The Party Boys
| Company type | Supergroup |
|---|---|
| Industry | Music |
| Founded | 1982 |
| Founder | Paul Christie, Kevin Borich |
| Headquarters | Sydney , Australia |
| Products | Rock music albums and live performances |
The Party Boys emerged as an Australian rock supergroup in 1982, founded by Mondo Rock bassist Paul Christie alongside guitarist Kevin Borich, formerly associated with the La De Da's and the Kevin Borich Express. Designed as a part-time venture for established musicians during breaks from their primary bands, the ensemble’s roster was fluid, featuring members from leading groups such as Status Quo, the Angels, Sherbet, Skyhooks, Rose Tattoo, the Choirboys, Australian Crawl, Divinyls, Models, Dragon, and Swanee. International artists like Joe Walsh, Eric Burdon, and Graham Bonnet also contributed over time.
Their inaugural album, Live at Several 21sts released in March 1983, achieved a peak position of number 9 on the Australian Kent Music Report Albums Chart. In June 1987, their rendition of John Kongos’ "He's Gonna Step On You Again" climbed to number 1 in Australia and secured the tenth spot in New Zealand.
Early line-ups
After departing Mondo Rock in 1982, Paul Christie teamed up with Kevin Borich—his former collaborator in the Kevin Borich Express—to establish The Party Boys. The original formation featured guitarist Harvey James (Sherbet) and drummer Graham "Buzz" Bidstrup (The Angels). Vocalist James Reyne (Australian Crawl) joined briefly during a television mini-series production, contributing to live shows that were recorded for Live at Several 21sts. Following Reyne’s exit, Richard Clapton assumed vocal duties, and Don Raffaele was added on saxophone. This group toured performing covers from artists such as Bob Dylan and Aerosmith, resulting in the live album Greatest Hits (of Other People) (1983), which reached No. 25 on the charts. The single "I Fought the Law" was also released during this era.
Later, ex-Skyhooks frontman Graeme "Shirley" Strachan and Rose Tattoo guitarist Robin Riley joined to record No Song Too Sacred, another live album focusing on cover songs including Led Zeppelin’s "Kashmir".
During 1984 and 1985, key members such as Marc Hunter (Dragon), former Divinyls drummer Richard Harvey, and American guitarist Joe Walsh (Eagles) were incorporated. Their nationwide sold-out tour led to the album You Need Professional Help, notable for an extended guitar duel between Walsh and Borich on Walsh’s "Rocky Mountain Way".
In 1986, a revamped lineup featured Christie, Borich, Harvey, Angry Anderson from Rose Tattoo, guitarist John Brewster (the Angels), and ex-Status Quo bassist Alan Lancaster. Christie transitioned to drums alongside Harvey, resulting in a dual-drummer setup. This configuration did not produce any recordings before Anderson left following the tour.
The Swanee years
By 1987, John Swan replaced Anderson, ushering in the most commercially successful period for The Party Boys. Their initial release with Swan was a cover of John Kongos' hit "He's Gonna Step on You Again", which reached No. 1 on the Kent Music Report and briefly appeared at No. 92 in the UK charts. In December of that year, they issued their first studio album, The Party Boys, comprising six original tracks alongside covers of songs by AC/DC, Argent, the Angels, Them, and La De Da's. The single "Hold Your Head Up" peaked at No. 19. Swan departed due to contractual obligations and to pursue work on an unfinished film titled Chase the Moon.
Swan was temporarily succeeded by UK vocalist Graham Bonnet—known for his performances with the Marbles, Rainbow, and Alcatrazz—but after only five shows he exited and Swan returned. In February 1988, The Party Boys supported AC/DC during their first Australian tour in seven years. Following these concerts Swan left once more; Joe Walsh briefly rejoined for recording "Follow Your Heart" in March 1989 alongside Christie, Borich, Calvin Welch on bass, and backing vocals provided by Hamish, Fergus, and Angus Richardson.
Later years
In the middle of 1989, the Party Boys embarked on a tour alongside Eric Burdon, who is frequently regarded as their seventh lead singer; nonetheless, he performed as a solo act supported by the band during his Australian tour promoting I Used to Be an Animal. This ensemble featured Burdon, Christie, Mal Eastick on guitar, Mal Logan on keyboards, and Warren McLean on drums. A concert held in July was characterized by its loud and forceful sound, paying homage to classic rock influences.
Towards the end of 1989, the group's lineup included Christie, Ross Wilson (known from Daddy Cool and Mondo Rock) as vocalist, Stuart Fraser (formerly of Noiseworks) on guitar, Dorian West handling bass duties, drummers Adrian Cannon and Brett Jacobson, along with backing vocalists Kevin Bennett and Alex Smith. They produced a rendition of Manfred Mann's "Do Wah Diddy Diddy," but due to contractual complications, Wilson’s vocal tracks were replaced. Vince Contarino re-recorded the lead vocals, and this single achieved a peak position of No. 24 on the Australian charts in early 1990.
Christie maintained touring activities with a rotating roster of musicians until 1992. Among the notable contributors were guitarists Brad Carr (previously with Choirboys), Steve Williams (ex–Wa Wa Nee), former AC/DC bassist Mark Evans, and drummer Barton Price (formerly of Models and Mondo Rock). In September 1992, the group issued a cover version of Billy Preston's "That's the Way God Planned It" prior to disbanding. After the Party Boys dissolved, Christie transitioned into artist management, representing bands such as the Breed and Tamam Shud.
The Party Boys reunited for performances in 1999 featuring Christie, Price, former Angels members James Morley and Bob Spencer, along with vocalist Mark Gable. In January 2011, Kevin Borich's Party Boyz toured with Angry Anderson, John 'Swanee' Swan, Kevin Borich himself, Izzy Osmanovic from the Screaming Jets, Harry Brus, and Mick Skelton during the Back From Exile Tour.
Members
- Graham Bidstrup – drums (1982–1984)
- Kevin Borich – guitar, vocals (1982–1989, 1999, 2011)
- Paul Christie – bass guitar, drums, backing vocals (1982–1992, 1999, 2011)
- Harvey James – guitar, backing vocals (1982–1983)
- James Reyne – vocals (1982–1983)
- Richard Clapton – vocals, guitar (1983–1984)
- Don Raffael – saxophone (1983)
- Gil Matthews – drums (1984)
- Richard Harvey – drums (1984–1988, 1999; died 2022)
- Marc Hunter – vocals (1984; died 1998)
- Robin Riley – guitar (1984)
- Matthew Wenban – drums (1984)
- Graeme "Shirley" Strachan – vocals (1984–1986; died 2001)
- Joe Walsh – guitar (1984–1986, 1989)
- Angry Anderson – vocals (1986–1987, 1999, 2011)
- John Brewster – guitar, backing vocals (1986–1992, 1999)
- Alan Lancaster – bass guitar, vocals (1986–1987, 1992; died 2021)
- John Swan – vocals (1987, 1987–1989, 1992, 1999, 2011)
- Graham Bonnet – vocals (1987)
- Brad Carr – guitar (1988, 1990)
- Barton Price – drums (1988–1989)
- Brett Jacobson – drums (1989, 1990)
- Hamish Angus – guitar (1989)
- Eric Burdon – vocals (1989)
- Hanuman Dass – drums (1989)
- Mal Eastick – guitar (1989)
- Mal Logan – keyboards (1989)
- Warren McLean – drums (1989; died 2021)
- Sam McNally – keyboards, bass guitar (1989)
- Fergus Richardson – keyboards, vocals (1989)
- Calvin Welch – drums (1989–1990)
- Ross Wilson – vocals (1989–1990)
- Kevin Bennett – backing vocals (1989–1990)
- Adrian Cannon – drums (1989–1990)
- Vince Contarino – vocals (1990)
- Mark Evans – bass guitar (1990)
- Stuart Fraser – guitar (1989–1990)
- Alex Smith – backing vocals (1989–1990)
- Dorian West – bass guitar (1989–1992)
- Doc Neeson – vocals (1987–1988; died 2014)
- Steve Williams – guitar (1990)
- John Zak – drums (1990–1992)
- James Morley – bass guitar (1999)
- Bob Spencer – guitar (1999)
- Mark Gable – vocals (1999)
- Harry Brus – bass guitar (2011)
- Mick O'Shea – drums (2011)
- Izzy Osmanovic – guitar, vocals (2011)
- Mick Skelton – drums (2011)
Studio albums
| Album | Information | Highest chart rankings | Certification | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| AUS KMR |
NZL | |||
| The Party Boys |
|
18 | 41 |
|
Compilation albums
| Year | Album | Highest chart rankings |
|---|---|---|
| AUS ARIA | ||
| The Party Boys Rage Album | - | |
| Greatest Hits, Misses, B-Sides and Rarities | 182 |
Live albums
| Album | Details | Highest chart rankings |
|---|---|---|
| AUS KMR | ||
| Live at Several 21sts | 9 | |
| Greatest Hits (of Other People) |
|
25 |
| No Song Too Sacred |
|
61 |
| You Need Professional Help |
|
96 |
Notes
- A. The track "Do Wah Diddy Diddy" attained position No. 73 on the Australian Music Report Singles Chart, which succeeded the Kent Music Report.[1] The Australian Recording Industry Association (ARIA) initiated its own charts in mid-1988; on the ARIA Singles Chart, this song reached No. 81.[1]
References
- General sources
- Note: Archived source offers limited functionality.
- Who's Who of Australian Rock – Chris Spencer, Paul McHenry, Zbig Nowara, 2002.
- Specific sources
External links
- Articles with short description
- Australian rock music groups
- Australian supergroups
- Musical groups established in 1982
- Musical groups disestablished in 2011
- Musical groups from Sydney
- 1982 establishments in Australia
- 2011 disestablishments in Australia
- CBS Records artists
- Rock music supergroups
- Pages with reference errors