Vampire Lovers (band)
| Company type | Band |
|---|---|
| Industry | Music |
| Founded | 1982 in Brisbane, Queensland, Australia |
| Founder | Axle "Axe Babe" Conrad, Brendan Kibble, Shane Cooke, Matt "Nasty" Le Noury, Dave Chamberlain |
| Defunct | 1990 |
| Headquarters | Brisbane , Australia |
| Products | Punk rock music, singles, EPs, mini-LP, compilation albums |
The Vampire Lovers, alternatively known as Vampyre Lovers or Vampire Lovers, were a punk rock band originating from Brisbane, Queensland, Australia, established in 1982. The founding lineup consisted of Axle "Axe Babe" Conrad (vocals), Brendan Kibble (guitar), Shane Cooke (bass), Matt "Nasty" Le Noury (guitar), and Dave Chamberlain (drums). Additional members included guitarist Jason Shepherd and drummer Ziggy Staten. Their initial period of activity spanned from 1982 to 1984, with a reunion occurring from 1988 to 1990. The group released their debut single, "Buzzsaw Popstar," in 1983, which earned them recognition within the Australian alternative rock circuit. Following their disbandment, their mini-album Acid Commandos from Planet Fuzz was issued in 1991.
As prominent contributors to Brisbane’s third wave punk movement between 1982 and 1984, The Vampire Lovers embodied a uniquely Australian punk ethos that diverged from the dominant UK punk influences of the time. Music historian Ian McFarlane observed Brisbane’s reputation for fostering some of the most rebellious punk outfits in Australia despite its conservative social environment. British fanzine writer Hugh Gulland associated their sound with bands like The Damned and Misfits, emphasizing their attraction to audiences who favored striking and flamboyant aesthetics. In an interview conducted in 1988, the band identified themselves as "Australia's only genuine death rock experience." Subsequently, members Le Noury and Cooke joined Sydney-based Hitmen D.T.K., contributing to recordings during the early 1990s. In 2004, the UK independent label Magic Monster issued a retrospective compilation titled 13 Tasteless Masterpieces, noted for its raw and unpolished sonic character.
1981–1984
The Vampire Lovers were formed in 1981 following the dissolution of Brisbane punk band The Flying Squad, which featured Brendan Kibble and Shane Cooke. Initially comprising Axle "Axe Babe" Conrad on vocals, Kibble handling vocals and guitar duties, and Cooke on bass, the lineup soon expanded to include Matt "Nasty" Le Noury on guitar and Dave Chamberlain on drums. Shortly thereafter, Kibble departed to establish The Bam Balams. The band adopted their name from the 1970 Hammer Horror movie The Vampire Lovers. Despite Brisbane’s conservative reputation, it was a breeding ground for anarchistic punk acts, with The Vampire Lovers exemplifying this contrast.
Ian McFarlane classified them as a "third-generation garage punk" ensemble. The British fanzine Bucketfull of Brains drew stylistic parallels between them and bands such as The Damned and Misfits, highlighting their horror punk influences and vivid visual presentation. Their songwriting frequently incorporated references to cult classic and camp horror cinema, reflecting their roots in early punk and proto-punk traditions.
In 1983, they released their first EP titled Buzzsaw Popstar through Sundown Records. The title track received airplay on community radio station 4ZZZ and charted on both Juke Magazine's Alternative Charts and RAM's Australian Indie Charts, broadening their audience beyond Queensland. The American fanzine Maximum Rocknroll commended its garage/’77 punk style coupled with incisive lyrics. Rob Younger of Radio Birdman praised Buzzsaw Popstar as a masterpiece with outstanding production quality. Former senator Andrew Bartlett later remarked on the enduring nature of the song.
Their second single, "Sweethearts Blown Mindless" backed with "Long Awaited Justice," was released in July 1984, continuing their sharp-edged musical approach. Juke Magazine acknowledged their creative ambition despite some skepticism regarding their name choice. Critics likened the single’s sound to Raw Power-era Stooges and The Cramps while noting influences from Radio Birdman and The Stooges.
By late 1984, as Brisbane’s punk scene waned, The Vampire Lovers disbanded due to "creative differences." In 1985, Le Noury and Cooke formed The Four Horsemen—a Detroit rock-inspired group—with Murray Shepherd (formerly of Screaming Tribesmen) and Nick Lee (The Cimmerians). Meanwhile, Chamberlain became part of the Subsonic Barflies.
1987–1990
Towards the end of 1987, the re-release of Buzzsaw Popstar sparked renewed interest locally, leading to the band's reunion in 1988. Conrad, Cooke, and Le Noury brought in heavy metal players Ziggy Staten on drums and Jason Shepherd on guitar. In November 1988, they issued the single "Heavy Planet Fuzz b/w 2nd. Generation Psychopath" through the Bent label. Brisbane's Time Off lauded the track for its fusion of 1970s garage rock and 1980s hard rock elements. That same month, in an interview with The Courier-Mail, they proclaimed themselves as "Australia's only genuine death rock experience."
After moving to Sydney in 1988, the group recorded the EP Weirdo Wastelands for the American independent label Hecuba Records, which was released in 1989—a rare overseas contract for a Brisbane-based band at that period. Steve Gardner of Noise for Heroes characterized it as a fierce blend of speed metal and hardcore, showcasing authentic musical skill. In 1988, Le Noury departed to join Hitmen D.T.K., while the remaining members proceeded to record the mini-LP Acid Commandos from Planet Fuzz. The band dissolved in 1990 prior to its release; Cooke also became part of Hitmen DTK. The mini-LP was eventually released posthumously in 1991 on Schlock Records.
Legacy
During the mid-1980s, The Vampire Lovers achieved international attention when Jello Biafra from the US hardcore punk group Dead Kennedys championed "Buzzsaw Popstar" on college radio stations. Despite sporadic hiatuses and limited live performances, they sustained a devoted cult following. In October 2004, UK independent label Magic Monster released a retrospective collection titled 13 Tasteless Masterpieces, recognized for capturing the band’s raw intensity.
A single issued in 2009 featured live renditions of "Buzzsaw Popstar" and "Death Dwarf" from recordings made in 1988; I-94 Bar commended it for its gritty, energetic quality that resonated with enthusiasts. Additionally, the original "Buzzsaw Popstar" appeared on the 2015 ABC Four by Four compilation Stranded, The Chronicles of Australian Punk, which offered a comprehensive overview of Australian punk music.
In tribute to Brisbane’s significant punk underground and The Vampire Lovers’ enduring influence, Newstead Brewing (Brisbane) and Akasha (Sydney) collaborated in 2020 and 2021 to produce a limited edition red IPA craft beer named “Vampyre Lovers.”
Charts
| Year | Title | Australian Alternative Singles Chart | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Peak Position | Duration (Weeks) | ||
| 1984 | "Buzzsaw Popstar" | 4 | 10 |
| "Sweethearts Blown Mindless" | 2 | 2 | |
| 1987–1988 | "Buzzsaw Popstar" | 3 | 6 |
Personnel
- Dave Chamberlain – drums (1982–1984)
- Axle "Axe Babe" Conrad – lead vocals (1982–1984, 1988–1990)
- Shane Cooke – bass guitar, vocals (1982–1984, 1988–1990)
- Brendan Kibble – guitar (1982)
- Matt "Nasty" Le Noury – guitar, vocals (1982–1984, 1988)
- Marty Lobotomy – drums (1983)
- Jason Shepherd – guitar (1988–1989)
- Ziggy Staten – drums (1988–1989)
- Brian Mann – guitar (1989–1990)
- Murray Shepherd – drums (1989–1990)
- Joey Mann – guitar (1990)
Albums
- Acid Commandos from Planet Fuzz – Schlock Records VL001 (Mini LP, 1991)
- 13 Tasteless Masterpieces – Magic Monster (UK) (CD, October 2004)
Extended plays
- Buzzsaw Popstar – Sundown Records SUN0078 (1983), re-released by Axe 1 (1987)
- Buzzsaw – Rubber Records (1985)
- Weirdo Wastelands – Hecuba Records (US) HEX 02 (limited edition green/yellow vinyl) (1989)
Singles
- "Sweethearts Blown Mindless" – Rubber Records/EMI Custom Records 13598 (1984)
- "Heavy Planet Fuzz" – Bent Records Warp 008 (1988)
- "Buzzsaw Popstar and Death Dwarf" – PLAN 10 (limited green vinyl edition) (2009)