LIPSTICK KILLERS

One of the best bands of the late 1970s and early '80s Sydney "Detroit" scene, the Lipstick Killers were a seminal punk group from Sydney. The band grew out of two of the most notorious late 70s punk bands in Sydney; Psycho Surgeons and Filth. At the end of 1978, their mentors, Radio Birdman, flew overseas where they imploded, but the Lipstick Killers lived on, quickly becoming one of THE bands to catch in a city where live music venues were opening by the day. Their Americanised brand of hard glitter rock drew on The Stooges and The New York Dolls (from whence they derived the band name) for inspiration, although Gary Glitter was also cited as a key musical influence. In 1979 the band issued the Deniz Tek-produced independent single 'Hindu Gods (Of Love)'. Drummer David Taylor departed in 1980 and was replaced by Michael Charles (ex-Shy Impostors).

They released their debut album, 'Mesmerizer' in 1984 on the Citadel label. As things got serious, the Lipstick Killers fell foul of the system and headed for Los Angeles where they spent a year living and becoming involved in the burgeoning Californian hardcore scene that had already produced bands such as Black Flag and Circle Jerks. During their American sojourn, Stephen Mather replaced Giddy on bass. The band made little headway and spent most of their time in the US living in poverty. Following a Christmas dinner of boiled onions and refried beans, the band broke up and the members limped home to Australia at the start of 1982. 

The Lipstick Killers reunited for a brief Sydney tour in January 1989 and Taylor, Tillman, Mather and Bill Bilson (ex-Sunnyboys) reappeared in ’96 with ’60s punk cover band Doctor Stone. A second Lipstick Killers reformation in 2001 took the form of a one-off benefit for original drummer David Taylor, who had been seriously injured in a car crash in late 1999. In 2021 Grown Up Wrong released the compilation album 'Strange Flash - Studio & Live '78-81 + Psycho Surgeons '76-78'. Their songs ''Sockman'' and ''Pensioner Pie'' was added to the compilation album 'Indie Sounds From The Harbour City (1983-1987) Volume 1' released in 2022.

Members

David Taylor (drums), Kim Giddy (bass), Mark Taylor (guitar), Peter Tillman (vocals),
Michael Charles (drums), Stephen Mather (bass),