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| Hoodoo Gurus (L-R) Rick Grossman, Dave Faulkner, Mark Kingsmill, Brad Shepherd |
The Hoodoo Gurus have named Nik Reith as their new drummer following the retirement of Mark Kingsmill after 30 years with the group.
Reith’s long history on the Australian music scene includes stints with New Christs, The Celibate Rifles, Tumbleweed and, most recently, punk legends Radio Birdman.
“Nik kept Deniz and Rob from Birdman fully informed about his audition with us,” says frontman Dave Faulkner, “and he apparently has their blessing (and we thank them for being so generous of spirit about that). Nik will still be touring Europe with Radio Birdman in June, then he will be ready, willing and able to perform with us.
“Our first gig with Nik will be in August. Before then there will be a lot of rehearsal as we bring Nik up to speed on more than 30 years of Gurus music! Our other priority is to begin working on new material for the NEXT Hoodoo Gurus album.”
Kingsmill announced his retirement plans last month, with Faulkner revealing the drummer had lost his passion for being on the road after three decades.
Kingsmill joined the Hoodoo Gurus in 1984 following the dismissal of original drummer and founding member James Baker; he first appeared on the band’s second album, 1985’s “Mars Needs Guitars!”
Kingsmill played what was originally scheduled to be last show with the Gurus this past weekend in Victoria, but they have just announced he will appear with the band for the final time as part of Sydney’s Vivid Festival on May 23.
The event sees an encore presentation of “Be My Guru: The Evolution Revolution”, a concept show they introduced last year that features all past and current members of the Gurus perform by recreating each of the band’s lineups in chronological order, followed by an encore with all members on stage closing the night with an epic version of their 1982 classic, “Leilani.”
See also:
VIDEO: Hoodoo Gurus unplug for Sydney TV
Hoodoo Gurus drummer announces retirement
AC/DC: Angus Young named Australia’s greatest guitarist
VIDEO: Hoodoo Gurus – Use-By Date
Search Hoodoo Gurus at hennemusic
