Skyhooks

Skyhooks made a huge splash in their native Australia in the mid-’70s with a glam-tinged sound that foreshadowed New Wave. The band’s androgynous image and outrageous look contributed to the glam side, while arch songs mostly by bassist Greg Macainsh about topics like closeted homosexuals (“Straight in a Gay Gay World”) and the street-level drug scene (“Carlton [Lygon Street Limbo]”) suggest some Lou Reed in Skyhooks’ roots. The band came together in Melbourne in 1973 and released their debut LP, Living in the 70’s, the next year, finding huge success in Australia. Their next couple of albums were major hits nationally as well. Helium-voiced singer Graeme “Shirley” Strachan left in 1978, and that was the beginning of the end for the band, who fell from favour and then split up in 1980. There were sporadic reunions in the ’80s and ’90s including Strachan (who died in 2001). The band entered the Australian Recording Industry Association (ARIA) Hall of Fame in 1992, and their use of localised lyrical details influenced generations of Aussie rockers to come.