The Screaming Tribesmen
| Company type | Band |
|---|---|
| Industry | Music |
| Founded | 1981 in Brisbane, Queensland, Australia |
| Founder | Mick Medew |
| Defunct | 2012 |
| Headquarters | Brisbane , Australia |
| Products | Studio albums, EPs, singles |
| Website | https://web.archive.org/web/20130622000000*/http://www.screamingtribesmen.com |
The Screaming Tribesmen emerged from Brisbane, Queensland, in 1981, founded by frontman and guitarist Mick Medew. Throughout their career, they produced three studio albums: Bones and Flowers (1987), Blood Lust (1990), and Formaldehyde (1993), before dissolving in 1998. The group briefly reunited between 2011 and 2012. Australian music historian Ian McFarlane highlighted their distinctive fusion of 1960s-inspired pop rock, characterized by introspective lyrics, inventive melodies, and prominent guitar work.
History
Originating in Brisbane, The Screaming Tribesmen were formed by Medew (formerly of 31st) with John Hartley and Murray Shepherd (both ex-members of the Fun Things). Their initial material included songs co-written by Medew and Ron Peno, who exited the band in 1981. Their first EP, titled Screaming Tribesman, was issued through EMI's Custom Records in 1982, followed by the 1983 release I Don't Wanna Know. Early singles such as "Igloo" and "A Stand Alone" were produced by Chris Masuak and released on Citadel Records. By the end of 1983, Medew moved the band to Sydney, while Hartley and Shepherd returned to Brisbane.
In July 1984, Medew assembled a new lineup featuring Masuak (previously with Radio Birdman), Mark Kingsmill (ex-the Hitmen), and Tony Robertson (ex-the Hitmen, New Christs). Shortly after, Kingsmill departed to join Hoodoo Gurus; Michael Charles took over on drums, and Bob Wackley assumed bass responsibilities by November. The group released the EP Date with a Vampyre in 1985, produced by Masuak, which was praised for its powerful guitar-driven sound. Warwick Fraser replaced Charles on drums in 1986.
September 1986 saw the release of their six-track EP Top of the Town on Rattlesnake Records, co-produced by Masuak and Alan Thorne. McFarlane described this effort as a lighter guitar-pop style that failed to meet commercial expectations. Following an eastern Australia tour in early 1987, they recorded their debut full-length album Bones and Flowers, which was released in October that year. This album showcased a mix of hard rock intensity alongside melodic compositions, signaling a return to their heavier roots.
Singles such as "I've Got a Feeling" and "Casualty of Love" emerged from this album. The band toured the United States to promote it; their single received rotation on college radio stations and MTV's 120 Minutes, achieving the top spot on Los Angeles' KROQ charts and reaching number seven on Billboard's Modern Rock listings.
In April 1989, Fraser, Masuak, and Wackley exited the group. Medew then formed a new ensemble including members from Melbourne’s Radio Luxembourg—Jeff Silver on bass and Ritchie Hine on drums—alongside guitarist Glenn Morris (formerly of Kings of the Sun). Late in 1989, they released the covers EP Take Cover. Their sophomore album Blood Lust followed in March 1991, featuring some of their most intense material.
Throughout the early 1990s, the band underwent multiple personnel changes involving various guitarists and drummers. July 1993 marked the release of Formaldehyde, co-produced by Rob Younger together with the band and Mike Wood. During this period, Tony Cardinal replaced Paul Larsen behind the drum kit.
Medew continued to perform with different lineups, including Mick Medew and the Rumours, which featured former Screaming Tribesmen members. In 1997, the band reassembled with Cardinal and Andy Newman handling bass and keyboards. McFarlane reaffirmed their unique combination of philosophical lyricism and melodic guitar playing despite some criticism that later works veered into generic hard rock territory.
In January 2011, Medew reunited with Masuak for a performance featuring Screaming Tribesmen songs in Sydney. Later that year, Fraser, Masuak, Medew, and Wackley regrouped for shows along Australia's east coast coinciding with CD re-releases via Grown Up Wrong. They also appeared at Spain’s Azkena Rock Festival and toured France in June 2012 before disbanding once more.
Members
- Mick Medew – lead vocals, guitars (1981–96, 2011–12)
- John Hartley – bass guitar (1981–84)
- Murray Shepherd – drums, backing vocals (1981–84)
- Ron Peno – lead vocals (1981)
- Mark Kingsmill – drums (1984)
- Tony Robertson – bass guitar (1984)
- Chris Welsh – drums (1984)
- Michael Charles – drums (1984–86)
- Chris Masuak – guitars, keyboards, backing vocals (1984–89, 2011–12)
- Bob Wackley – bass guitar (1984–89, 2011–12)
- Warwick Fraser – drums (1986–89, 2011–12)
- Ritchie Hine – drums, percussion, backing vocals (1989–92)
- Glenn Morris – guitar (1989, 1992–95)
- Jeff Silver – bass guitar (1989–96)
- Brian Mann – guitar (1989–90)
- Paul Larsen – drums, percussion, backing vocals (1991–93)
- Ash Geary – guitars (1992)
- Chris Dixon – drums (1993)
- Tony Cardinal – drums (1993–98)
- Marc Dé Hugar – guitars (1995) (deceased January 2022)
- Andy Newman – bass guitar, keyboards (1996–98)
Studio albums
| Title | Album information | Highest chart position (AUS) |
|---|---|---|
| Bones and Flowers | Released: October 1987; Available formats: LP, CD, Cassette; Label: Survival Records (460120 2) | 84 |
| Blood Lust | Released: 1990; Available formats: LP, CD, Cassette; Label: Survival Records (468008 2) | - |
| Formaldehyde | Released: 1993; Available formats: LP, CD, Cassette; Label: Survival Records (SUR527 CD) | - |
Compilation albums
| Title | Album information |
|---|---|
| High Time: A Collection | Released: 1990 (Europe); Formats: CD, Cassette; Label: Rattlesnake (SUR507 CD) |
| Anthology 1982–1993: All Hail the Tribesmen | Released: 2003; Format: CD; Label: Raven Records (RVCD-169) |
| The Savage Beat of the Screaming Tribesmen | Released: December 2003; Format: CD; Label: Savage/Shock Records (Savage002) |
Extended plays
| Title | EP information |
|---|---|
| Screaming Tribesmen |
|
| I Don't Wanna Know |
|
| Date with a Vampyre |
|
| Top of the Town |
|
| Take Cover |
|
Singles
| Year | Song Title | Chart Rankings | Associated Album |
|---|---|---|---|
| US Modern Rock | |||
| 1983 | "Igloo" | – | — |
| 1984 | "A Stand Alone" | – | — |
| 1987 | "Casualty of Love" | – | Bones and Flowers |
| 1988 | "I've Got a Feeling" | 7 | |
| 1988 | "Casualty of Love" | – | |
| 1991 | "Ayla" | – | Blood Lust |
| 1992 | "Got You On My Mind" | – | Formaldehyde |
External links
- Official website (archived on 22 June 2013, accessed 11 June 2018)
- The Screaming Tribesmen on MusicBrainz
- Article with MP3 for "Igloo" at Webcuts
- ["The Screaming Tribesmen Biography & History"](https://www.allmusic.com/artist/the-screaming-tribesmen-mn0000137460/biography) on AllMusic
- The Screaming Tribesmen on Discogs