THE UNOFFICIAL KIM SALMON STORY
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above: Scientists as they appeared on Countdown 1980

Kim Salmon initiated himself into the world of live music with a cabaret band called 'Troubled Waters' They obtained a residency at Tarantellas Nightclub in Fremantle, only to lose the young Kim Salmon after (only) eight weeks.

It was 1976 & Kim had a vision from above to get himself a punk band together, influenced by such artists as the New York Dolls, Sex Pistols & the Ramones. 'The Cheap Nasties' was the name & Perth they tried to claim, only to be vexed by the Perth super group of the time 'The Victims' (oh those were the days!) Eventually they split up & Kim went his own way, and The Cheap Nasties reformed later as 'The Manikins'.

The Invaders were Boris Sudjovic, Roddy Radalj, John Rawlings & Kim Salmon. The public hated the Invaders so much that they had to split up a short time later, even though the combination now would make a good line up (perhaps they were ahead of their times, maybe they were Just shit.)

The timing was right, James Baker had just left The Victims & Kim was on the look-out for another band. The ingredients were right, Just add a touch of Radalj & a large dose of Sudjovic and the Scientists reared their ugly heads onto the Perth public. Their first gig was plagued with hipe, that faded very quickly till it looked like another Invaders. The punters didn't understand their type of punk music, it was too poppy. But the boys stuck it out, with a line up change of Dennis Byrne on bass, replacing Boris. In 1978 they released their first single 'Frantic Romantic' and 'Shake (Together Tonight)' on the DNA record label. To support this single they toured to the East & conned Molly to give them a spot on Countdown (Wow).

The next release was a 4 track single with Ian Sharplea on Bass & Roddy was replaced with Ben Juniper on guitar. The single featured 'Last Night' 'Pissed on Another Planetng1 'Bet ya lyin' & 'It's for Real.' Both the Sweet Corn singles are now re-released on one album through Timberyard.

Around this time a tape was released that sounded as though it was recorded in someone's house, with dogs barking & chickens clucking in the background. It contained most of the material that was on the singles & some new stuff.

Yet another line up change & the Scientists became a three piece band, featuring Kim, James & Ian Sharples. Their first album was released in 1980, having a plain Pink Cover with just their name printed in Calypso style across the top. To most Scientist fans at the time it was a bit of a let down, lacking that harsh edge that the Scientists had live. According to Kim it was basically dubbed to death, he originally wanted it to be a live album.

In between the Scientists gigs, Kim was in a band called Louis Louis with Kim Williams, they only had a life of 3 or 4 months. Kim Williams had a lot to do with the early Scientists stuff, helping to write some of the songs and producing their first album.

The Scientists made a positive step forward and moved their act to Sydney in about 1982. Their popularity slowly grew with time, this was evident by the fewer bottles being thrown at them. One time they scored an Angles gig that went down like a lead balloon, the crowd wasn't tuned in to the Scientists type of music, this almost meant death. By this time James Baker had left the band to Join his old partner Dave Faulkner in Le Hoodoo Gurus, who also were in Sydney.

The Scientists were now Kim Salmon, Tony Thewlis, Brett Rixon and re-Joined by Boris Sudjovic. This was the time of 'Blood Red River', they had made a video for it and gigging twice a week. In mid '83 they recorded some songs for 2JJJ-FM and their popularity was soaring.

1983 is noted for the bringing together of another great band, The Beasts of Bourbon. Kim & Boris were invited to Join in on an 'Innercity Party Boys' band with ex-Scientist James Baker, Spencer Jones of the Johnnys & Tex (Deadly) Perkins. They played a couple of gigs to raise money to go into the studio. Recording the swamp-rock classic 'Axeman's Jazz' album in one 6 hour alcohol drenched afternoon. The Psycho single that was lifted off the album also included two live tracks from The Old Civic Theatre in Perth around January 1984. It featured all the members of the Scientists except Kim Salmon. After a few more gigs to support the album around the country they dissolved, saying it was a one-off venture.

1984 marked a big step for the Scientists, they released 'This heart doesn't run on blood, This heart doesn't run on love.' EP, did a big Australian tour and moved to London. There they found it very competitive, also the image meant a lot, so to make it big, it was a pudding bowl haircut for the lads, winkle pickers & paisley.

above: Scientists as they appeared on Countdown 1980

1985 rolled around and 'Atom Bomb Baby' was released and so too was 'Heading for a Trauma', a putting out of the garbage, a retrospective / compilation of a lot of old material that was recorded but not released. Around the end of '85 Brett Rixton left because he thought he got as much out of the Scientists as he could. This was shortly followed by Boris Sudjovic, who's visa had run out. Leanne Chock replaced Brett, leaving the Scientists as a three piece.

The 'Weird Love' LP was released as comp1latlon of re-recordings of old material to introduce the Scientists to the American market.

Most of '85 and '86 was spent touring around Europe with the likes of Alex Chilton, Jesus & Mary (fast food) Chain & Alan Vega.

Kim got together with Nick Combe and Tony Thewlis toward the end of '86, early '87 to record the 'Human Jukebox' It was done on a budget of about $600 over a few midnight to dawn studio sessions. Before the album was released Kim & Tony came back to Australia to do some promotional gigs with the old members of the band (Borris & Brett) to promote the record. Only one Perth show was held at the Red Parrot on the l0th April 1987. A lot of people were disappointed with this show. But Kim maintained it was a truthful show & if they don't like the truth, it's their problem. The Scientists dissolved and went their. own ways after this series of gigs. Kim & his wife Linda decided to move back to Perth with their son Alex.

September '87 marked the beginning of yet another Kim Salmon project called the Surrealists. It was originally to be a promotion band for the Human Jukebox. Kim brought in two old Scientist fans: Drummer Tony Polar, Ex-Gay Marvins, and Bassist Brian Hooper, Ex-Modern Wimps. Their debut gig was at The Old Melbourne Hotel September 4, 1987.

The idea stuck & The Surrealists went on to record 'Hit Me With the Surreal Feel' album in 1988. It was recorded on a low budget in a rehearsal studio with a four-track reel-to-reel & three microphones placed in different positions around the room. Kim was experimenting with this album, trying to get a surreal sound, the result was distorted & muddy. Tony & Brian moved to Sydney in late '88, so Kim went over with them to do some support gigs for the album.

While Kim was in Sydney the Beasts of Bourbon got back together again to record 'Sour Mash' This album unlike the last took three alcohol filled days to record. It was harsh, gutwrenching, boogie blues from hell. A tour followed in early '89.

The Surrealists 'Just Because You Can't See it...' Was released November 1989 .This album is much better than their first. Kim spent more time at it & a lot more money too. This will go down as a classic record.

Towards the end of '89 Kim Started on a series of solo gigs around Perth, the first being at the Cave in Fremantle. Local '70's punk band Thrombus supporting, it was rumoured that they would be backing him up as the band, but this was plain crap.

A Spanish Zine titled La Herencla De Los Munster presents THE SCIENTISTS, brought out a single with two mixer desk recordings of the last Perth Scientists show in 1987. The tracks are 'Pox on you' & 'Solid Gold Hell'.

Around March '90 Kim joined The Blackeyed Susans for a three week period, while Dave McComb was in England.

The Surrealists did a number of Perth shows in '90 before touring East, supporting The Henry Rollins Band. Kim spent most of late '90 touring with the Beasts of Bourbon in Europe, after the release of 'Black Milk' Just after it was released they lost two of the original members, James Baker & Boris Sujdovic. who went on full time with one of their other projects The Dubrovniks. They were replaced by Tony & Brian of the Surrealists.

Kim released his solo single project, 'Lightning Scary' in late '90.' The record has the one song cut in two, to fit the single as part 1 & part 2. A film clip was planned, but! have yet to see it. Lightning scary is very commercial & I don't' know how much product advertisers would have sold, had local commercial stations played it.

November 1st '90, Kim's wife Linda had their second child Jack.

Late '90, early '91 saw Kim Salmon get back with Kim Williams & Tony Pola for The Human Jukebox tour. This was a Kim Salmon greatest hits band. Featuring all his material from the first Scientists album, right through to Lightning Scary.

The Beasts of Bourbon toured to Perth in March '91 and since the Surrealists are in the Beasts, they also did a few gigs. While in Perth the Beasts were planning to record some songs for their next album & this might include some live tracks.

The Surrealists, 'Just Because you can't see it...' album was released on CD in March '91 with 7 extra tracks. This is a run up for the next Surrealist album 'Essence', which was recorded at Poons Head studios & will be out in June '91. Also out at this time is the a Scientists compilation album.

What the future holds for Kim Salmon is anybody's guess, he could go on with the Surrealists to the same success as the Scientists or he could take the solo path to fame. His music style has no barriers, varying from pop-punk to swamp blues through to the 'Lightning Scary' Rap.

Cheers,
Kim Salmon.

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