The Riptides
| Company type | Band |
|---|---|
| Industry | Music |
| Founded | 1977 in Brisbane, Queensland, Australia |
| Founder | Mark Callaghan, Dennis Cantwell, Scott Matheson, Allan Rielly, Tony Wheeler |
| Headquarters | Brisbane , Australia |
| Products | Music albums and singles |
The Riptides emerged as an Australian power pop ensemble originating from Brisbane, Queensland, in 1977, initially performing under the name The Grudge. Mark Callaghan, a founding member, took on roles as lead singer, bassist, rhythm guitarist, and chief songwriter. Michael Hiron, a former member, passed away in 2001.
1977–1979: Origins
Formed in 1977 by students from the University of Queensland's Architecture Department, the group was first known as the Grudge. The founding lineup featured Mark "Cal" Callaghan on lead vocals, Dennis Cantwell on drums, Scott Matheson handling rhythm guitar, Allan Rielly on lead guitar, and Tony Wheeler playing bass. In 1978, Robert Vickers succeeded Wheeler after he left to focus on clarinet and composition studies.
During 1978, the band underwent name changes to the Neon Steal and subsequently the Numbers. In September of that year, under the name the Numbers, they issued a limited-run three-track EP titled Sunset Strip through the Go-Betweens' Able Label. Australian music historian Ian McFarlane characterized this release as "energetic and punchy," highlighting its "1960s-inspired pop style." Early in 1979, Vickers left to join the Colors in New York City and later became part of the Go-Betweens in 1983.
In 1979, with Callaghan moving to bass guitar, the band adopted the name Riptides to avoid confusion with a Sydney group also called the Numbers. They remixed and re-released Sunset Strip in July 1979 on Able, pressing 2000 copies. Andrew Leitch replaced Rielly on guitar and contributed keyboard parts.
1980–1983: Height and Dissolution
The single "Tomorrow's Tears" was released in February 1980 via the Flat label and was praised by McFarlane as "an excellent example of 1960s-style R&B pop." To promote it, they appeared on ABC's Countdown and subsequently relocated to Sydney mid-year. By October 1980, they had signed with Regular Records.
In March 1981, Michael Hiron (formerly of Leftovers and Flaming Hands) joined as bassist; this led Callaghan to switch to rhythm guitar while Matheson departed. The quartet recorded a six-track mini-album titled Swept Away, produced by Graham "Buzz" Bidstrup (formerly of the Angels), which was released in November 1981. Following this, they issued the single "Only Time," after which Cantwell and Leitch left the band.
At the start of 1982, Callaghan and Hiron reassembled the group with new members Graeme "Hutch" Hutchinson on drums, Russell Parkhouse on keyboards, and Howard Shawcross on bass; Hiron transitioned to lead guitar. Their single "Hearts and Flowers" came out in September that year, and in October they supported Scottish band Simple Minds during their Australian tour.
By January 1983, internal struggles including substance abuse led to the band's breakup, as Callaghan recounted in 2014. In July 1983, Regular Records released a compilation album titled Riptides (also known as The Last Wave), featuring tracks chosen by Callaghan along with a new song called "The Wedding Song," co-written by Callaghan and Leitch.
McFarlane described The Riptides as "one of Australia's quintessential new wave bands," recognized for their fusion of power pop with surf-inspired melodies and a pronounced backbeat. Having become a prominent act within Australia's pub music scene during the early 1980s, The Riptides disbanded in 1983.
1984–present: after the split
In 1984, Bidstrup (drums) and Callaghan (guitar, lead vocals) established the Sydney-based pop rock outfit Gang Gajang, joined by Chris Bailey on bass guitar (formerly of the Angels). Meanwhile, Leitch and Hiron created the band Catchcry, alongside Felix Davies (bass), Ross Harley (guitar, vocals), and Tim Seckold (drums).
Although The Riptides had gained a devoted following in Brisbane, they reunited occasionally for university performances. Early in 1987, Callaghan brought the group back together for a decade anniversary tour featuring Callaghan, Leitch, Hiron, and Bidstrup. This reunion tour resulted in the release of the double live album Riptides Resurface in December. They toured once more in February 1988 with J.J. Harris (formerly of Divinyls) taking over drumming duties from Bidstrup.
The lineup of Callaghan, Harris, and Hiron continued to perform throughout 1989 and 1990, adding John Willsteed (ex-the Go Betweens) on guitar. In early 1991, they recorded their first studio album titled Wave Rock, produced by Ricky Fataar (ex-Beach Boys), which was released in August. The album featured singles such as "Stop (Don't Start)" in May and "Here Comes the Sun" in August. Neil Chadwick joined as a permanent drummer before the group dissolved later that year.
Michael Hiron passed away unexpectedly in March 2001. To honor his memory, Callaghan organized a tribute concert in Brisbane that July with musicians linked to Hiron.
In July 2007, Bidstrup and Callaghan reformed The Riptides for a performance at the Pig City Festival, enlisting Chris Bailey on bass and Mark O'Connor on keyboards. Their appearance reaffirmed their reputation as one of Brisbane's seminal bands. Rave Magazine highlighted Callaghan's dynamic stage presence and noted the band's lasting surf-rock charm.
In 2014, Callaghan curated the compilation album Tombs of Gold, which included previously unreleased tracks from the Swept Away sessions along with recordings from subsequent lineups.
Members
- Mark Callaghan — lead vocals (1977–January 1983, Early 1987, February 1988, 1989–1991, July 2007), bass guitar (Early 1979–March 1981), rhythm guitar (Early 1981–January 1983, Early 1987, February 1988, 1989–1991, July 2007)
- Dennis Cantwell — drums and backing vocals (1977–Mid 1981)
- Scott Matheson — rhythm guitar and backing vocals (1977–Early 1981)
- Allan Rielly — lead guitar and backing vocals (1977–Mid 1979)
- Tony Wheeler — bass guitar (1977–Mid 1978)
- Robert Vickers — bass guitar and backing vocals (Mid 1978–Early 1979)
- Andrew Leitch — lead guitar, backing vocals, keyboards (Mid 1979–Mid 1981, Early 1987, February 1988)
- Michael Hiron — bass guitar and backing vocals (March 1981–Mid 1981, Early 1987, February 1988, 1989–1990), lead guitar and backing vocals (Mid 1981–January 1983)
- Graeme Hutchinson — bass guitar and backing vocals (Early 1982–January 1983)
- Russell Parkhouse — keyboards and backing vocals (Early 1982–January 1983)
- Howard Shawcross — drums (Early 1982–January 1983)
- Graham Bidstrup — drums (Early 1987, July 2007)
- J.J. Harris — drums (February 1988, 1989–1990, Early 1991)
- John Willsteed — lead guitar (1989–1990)
- Tony Adams — lead guitar and backing vocals (1991)
- Neil Chadwick — drums (Mid 1991–End of 1991)
- Chris Bailey — bass guitar (July 2007)
- Mark O'Connor — keyboards (July 2007)
Timeline
<timeline> ImageSize = width:790 height:auto barincrement:22 PlotArea = left:120 bottom:120 top:10 right:20 Alignbars = justify DateFormat = dd/mm/yyyy Period = from:01/07/1977 till:01/08/2007 TimeAxis = orientation:horizontal format:yyyy Legend = orientation:vertical position:bottom columns:3 ScaleMajor = increment:3 start:1978 ScaleMinor = increment:1 start:1978
Colors =
id:voc value:red legend:Vocals id:lg value:green legend:Lead_guitar id:rg value:brightgreen legend:Rhythm_guitar id:key value:purple legend:Keyboards id:b value:blue legend:Bass id:dr value:orange legend:Drums id:alb value:black legend:Studio_album id:bar value:gray(0.95)
LineData =
layer:back color:alb at:15/11/1981 at:15/07/1983 at:15/08/1991
BackgroundColors = bars:bar
PlotData =
width:11 textcolor:black align:left anchor:from shift:(12,-4) bar:Mark_Callaghan from:start till:01/03/1979 color:voc bar:Mark_Callaghan from:01/03/1979 till:15/03/1981 color:b bar:Mark_Callaghan from:01/03/1979 till:15/03/1981 color:voc width:3 bar:Mark_Callaghan from:15/03/1981 till:15/11/1981 color:voc bar:Mark_Callaghan from:15/03/1981 till:15/11/1981 color:rg width:3 bar:Mark_Callaghan from:15/02/1982 till:15/01/1983 color:voc bar:Mark_Callaghan from:15/02/1982 till:15/01/1983 color:rg width:3 bar:Mark_Callaghan from:15/01/1987 till:15/03/1987 color:voc bar:Mark_Callaghan from:15/01/1987 till:15/03/1987 color:rg width:3 bar:Mark_Callaghan from:01/01/1988 till:01/03/1988 color:voc bar:Mark_Callaghan from:01/01/1988 till:01/03/1988 color:rg width:3 bar:Mark_Callaghan from:01/05/1989 till:01/09/1989 color:voc bar:Mark_Callaghan from:01/05/1989 till:01/09/1989 color:rg width:3 bar:Mark_Callaghan from:01/05/1990 till:01/09/1990 color:voc bar:Mark_Callaghan from:01/05/1990 till:01/09/1990 color:rg width:3 bar:Mark_Callaghan from:01/02/1991 till:end color:voc bar:Mark_Callaghan from:01/02/1991 till:end color:rg width:3 bar:Aalan_Rielly from:start till:end color:lggreen bar:Aalan_Rielly from:start till:end color:lggreen bar:Aalan_Rielly from:start till:end color:lggreen
</timeline>
Studio albums
| Title | Album details | Highest chart ranking |
|---|---|---|
| Australia | ||
| Swept Away |
|
- |
| The Riptides |
|
- |
| Wave Rock |
|
125 |
Compilation albums
| Title | Album details | Peak position on charts |
|---|---|---|
| Australia | ||
| Resurface |
|
56 |
| Tombs of Gold |
|
- |
Singles
| Year | Track | Highest chart position |
Album |
|---|---|---|---|
| AUS | |||
| 1978 | "Sunset Strip" | - | non album single |
| 1980 | "Tomorrow's Tears" | - | Swept Away |
| 1981 | "Only Time" | 89 | The Riptides |
| 1982 | "Hearts and Flowers" | - | |
| 1991 | "Stop (Don't Start)" | 138 | Wave Rock |
| "Here Comes the Sun" | - |
Further reading
- Who's Who of Australian Rock, 2nd edition, compiled by Chris Spencer, 1989, Five Mile Press
- Waltzing the Plank: The Australian Illustrated Encyclopedia of Surf Music 1963-2003, authored by Stephen J. McPharland
External links
- The Riptides 2015, State Library of Queensland. A short documentary featuring interviews and live performances.