MAD TURKS FROM ISTANBUL

The Mad Turks from Istanbul formed in 1984 in Adelaide with Chuck Skatt [Charles Jenkins] on vocals, Dom Benedictine III [Dominic Larizza] on drums, Martyn La Merde [Martyn Christopher] on bass guitar and Hank M Turk [Matthias Eckhardt] on guitar. According to Skatt, "Chuck Skatt was a name I'd been using in high school to offend people and it suited the silly arse punk bands we were in". The Mad Turks had formed from local acts Crunch Pets, Rigormortis, Faith by Force and the Dysentry Bags and were signed by Greasy Pop Records. In 1985 they provided a track, "Yet You Wonder Why", for their label's compilation album, 'An Oasis in a Desert of Noise'.

They performed on a bill alongside punk rockers The Celibate Rifles and fellow Adelaide band The Sweets of Sin. They released their debut single, "Lolene / Seeing Was Believing" in 1986. After the single release Steve Caon joined on drums and Benedictine moved over to guitar. In November 1987 they issued their debut album, 'Cafe Istanbul' and second single, "Holding My Breath". A third single, "Looking Forward to Destroy" followed in May 1988. In 1989 Matthias Eckhardt left the band and Skatt started playing rhythm guitar, the group relocated to Melbourne and became The Mad Turks. Jenkins described the basis for the change, "The problem was ... you could live off the dole as a musician really easily in Adelaide, so there was plenty of money for recreational vices. A little bit too easy. When I got to Melbourne, it was time to get it together".

There they released their second album, 'Toast' (1990, Greasy Pop). In early 1990, La Merde was replaced on bass guitar by Phil Magnay from Perth band The Jackals. 'Toast' spawned three singles, "Tempers Flare" (May 1989), "The Last Time" (November) and "Walking Disaster" (March 1990). In late 1991 management problems, poor promotion by Festival and low attendances at gigs resulted in the group disbanding.

Members

Charles Jenkins (vocals/guitar), Dominic Larizza (drums/guitar), Martyn Christopher (bass), Matthias Eckhardt (guitar) Steve Caon (drums) Phil Magnay (bass)

SINGLES (as The Mad Turks From Istanbul)
''Lolene / Seeing Was Believing'' 1986 Greasy Pop 
''Holding My Breath (#85) / All Those Words / Prostitute My Brain'' 1987 The Greasy Record Company 
''Looking Forward To Destroy / Given My Number'' 1988 The Greasy Record Company 

SINGLES (as The Mad Turks)
''Tempers Fire / American Hearthrob'' 1989 Festival 
''The Last Time / Elusive Dream'' 1990 Festival 
''Walking Disaster / Holding My Breath (Again)'' 1990 Festival 

ALBUMS (as The Mad Turks From Istanbul)
'Cafe Istanbul' (#72) 1987 The Greasy Record Company 

ALBUMS (as The Mad Turks)
'Toast' (#55) 1990 The Greasy Record Company

References

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Mad_Turks_from_Istanbul

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