The Psychotic Turnbuckles

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The Psychotic Turnbuckles
The Psychotic Turnbuckles, February 2023
Background information
OriginSydney, Australia
GenresGarage punk
Years active
  • 1984 (1984)–1994 (1994)
  • 2012 (2012)–present
Labels
  • Vi-nil
  • Citadel
  • For the Record
  • Shagpile/Shock
  • Vi-nil
  • Rattlesnake
Members
  • Colin Caldwell (p.k.a. Jesse the Intruder)
  • Vincent Cuscana (p.k.a. The Grand Wizard)
  • Buddy "Bam Bam" Balam the Brooklyn Bruiser
  • Count Forza
  • The Infliktor
Past members
  • Craig Clark (p.k.a. The Creep)
  • Craig Holmes (p.k.a. The Spoiler)
  • Jay Younie (p.k.a. El Sicodelico)
  • Steve Lorkin (p.k.a. The Psychedelic Unknown/The Unknown)
  • Bud "The Sledgehammer" Slater
  • Kid Sunshine
  • Mr Ultimate
  • Russell Souter (p.k.a. Gorgeous Lord Karl Domah)
Websitepsychoticturnbuckles.com.au

The Psychotic Turnbuckles are an Australian garage punk band, which were formed in 1984. The group's original members were Colin Caldwell (p.k.a. Jesse the Intruder) on lead vocals, Craig Clark (p.k.a. The Creep) on bass guitar and vocals, Vincent Cuscana (p.k.a. The Grand Wizard) on guitar, Craig Holmes (p.k.a. The Spoiler) on drums and Jay Younie (p.k.a. El Sicodelico) on guitar. Other long-term members were Steve Lorkin (p.k.a. The Psychedelic Unknown/The Unknown) on bass guitar and guitars and Russell Souter (p.k.a. Gorgeous Lord Karl Domah) on drums. The group issued three studio albums, Beyond the Flip-out (October 1987), Pharaohs of the Far Out (1989) and Figure Four Brain Trance (October 1993), before disbanding in 1994. Craig Holmes (The Spoiler) died in 2013. The Psychotic Turnbuckles reformed in 2012 and issued a compilation album in the following year, thereafter they performed sporadically with Caldwell and Cuscana eventually joined by new members in the 2020s.

History[edit]

The Psychotic Turnbuckles were formed in Sydney in 1984 as part of a wave of hard rock bands that sprang up in Australia in the first half of the 1980s with roots in the US 1960s punk and 1970s big-energy Detroit rock scenes.[1] Founding members were Colin Caldwell (p.k.a. Jesse the Intruder) on lead vocals, Craig Clark (p.k.a. The Creep) on bass guitar and vocals, Vincent Cuscana (p.k.a. The Grand Wizard) on guitar, Craig Holmes (p.k.a. The Spoiler) on drums and Jay Younie (p.k.a. El Sicodelico) on guitar.[1][2] Their influences were the 13th Floor Elevators, Radio Birdman, the Moving Sidewalks, the Masters Apprentices, the Sonics and the Aztecs. Caldwell and Cuscuna had been members of a garage punk band, Conspirators, in 1982 alongside Angelo Antidormi on guitar and vocals, Phil "The Bat" England on drums and Phil Tuchscherer on bass guitar and vocals.[1]

The Psychotic Turnbuckles released two singles on Vi-nil Records, "The Creeps" (May 1985) and "Psychotic Situation" (November),[1] the former was written by Clark,[3] while the latter had been co-written by Caldwell and Cuscuna for their earlier band, Conspirators.[4] Australian musicologist Ian McFarlane described these singles as "primitive slices of buzzing R&B/garagemania" with "authentic 1960s sound and sheer acid-guitar firepower".[1] In 1986 they appeared on Network 10's TV talent show Star Search, performing "The Creeps".[5]

Their debut extended play of six tracks, Destroy Dull City, followed in August 1986 via Rattlesnake Records, which was produced by Rob Younger (Died Pretty, Lime Spiders, the Stems).[1][6] The Music's Michael Smith referred to the band's "mythical" origin story.[7] According to Destroy Dull City's liner notes the members were former professional American wrestlers who re-located to Australia by 1982 from Pismo Beach, California, after banishment from Pismo Beach Wrestling Alliance by promoter Sammy Duke.[8] Their publicity described "a nuclear accident during the band's daily surf which turned their hair psychedelic green and purple. They now drink Turnbuckle Tonic to keep it that way."[9]

The Canberra Times' Lisa Wallace described their third EP, Go Go Gorilla (1987), as "throwbacks from a bad '60s acid trip [which] made me smile... Be different, be daring."[10] In that year the group were in an episode of comedy TV series, Willing and Abel performing a non-released track, "Your Face is Driving Me Insane".[11]

The Psychotic Turnbuckles' first studio album, Beyond the Flip-out (October 1987), was recorded in March with Clark (The Creep) leaving before it was released.[1] He was replaced on bass guitar by Steve Lorkin (p.k.a. The Psychedelic Unknown/The Unknown).[1] Bud "The Sledgehammer" Slater replaced Younie (El Sicodelico) on guitar later that year, who was replaced in turn by Kid Sunshine in 1988.[1] Psychotic Turnbuckles were a regular attraction on the Sydney live music circuit and shared stages with the Troggs, the Hitmen, Dark Carnival, Beasts of Bourbon and the Screaming Tribesmen. They regularly worked as the house band at the Petersham Inn, Sydney, which ran The Pismo Bar, in their honour. Their single, "Good Times Outweigh the Bad Times" (1988), was reviewed by Wallace's colleague Kathryn Whitfield, "these boys have attempted to not only hide their identities, but also any inkling of talent... 60s-flavoured thrash rock that makes a lot of noise about nothing".[12]

The line-up of Caldwell, Cuscana, Lorkin and Mr Ultimate on drums recorded the band's second studio album, Pharaohs of the Far Out (1989) for Survival Records.[1] The disc was produced by Johnny Kannis (ex-the Hitmen).[13] Mr Ultimate was replaced on drums by Russell Souter (p.k.a. Gorgeous Lord Karl Domah) before the album appeared. Caldwell, Cuscana, Lorkin and Souter line-up issued an EP, Lunar Chik (1989).[1] Two members of touring US band Guns and Roses, Duff McKagan and Slash, attended a 1992 show by the band at the Lansdowne Hotel, Sydney.[14]

Psychotic Turnbuckles line-up of Caldwell, Cuscana, Lorkin and Souter released their next studio album, Figure Four Brain Trance (October 1993) via Shagpile/Shock. Late in 1994 Lorkin (The Unknown) was replaced on bass guitar by Chuck the Rock and the group issued a compilation album, Ride the Wild Sounds (1994), before disbanding.[1] The band existed for a decade and had signed to US label Sympathy for the Record Industry as well as several Australian imprints. The band eventually dissolved as members moved back to the US in the early 1990s[citation needed]. In June 1997 the line-up of Caldwell, Cuscana, Lorkin (on guitar), Chuck the Rock (on bass guitar) and Souter reformed for a one-off gig, where they provided a giveaway EP, Louder than Distortion (1997).[1]

Supposedly inspired by a fan's social media page, the line-up of Caldwell, Younie, Cuscana, Lorkin and Souter reunited in Sydney in December 2012.[7][15][16] Encouraged by their audience's reaction, they signed to Citadel and issued a retrospective 2× CD compilation album, Destroy Dull City (2013).[7] The collection includes the EP of the same name, their first studio album, previously unreleased demos, out-takes and their singles.[7]

The band played shows in Melbourne, Sydney and Brisbane.[7] Former member Craig Holmes (The Spoiler) died in 2013.[17] The Psychotic Turnbuckles have performed sporadically since then with founding mainstays Caldwell and Cuscana joined by new members.

Members[edit]

  • Colin Caldwell (p.k.a. Jesse the Intruder) — lead vocals (1984–1994, 2012–present)
  • Craig Clark (p.k.a. The Creep) — bass guitar, backing vocals (1984–1987)
  • Vincent Cuscana (p.k.a. The Grand Wizard) — guitars (1984–1994, 2012–present)
  • Craig Holmes (p.k.a. The Spoiler) — drums (1984–1989, died 2012)
  • Jay Younie (p.k.a. El Sicodelico) — guitars (1984–1987, 2012–2015)
  • Steve Lorkin (p.k.a. The Psychedelic Unknown/The Unknown) — bass guitar, guitars (1987–1993, 2012–2022)
  • Bud "The Sledgehammer" Slater — guitars (1987–1988)
  • Kid Sunshine — guitars (1988–1989)
  • Mr Ultimate — drums (1989)
  • Russell Souter (p.k.a. Gorgeous Lord Karl Domah) — drums (1989–1994, 2012–2023)
  • Chuck the Rock — bass guitar (1994)
  • Solomon Grande — guitars (2016)
  • Buddy "Bam Bam" Balam the Brooklyn Bruiser — drums (2016–present)
  • Count Forza — guitars (2020–present)
  • The Infliktor — bass guitar (2022–present)

Discography[edit]

Studio albums[edit]

  • Beyond the Flip-out (October 1987) - Rattlesnake (RAT 1207)
  • Pharaohs of the Far Out (1989) - Rattlesnake/Survival (RAT 501)
  • Figure Four Brain Trance (October 1993) - Shagpile/Shock (SHAG CD 0008)

Compilation albums[edit]

  • Ride the Wild Sounds (1994) - Shock (MOTOR04)
  • Destroy Dull City (2×CD, 2013) - Citadel (CITCD570)

Extended plays[edit]

  • Destroy Dull City (August 1986) - Rattlesnake (RAT 1201)
  • Psychotic Turnbuckles (1987) - Rattlesnake RAT 1203
  • Go Go Gorilla (August 1987) - Rattlesnake (RAT 1206)
  • Lunar Chik (1989) - Rattlesnake (RAT 1213)
  • Louder than Distortion (1991) - self-released (ML10452)
  • She's Afraid to Love Me (1992) - Shagpile/Shock (SHAG 7006)
  • You Hurt My Head (November 2013) - self-released

Singles[edit]

  • "The Creeps" (1984) - Vi-nil
  • "Psychotic Situation" (1985) - Vi-nil
  • "Good Times Outweigh the Bad Times" (1988) - Rattlesnake
  • "Rock and Roll Terrorists" (1991) - Shock
  • "The American Ruse" - (1991)
  • "Crazy Times Ahead" (1993) - Sympathy for the Record Industry

References[edit]

  1. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m McFarlane, Ian (1999). "Encyclopedia entry for 'Psychotic Turnbuckles'". Encyclopedia of Australian Rock and Pop. St Leonards, NSW: Allen & Unwin. p. 499. ISBN 1-86508-072-1. Archived from the original on 19 April 2004.
  2. ^ Ray, Nandini (26 June 1986). "Wrestling Rockers". The Canberra Times. The Good Times. Vol. 60, no. 18, 530. p. 11. Retrieved 24 May 2024 – via National Library of Australia.
  3. ^ "Song Catalogue Search Results for 'The Creeps'". APRA AMCOS (Australasian Performing Right Association, Australasian Mechanical Copyright Owners Society). Retrieved 24 May 2014.
  4. ^ "Song Catalogue Search Results for 'Psychotic Situation'". APRA AMCOS (Australasian Performing Right Association, Australasian Mechanical Copyright Owners Society). Retrieved 24 May 2014.
  5. ^ "Psychotic Turnbuckles - 1986". YouTube. Retrieved 12 September 2002.
  6. ^ Holmgren, Magnus. "Rob Younger". Australian Rock Database. Archived from the original on 19 October 2003. Retrieved 24 May 2024.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link)
  7. ^ a b c d e Smith, Michael (7 May 2013). "Psychotic Turnbuckles The Psychedelic Unknown Michael Smith ♫ theMusic.com.au". The Music. Archived from the original on 28 February 2015. Retrieved 25 May 2024 – via National Library of Australia.
  8. ^ Destroy Dull City liner notes, page 6
  9. ^ "Last chance at Spurs". The Canberra Times. The Good Times. Vol. 61, no. 18, 621. 25 September 1986. p. 9. Retrieved 24 May 2024 – via National Library of Australia.
  10. ^ Wallace, Lisa (25 October 1987). "Brash, bright and where the action is". The Canberra Times. Vol. 62, no. 19, 013. p. 12. Retrieved 24 May 2024 – via National Library of Australia.
  11. ^ "psychotic turnbuckles - 1987". YouTube. Retrieved 12 September 2002.
  12. ^ Whitfield, Kathryn (26 January 1989). "Music". The Canberra Times. Good Times. Vol. 63, no. 19, 469. p. 7. Retrieved 25 May 2024 – via National Library of Australia.
  13. ^ Holmgren, Magnus. "Rob Younger". Australian Rock Database. Archived from the original on 13 March 2004. Retrieved 25 May 2024. {{cite web}}: |archive-date= / |archive-url= timestamp mismatch; 3 March 2004 suggested (help)CS1 maint: unfit URL (link)
  14. ^ Drum Media
  15. ^ "Groove to the Eye -Psychotic Turnbuckles". YouTube. Retrieved 12 September 2002.
  16. ^ Cashmere, Paul (25 October 2012). "Psychotic Turnbuckles Return After 15 Years". Noise11.com. Archived from the original on 24 May 2024. Retrieved 25 May 2024.
  17. ^ "Craig Holmes Death Notice – Sydney, New South Wales". The Sydney Morning Herald. 12 March 2013. Retrieved 25 May 2024.

External links[edit]

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