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The Beasts Of Bourbon
Formed in 1983, the Beasts have become something of an Australian indie "supergroup", the only constant being the vocals of Tex Perkins ([a=The Cruel Sea], [a=Salamander Jim]). The original line up included Perkins, guitarists Spencer P. Jones ([a=The Johnnys]) and Kim Salmon ([a=The Scientists (2)], [a=Kim Salmon And The Surrealists]), bassist Boris Sudjovic ([a=The Scientists (2)], [a=Dubrovniks]) and drummer James Baker (2) ([a=Hoodoo Gurus], [a=Dubrovniks]). The alcohol fuelled, swampy blues of The Beasts was instantly popular, particularly on the festival circuit, and their first LP "The Axeman's Jazz" (recorded allegedly in one afternoon with 3 cases of beer and a bottle of scotch) was a huge indie success. Since then The Beasts have recorded 5 other studio LPs, (the best of which were probably the 1988 "Sour Mash" and 1990 "Black Milk" ) but have always been essentially a side project with a revolving membership. [b][u]Members[/u][/b]: Spencer P. Jones – guitar, backing vocals (1983–85, 1988–93, 1996–97, 2003–08, 2013) - Deceased 2018 Tex Perkins – lead vocals (1983–85, 1988–93, 1996–97, 2003–08, 2013, 2019) Boris Sujdovic – bass guitar (1983–85, 1988–90, 2013, 2019) James Baker – drums (1983–84, 1984–85, 1988–90, 2013) Kim Salmon – guitar, harmonica, backing vocals, slide guitar (1983–84, 1988–93, 2013, 2019) [a498870] – guitar (1984–85) [a=Tony Thewlis] ([a=The Scientists (2)]) – guitar (1984) [a=Brett Rixon] ([a=The Scientists (2)]) – drums (1984) [a=Brad Shepherd] ([a=Hoodoo Gurus]) [a=Tony Pola] ([a=Kim Salmon And The Surrealists]) – drums (1990–93, 1996–97, 2003–08, 2019) - Deceased 2021 [a=Richard Ploog] ([a=Church]) [a=Brian Hooper] ([a=Kim Salmon And The Surrealists]) – bass guitar (1990–93, 1996–97, 2003–08) - Deceased 2018 [a=Graham Hood] ([a=Johnnys]) – bass guitar (1984–85) [a=Charlie Owen] ([a=Divinyls]) – guitar (1996–97, 2003–08, 2019) The Beasts took a break from playing live from 1997 but returned to play the "Big Day Out" series of festivals in January and February 2006 with a line up of Perkins, Jones, Hooper, Owen and Pola. Beasts of Bourbon officially ended in 2018 with the deaths of Brian Hooper and Spencer P Jones. Perkins, Pola and Owen have regrouped with former members Salmon and Sudjovic as the Beasts, who released an album in February 2019 titled "Still Here."