HISTORY OF AUSTRALIAN MUSIC FROM 1960 UNTIL 2000: CANDY HARLOTS

Saturday, 10 October 2015

CANDY HARLOTS

Candy Harlots was formed in 1987 in Sydney by guitarist Ron Barrett (aka Ron B. Gypsy, ex-Glam Savages), drummer Tony Cardinal (ex-What??!!, Soggy Porridge), vocalist Mark Easton (ex-Suicide Squad, Kelpies, Soggy Porridge, Glam Savages) and bass guitarist Nick Szentkuti (ex-Glam Savages). Shortly after the band was formed Easton met guitarist Marc De Hugar in Melbourne and invited him to join the group. Szentkuti spent six months as bass guitarist; he was followed by Scott Millard (ex-The Faith) and then Leeno Dee (ex-Roxx). The band developed an underground following around Sydney and were offered a recording deal with Virgin Records after three shows, but their manager turned down the offer. The contract was not signed until the band's management deal expired four years later. They played frequently in suburban Sydney pubs, including the Kardomah Cafe in Kings Cross and the St James Tavern in the city, and secured support slots with The Cult, Cheap Trick, Divinyls, The Angels, The Sunnyboys, Danish rock band D-A-D and Kings of the Sun.

Although the band's popularity steadily increased, their infamous reputation made the securing of a major label contract difficult. Melbourne label Au Go Go Records issued their debut single, ''Red Hot Rocket'', in April 1989 with the initial 500 copies pressed on red vinyl and wrapped in a pair of women's lace knickers. The single was produced by Mick Cocks of hard-rockers Rose Tattoo. The band followed this up with some live dates in Melbourne in mid-1989.

Numerous live shows led the band to prominence in the Sydney rock scene, and a follow-up single entitled ''Danger'' (backed with Wrap 2 Arms) was released in May 1990 on the Sydney label Timberyard. A friendship between New Jersey's Skid Row and the Candy Harlots was struck after a Hordern Pavilion show in 1990. Both bands jammed on The Troggs' ''Wild Thing'' at an after-show party at the Kardomah Cafe, with members of Mötley Crüe (touring at the time) also in attendance.

Lead guitarist Marc De Hugar was replaced in 1990 by Phil Bowley (ex-Rags 'n' Riches, Shy Thunder). In October 1990, Ron Barrett died after an asthma attack, at the age of 26. Guitarist Peter Masi (ex-Flying Tigers) was recruited in his stead. Mark Easton left after a final performance with Candy Harlots at Kardomah Cafe on 22 March 1991. New vocalist Tony 'Aiz' Lynch (ex-Backstreet Shuffle), a sometime support band to Candy Harlots joined the band soon afterwards, and his songwriting skills helped the band to secure major label interest. Virgin Records signed the band after the track ''What Are We Fighting For?'' co-written with Peter Stanton (ex BB Steal/ Back Street Shuffle) was played to Virgin representatives including future manager Andrew McManus. The Lynch-led line-up received greater media attention than the Easton-fronted group, and they remained popular with the Australian hard rock and metal fraternity, gaining many new fans through Virgin-backed promotional activities.

The 'Foreplay' EP was released in March 1992 and reached #17 on the Australian Recording Industry Association (ARIA) Singles Chart. The debut album 'Five Wicked Ways' followed in May and reached a Top 40 ranking in the ARIA Albums Chart. The album was produced by Peter Blyton (The Radiators, Machinations) and spawned the successful single ''Sister's Crazy''.

Virgin Records was eventually bought out by EMI and Candy Harlots were subsequently signed to EMI's US label. Soon afterwards Aiz Lynch was fired from the band, to be replaced by vocalist Hayden Watt (ex-Triple X). In mid-1993, founding drummer Tony Cardinal quit the group along with Peter Masi. However, Bowley, Dee and Watt formed a new outfit called Helter Skelter, with the addition of drummer Tubby Wadsworth (ex-Killing Time, Mantissa). They released one single, ''Cry for Love'' (an Iggy Pop cover) before Watt was replaced by Jordan Howe. In April 1994, they became known as The Harlots, issuing a self-titled EP in October, before dissolving the following year. The line-up of Lynch, Bowley, Masi, Dee and Cardinal reformed for a one-off concert at the Gaelic Theatre in Sydney on 31 October 2009.

Members

Mark Easton (vocals), Aiz Lynch (vocals), Hayden Watt (vocals), Nick Szentkuti (bass),
Scott Millard (bass), Tony Cardinal (drums), Marc Lee De Hugar (guitar), Phil Bowley (guitar),
Ron Barrett (guitar), Peter Masi (guitar), Leeno Dee (bass), Tubby Wadsworth (drums),

Jordan Howe (vocals)