The Mad Turks from Istanbul
| Company type | Band |
|---|---|
| Industry | Music |
| Founded | 1984 in Adelaide, Australia |
| Defunct | 1991 |
| Headquarters | Adelaide, Melbourne , Australia |
| Products | Music albums and singles |
The Mad Turks from Istanbul were a power pop ensemble originating from Adelaide, Australia, established in 1984. The founding lineup featured Chuck Skatt (real name Charles Jenkins) as the lead vocalist and Dom Benedictine III (Dominic Larizza) on drums. They secured a contract with Greasy Pop Records and launched their first album, Cafe Istanbul, in 1987. Following their move to Melbourne in 1989 and a name abbreviation to The Mad Turks, their sophomore album, Toast, was released in 1990. The group dissolved by the end of 1991, with Jenkins and Larizza subsequently forming Icecream Hands.
History
Originating in Adelaide in 1984, The Mad Turks from Istanbul comprised Chuck Skatt (Charles Jenkins) handling vocals, Dom Benedictine III (Dominic Larizza) on drums, Martyn La Merde (Martyn Christopher) playing bass, and Hank M Turk (Matthias Eckhardt) on guitar. The band evolved from several local outfits including Crunch Pets, Rigormortis, Faith by Force, and the Dysentry Bags. After signing with Greasy Pop Records, they contributed the track "Yet You Wonder Why" to the label’s 1985 compilation An Oasis in a Desert of Noise. In 1986, Steve Caon joined as drummer while Benedictine transitioned to guitar duties. That October saw the release of their debut single "Lolene". Their initial album Cafe Istanbul followed in November 1987, supported by singles "Holding My Breath" and "Looking Forward to Destroy" released in May 1988.
By 1989, following Hank M Turk’s exit and with Skatt assuming rhythm guitar responsibilities, the band relocated to Melbourne and shortened their name to The Mad Turks. Jenkins explained this relocation as a deliberate step toward greater professionalism compared to Adelaide’s more laid-back music environment. Under this new moniker, they issued their second album Toast in 1990 through Greasy Pop. The bass position saw Phil Magnay from Perth’s The Jackals replace Martyn La Merde. From Toast, three singles emerged: "Tempers Flare" (May 1989), "The Last Time" (November), and "Walking Disaster" (March 1990). Challenges including poor management, insufficient promotion by Festival Records, and low audience turnout at shows culminated in the band's breakup in late 1991. Following this, Jenkins and Larizza went on to establish Icecream Hands in 1992.
Studio albums
| Title | Album information | Highest chart position |
|---|---|---|
| AUS | ||
| Cafe Istanbul |
|
72 |
| Toast (as The Mad Turks) |
|
55 |
Singles
| Year | Title | Peak chart position | Album |
|---|---|---|---|
| AUS | |||
| 1986 | "Lolene"/"Seeing Was Believing" | — | Cafe Istanbul |
| 1987 | "Holding My Breath"/"All Those Words"/"Prostitute My Brain" | 85 | |
| 1988 | "Looking Forward to Destroy"/"Given My Number" | — | |
| 1989 | "Tempers Fire"/"American Hearthrob" | 127 | Toast |
| "The Last Time"/"Elusive Dream" | — | ||
| 1990 | "Walking Disaster"/"Holding My Breath" | — |
Further reading
- David Sly, "The Mad Turks from Istanbul," The Advertiser, 10 December 1987, p. A3
- David Sly, "The Mad Turks from Istanbul: No Genuine Alternative," The Advertiser, 16 October 1986, p. 31
- David Sly, "Turks Make Efforts to Raise Their Profile," The Advertiser, 31 March 1988, p. A03
- "Mad Time for the Turks," The Advertiser, 4 October 1990, p. A14