Formed in 1979, the Dagoes were an Australian rock band who played a freewheeling mix of '60s garage, new wave, and punk. Early denizens of the Adelaide indie scene, they were known for spirited live shows that would occasionally feature up to nine players, most of them adopting silly Italian pseudonyms like Johnny Tomato and Tony Rome (real name Neil Perryman), the latter of whom acted as the group's principal songwriter and lead singer. Between 1980 and 1983, the Dagoes issued a variety of singles and EPs. Though a crafty and highly charismatic force, their music made little impact outside of their native South Australia and they disbanded in 1983. ~ Timothy Monger