The Psychotic Turnbuckles

History

The Psychotic Turnbuckles were part of a wave of hard rock bands that sprang up in Australia in the first half of the 1980s with roots in the US 1960s punk and 1970s big-energy Detroit rock scenes.

Comprising former professional wrestlers who re-located to Australia in 1984 from their hometown of Pismo Beach in California, USA, after being banned from the Pismo Beach Wrestling Alliance by promoter Sammy Duke.

They drew on influences like the 13th Floor Elevators, Radio Birdman, the Moving Sidewalks, the Masters Apprentices, The Sonics and The Aztecs.

Psychotic Turnbuckles quickly became a regular attraction on the healthy Sydney live music circuit and shared stages with the likes of The Troggs, the Hitmen, Dark Carnival, Beasts of Bourbon and the Screaming Tribesmen. They were adopted by the Petersham Inn in Sydney's inner-western suburbs as the regular house band and had a bar (The Pismo Bar) named in their honour. 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.

The band existed for a decade during which time they 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.

Inspired by a fan's Facebook page, the line-up of Jesse the Intruder, El Siccoldelico, The Grand Wizard, The Psychedelic Unknown and Gorgeous Karl Domah (aka Lord Domah) re-convened in Sydney in December 2012 for a one-off show.

Encouraged by the reaction, they signed to Australian label Citadel Records who offered to issue a retrospective double CD set (Destroy Dull City) summarizing their career. The band has since played shows in Melbourne, Sydney and Brisbane. The band announced their 2015 Christmas show in Sydney.

The band split up in 2016.

Discography

Notable appearances