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Adelaide, Australia (1973 – 1984, 2011 – present)
Cold Chisel produced the canonical example of Australian pub rock, with a string of hits throughout the 1970s and 1980s, and they are acknowledged as one of the most popular and successful Australian groups of the period, although this success and acclaim was almost completely restricted to Australia.
The band formed in Adelaide in 1973 as a heavy metal band called Orange around keyboard player Don Walker and original bassist Les Kascmarek and while hard rock remained at the core of their sound Cold Chisel displayed a remarkable versatility. When Kascmarek left in 1975, Walker became the major creative force of the band. Built around Walker’s superb songwriting, the group also featured the dazzling guitar and vocal talents of Ian Moss and the enormously powerful lead vocals of Scottish immigrant Jimmy Barnes.
While typically classified as a hard-driving rock and roll band, the Chisel repertoire included such Australian anthems as the landmark Vietnam War song “Khe Sanh”, “Bow River”, “Flame Trees” and “Saturday Night”, but also included thoughtful ballads like “Choir Girl” (written about the subject of abortion), pop-flavoured love songs like “My Baby” and caustic political statements like “Star Hotel”, an attack on the late-70s government of Malcolm Fraser and inspired by a riot at a Newcastle pub. The music was not political in context, however Walker’s songs were observations of everyday life within the Australian society and culture. One song from this period, “Misfits”, which featured on the b-side to “My Baby”, was written in the same vein as Chuck Berry, and was about homeless kids in the suburbs surrounding Sydney.
The band formed in Adelaide in 1973 as a heavy metal band called Orange around keyboard player Don Walker and original bassist Les Kascmarek and while hard rock remained at the core of their sound Cold Chisel displayed a remarkable versatility. When Kascmarek left in 1975, Walker became the major creative force of the band. Built around Walker’s superb songwriting, the group also featured the dazzling guitar and vocal talents of Ian Moss and the enormously powerful lead vocals of Scottish immigrant Jimmy Barnes.
While typically classified as a hard-driving rock and roll band, the Chisel repertoire included such Australian anthems as the landmark Vietnam War song “Khe Sanh”, “Bow River”, “Flame Trees” and “Saturday Night”, but also included thoughtful ballads like “Choir Girl” (written about the subject of abortion), pop-flavoured love songs like “My Baby” and caustic political statements like “Star Hotel”, an attack on the late-70s government of Malcolm Fraser and inspired by a riot at a Newcastle pub. The music was not political in context, however Walker’s songs were observations of everyday life within the Australian society and culture. One song from this period, “Misfits”, which featured on the b-side to “My Baby”, was written in the same vein as Chuck Berry, and was about homeless kids in the suburbs surrounding Sydney.
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Chisel
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East
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Circus Animals
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Shoutbox
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Alnico wrote:
Looking forward to seeing Chisel next Saturday in Auckland.................Auckland concert sold out and by the looks of the pics on the Chisel website Hobart went off! They ain't played in New Zealand since 1983........wow 28 years!!!
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Dr_Van_Nostrand wrote:
Fantastic show tonight in Brisbane. Still as good as ever. Was pleasantly suprised to hear Barnesy in such good shape.
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Sarsparilla1 wrote:
Going to see them in Rockhampton tomorrow night! Gonna be awesome!
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Dr_Van_Nostrand wrote:
'All For You' is a grower. I didn't like it at first, but am really digging it now. It's not fantastic, but an enjoyable listen nonetheless.
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Brett_1989 wrote:
there new song All For You is quite good
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JukeBoxHero48 wrote:
Love 'em ~ just found out about them today :-)))
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egotripping44 wrote:
RIP Steve :(
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lihei wrote:
Vale Steve
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DPsoia wrote:
R.I.P. Steve
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BeNgEE4 wrote:
RIP Steve Prestwich so many aussie rock legends succumbing to the C
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cool301 wrote:
RIP Steve..
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BeePositive wrote:
Live in Canberra '87.....Incredible ! <3
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Purplesheep12 wrote:
Cold Chisel Page I made [url=http://www.[spam nofollow=yes].com/cold-chisel]http://www.[spam].com/cold-chisel
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Dr_Van_Nostrand wrote:
Saw Mossy solo night, great gig! Pulled out Cheap Wine and Breakfast at Sweethearts, f*ckin' awesome.
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supergeorgia wrote:
Im a teenager and i vote Cold Chisel one of the best bands EVER. I saw them at the Deniliquin Ute Muster last week and it was by far the best experience i've had at a concert.
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Saberthug wrote:
Who's going to go to Cold Chisel on the 2nd of October?
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Dill863 wrote:
best band
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Panther_Panther wrote:
i've had breakfast at sweethearts (in kings cross) :D. awesome band!
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Turkeybrit wrote:
Chisel are THE most under-rated band ever. I saw them 5 times and Barnsey once, never anything less than brilliant. Songs and musicianship of the highest order. Best song? How can you choose? But how about; Hound dog, Plaza, Misfit, Home and Broken Hearted. These boys were/are the business!
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dwlx wrote:
Can't believe I was the first person to shout No Sense. In 2010!
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Events
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Apr
5
Byron Bay Bluesfest 2012
Tyagarah Tea Tree Farm, Byron Bay, New South Wales, Australia
21 going
5 shouts
News
Comment on Statement regarding tickets being sold on eBay by Lee Tucker
15 Aug 2011 | from www.coldchisel.com
about those gold coast tickets , forgot to put my email
address, if you have tickets for sale please email me
classicslabdesign@hotmail.com. Cheers
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15 Aug 2011 | from www.coldchisel.com -
13 Aug 2011 | from www.coldchisel.com -
12 Aug 2011 | from www.coldchisel.com
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Recent Activity
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Garrick7051 and Abelard72 added Cold Chisel to their libraries. 6 hours ago
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musmortwin tagged Cold Chisel with ‘oz rock’. Tuesday morning
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Groups (16)
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Bogan Rock
29 members
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('Australian Folk, Country, Rock')
43 members
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The Australian Music Group
423 members
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Good Aussie Rock
227 members
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Extensive Musical Taste
33,460 members
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