The Pineapples from the Dawn of Time is an Australian psychedelic punk band that formed in 1985 in
Brisbane
Brisbane ( ) is the capital and most populous city of the Australian state of Queensland, and the third-most populous city in Australia and Oceania, with a population of approximately 2.6 million. Brisbane lies at the centre of the South ...
,
Queensland
)
, nickname = Sunshine State
, image_map = Queensland in Australia.svg
, map_caption = Location of Queensland in Australia
, subdivision_type = Country
, subdivision_name = Australia
, established_title = Before federation
, establishe ...
, broke up in 1988, and reconvened in 2000.
History
The band began as a quartet, featuring Michael Gilmore on vocals, Clem Lukey on guitar/vocals, and Rod McLeod on bass and teeth. The fourth "member" was a drum machine of an unknown brand. Lead guitarist Peter Kroll often played with them, eventually becoming part of the band by virtue of always turning up and playing.
Often adorned in ridiculous costumes, and with added members (including real drummer Michael Hiron), the band played around Brisbane between 1985 and 1987 while gaining a cult following due to their on-stage antics and songs about mass murderers, science fiction shows, drugs and songs centering the life and times of 60s counterculture icon
Charles Manson. In that time, the Pineapples released the double A side single "Saha/Too Much Acid?" and an LP, ''Shocker'', both of which sold out shortly after their respective launches. Due to the band members varying side-projects, the group began its lengthy hiatus in 1988.
In the year 2000, the band were asked to reform in celebration of Brisbane independent broadcaster
4ZZZ
4ZZZ (pronounced "Four Triple Zed" or simply "Triple Zed") is an independent community radio station operating in Brisbane, Australia at the frequency 102.1 FM. As a community radio station, 4ZZZ is a member of the Community Broadcasting Assoc ...
's 25th anniversary. A secret show was performed after the event at the ''Double Helix'' art gallery. A year later, Hiron died at his home; a tribute show was organised to commemorate his life and the band assembled a line-up as a tribute to Hiron's musical legacy.
With the encouragement of fans, the band played several shows shortly after Hiron's tribute concert as Pensioners from the Dawn of Time, before settling back to the group's original moniker and playing sporadically through the decade.
The band appeared in July 2007 at the Queensland Music Festival's ''Pig City'' event at the
University of Queensland
, mottoeng = By means of knowledge and hard work
, established =
, endowment = A$224.3 million
, budget = A$2.1 billion
, type = Public research university
, chancellor = Peter Varghese
, vice_chancellor = Deborah Terry
, city = B ...
in
Brisbane
Brisbane ( ) is the capital and most populous city of the Australian state of Queensland, and the third-most populous city in Australia and Oceania, with a population of approximately 2.6 million. Brisbane lies at the centre of the South ...
, along with
The Saints,
Regurgitator
Regurgitator are an Australian rock band from Brisbane, Queensland, formed in late 1993 by Quan Yeomans on lead vocals, guitar and keyboards; Ben Ely on bass guitar, keyboards and vocals; and Martin Lee on drums. Their debut studio album, '' ...
,
Kev Carmody,
The Riptides
The Riptides were an Australian power pop group which was formed in Brisbane, Queensland in 1977 as The Grudge. Their founding mainstay was Mark Callaghan on lead vocals, bass guitar, rhythm guitar and as principal songwriter. Former member M ...
,
The Parameters and an impromptu performance by the Black Assassins.
Shortly after this event, Turkeyneck Records re-released their album ''Shocker'' on
CD.
References
{{DEFAULTSORT:Pineapples from the Dawn of Time
Australian punk rock groups
Australian psychedelic rock music groups
Musical groups from Brisbane
Musical groups established in 1985
1985 establishments in Australia