The Celibate Rifles
| Company type | Band |
|---|---|
| Industry | Music |
| Founded | 1979 in Sydney, Australia |
| Founder | Dave Morris, Kent Steedman, Michael Couvret, Phillip Jacquet |
| Defunct | 2019 |
| Fate | Disbanded after the death of lead vocalist Damien Lovelock |
| Headquarters | Sydney , Australia |
Area served | Australia, United States, Europe |
Key people | Damien Lovelock (lead vocals), Kent Steedman (lead guitar), Dave Morris (rhythm guitar) |
| Products | Punk rock music, studio albums, live albums, EPs |
Number of employees | 5–6 (typical band members) (Various years between 1979 and 2019) |
| Website | www |
The Celibate Rifles emerged as a punk rock ensemble from Sydney, Australia, in 1979, with founding members Dave Morris on rhythm guitar, Kent Steedman handling lead guitar, and Damien Lovelock joining later as the lead vocalist. Their initial album, Sideroxylon, debuted in April 1983 under Hot Records. Over their career, they extensively toured across the United States and Europe, producing nine studio albums, culminating with Beyond Respect in July 2004. Their sound was often described as a post-Radio Birdman style, merging rapid, guitar-centric hard rock with elements of power pop. In 1987, Sounds magazine lauded their Roman Beach Party album for its unrefined vigor and perceptive songwriting. The 1994 release Spaceman in a Satin Suit was considered their finest output since Blind Ear. Following his tenure with the band, Lovelock embarked on solo projects and sports broadcasting before his passing in 2019.
History
The Celibate Rifles were established in 1979 by high schoolers Michael Couvret (bass), Phillip Jacquet (drums), Dave Morris (guitar), and Kent Steedman (guitar), initially featuring Ian Martin as vocalist. In 1980, Damien Lovelock replaced Martin, adding a lyrical dimension to the band’s dynamic sound. The group’s name was conceived as a counterpoint to the Sex Pistols. By 1985, their music had evolved into a fusion of fast-paced hard rock infused with power pop influences.
In March 1982, they self-produced a four-track EP titled But Jacques, the Fish? at Honey Farms Studio; Hot Records reissued this in 1983. Prior to releasing their debut album Sideroxylon in April 1983, bassist James Darroch took over from Couvret. The album incorporated brass and keyboard contributions that enriched their white-trash thrash aesthetic with wit and sophistication.
Post-Sideroxylon, Lovelock initiated an acoustic side project called No Dance, while Steedman briefly joined New Christs. Singles such as "Pretty Pictures" and "Merry Xmas Blues" introduced acoustic elements that diverged from typical punk rock norms. After Darroch's exit in 1984, Couvret returned to record their self-titled second album (also known as 5 Languages), which garnered acclaim for its expanded stylistic range and intensity.
Their third studio effort, The Turgid Miasma of Existence (1986), produced by Steedman himself, represented a pinnacle in their sonic development by combining aggressive thrash with more restrained passages. Self-funding a U.S. tour, they captured their live performance at New York’s CBGB club for the album Kiss Kiss Bang Bang. Subsequent lineup changes saw Rudy Morabito join on bass and Paul Larsen on drums.
In 1987, recording sessions in the Netherlands produced Roman Beach Party, an album praised by critics for its raw rock energy and insightful lyricism. Jim Leone replaced Morabito on bass in 1988; that year also saw the release of their rendition of Patti Smith's "Dancing Barefoot" through Hot Records.
After signing with True Tone Records, they issued Blind Ear (1989), noted for its incisive social critique paired with vigorous music. Singles like "Johnny" and "O Salvation!" emerged during this period. A compilation entitled Platters du Jour collected rare early recordings.
Between 1988 and 1993, members engaged in various side endeavors: Lovelock released two solo albums and worked as a sports commentator; Steedman formed Crent; Larsen and Leone collaborated with Roddy Rayda and The Surfin' Caesars. Drummer changes occurred when Nik Rieth replaced Larsen in 1990.
Their contract with Festival Records led to the double album Heaven on a Stick (1992), produced by Rob Younger. The single "Groovin' in the Land of Love" achieved modest ARIA chart success. They toured internationally alongside Hard-Ons.
Hot Records remastered and reissued their first five albums between 1992 and 1993. Returning to Hot Records’ roster, they released the live album Yizgarnnoff (1993) along with the compilation Sofa. Collaborations with Deniz Tek continued into the mid-1990s.
The 1994 album Spaceman in a Satin Suit, produced by Phil Punch and Paul Tagg, reaffirmed the band’s creative strength. They participated in environmental music projects and unveiled a video album in 1995.
In 1996, Hot Records released the acoustic collection On the Quiet, accompanied by an electric bonus EP. Their eighth studio album, A Mid-Stream of Consciousness (2000), received critical praise for preserving their distinctive lean rock approach.
Their ninth studio work, Beyond Respect (2004), featured Lovelock’s unique vocal delivery reminiscent of Iggy Pop and Jim Morrison. A comprehensive box set titled Ten Thousand Days followed in 2007.
Continuing to headline prominent Australian festivals throughout the 2010s, The Celibate Rifles announced their retirement after Lovelock’s death in August 2019. In January 2020, they posthumously released "I'm Gonna Try," recorded during Lovelock's final studio session.
Studio albums
| Album title | Release information | Highest chart positions |
|---|---|---|
| AUS | ||
| Sideroxylon |
|
- |
| The Celibate Rifles (also known as 5 Languages) |
|
- |
| The Turgid Miasma of Existence |
|
- |
| Roman Beach Party |
|
- |
| Blind Ear |
|
- |
| Heaven on a Stick |
|
51 |
| Spaceman in a Satin Suit |
|
124 |
| A Mid-Stream of Consciousness |
|
- |
| Beyond Respect |
|
- |
Compilation albums
| Compilation title | Release details |
|---|---|
| Quintessentially Yours – UK compilation combining Sideroxylon and But Jacques, the Fish? | July 1985, What Goes on Records RIFLE1 |
| Mina Mina Mina – UK compilation featuring Sideroxylon and 5 Languages | August 1986, What Goes on Records GOES ON 5 |
| Platters du Jour – Collection of previously released singles | October 1990, Hot Records HOT1033/34 |
| Sofa – Compilation encompassing the first five studio albums | June 1993, Hot Records HOT1043 |
| On the Quiet – Acoustic reinterpretations of earlier tracks | September 1996, Hot Records HOT1067 |
| Wonderful Life – Best-of compilation released in Brazil | 1997, Tronador Records WOM TR001 |
| Ten Thousand Days | 18 August 2007 |
Live albums
| Album title | Recording and release details |
|---|---|
| Kiss Kiss Bang Bang – Recorded live on 12 July 1986 at CBGB, New York City | November 1986, Hot Records HOT 1029 |
| Yizgarnnoff – Captured at Promises in Sydney and CBGB in New York City | May 1993, Hot Records HOT 1041 |
| Meeting the Mexicans – Recorded at The Thornbury Theatre, Melbourne in 2017 | March 2018, Laneway Music |
Extended plays
- But Jacques, the Fish? (Custom, March 1982)
- The Turgid Miasma of Existence (Hot Records, June 1986; three-track bonus EP included with the first 500 copies)
- Dancing Barefoot (Hot Records, May 1988)
- Wonderful Life (March 1990; double 7-inch featuring four tracks)
Charted singles
| Title | Year | AUS |
|---|---|---|
| "Johnny" | 1989 | 128 |
| "O Salvation!" | 1989 | 123 |
| "Wonderful Life" | 1990 | 138 |
| "Groovin' in the Land of Love" | 1991 | 123 |
| "Cold Wind" | 1992 | 138 |
Band members
- Personnel
- Damien Lovelock – lead vocals (1980–2019)
- Kent Steedman – lead guitar, backing vocals (1979–2019)
- Dave Morris – rhythm guitar, backing vocals (1979–2019)
- Paul Larsen (also known as Paul Loughhead) – drums (1986–1991, 2001–2019)
- Jim Leone – bass guitar, backing vocals (1988–2001, 2011–2019)
- Michael Couvret – bass guitar, backing vocals (1979–1982, 1984–1986, 2001–2011)
- Phil Jacquet – drums (1979–1986)
- Ian Martin – vocals (1979–1980)
- James Darroch – bass guitar, backing vocals (1982–1984; deceased March 1986)
- Rudy Morabito – bass guitar, backing vocals (1986–1988)
- Nik Rieth – drums (1991–2001)
Timeline
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Colors =
id:bass value:blue legend:Bass guitar id:vocals value:red legend:Lead vocals id:drums value:orange legend:Drums id:rhythm;vocals value:green legend:Rhythm guitar, backing vocals id:guitar;vocals value:teal legend:Lead guitar, backing vocals id:lines value:black legend:Studio albums
Legend = orientation:vertical position:bottom columns:2
ScaleMajor = increment:2 start:1979 ScaleMinor = increment:1 start:1980
LineData =
at:01/04/1983 color:black layer:back at:01/04/1984 color:black layer:back at:01/06/1986 color:black layer:back at:01/09/1987 color:black layer:back at:01/04/1989 color:black layer:back at:01/03/1992 color:black layer:back at:01/04/1994 color:black layer:back at:01/11/2000 color:black layer:back at:19/04/2004 color:black layer:back
BarData =
bar:Steedman text:"Kent Steedman" bar:Couvret text:"Michael Couvret" bar:Morris text:"Dave Morris" bar:Jacquet text:"Phil Jacquet" bar:Martin text:"Ian Martin" bar:Darroch text:"James Darroch" bar:Larsen text:"Paul Larsen" bar:Lovelock text:"Damien Lovelock" bar:Morabito text:"Rudy Morabito" bar:Leone text:"Jim Leone" bar:Rieth text:"Nik Rieth"
PlotData=
width:10 textcolor:black align:left anchor:from shift:(10,-4) bar:Steedman from:start till:end color:guitar;vocals bar:Couvret from:start till:01/03/1983 color:bass bar:Morris from:start till:end color:rhythm;vocals bar:Jacquet from:start till:01/09/1986 color:drums bar:Martin from:start till:01/01/1980 color:vocals bar:Darroch from:01/03/1983 till:01/01/1984 color:bass bar:Larsen from:01/09/1986 till:01/10/1990 color:drums bar:Lovelock from:01/01/1980 till:end color:vocals bar:Morabito from:01/09/1986 till:01/01/1988 color:bass bar:Leone from:01/01/1988 till:end color:bass width:auto bar:Rieth from:01/10/1990 till:01/01/2001 color:drums bar:Couvret from:01/01/1984 till:end color:bass width:auto bar:Larsen from:start till:end color:drums width:auto
</timeline>
References
- General
- Note: The archived online version offers limited features.
- Specific
External links
- Official Facebook page of The Celibate Rifles
- [https://web.archive.org/web/20060420173731/http://www.abc.net.au/triplej/music_specials/s1399154.htm The Celibate Rifles featured on The J Files by Triple J
- [https://web.archive.org/web/20080727132120/http://www.amo.org.au/artist.asp?id=3757 Archived artist profile of The Celibate Rifles on Australian Music Online, dated 27 July 2008
- [https://web.archive.org/web/20110716144842/http://www.dbmagazine.com.au/340/iv-CelibateRifles.shtml Damien Lovelock interview conducted by Frank Trimboli for dB Magazine, archived 16 July 2011
- [https://web.archive.org/web/20100111185829/http://www.moshcam.com/celibate-rifles/the-manning-bar-532.aspx Live performance video at The Manning Bar, Sydney, recorded 14 March 2009
- Rudy Morabito and the Tube of Venus official site
- 2022 conversation with Kent Steedman on the Australian Rock Show Podcast
- ↑ McFarlane, 'The Celibate Rifles' entry. Archived from original source on 7 August 2004. Accessed 7 September 2012.
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