Skyhooks
Biographie Skyhooks
Skyhooks
formed in Melbourne in 1973. They pre-dated the genres of 'goth' and 'industrial' yet are included here as they: a) explored, flaunted and influenced many traits of what were to become hallmarks of those and similar genres; b) were immensely popular and influential upon countless artists who followed in their wake. Skyhooks combined original heavy glam-rock - loaded with humorous social-commentary lyrics - with theatrical, camp, glam imagery - that quite likely influenced the globally-popular mid-70s Rocky Horror Picture Show; created as it was by a Kiwi & an Aussie. That movie in turn has had an enormous impact on punk, goth & industrial subculture fashions.
With several #1 albums & singles on the Australian charts Skyhooks had an enormous impact on Australian social life by: blatantly addressing many socially taboo issues including: sexuality (eg. "You Just Like me Cos I'm Good in Bed", "Balwyn Calling", "Smut"); social issues, mindless-consumerism, politics and world affairs like the invasion of Vietnam (eg. "Horror Movie", "Whatever Happened to the Revolution?", "Megalomania", "Keep the Junk in America"); drugs (eg. "Carlton-Lygon Street Limbo"); the gay scene (eg. "Toorak Cowboy"); as well as many songs to do with love gone wrong. They also made a huge impact by referencing Australian locations in many songs and perhaps most of all by being cheeky larrikins who would speak out with a voice of freedom. Along with bands like ACDC (Bon Scott era) Skyhooks played an enormous role in assisting a young and geographically remote Western-European-derived culture to mature out of cultural self-insecurity and to start to feel OK about itself. Their debut album set a long-time record as the best selling album by an Australian band. Their #1 singles are "Horror Movie", "Ego Is Not a Dirty Word" and "Jukebox in Siberia". Guitarist Red Symons and vocalist Shirley Strachan went on to become popular television and radio personalities.
