Criminally underrated, Stiletto were an alternative/pseudo-feminist band from Carlton formed in the mid 70's. The original lineup was Jane Clifton on vocals, Janie Conway on vocals and guitar, Andrew Bell on guitar, Marnie Sheehan on bass and Eddie Van Roosendael on drums. Stiletto rode a wave of popularity that was unprecedented for a band of its kind at the time. With its women-oriented lyrics and tough, loud, highly arranged music the band gained a strong following without really trying. In 1977 guitarist Chris Worrall (ex Pelaco Brothers) replaced Conway and Celeste Howden replaced Sheehan. The band signed to the OZ label and released a couple of singles and an album. Unfortunately, the single releases failed to chart, and the label dropped them.
The band did a lot of gigs in and around Melbourne, Sydney, Adelaide and quite a few very memorable shows in Brisbane when the powers that be that ran the place had a size 12 boot firmly on the throat of anything that looked like fun. And one thing Jane and the band liked was fun – and the giving of it to loving audiences. The band supported Elvis Costello and The Attractions in Melbourne on their Australian tour in 1979. They disbanded not long after. Chris Worrall died in 2024.
Members
Jane Clifton (lead vocals), Celeste Howden (bass), Andrew Bell (guitar, keyboards), Chris Worrall (guitar), Eddie Van Roosendael (drums), Janie Conway (vocals/guitar), Marnie Sheehan (bass)
''Nights In Parlour'' 1977 OZ
''Bluebirds / Cream'' 1978 OZ
''Goodbye Johnny / Woman In A Man's World'' 1978 OZ
ALBUMS
Licence To Rage' 1978 OZ
Do you know if their song 'Nuclear War' is available anywhere or was that only a live performance clip that I see on YouTube. That song rips.
ReplyDeleteYeah I been looking for that meself(given recurrence of relevance)-Ed Van Roosendael (drummer etc)
ReplyDeletePS it WAS once to be found-Ed Van R.
ReplyDelete