The Screaming Jets are an Australian
hard rock
Hard rock or heavy rock is a loosely defined subgenre of rock music typified by aggressive vocals and distorted electric guitars. Hard rock began in the mid-1960s with the garage, psychedelic and blues rock movements. Some of the earliest hard ...
band formed in
Newcastle, Australia
Newcastle ( ; Awabakal: ) is a metropolitan area and the second most populated city in the state of New South Wales, Australia. It includes the Newcastle and Lake Macquarie local government areas, and is the hub of the Greater Newcastle area ...
, in 1989 by frontman
Dave Gleeson
David Sean "Gleeso" Gleeson (born 3 June 1968) is the lead singer of Australian hard rock group The Screaming Jets. He was born in Newcastle, New South Wales and currently resides in Adelaide Hills, South Australia
Biography
David Sean Gle ...
(vocals), Paul Woseen (bass guitar), Grant Walmsley (guitar)
Richard Lara(guitar), and Brad Heaney (drums).
The band has three albums that peaked in the top five on the Australian
ARIA Charts
The ARIA Charts are the main Australian music sales charts, issued weekly by the Australian Recording Industry Association. The charts are a record of the highest selling songs and albums in various genres in Australia. ARIA became the offici ...
: ''
All for One'' (1991), ''
Tear of Thought'' (1992), and ''
The Screaming Jets
The Screaming Jets are an Australian hard rock band formed in Newcastle, Australia, in 1989 by frontman Dave Gleeson (vocals), Paul Woseen (bass guitar), Grant Walmsley (guitar)Richard Lara(guitar), and Brad Heaney (drums). The band has three a ...
'' (1995). Their 1991 single "
Better" reached No. 4 on the related singles chart. Walmsley left in 2007 and formed his own band. In 2013, bassist Paul Woseen released an acoustic solo album, ''Bombido''.
Biography
1981–1990: Early years and ''The Scorching Adventures of the Screaming Jets''
Dave Gleeson and Grant Walmsley met at
St Francis Xavier's College, Hamilton, in 1981 and first performed together for a school dance at the Newcastle Town Hall.
They formed the group Sudden Impact in 1985, which later became Aspect. Paul Woseen joined in 1988.
Richard Lara, on guitar, and Brad Heaney joined shortly after. The band was renamed Screaming Jets in 1989.
The group's first performance as The Screaming Jets was as The Love Bomb in a Newcastle pub in March 1989;
they won the inaugural National Band Competition run by youth radio broadcaster
Triple J
Triple J (stylised in all lowercase) is a government-funded, national Australian Radio in Australia, radio station intended to appeal to listeners of alternative music, which began broadcasting in January 1975. The station also places a greate ...
in November of that year.
The group relocated to
Sydney
Sydney ( ) is the capital city of the state of New South Wales, and the most populous city in both Australia and Oceania. Located on Australia's east coast, the metropolis surrounds Sydney Harbour and extends about towards the Blue Mountain ...
in early 1990 and supported
The Angels on a national tour. In May 1990, they signed with an independent label,
rooArt
rooArt
was an Australian independent record label, founded in 1988 by INXS's then-manager, Chris Murphy. The label's roster included several well-known Australian bands and artists such as Crow, Ratcat, Screaming Jets, You Am I, Wendy Matthews ...
.
Their debut extended play (EP), ''
The Scorching Adventures of the Screaming Jets
''The Scorching Adventures of the Screaming Jets EP'' is the debut release by Australian pub rock band The Screaming Jets, released in December 1990.
The Screaming Jets won a national Battle of the Bands contest run by the Triple J network in ...
'', was issued in December 1990.
Through late 1990, The Screaming Jets became infamous for a series of raucous, sometimes violent, live shows. During shows to launch the debut EP, fights often broke out as the band's faithful Newcastle fans mixed with the new Sydney fans. A show at The Kardomah Cafe in Sydney's
red-light district
A red-light district or pleasure district is a part of an urban area where a concentration of prostitution and sex-oriented businesses, such as sex shops, strip clubs, and adult theaters, are found. In most cases, red-light districts are particu ...
saw a string of casualties being ferried to the street outside with injuries including broken noses, a broken leg and numerous victims of
heat exhaustion Heat exhaustion is a severe form of heat illness. It is a medical emergency. Heat exhaustion is caused by the loss of water and electrolytes through sweating.
The United States Department of Labor makes the following recommendation, "Heat illness ...
.
1991–1994: ''All for One'', ''Living in England'' and ''Tear of Thought''
In February 1991, The Screaming Jets released ''
Better'', which peaked at number 4 on the ARIA Charts. In April, their debut
studio album
An album is a collection of audio recordings issued on compact disc (CD), Phonograph record, vinyl, audio tape, or another medium such as Digital distribution#Music, digital distribution. Albums of recorded sound were developed in the early ...
''
All for One'' was released. The album debuted at number 3 and peaked at number 2 on the ARIA Charts.
The album showed influences from
Van Halen
Van Halen ( ) was an American rock band formed in Pasadena, California, in 1972. Credited with "restoring hard rock to the forefront of the music scene", Van Halen was known for its energetic live shows and for the virtuosity of its lead gu ...
,
AC/DC
AC/DC (stylised as ACϟDC) are an Australian Rock music, rock band formed in Sydney in 1973 by Scottish-born brothers Malcolm Young, Malcolm and Angus Young. Their music has been variously described as hard rock, blues rock, and Heavy metal ...
and
The Angels.
It reached the Top 50 on the ARIA End of Year Albums Chart for 1991.
"
Stop the World" and "
Shine On" both reached the top 40.
The controversial track "F. R. C." ("Fat Rich Cunts") was a crowd favourite and related internationally. Gleeson would dedicate the song to
Michael Gudinski
Michael Solomon Gudinski AM (22 August 1952 – 2 March 2021) was an Australian record executive and promoter who was a leading figure in the Australian music industry. Born and raised in Melbourne to Jewish Russian immigrants, Gudinski formed ...
or
Russ Hinze
Russell James Hinze (19 June 1919 – 29 June 1991) was a politician in Queensland, Australia, in the 1970s and 1980s. He presided over an era of controversy that included the setting up of the Racing Development Fund, ministerial re-zonings an ...
at concerts.
At times, "F. R. C." was performed by guest vocalists from
Mortal Sin
A mortal sin ( la, peccatum mortale), in Catholic theology, is a gravely sinful act which can lead to damnation if a person does not repent of the sin before death. A sin is considered to be "mortal" when its quality is such that it leads to ...
,
The Choirboys or The Angels.
Following the album's release, the group relocated to the
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, commonly known as the United Kingdom (UK) or Britain, is a country in Europe, off the north-western coast of the continental mainland. It comprises England, Scotland, Wales and North ...
, where they based themselves for over two years. Their second EP, ''
Living in England'', was issued in June 1992 and included cover versions of
Johnny Cash
John R. Cash (born J. R. Cash; February 26, 1932 – September 12, 2003) was an American country singer-songwriter. Much of Cash's music contained themes of sorrow, moral tribulation, and redemption, especially in the later stages of his ca ...
's "
Folsom Prison Blues
"Folsom Prison Blues" is a song by American singer-songwriter Johnny Cash. Written in 1953, it was first recorded in 1955 for his debut studio album '' Johnny Cash with His Hot and Blue Guitar!'' (1957), appearing as the album's eleventh track. T ...
" and
AC/DC
AC/DC (stylised as ACϟDC) are an Australian Rock music, rock band formed in Sydney in 1973 by Scottish-born brothers Malcolm Young, Malcolm and Angus Young. Their music has been variously described as hard rock, blues rock, and Heavy metal ...
's
"Ain't No Fun (Waiting Round to Be a Millionaire)".
The EP peaked in the top 20 in July.
In October 1992, The Screaming Jets released their second studio album, ''
Tear of Thought'', which debuted at number 20 and peaked at number 3 in 1994.
A cover version of
Boys Next Door's song "
Shivers" was released in January 1993 and peaked into the Top 20. The group supported
Ugly Kid Joe
Ugly Kid Joe is an American hard rock band from Isla Vista, California, formed in 1989. The band's name spoofs the glam metal band Pretty Boy Floyd's name.
To date, Ugly Kid Joe have released five full-length albums, two compilation albums a ...
on their European tour in 1993, when Heaney was fired mid-tour. He was temporarily replaced by ex-
Judas Priest
Judas Priest are an English heavy metal band formed in Birmingham in 1969. They have sold over 50 million albums and are frequently ranked as one of the greatest metal bands of all time. Despite an innovative and pioneering body of work in th ...
drummer
Dave Holland
David “Dave” Holland (born 1 October 1946) is an English jazz double bassist, composer and bandleader who has been performing and recording for five decades. He has lived in the United States for over 40 years.
His extensive discography r ...
.
Heaney was permanently replaced in the line-up by former
BB Steal drummer
Craig Rosevear in July 1993. In January 1994, after a US tour backing
Def Leppard
Def Leppard are an English rock band formed in 1976 in Sheffield. Since 1992, the band has consisted of Rick Savage (bass, backing vocals), Joe Elliott (lead vocals), Rick Allen (drums, backing vocals), Phil Collen (guitar, backing vocals), a ...
, Lara was replaced by Melbourne guitarist
Jimi "The Human" Hocking (ex-Spectre 7).
Both "
Helping Hand" and "
Tunnel
A tunnel is an underground passageway, dug through surrounding soil, earth or rock, and enclosed except for the entrance and exit, commonly at each end. A pipeline is not a tunnel, though some recent tunnels have used immersed tube cons ...
" were Top 40 singles from ''Tear of Thought''.
While the band remained only moderately successful overseas, in Australia they became one of the top-drawing live bands of the 1990s and they achieved the rare distinction of being embraced by both commercial and indie-music focused radio.
1995–1999: ''The Screaming Jets'', ''World Gone Crazy'' and ''Hits and Pieces''
In August 1995, The Screaming Jets released their third studio album, ''
The Screaming Jets
The Screaming Jets are an Australian hard rock band formed in Newcastle, Australia, in 1989 by frontman Dave Gleeson (vocals), Paul Woseen (bass guitar), Grant Walmsley (guitar)Richard Lara(guitar), and Brad Heaney (drums). The band has three a ...
'', which peaked at No. 5.
It was co-produced by the band with Robbie Adams (
U2).
It was the first CD launched via live Webcast. The single "
Friend of Mine", was released in October and reached the top 50.
The group continued to tour and started recording their fourth album, ''
World Gone Crazy'' which was released in August 1997 and peaked into the top 20.
The album was produced by Steve James and rooArt had passed their contract to
BMG.
Hocking had left by June and was replaced on guitar by Ismet "Izzy" Osmanovic (ex-Judge Mercy).
BMG released a compilation album, ''
Hits and Pieces'' in November 1999.
One new track, "I Need Your Love" was issued as a single and the limited edition included an eight-track bonus disc.
In November 1999, the group participated in the extensive Last Great Rock’n’Roll Show of the Century Australian tour. the group started recording their next studio album, ''
Scam
A confidence trick is an attempt to defraud a person or group after first gaining their trust. Confidence tricks exploit victims using their credulity, naïveté, compassion, vanity, confidence, irresponsibility, and greed. Researchers have def ...
'', with former
Skyhooks
Skyhook, sky hook or skyhooks may refer to:
Fiction
* 'Skyhooks' or 'Skyhooks II', parts 1 and 8 respectively of the Adventure Time Elements (miniseries), Elements miniseries.
* ''Sky Hook'', a Hugo-award nominated science fiction fanzine
* Sk ...
producer
Ross Wilson.
By early 2000 Rosevear left to be replaced by on drums by
Col Hatchman
2000–2003: ''Scam'', ''Live Forever'' and hiatus
In early 2000 Rosevear was replaced by on drums by
Col Hatchman and the group recorded their next fifth studio album, ''
Scam
A confidence trick is an attempt to defraud a person or group after first gaining their trust. Confidence tricks exploit victims using their credulity, naïveté, compassion, vanity, confidence, irresponsibility, and greed. Researchers have def ...
'', with former
Skyhooks
Skyhook, sky hook or skyhooks may refer to:
Fiction
* 'Skyhooks' or 'Skyhooks II', parts 1 and 8 respectively of the Adventure Time Elements (miniseries), Elements miniseries.
* ''Sky Hook'', a Hugo-award nominated science fiction fanzine
* Sk ...
producer
Ross Wilson.
''Scam'' was released in October 2000 on
Grudge Records
Grudge Records was the Australian record label for Universal Music Australia that mostly promoted Australian rock artists, such as Grinspoon, Skunkhour, and Powderfinger. Other artists include H-Block 101 and Sean Ikin.
Grudgefest
Grudgefes ...
through
Universal Music
Universal Music Group N.V. (often abbreviated as UMG and referred to as just Universal Music) is a Netherlands, Dutch–United States, American multinational Music industry, music corporation under Law of the Netherlands, Dutch law. UMG's cor ...
.
They were selected to tour with
Kiss
A kiss is the touch or pressing of one's lips against another person or an object. Cultural connotations of kissing vary widely. Depending on the culture and context, a kiss can express sentiments of love, passion, romance, sexual attraction, ...
and
Alice Cooper
Alice Cooper (born Vincent Damon Furnier, February 4, 1948) is an American rock singer whose career spans over five decades. With a raspy voice and a stage show that features numerous props and stage illusions, including pyrotechnics, guillot ...
in 2001. In June the band performed their last concert in Newcastle before an extended break. The live album of the show was released in December 2002 as ''
Live Forever''.
On 29 August 2000, The Screaming Jets were thrown off the inaugural Brisbane to Newcastle flight for the now defunct Impulse Airlines. The new Boeing 717-200 jet had taxied to the runway for the early morning flight when it was forced to return to the terminal after band members broke into a rendition of Puff The Magic Dragon. "We thought of everything to get the press and this is it," unrepentant lead vocalist Dave Gleeson said after the band was escorted from the plane by Australian Protective Services staff.
2004–2015: ''Heart of the Matter'', ''Rock On'' and ''Do Ya'' and infrequent touring
In 2004 the group recommenced recording and touring. The group signed with
Universal Music Australia and released ''
Heart of the Matter'' in August 2004. In November 2004, Hatchman left the group, his last performance was recorded for the live ''
Rock On'' album released in 2005 by
Liberation Records
Liberation Records is an American record company based in the Los Angeles area known for do it yourself ethos and pioneering guerrilla marketing strategies. It was formed by then 16-year-old underground rock music fanzine publisher David Taba i ...
. Hatchman was replaced by Mickl "The Slayer" Sayers, formerly of Sydney band Tripguage. In October 2006, four Screaming Jets songs were listed in the
Triple M
Triple M is an Australian commercial radio network owned and operated by Southern Cross Austereo. The network consists of 40 radio stations broadcasting a mainstream rock music format and 5 digital radio stations.
The network dates back to th ...
Essential 2006 Countdown: "
Helping Hand" (voted 447 out of 2006), "
Eve of Destruction" (voted 683 out of 2006), "Shivers" (voted 1588 out of 2006) and "My Badger Drinks" (voted 1596 out of 2006).
Early in 2007, founding member and guitarist Walmsley left the band and was replaced by Scotty Kingman, who engineered the band's next album.
According to Gleeson, Walmsley left because his external commitments interfered with the band's schedules.
Walmsley went on to form the indie roots band Agents of Peace. In October 2008, The Screaming Jets released their sixth studio album, ''
Do Ya'' through StockXchange Music. In October 2009, Osmanovich left and Hocking returned to the line-up.
Live shows from The Screaming Jets were infrequent through 2010 and 2011, and the band played only one show in 2012, at the car festival Summernats. But the band returned for a short 'Best Of' tour in late 2013. In May, 2013, bassist and key songwriter Paul Woseen released his debut solo album "Bombido".
2016–present: ''Chrome'', ''Gotcha Covered'' and 30th anniversary edition of ''All for One''
In May 2016, the band released their seventh studio album, "
Chrome", followed by a national tour with fellow Australian band
Massive in support. The album met with critical and commercial success. In March 2017, it was announced The Screaming Jets will perform a national headline tour with
Baby Animals
Baby Animals is an Australian hard rock band active from October 1989 to 1996 and reformed in 2007. The original line-up was Frank Celenza on drums; Suze DeMarchi on lead vocals and guitar; Dave Leslie on guitar and backing vocals; and Eddie Pa ...
in June and July 2017.
In July 2018, The Screaming Jets released ''
Gotcha Covered'' their eighth studio album, a collection of 15 iconic Australian songs spanning from the mid 1960s to the 1990s.
In 2019, the band released a greatest hits album and national tour to celebrate 30 years as a band.
In August 2021, the band will tour and release a re-recorded ''All for One'', celebrating its 30th anniversary.
Band members
Current line-up
*
Dave Gleeson
David Sean "Gleeso" Gleeson (born 3 June 1968) is the lead singer of Australian hard rock group The Screaming Jets. He was born in Newcastle, New South Wales and currently resides in Adelaide Hills, South Australia
Biography
David Sean Gle ...
– lead vocals
(1989–present)
*Paul Woseen – bass guitar, backing vocals
(1989–present)
*
Jimi "The Human" Hocking – guitar, backing vocals
(1993–1997, 2009–present)
*Scott Kingman – guitar
(2007–present)
*Cam McGlinchey – drums
(2019–present)
Previous members
* Grant Walmsley – guitar, backing vocals
(1989–2007)
* Brad Heaney – drums
(1989–1993)
Richard Laranbsp;– guitar
(1989–1993)
*
Craig Rosevear – drums
(1993–1999)
* Dave Forbes – percussion
(1993–1994)
* Ismet "Izzy" Osmanovic – guitar, backing vocals
(1998–2009)
*
Col Hatchman – drums
(2001–2004)
* Mickl "The Slayer" Sayers – drums
(2005–2017)
* Mark McLeod – drums
(2017–2019)
Timeline
Discography
* ''
All for One'' (1991)
* ''
Tear of Thought'' (1992)
* ''
The Screaming Jets
The Screaming Jets are an Australian hard rock band formed in Newcastle, Australia, in 1989 by frontman Dave Gleeson (vocals), Paul Woseen (bass guitar), Grant Walmsley (guitar)Richard Lara(guitar), and Brad Heaney (drums). The band has three a ...
'' (1995)
* ''
World Gone Crazy'' (1997)
* ''
Scam
A confidence trick is an attempt to defraud a person or group after first gaining their trust. Confidence tricks exploit victims using their credulity, naïveté, compassion, vanity, confidence, irresponsibility, and greed. Researchers have def ...
'' (2000)
* ''
Do Ya'' (2008)
* ''
Chrome'' (2016)
* ''
Gotcha Covered'' (2018)
Awards and nominations
ARIA Music Awards
The
ARIA Music Awards
The Australian Recording Industry Association Music Awards (commonly known informally as ARIA Music Awards, ARIA Awards, or simply the ARIAs) is an annual series of awards nights celebrating the Australian music industry, put on by the Austr ...
is an annual awards ceremony that recognises excellence, innovation, and achievement across all genres of
Australian music
The music of Australia has an extensive history made of music societies. Indigenous Australian music forms a significant part of the unique heritage of a 40,000- to 60,000-year history which produced the iconic didgeridoo. Contemporary fusions of ...
. They commenced in 1987.
,
, -
,
1991
File:1991 Events Collage.png, From left, clockwise: Boris Yeltsin, elected as Russia's first president, waves the new flag of Russia after the 1991 Soviet coup d'état attempt, orchestrated by Soviet hardliners; Mount Pinatubo erupts in the Phil ...
, "C'mon"
,
ARIA Award for Best New Talent The ARIA Music Award for Best New Talent was an award presented at the annual ARIA Music Awards. It was presented from 1987 through to 1998.
The award for Best New Talent was first presented in 1987. Crowded House won the award with their single "D ...
,
,
, -
,
1992
File:1992 Events Collage V1.png, From left, clockwise: 1992 Los Angeles riots, Riots break out across Los Angeles, California after the Police brutality, police beating of Rodney King; El Al Flight 1862 crashes into a residential apartment buildi ...
, "Better"
,
ARIA Award for Highest Selling Single
,
,
, -
,
1994
File:1994 Events Collage.png, From left, clockwise: The 1994 Winter Olympics are held in Lillehammer, Norway; The Kaiser Permanente building after the 1994 Northridge earthquake; A model of the MS Estonia, which Sinking of the MS Estonia, sank in ...
, "Shivers"
, Highest Selling Single
,
,
, -
,
1998
, ''World Gone Crazy''
,
ARIA Award for Best Rock Album
,
,
, -
References
Sources
* Note: Archived
n-linecopy has limited functionality.
*
External links
''The Band's Own Facebook Page''''The Band's Home Page''''The Herald'' 2013 : From Riffs to Rifts - Why Grant Walmsley left the Screaming Jets
2006 interview with Dave Gleeson & Grant Walmsley.
The Screaming Jetspublicity photo by
rooArt
rooArt
was an Australian independent record label, founded in 1988 by INXS's then-manager, Chris Murphy. The label's roster included several well-known Australian bands and artists such as Crow, Ratcat, Screaming Jets, You Am I, Wendy Matthews ...
and
Atlantic Records
Atlantic Recording Corporation (simply known as Atlantic Records) is an American record label founded in October 1947 by Ahmet Ertegun and Herb Abramson. Over its first 20 years of operation, Atlantic earned a reputation as one of the most i ...
. Gleeson-Heaney-Lara-Walmsley-Woseen line-up.
{{DEFAULTSORT:Screaming Jets, The
Musical groups established in 1989
New South Wales musical groups
Newcastle, New South Wales
Pub rock musical groups
Australian hard rock musical groups
Grudge Records artists