The legendary Lime Spiders first exploded into the unsuspecting ears of the music public in the post-punk era of the early 80’s. Described by US Rolling Stone as “the Sex Pistols on acid”, the Spiders’ sound was inspired by everything from 60’s punk/pop/psychedelia, to the more innovative and eclectic 70’s rock and late 70’s punk.
The hybrid created combined the most extreme elements of all these influences to create a monster – a sonic assault of unparalleled intensity. Fueled by the brutal rhythm section of Richard Lawson (drums) and Tony ‘Chief’ Bambach (bass) and slabs of gut-wrenching guitar, courtesy of Gerard Corben, Mick Blood found a platform from which to unnerve people with his razor-edged vocals.
The Lime Spiders dominated the Australian independent charts with their early releases on the Citadel label. During this period, the band achieved the number one Australian independent single no less than three consecutive years (1984 to 1986) for the songs Slave Girl, Out of Control, and Weirdo Libido. Slave Girl became a shock rock classic and has been covered by many artists including the Goo Goo Dolls in 1996 on their hit album Dizzy Up the Girl. It remains one of the biggest selling independent Australian singles of all time. Several of these early recordings have recently been re-released on compilations by Shock Records (Do the Pop), Raven Records (Born Out of Time) & a US release (Children Of Nuggets). NZ rockers D4 also covered the Spiders song Out Of Control on their debut album of last year. The Lime Spiders legacy continues.
Beyond their period as an independent act, the Lime Spiders signed to Virgin Records and released three ground-breaking studio albums to international acclaim over the next five years: The Cave Comes Alive (released February 1987), Volatile (released May 1988), and Beethoven’s Fist (released March 1990).
Their debut album The Cave Comes Alive reached the top of the US College charts, and remained there long enough to generate enormous interest in the Lime Spiders. This led to a profile tour spanning two months of shows in most major US cities, and several in Canada, the last thirteen shows supporting PIL. Highlights included a visit backstage by two famous fans of the band at the Cat Club in New York, none other than Iggy Pop and Joey Ramone. European shows included the Roskilde Festival in ‘88 and London’s legendary Marquee Club in ’90. The ongoing respect for the Lime Spiders in the US over the years was further evidenced by the Black Crowes requesting the band as the main support act on their only tour of Australia in 1992, performing as special guests to Tool at the Offshore Festival in ’97 & the iconic MC5 in Sydney in ’04.
The Lime Spiders have continued to perform sporadically in recent years, including a mind blowing set at the Annandale Hotel in January this year. This gig inspired a Drum Media reviewer to declare…”Mick Blood drives a bus through what’s known as punk these days & I strongly suggest next time he gets the band together YOU DON’T MISS IT!”
Well, he has got the band together again to celebrate the release of their long awaited album,” LIVE AT THE ESPLANADE”, a scorching set including 2 previously unreleased songs, “Society Of Soul” & “The Dead Boys”.
Slated for release on November 1st, The Lime Spiders have announced a national promotional tour with Ged Corben and Dave Sparks and guitar, Phil Hall on bass, Richard Lawson on drums and Mick Blood out front.
The Spiders Year by Year:
1979 Lime Spiders first appearance included Mick Blood (vocals), Darryl Mathers (guitar) and rugby league great Eric Grothe on guitar.
1981 Lime Spiders start doing gigs in Sydney. Played a gig with Sunnyboys, Scientists, Hoodoo Gurus. Lineup - Mick Blood (vocals), Richard Jakimyszyn (guitar), Darryl Mathers (guitar), Dave Guest (bass), Jeff Cleary (drums) and Bill Gibson (backing vocals).
1982 Temporary break-up. Reformed, won band competition at a pub in Surry Hills, the prize was a recording contract with Green Records ("25th Hour" single). Dave Guest leaves, replaced by Warwick Gilbert for recording, with Steve Rawles on drums.
1983 Two new members - Tony Bambach (bass) & Richard Lawson (drums). "Slave Girl" single released (on Citadel Records).
1984 Richard Jakimyszyn becomes a 'part-time' member. Gerard Corben joins on guitar.
1985 Last recordings for Citadel. Lime Spiders break up - Mick Blood tours Europe, remaining members play on in other bands - The Sparklers, The Cruel Sea, Adolphus, and The Warm Jets .
1986 "Weirdo Libido" single recorded for "Young Einstein" film. Mick Blood returns from overseas, the Lime Spiders reform, with 3-album contract with Virgin Records. Work starts on "The Cave Comes Alive" - the first full album.
1987 "The Cave Comes Alive" album released, on Virgin. Lime Spiders tour U.S.A.
1988 Release of "Volatile", their second album (on Virgin). Release of "Headcleaner" album (on Virgin), a compilation of earlier material, including "Slave Girl", "Weirdo Libido" and "Out Of Control".
1990 "Beethovens Fist", an album of new material, released on Virgin.
1997 Live concert recorded at Esplanade Hotel, St. Kilda, Melbourne, 25-1-97 - tapes in the Vault.
2002 Release of "Nine Miles High", followed by their first tour in five years.
2006 Sydney shows, and the debut of the Spider's video clips on YouTube.
2007 Live album, Live At The Esplanade released, along with a national tour.
