Gang Gajang

Ganggajang (styled as GANGgajang) are an Australian pop rock band which formed in 1984. Three of the founders are frontman Mark 'Cal' Callaghan (ex-Riptides) on guitar and lead vocals, Chris Bailey on bass guitar and Graham 'Buzz' Bidstrup on drums (both ex-The Angels). They were soon joined by Geoffrey Stapleton (ex-Aliens] on keyboards, guitar and vocals, and Robbie James on lead guitar. Their most popular song, "Sounds of Then", a.k.a. "This Is Australia", was issued in December 1985 and peaked in the top 40 on the Australian Kent Music Report Singles Chart. It gained further exposure in Australia ten years later when it was used on TV in a Coca-Cola ad and then for the 1996 Nine Network station ID promotion. Their highest selling album was GANGgajang, which was released in November 1985. They have issued three other studio albums, Gang Again (as gangAGAIN) (1987), Lingo (1994) and Oceans and Deserts (2002). On 4 April 2013, Chris Bailey died of throat cancer, aged 62.

GANGgajang
OriginSydney, New South Wales, Australia
GenresPop rock
Years active1984 (1984)–present
LabelsMercury, True Tone, RooART, Shock
Associated actsFahrenheit 451, Red Angel Panic, Headband, Mount Lofty Rangers, Riptides, The Angels, The Party Boys, The Aliens, Yothu Yindi
Websitewww.ganggajang.com
MembersGraham "Buzz" Bidstrup
Mark 'Cal' Callaghan
Geoffrey Stapleton
Robbie James
Past membersChris Bailey
Kayellen Bee
Marilyn Delaney
Gordon Sullivan
James Black
Mike Gubb
Mark O'Connor

History

Earlier bands
Main articles: Headband (band), The Angels (Australian band), and Riptides

Gang Gajang (styled as GANGgajang) founders, Chris Bailey, Graham 'Buzz' Bidstrup, and Mark 'Cal' Callaghan had previously been members of various bands.[1] Bailey, on bass guitar and vocals, had been a member of Adelaide groups, Tattered Sole and then Red Angel Panic,[2] before forming progressive rockers Headband in 1971 with Peter Beagley (later known as Peter Head) on piano and vocals.[3] In 1974 Bailey joined Mount Lofty Rangers alongside Bon Scott (later in AC/DC) on vocals and Head.[4] In March 1975, Bailey released a solo single, "Sunday Too Far Away".[3] Bidstrup had been the drummer in Fahrenheit 451 in 1967, then Red Angel Panic (with Bailey) and was in a succession of groups into the mid-1970s.[5] In August 1976, Bidstrup joined Adelaide hard rockers, The Angels alongside lead vocalist Doc Neeson.[6] In January 1977, Bailey also joined The Angels.[3][6] Callaghan had formed The Grudge in 1977 in Brisbane with fellow students from the Architecture Department of the University of Queensland.[7] The Grudge underwent a succession of names (The Neon Steal, The Numbers) to become The Riptides in 1979 with Callaghan on lead vocals and lead guitar.[7][8] In March 1981 Bidstrup left The Angels and Bailey left in April 1982.[6] In 1982 Bidstrup joined The Party Boys in Sydney. In January 1983, Riptides had disbanded and Callaghan was in Sydney.[7] Bidstrup and Callaghan worked together on "Gimme Some Loving" and recorded it as a demo in 1983.

1984–1987: Formation to GANGAgain

In 1984 Gang Gajang was formed in Sydney, the name is onomatopoeiac for the sound of a guitar playing a loud chord.[1] The band grew out of songwriting and performing sessions the trio of Bailey, Bidstrup and Callaghan undertook for the ABC-TV music-drama series Sweet and Sour (July–August 1984).[1][9] They were soon joined by Geoffrey Stapleton (ex-The Aliens, Rat Tat Tat) on guitar and keyboards.[1][10] Mercury Records released the earlier demo "Gimme Some Loving" as a single in May.[1] It reached the top 40 on the Australian Kent Music Report Singles Chart by November.[11]

To record their debut album, GANGGajang, they enlisted Gordon Sullivan (of Deckchairs Overboard, who had also worked on Sweet and Sour) on lead guitar; Kayellen Bee (a.k.a. Kay Bee), (who co-wrote "The Heart Plays Tricks" as K Bidstrup with G Bidstrup and Callaghan for Sweet and Sour)[12] on vocals and percussion; and Marilyn Delaney on vocals and keyboards.[1][13] The album was produced by Joe Wissert (Earth, Wind & Fire, Helen Reddy, The J. Geils Band)[14] with band members Bidstrup and Callaghan.[1][13] In August 1985 during the initial stages of recording the album, Robert James replaced Sullivan on guitar.[1]

The group's live debut was at the Mosman Hotel in March 1985. The band gained a solid following around Australia during 1985, aided by support from national radio station, Triple J, and pop music TV series, Countdown. Their biggest commercial success came in November from the release of their self-titled debut album, which sold over 120,000 copies. The LP included the hit single, "Sounds of Then (This Is Australia)", as well as "House of Cards" and "Giver of Life". "Sounds of Then" was released in December and peaked in the top 40.[1][11]

In 1986 Gang Gajang members, Callaghan, James and Stapleton performed with The Rock Party, a charity project initiated by The National Campaign Against Drug Abuse, which included many Australasian musicians, Neil Finn, Eddie Rayner, Tim Finn, Nick Seymour and Paul Hester (all from Crowded House); Andrew Barnum and Lissa Barnum (both from The Vitabeats); Deborah Conway (Do-Re-Mi); Mary Azzopardi (Rockmelons), Michael Barclay, Peter Blakeley, Jenny Morris, Danny De Costa, Greg Herbert (The Promise), Spencer P Jones, Sean Kelly (Models), John Kennedy, Paul Kelly, Robert Susz (Dynamic Hepnotics) and Rick Swinn (The Venetians).[15] The Rock Party released a 12" single "Everything to Live For", which was produced by Wissert, Phil Rigger and Phil Beazley.[15] In 1987, Gang Gajang's music was featured exclusively in the Quiksilver surf movie Mad Wax. The film became a cult surf classic and introduced the band to a worldwide audience: Gang Gajang was named 'World's Best Band' two years in a row by the Association of Surfing Professionals.

The group released their second album, gangAGAIN, in 1987, after which various members pursued solo projects although the band continued performing irregularly. Over the next six years Callaghan released a solo album, reformed the Riptides, then released a live album Resurface and a studio album Wave Rock. He worked as an executive for the now-defunct Festival Records group. Bidstrup played sessions, produced albums and movie soundtracks. Bailey worked with various artists: Jimmy Barnes, Alannah Miles and Nathan Cavaleri. Stapleton toured Australia and Europe with Absent Friends and then went on to form The Dukes with Sean Kelly. James wrote a book, The Second Best Book of Disunderstandabilism and then recorded his songs with Wendy Matthews.

1993–1996: Lingo to "Sounds of Then"

In 1993 Gang Gajang reconvened and recorded their third album, Lingo, without Bee and Delaney – both had gone on to careers in the film industry. Gang Gajang were joined by Mark O'Connor on keyboards.[1] O'Connor left soon after and was replaced by Mike Gubb on keyboards.[13] The album was released in May 1994 on RooART and spawned three singles, "Hundreds of Languages", "Talk to Me", and "Ordinary World"/"Future Days".

In 1995, the first two albums were repackaged into The Essential (aka The Essential GANGgajang). In September–October the band toured Brazil for the first time.[16] While in Rio de Janeiro they appeared on Brazilian TV's The Seu Boneco Show and met local comedy rock band, Mamonas Assassinas.[17] Ten years after its release, "Sounds of Then" became better known to Australians when it was used for a Coca-Cola commercial.[1] In 1996, the Nine Network used it on its station ID promotion. The group returned to Brazil for their second tour.

2000s

Gang Gajang played the Sydney Opera House and Darling Harbour as part of the Corroboree 2000 celebrations and during the 2000 Summer Olympics the band was in demand for concert appearances around Sydney as part of the Olympic Arts Festival. In February 2001 the group completed its third tour of Brazil.

In October 2002 they released their fourth studio album, Oceans and Deserts, which spawned the singles "Nomadsland", "Anodyne Dream" and "Trust", to critical acclaim and extensive airplay across Australia on ABC radio. Five tracks featured backing vocals from original members Kayellen Bee and Marilyn Delaney (aka Marilyn Sommer).[18]

In 2004 a live concert featuring a selection of new songs and some of the classics was filmed for the ABC's Live at the Basement series. Late in 2006, their double DVD, The Complete Gang Gajang was issued. It featured music video clips, live performances, interviews, and a documentary of their first tour of Brazil.

When not performing or recording together as Gang Gajang each band member is involved in other projects: Callaghan was General Manager of Shock Music Publishing (2002–2007); in May 2007 he was appointed GM of Australian Music Publishing Association Limited (AMPAL).[19] As of 2010, he was writing songs for Gang Gajang's next album - due to begin recording early that year. Bidstrup has managed Australian music personality, Jimmy Little, since the release of Little's 1999 ARIA Award-winning CD The Messenger,[20] and is Director of the Jimmy Little Foundation whose primary aim is to improve the health of Indigenous Australians. Since 2002 he played with a reformed The Angels including tours with them.

Bailey worked in a variety of music cultures in Sydney and produced an album for singer-songwriter, Dave Debs. Bailey also played in Little's live band and with The Angels from 2002 to 2012. He died in early April 2013 after battling throat cancer.[21]

James has released two solo albums Suzannah Suite (1999) and Secrets in the Sand (2006). He was also a member of Yothu Yindi from 2001 when they toured Brazil with Gang Gajang. He has composed a classical symphony, and as from early 2010 was writing songs for his next solo album and for the next GANGgajang album, in his studio in Brisbane.

Stapleton resides in Adelaide and prepared his painting exhibition, called "Oceans and Deserts". He made several film clips for the band and for others, whilst maintaining and developing the band's website and writing new songs.

Gang Gajang have a following outside Australia, but whilst other acts have their major fan base in Europe (especially Scandinavia), Gang Gajang have become popular in Brazil.[22] For performances since 2011, Jeff Harris (ex-Divinyls) joined on drums while Bidstrup worked for the Jimmy Little Foundation.[23] In April the group performed at the 50th anniversary of the Bells Beach Surf Classic.[24] On 4 April 2013 Chris Bailey died of throat cancer, aged 62.[25]

Group members
  • Mark 'Cal' Callaghan – guitar, vocals (1984–present)[26]
  • Chris Bailey – bass, vocals (1984–2013; died 2013)[27]
  • Graham "Buzz" Bidstrup – drums, percussion, guitar, keyboards, vocals (1984–1996, 1997–2010)[28]
  • Geoffrey Stapleton – keyboards, guitar, vocals (1984–1992), (1995–present)[29]
  • Robbie James – guitar, vocals (1985–present)[30]
  • James Black – guitar, keyboards (1984)
  • Gordon Sullivan – guitar (1984–1985)
  • Kayellen Bee – backing vocals (1984–1985)
  • Marilyn Delaney – backing vocals (1984–1985)
  • Mark O'Connor – keyboards (1993)
  • Mike Gubb – keyboards (1993–1995)
  • The Brasstards Horn Section: Kevin Dubber (trumpet), Mark Dennison (tenor sax, flute), Clive Hodson (alto sax)
  • Jeff Harris – drums (2011–2012)
  • Doug Bligh – drums (2012–2013)

Discography
Gang Gajang discography
Studio albums4
Compilation albums3
Video albums1
Singles15

Studio albums
Year Album details Peak chart positions Certifications
(sales thresholds)
AUS
[11][31]
1985 Gang Gajang 27
1987 Gang Again
  • Released: October 1987
  • Label: True Tone, Mercury (832 586-1, 832 586-2)
  • Format: LP, CD
 51
1994 Lingo
  • Released: 12 February 1994
  • Label: rooArt (4509956532)
  • Format: CD
 66
2002 Oceans and Deserts
  • Released: 14 October 2002
  • Label: Press Play Music/Shock Records (GANG 02)
  • Format: CD
 —
"—" denotes album that did not chart or was not released in that country.

Compilation albums
Year Album details Peak chart positions
AUS
[11][31]
1990 True to the Tone —
1996 The Essential
  • Released: 22 January 1996
  • Label: Press Play Music/Shock Records (GANG 96)
  • Format: CD
 89
2000 Chronologica
  • Released: 2000
  • Label: Tronador Records (TMSS07)
  • Format: CD
 —
"—" denotes album that did not chart.

Singles
Year Title Peak chart positions Album
ARIA
[11][33]
1984 "Gimme Some Loving" 46 Ganggajang
1985 "House of Cards" 45
"Giver of Life" 48
"Sounds of Then" 35
1986 "Dream at Night"[I] — Non-album shared single
"The Bigger They Are" 60 Ganggajang
1987 "Initiation" 69 Gang Again
"American Money[34]" 87
"Luck of the Irish" —
1993 "Hundreds of Languages" 62 Lingo
1994 "Talk to Me" 88
"Ordinary World/Future Days" —
2000 "Nomadsland"[II] 86 Chronologica
2003 "Nomadsland"[II] — Oceans and Deserts
"Anodyne Dream" —
"Trust" —
"—" denotes releases that did not chart or were not released in that country.

Notes
    I.^ "Dream at Night" was released in early 1986 as a shared single with Cameron Allen's "Tunkleys Leave Home".[1]
    II.^ In 2000 "Nomadsland" was released from Chronologica in Brazil. In 2003 "Nomadsland" was released from Oceans and Deserts in Australia.
    gollark: Or fake really faking your death, but then fake that.
    gollark: Oh, or fake faking faking your death.
    gollark: Just *pretend* to fake your death.
    gollark: No, that would be really deathing.
    gollark: What if you fake faking your death?

    References
    General
    • McFarlane, Ian (1999). "Whammo Homepage". Encyclopedia of Australian Rock and Pop. St Leonards, NSW: Allen & Unwin. ISBN 1-86508-072-1. Archived from the original on 5 April 2004. Retrieved 9 April 2011. Note: Archived [on-line] copy has limited functionality.
    Specific
    1. McFarlane, 'GANGgajang' entry. Archived from the original on 10 July 2004. Retrieved 22 December 2011.
    2. McFarlane, 'Gotham City' entry. Archived from the original on 15 June 2004. Retrieved 23 December 2011.
    3. McFarlane, 'Headband' entry. Archived from the original on 19 April 2004. Retrieved 22 December 2011.
    4. Holmgren, Magnus. "Mount Lofty Rangers". Australian Rock Database (Magnus Holmgren). Archived from the original on 22 October 2013. Retrieved 22 December 2011.
    5. Holmgren, Magnus. "Graham 'Buzz' Bidstrup". Australian Rock Database (Magnus Holmgren). Archived from the original on 14 May 2011. Retrieved 22 December 2011.
    6. McFarlane, 'The Angels' entry. Archived from the original Archived 3 August 2004 at the Wayback Machine on 3 August 2004. Retrieved 22 December 2011.
    7. McFarlane, 'The Riptides' entry. Archived from the original on 18 February 2004. Retrieved 22 December 2011.
    8. Holmgren, Magnus; Warnqvist, Stefan. "Riptides". Australian Rock Database (Magnus Holmgren). Archived from the original on 14 September 2012. Retrieved 22 December 2011.
    9. "Sweet & Sour (1984)". OZTV Credits. Retrieved 22 December 2011.
    10. Holmgren, Magnus. "Geoffrey Stapleton". Australian Rock Database (Magnus Holmgren). Archived from the original on 29 September 2013. Retrieved 27 December 2011.
    11. Australian chart peaks:
    12. ""Heart Plays Tricks" at APRA search engine". Australasian Performing Right Association (APRA). Retrieved 22 December 2011.
    13. Holmgren, Magnus; Warnqvist, Stefan. "GANGgajang". Australian Rock Database (Magnus Holmgren). Archived from the original on 22 October 2013. Retrieved 22 December 2011.
    14. Lieber, Peter (16 February 1979). "Now Middle Aged, J. Geils Band Lacks Fire". Daily Collegian. Collegian Inc (Lexi Belculfine). Archived from the original on 3 April 2012. Retrieved 25 December 2011.
    15. Holmgren, Magnus; Warnqvist, Stefan. "The Rock Party". Australian Rock Database (Magnus Holmgren). Archived from the original on 30 September 2013. Retrieved 25 December 2011.
    16. "GANGgajang – Live in Brazil". NME. IPC Media (Time Inc.). Retrieved 27 December 2011.
    17. "GANGgajang Meets Mamonas Assassinas". NME. IPC Media (Time Inc.). Retrieved 27 December 2011.
    18. "Oceans and Deserts – The Latest Album". GANGgajang Official Website (Geoffrey Stapleton). Archived from the original on 24 January 2013. Retrieved 12 September 2007.
    19. Eliezer, Christie (12 May 2007). "Writer Callaghan Heads AMPAL". Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. p. 20. Retrieved 27 December 2011.
    20. "ARIA Awards – History: Winners by Year 1999: 13th Annual ARIA Awards". Australian Recording Industry Association (ARIA). Retrieved 28 December 2011.
    21. "The Angels rocker Chris Bailey dead at 62". NineMSN. 4 April 2013.
    22. "GANGgajang – The Gang's all Here". TE Archive. 29 September 1999. Retrieved 30 December 2011.
    23. "Gang Warfare". Total Hits. WordPress. 1 February 2011. Archived from the original on 26 April 2012. Retrieved 23 December 2011.
    24. "GANGgajang at Tracks Party". Rip Curl Pro Bells Beach 2011. Rip Curl (Dane Sharp). 24 April 2011. Retrieved 25 December 2011.
    25. O'Grady, Anthony (10 April 2013). "Chris Bailey". The Age. Fairfax Media. Retrieved 6 November 2013.
    26. "Mark 'Cal' Callaghan bio". GANGgajang Official Website. Archived from the original on 23 January 2013. Retrieved 29 December 2011.
    27. "Chris Bailey bio". GANGgajang Official Website. Archived from the original on 23 January 2013. Retrieved 29 December 2011.
    28. "Graham 'Buzz' Bidstrup bio". GANGgajang Official Website. Archived from the original on 23 January 2013. Retrieved 29 December 2011.
    29. "Geoffrey Stapleton". GANGgajang Official Website. Archived from the original on 23 January 2013. Retrieved 29 December 2011.
    30. "Robert 'Robbie' James bio". GANGgajang Official Website. Archived from the original on 24 January 2013. Retrieved 29 December 2011.
    31. Ryan (bulion), Gary (25 December 2011). "Albums Pre 1989 Part 2 – GANGgajang". Australian Charts Portal. Hung Medien. Archived from the original on 6 November 2016. Retrieved 30 December 2011.
    32. "GANGGAJANG WITH SPECIAL GUESTS SPY V SPY – LIVE ON THE LAKE". Newcastle Live. November 2019. Retrieved 18 July 2020.
    33. Ryan (bulion), Gary (25 December 2011). "Chart Positions Pre 1989 Part 4 – GANGgajang". Australian Charts Portal. Hung Medien. Archived from the original on 15 March 2016. Retrieved 30 December 2011.
    34. "Australian Music Report No 679 – 27 July 1987 > Singles: New Releases". Imgur.com (original document published by Australian Music Report). Retrieved 5 September 2017.
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