Hoodoo Gurus

Hoodoo Gurus occupy a singular place in Australian and international rock’n’roll history.

Formed in Sydney in 1981 by members of seminal Australian punk bands The Victims and Fun Things, Hoodoo Gurus fused garage-rock grit with pop smarts, sharp songwriting and an unrepentant love of classic rock’n’roll.

Drawing on the sounds of the ’60s and ’70s while remaining unmistakably their own, the Gurus helped lead the international alternative, garage-rock and power-pop movement of the mid-1980s. They quickly found success at home and abroad, becoming heroes of the pre-grunge era and forging close ties with contemporaries including The Bangles, Redd Kross and The Fleshtones.

Their catalogue is packed with unmistakable Australian rock classics, including “What’s My Scene”, “Like Wow – Wipeout!”, “Bittersweet”, “Come Anytime”, “Miss Freelove ’69”, “1000 Miles Away” and “My Girl”.

Their debut album, Stoneage Romeos, topped the US College and Alternative chart, while subsequent albums including Mars Needs Guitars!, Blow Your Cool and Magnum Cum Louder reached the Billboard 200 and further established the band internationally.

Across more than four decades, Hoodoo Gurus have amassed 10 ARIA Top 20 albums, nine ARIA Top 40 singles and multiple platinum certifications while remaining one of Australia’s most formidable live bands.

Their influence can be heard across generations of Australian artists, from You Am I and Spiderbait through to Violent Soho, while international musicians including Steve Van Zandt, Courtney Love and Manic Street Preachers have publicly acknowledged the band’s impact.

Inducted into the ARIA Hall of Fame in 2007, Hoodoo Gurus remain revered elder statesmen of Australian rock. Their enduring reputation is reflected in sold-out tours around the world, a devoted international fan base and a catalogue that remains a staple of Australian radio.

Vital, influential and instantly recognisable, Hoodoo Gurus remain one of Australia’s most enduring and beloved rock bands.