The Best Band You've Never Heard - The Legendary Hoodoo Gurus

We've all listened to bands over the years that none of our friends knew about, right? You know, the bands that you really liked and couldn't figure out why they'd never made it big. Well, the #1 band in that category for me is undoubtedly The Hoodoo Gurus. I first bought a Gurus tape back in the mid-80's at a little record store on High Street in Columbus. I was with Goose and I basically just made a blind purchase. I don't know if it was the band name or the album cover that caught my eye, but I grabbed "Mars Needs Guitars" and was hooked. Thus began my 20+ year love affair with The Gurus.

The Hoodoo Gurus are a band out of Australia, home of Midnight Oil, AC/DC, and INXS among others. They formed in '81 in Sydney and are led by Dave Faulkner who sings lead and plays guitar. His vocals are very distinctive as you will see when you hear the guy. See when you hear the guy. Does that even sound right? Anyway, Faulkner was joined by Richard Grossman
(bass), Brad Shepherd (guitar, vocals), and Mark Kingsmill (drums). The Gurus actually achieved some cult status in the states in the late '80's to early '90's, but nothing to speak of although they were obviously more popular on the college circuit than the backwater burgs like Bainbridge or Buford. That said, I hear they achieved some measure of exposure at a small school off of Route 50 in Highland County around 1989 to 1991.

The Gurus style is based on straight ahead rock 'n' roll, no doubt about it. From 1960s power pop to garage punk to hard driving rock and funky psychedelic kitsch their music pretty much covers the spectrum. The kicker for me though, as always, is the hook. Gotta have the hook in my opinion, and the Gurus deliver them in abundance. They also are a lyrically intelligent group who invariably bring a smile to my face whenever I hear them.

Back when Kip was about 3-years old, we were listening to The Beatles in the car, just driving along enjoying the vibe (yes, Kip enjoyed the music vibe when he was 3). He informed me
that he really liked The Beatles. Curious, I asked him why. His answer was beautiful in it's honesty and simplicity. "Their music makes me happy" he said. For me, the same goes for the music of The Hoodoo Gurus.

So, if you want to hear some good old-fashioned rock 'n' roll peppered with a dash of wit, catchy hooks, jangly guitars, and some occasional scathing social commentary, The Gurus are for you.

In 2007, The Hoodoo Gurus were inducted into the Australian Rock 'n' Roll Hall of Fame. They'll never make it to the hall in Cleveland, but that doesn't mean they don't deserve it.

Check out their website here or listen to some songs here. If anybody wants a mix, I have their
entire catalog and will burn you what you need. I'm always happy to spread the legend of The Hoodoo Gurus. If you just want to pick up a CD for a taste I highly recommend 1991's "Kinky." You may also click on the little widget on the right-hand column of RHT for some vids.

You won't be disappointed.