The Survivors (Australian band)
| Company type | Punk rock band |
|---|---|
| Industry | Music |
| Founded | 1976 |
| Headquarters | Brisbane , Australia |
| Products | Punk rock music, singles, albums |
The Survivors emerged as a punk rock group from Brisbane, Queensland, Australia, in 1976, initially performing under the name Rat Salad as a party-oriented ensemble. They achieved a cult following through their dynamic live shows and their participation on the Lethal Weapons punk compilation album. The founding lineup consisted of Greg Williamson on guitar and vocals, Jim Dickson handling bass and vocals, and Bruce Anthon on drums and vocals. Music historian David Nichols recognized them as iconic figures within Brisbane’s scene, particularly noted for their spirited renditions of 1960s songs.
Operating during Brisbane’s formative punk era between 1976 and 1977, The Survivors thrived in a city characterized by conservative values yet home to rebellious punk groups. Their discography includes a single titled "Baby Come Back," initially released via the Real label in 1977 and later reissued by Suicide Records in 1978. A live recording, Worse than Perfect, was issued in 1988.
History
The band began as Rat Salad, named after a Black Sabbath track, before adopting the name The Survivors in 1977. Their performances were predominantly held at private parties or rented halls, carefully avoiding noise complaints until venues such as the Curry Shop started promoting local punk artists.
Renowned for their vigorous cover performances, they issued one seven-inch single on Real Records. The track Baby Come Back fused elements from 1960s music with the raw energy typical of New York punk. Although some punk enthusiasts criticized them for a limited original repertoire, Jim Dickson emphasized that their passion and intensity outweighed such criticisms.
In 1978, Suicide Records reissued their single and featured both songs on the Lethal Weapons compilation. The band disbanded later that year but performed a series of shows in Sydney alongside acts like The Visitors. Following this period, Jim Dickson and Bruce Anthon went on to establish new bands named The Sleepers and The Shakers.
By 1979, Jim Dickson contributed to Sydney-based group The Passengers; their vocalist Angie Pepper later gained prominence with The Angie Pepper Band and the release of the single Frozen World. Dickson also collaborated with notable bands including The Barracudas, The Deniz Tek Group, and Radio Birdman. Concurrently, Bruce Anthon and Greg Williamson were involved with the Credits, who released the single It's You / Fazed Dazed on the Rocking Horse Record Shop label. Anthon maintained an active presence in jazz and blues circles while working at Brisbane’s Kent Records throughout the 1980s until its closure in the mid-1990s.
Legacy
The Survivors’ live album Worse than Perfect, recorded in August 1978 at Sydney’s Rex Hotel in Kings Cross, was released in 1988. Additionally, their original track "Baby Come Back" appeared on the 2015 CD compilation Stranded, The Chronicles Of Australian Punk, a detailed anthology of Australian punk music officially issued by the Australian Broadcasting Corporation’s Four by Four label.
Personnel
- Bruce Anthon – Drums, vocals
- Jim Dickson – Bass guitar, vocals
- Greg Williamson – Guitar, vocals
Albums
- Worse Than Perfect – 1988
- Grown Up Wrong – WRONG3
Singles
- "Baby Come Back" / "Mr Record Man" – 7-inch vinyl 1977, Real – RR100
- "Baby Come Back" / "Mr. Record Man" – 7-inch vinyl 1978, Suicide – 103181