The Psychotic Turnbuckles released two singles on Vi-nil Records, "The Creeps" and "Psychotic Situation" while the latter had been co-written by The Intruder and The Grand Wizard for another band, band, Conspirators. Australian musicologist Ian McFarlane described these singles as "primitive slices of buzzing R&B/garagemania" with "authentic 1960s sound and sheer acid-guitar firepower". In 1986 they appeared on Network 10's TV talent show Star Search, performing "The Creeps".
Their debut EP of six tracks, 'Destroy Dull City', followed in August 1986 via Rattlesnake Records, which was produced by Rob Younger (Died Pretty, Lime Spiders, the Stems). The Music's Michael Smith referred to the band's "mythical" origin story. According to 'Destroy Dull City's' liner notes the members were former professional American wrestlers who re-located to Australia by 1982 from Pismo Beach, California, after banishment from Pismo Beach Wrestling Alliance by promoter Sammy Duke. Their publicity described "a nuclear accident during the band's daily surf which turned their hair psychedelic green and purple. They now drink Turnbuckle Tonic to keep it that way."
The Canberra Times' Lisa Wallace described their next EP, 'Go Go Gorilla' (1987), as "throwbacks from a bad '60s acid trip which made me smile... Be different, be daring." In that year the group were in an episode of comedy TV series, Willing and Abel performing a non-released track, "Your Face is Driving Me Insane".
The Psychotic Turnbuckles' first studio album, 'Beyond The Flip-Out' (October 1987), was recorded in March with The Creep leaving before it was released. He was replaced on bass guitar by The Psychedelic Unknown/The Unknown. The Sledgehammer [Bud Slater] replaced El Sicodelico on guitar later that year, who was replaced in turn by Kid Sunshine in 1988. Psychotic Turnbuckles were a regular attraction on the Sydney live music circuit and shared stages with the Troggs, the Hitmen, Dark Carnival, Beasts of Bourbon and the Screaming Tribesmen. They regularly worked as the house band at the Petersham Inn, Sydney, which ran The Pismo Bar, in their honour. Their single, "Good Times Outweigh the Bad Times" (1988), was reviewed by Wallace's colleague Kathryn Whitfield, "these boys have attempted to not only hide their identities, but also any inkling of talent... 60s-flavoured thrash rock that makes a lot of noise about nothing". Gorgeous Lord Karl Domah replaced The Spoiler on drums.
The line-up of The Intruder, The Unknown, The Grand Wizard and Gorgeous Lord Karl Domah recorded the band's second studio album, 'Pharaohs Of The Far Out (1989). The disc was produced by Johnny Kannis (ex-the Hitmen). The same line-up issued an EP, 'Lunar Chik' (1989). Two members of touring US band Guns and Roses, Duff McKagan and Slash, attended a 1992 show by the band at the Lansdowne Hotel, Sydney.
Psychotic Turnbuckles released their next studio album, 'Figure Four Brain Trance' (October 1993) via Shagpile/Shock. Late in 1994 The Unknown was replaced on bass guitar by Chuck the Rock and the group issued a compilation album, 'Ride The Wild Sounds' (1994), before disbanding. The band existed for a decade and had signed to US label Sympathy for the Record Industry as well as several Australian imprints. The band eventually dissolved as members moved back to the US in the early 1990s. In June 1997 the line-up of The Intruder, The Grand Wizard, The Unknown (on guitar), Chuck the Rock (on bass guitar) and Karl Domah reformed for a one-off gig, where they provided a giveaway EP, 'Louder Than Distortion' (1997).
Supposedly inspired by a fan's social media page, the line-up of Jesse the Intruder, The Grand Wizard, The Unknown and Karl Domah reunited in Sydney in December 2012. Encouraged by their audience's reaction, they signed to Citadel and issued a retrospective 2× CD compilation album, 'Destroy Dull City' (2013). The collection includes the EP of the same name, their first studio album, previously unreleased demos, out-takes and their singles.The band played shows in Melbourne, Sydney and Brisbane. The Psychotic Turnbuckles have performed sporadically since then and toured Japan in 2023, including an appearance at the Tokyo Halloween Ball. The band is undertaking an Australian tour "40 Years Undefeated" in 2024 to mark their fourth decade. The Spoiler died in 2013.
Members
Jesse the Intruder [Colin Caldwell] (vocals), The Creep (bass), The Grand Wizard [Vince Cuscana] (guitar), The Spoiler [Craig Holmes] (drums), El Sicodelico [Jay Younie] (guitar), The Psychedelic Unknown/The Unknown (bass), The Sledgehammer [Bud Slater] (guitar), Kid Sunshine (guitar), Mr Ultimate (drums), Gorgeous Lord Karl Domah (drums), Chuck the Rock (bass), Solomon Grande (guitar), Buddy "Bam Bam" Balam the Brooklyn Bruiser (drums), Count Forza (guitars), The Infliktor (bass)
''The Creeps / Energy'' 1985 Vi-nil
''Psychotic Situation / The Crusher'' 1985 Vi-nil
''The Good Times (Outweigh The Bad Times) / Sudan Butcher'' 1989 Rattlesnake
''Rock 'n' Roll Terrorist / Hero Mountain'' 1990 Shock
''She's Afraid To Love Me / Slow Death - Live / High Energy - Live'' 1992 Shagpile
'Destroy Dull-City' 1986 Rattlesnake
'Go-Go Gorilla' 1987 Rattlesnake
'The Louder Than Distortion E.P' 1987
'Lunar Chik' 1989 Rattlesnake
'She's Afraid to Love Me' 1992 Shagpile
'You Hurt My Head' 2013
'Beyond The Flip-out' 1987 Rattlesnake
'Pharaohs Of The Far Out 1989 Rattlesnake
Figure Four Brain Trance 1993 Shagpile
References
The Psychotic Turnbuckles - Wikipedia
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