Choirboys
About
Since the mid 80’s the Choirboys have been performing in pubs, clubs, theatres, concert halls and football grounds around the world. Along the way they’ve released some of the biggest and most influential songs of the past two decades – hits including the rock anthems “Run to Paradise”, “Boys will be Boys”, “Never Gonna Die” and “Struggletown”.
The bands original front man, Mark Gable (lead vocals/guitar) along with co-founder Ian Hulme (bass/vocals) still head up this slick rock outfit. The Choirboys are complete with the addition one of Australia’s best rock drummers Paul Wheeler.
On stage THE CHOIRBOYS are energetic, charismatic and compelling musicians. Their show highlights the bands chart topping hits along with the great new tracks from “Evolver”.
from www.choirboys.net
History
The Choirboys started on the Northern Beaches area of Sydney in 1979. The original members of the band were Mark Gable on vocals, Ian Hulme on bass, Lindsay Tebbutt on drums, and Brad Carr on guitar. They started jamming and writing songs, and playing together in venues around Sydney.
In 1983, George Young (formerly of The Easybeats, and older brother of Angus and Malcolm Young of AC/DC) heard a demo from the Choirboys. He recorded their self-titled debut album with his partner Harry Vanda of the famous Vanda & Young production team at the same studio where the early AC/DC and Rose Tattoo albums were recorded.
The first single, “Never Gonna Die,” reached #21 in the Australian single charts in 1983. Australian TV musical personality Ian “Molly” Meldrum said the album was “destined to become an Aussie classic.” Cold Chisel invited the Choirboys to support them on their “Last Stand”, their last tour for 15 years.
from Wikipedia
Members
- Mark Gable – Vocals and Guitar
- Ian Hulme – Bass and vocals
- Paul Wheeler – Drums and vocals
- Lindsay Tebbutt – Drums (Note: Lindsay sadly passed away on the 17th of December 2021)
- Brett Williams – Guitar (1988-)
- Brad Carr – Guitar (1979-1987)
- Richard Lara – Guitar (1995-1999)
- Barton Price – Drums (1994-1996)
- Richard Coleman – Drums (1997-2001)
- Johnny Ghiselli – Guitar (2000-2003)
- Tony Le Rhodes – Drums (1996-1997)
Images
Videos
Recordings
- Choirboys – 1983
- Big Bad Noise – 1988
- Midnight Sun – 1991
- Dead Drunk Live Hangovers – 1991
- Decade, Best of 1983-1993 – 1993
- Dancin on the Grave of Rock n’ Roll – 1996
- Yo-Yo – 1996
- Evolver – 2004
Other Resources
Known Gigs
1981
May
- with Ted Mulry Gang (TMG)Selina's - Coogee Bay Hotel, Coogee
August
- with The Voices, The AngelsSylvania Hotel, Sylvania
- with Dee Minor and The Dischords, The HitmenBrighton Hotel, Sydney
Hitmen + Dee Minor and the Dischords + Choirboys
November
- with Matt FinishSundowner Hotel, Punchbowl
1982
February
- with The Angels, Dynamic HepnoticsRefectory – Sydney University, Sydney
April
- with Rupert B, Lie Detectors, Silent JetsSelina's - Coogee Bay Hotel, Coogee
May
October
- with Dial X, The AngelsMaroubra Seals Club, Maroubra
1983
January
- Mosman Hotel, Mosman
- with Australian Crawl, Moving Pictures, Divinyls, Jon English, The ZooNarara Music Festival, Somersby
February
- with DivinylsSylvania Hotel, Sylvania
- with Rose TattooMaroubra Seals Club, Maroubra
- with Rose Tattoo, Rose TattooManly Vale Hotel, Manly Vale
- with Rose TattooThe Tivoli, Sydney
April
- with Boss, Cold ChiselSkyline Amphitheatre, Bathurst
- with The Party BoysFamily Inn, Rydalmere
May
- with BossSouthern Districts Tennis Club, Leumeah
- Governor's Pleasure, The Rocks, Sydney
June
- with QV'sBlondies Restaurant, Rockdale
- with Birds Of PreyBlondies Restaurant, Rockdale
July
- with The Angels, Rose TattooHordern Pavillion, Moore Park
- with Russell Morris and The RubesSylvania Hotel, Sylvania
- with The JohnnysThe Tivoli, Sydney
- with The HurtGreenfield Tavern, Greenfield Park
- with Q.E.D.Blondies Restaurant, Rockdale
- with AvionGovernor's Pleasure, The Rocks, Sydney
- Dee Why Hotel, Dee Why
- French's Wine Bar, Darlinghurst
- with One WordBelfield Hotel, Belfield
- with The RamsDee Why Hotel, Dee Why
- with The River RatsStorey Park Hall, Hornsby
August
- Bombay Rock, Brunswick
- Sandown Park Hotel, Noble Park
- with The RadiatorsProspect Hill Hotel, Kew
- with The HurtGreenfield Tavern, Greenfield Park
- with MandrakeSefton Hotel, Sefton
- with KillerCaringbah Inn, Caringbah
September
- with The Honeymoon, QV'sCronulla Workers Club, Cronulla
- Armadale Hotel, Armadale
1984
October
1985
November
- Caringbah Inn, Caringbah
December
- with Party Girls, Jump IncSelina's - Coogee Bay Hotel, Coogee
1986
May
- with The Party BoysStardust Hotel aka Sweethearts, Cabramatta
June
- with Dee Minor and The DischordsStardust Hotel aka Sweethearts, Cabramatta
1987
October
- with The Party BoysBankstown RSL Club, Bankstown
November
- with SliderStardust Hotel aka Sweethearts, Cabramatta
1988
January
- Ferntree Gully Hotel, Ferntree Gully
- The Venue, St Kilda
- with Dragon21st Century, Frankston
April
- Toukley RSL, Toukley
- with Der Straza, TrilobitesCronulla Sutherland Leagues Club, Cronulla
June
- Dapto Leagues Club, Dapto
1989
January
- Tathra Hotel, Tathra
- Sentimental Bloke, Bulleen
- Ferntree Gully Hotel, Ferntree Gully
- Dingley Hotel, Melbourne
1990
February
- Ermington Hotel, Ermington
July
- with The Screaming JetsSylvania Hotel, Sylvania
1999
June
- with Swanee, Lie Detectors, Mandrake, The Zarsoff Brothers, The Radiators, Outline, Dee Minor and The Dischords, Spy Vs Spy, Matt FinishBlacktown RSL, Blacktown
The Boys Are Back In Town show.Choirboys + Matt Finish + Spy Vs Spy + Dee Minor & The Dischords + Outline + The Radiators + Swanee + Zarsoff Bros + Mandrake + Lie Detectors
2010
August
- Metro Theatre, Sydney
[…] Choirboys […]
I had the pleasure of doing FOH sound for the guys on 3 separate occasions but two of those gigs stand out as classics. The first was at the Sylvania Hotel around 6 or so years ago and if any sound guys know that place it has a DB metre about mid dance floor that would cut the power when volume thresholds were exceeded. Well it didnt take too long. About three strums of Marks guitar on the first song and whammo no power for a few minutes. Back on and they started the 2nd song and you guessed it – same thing. This went on for a while until the guys got gradually quieter and quieter and played accoustically and we got thru the gig. Well untill they played run to paradise. Well this time the crowd singing their heads off tripped the bloody thing!!! They just couldnt take a trick that night. We packed up and got out of there quick.
The second gig was a Dapto Leagues and I have a desk mix of that gig. During the show no one would dance at all but as soon as the DJ came on they hit the floors in droves. At the end of the night, Mark made the classic statement that “music is like a marriage. Each person has to give a bit and seeing as how the audience didn’t do their part then they weren’t gonna do theirs and play run to paradise – so goodnight” and with that he walked off. Just a classic moment in rock.
I remember that night Jeff and your mix was the3 best…. *)
Audiences in different venues can be hostile…and often its a test…if the band ignores the hostility and just plays their best the audience can often turn their initial hostile reaction into adulation…I guess the lead singer just didn’t understand this…or maybe the mix just plain sucked…
no my mix didnt suck at all – they just didnt understand the band at Dapto. The venue was big on Thurs/Fri/Sat night as a disco and a band was out of place there for a while at the time.
I was just kidding mate, just a little sound engineer to sound engineer humour!…am sure your mix was fine…LOL! I remember that room at Dapto, and yes it was hostile!
no worries.
What year was it that Choirboys performed in a concert in Wellington, New Zealand with Nightshade, Iggy Pop and Jimmy Barnes … we have a bet going lol … I really want the bottle of Sambucca lol ..
Early 80’s, we use to go EVERY Monday night to the Bondi Tram to watch em! Go to see them tomorrow night at the Metro and as excited now as I was 30 years ago!
[…] Choirboys […]
WOW – I am blown away with the news of Harvey’s passing. My thoughts and prayers are with his family and friends at this difficult time.
Samantha
AWESOME …Choirboys gig at WANDIN EAST FEBUARY 8th 2013 .The gig has been crowned THE ROCKBERRY JAM ….BTOBS be there or be square …it will be wicked ..loved ,em since 1983 . THIS WILL BE BIG !!!!!!
Does anyone know if Mark Gable used to play in a band around 1968-69, at a place in Narrabeen, called Spinning Wheel?
I think the band was called Vella.
Hi MICHAELN, I found this page by accident while researching stuff for radio and saw your comment. Indeed I did play in a band called Vella at the Spinning Wheel.
[…] 30th Nov 1965 – Paul Wheeler – Icehouse, Choirboys […]
[…] Choirboys […]
[…] had the pleasure of working there with Bandanna a few times and The Choirboys on one occasion and saw many other great acts like Kevin Borich and Judge Mercy. It didn’t […]
[…] Choirboys […]