Headland (October 1988), Adrian Workman had replaced Hughes on bass. Red Eye Records later compiled these two EPs into a full album also named Foreverglades, released in July 1990. The band followed with a third EP, Party, issued in October 1990. Musicologist Ian McFarlane characterized their music as expansive, shimmering guitar pop reminiscent of bands like The Church and Simple Minds.
Although recorded in 1991, the album Introversion was not released until July 1996 under Karmic Hit/Shock Records, featuring an additional 14-minute EP called Extraversion. Tony Cohen—renowned for his collaborations with Nick Cave and The Bad Seeds—engineered and co-produced this record. In 1992, Kilbey established the Karmic Hit label and released the single "Hypnotise Me" in February of that year. Their first studio album on this label, Hypnotised (May 1992), included Tony Locke contributing bass and lead vocals on two songs.
After the group's initial disbandment, Kilbey embarked on solo endeavors producing three albums: Nothing More Than Something to Wear (2003), Catching Some Z's (2004), and Good Fortunes (1999). Additionally, he collaborated on Warp Factor 9's album 5 Days in a Photon Belt (1993).
The Bhagavad Guitars reunited in 2008 and subsequently released the album Unfamiliar Places in May 2011.
Albums
- Foreverglades (compilation, July 1990) – Red Eye/Polydor (RED LP 10, RED CD 10)
- Hypnotised (May 1992) – Karmic Hit
- Introversion (July 1996) – Karmic Hit/Shock Records (KH004/005)
- Unfamiliar Places (May 2011) – Karmic Hit
Extended plays
- Foreverglades (1988) – Red Eye/Polydor
- Headland (1988) – Red Eye
- Party (1990) – Red Eye
Singles
- "Hypnotise Me" (February 1992) – Karmic Hit