Australia's Hoodoo Gurus were well past legendary status at home when, in 1997, after 15 years and 7 studio albums, they originally called it a day. After a four-year hiatus, they appeared as Persian Rugs, a very 60s-soaked project, releasing both an e.p. and a full studio record. Killer stuff and highly recommended; I'll cover Gurus side projects in future posts.
Australia still beckoned for more Gurus when, in 2003, the band officially reunited to record a version of one of their biggest hits, "What's My Scene," as a promo theme for the National Rugby League. "That's My Team" was released as a single with all monies being donated to Breast Cancer charities at home.
The groundswell continued: the band co-headlined the Big Day Out Festival with Metallica and The Strokes in January 2004, signed to EMI Australia and released their 8th studio album, Mach Shau. Back on the road for more shows meant Gurus fans were in heaven once more. EMI even re-released all Gurus albums with bonus tracks, as well.
2007: the Gurus consider regaining some lost ground in North America, hitting the road for several dates, including an appearance at the prestigious SXSW Festival in Austin. An induction into the Australian Recording Industry Hall Of Fame capped off the year.
In 2008, when Melbourne's newspaper The Age celebrated 50 years of Aussie Rock by selecting the Top 50 Aussie albums, Stoneage Romeos - the Gurus 1984 debut - came in at #5, ahead of records by INXS, Crowded House and no less than 4 albums by AC/DC (including Back In Black).
Talk about a new lease on life: the Gurus are back in 2010 with a new album, Purity Of Essence, due out next month. The first track was released in December - the truly rockin' Crackin' Up.
The band has disabled the video for posting, so please click the following link and enjoy........!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TZMSru8PjRs
