Cold Chisel

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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.
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Popular tags: australian, rock, classic rock, aussie, 80s  See more

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  • Alnico

    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!!!

    November 2011

  • Dr_Van_Nostrand

    Fantastic show tonight in Brisbane. Still as good as ever. Was pleasantly suprised to hear Barnesy in such good shape.

    November 2011

  • Sarsparilla1

    Going to see them in Rockhampton tomorrow night! Gonna be awesome!

    October 2011

  • Dr_Van_Nostrand

    '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.

    September 2011

  • Brett_1989

    there new song All For You is quite good

    August 2011

  • JukeBoxHero48

    Love 'em ~ just found out about them today :-)))

    August 2011

  • egotripping44

    RIP Steve :(

    January 2011

  • lihei

    Vale Steve

    January 2011

  • DPsoia

    R.I.P. Steve

    January 2011

  • BeNgEE4

    RIP Steve Prestwich so many aussie rock legends succumbing to the C

    January 2011

  • cool301

    RIP Steve..

    January 2011

  • BeePositive

    Live in Canberra '87.....Incredible ! <3

    December 2010

  • Purplesheep12

    Cold Chisel Page I made [url=http://www.[spam nofollow=yes].com/cold-chisel]http://www.[spam].com/cold-chisel

    December 2010

  • Dr_Van_Nostrand

    Saw Mossy solo night, great gig! Pulled out Cheap Wine and Breakfast at Sweethearts, f*ckin' awesome.

    December 2010

  • supergeorgia

    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.

    October 2010

  • Saberthug

    Who's going to go to Cold Chisel on the 2nd of October?

    September 2010

  • Dill863

    best band

    September 2010

  • Panther_Panther

    i've had breakfast at sweethearts (in kings cross) :D. awesome band!

    September 2010

  • Turkeybrit

    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!

    August 2010

  • dwlx

    Can't believe I was the first person to shout No Sense. In 2010!

    August 2010
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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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