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Monday 21 October 2013

SCARY BILL


Scary Bill was formed in 1987 in St. Kilda, Melbourne. The idea of the band came about when Phil Hyde and Kim Sampson (both originally from Adelaide) bumped into each other at the Esplanade Hotel (St Kilda) sometime in late '86 or early '87. The first line up was Phil Hyde (vocals/guitar), Kim Sampson (drums), Steve Gunther (guitar) and Neil Kelly on bass (also from Adelaide).

The band used to rehearse in a picture framing factory somewhere in Fitzroy. Down the back of the factory was a machine that was used for cutting metal picture frames. It was old and rickety, and presumably a bit scary to use. One of the staff had written "Scary Bill" on it. It was then revealed to the band that this particular staff member grew up in a town where a very strange man used to wander the streets, who had been nicknamed Scary Bill. Kelly left after a few months, and Rob O'Connell joined the band. Scary Bill was a kind of "tough country" band at that stage, with a residency at the Great Britain Hotel, Richmond.

O'Connell quit Scary Bill in 1988 and was quickly replaced by Steve 'Chuck' Carter. Chuck had played in many bands, including a brief stint with Geisha and a band which also featured Paul Hester (but a long time before Crowded House was formed). Soon after this, Scary Bill won a 3XY competition (band of the month), and soon after were signed to Polygram, with Mark Opitz (Angels, Cold Chisel, Richard Clapton, Divinyls, Noiseworks) to produce their first and only album. But three months into the project, there was a falling out between Mark and their management, and so a replacement producer was found - namely ex-Sherbet keyboardist Garth Porter. 

Members

Phil Hyde (vocals/guitar), Kim Sampson (drums), Steve Gunther (guitar), Neil Kelly (bass),
Rob O'Connell (bass), Steve Carter (bass)




SINGLES
Crossroads

14 NOV '88#80
Western World

26 JUN '89#74





References

http://rockonvinyl.blogspot.com.au/2012/10/scary-bill-selftitled-1989.html

http://top100singles.blogspot.com.au/


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