Cold Chisel
Biographie Cold Chisel
Cold Chisel
is an iconic Australian pub rock band that formed in Adelaide in 1973. Known for their powerful live shows, classic songwriting, and the raw, soulful vocals of frontman Jimmy Barnes, they became one of Australia's most popular and influential bands of the late 1970s and early 1980s.
Band Members:
The classic lineup of Cold Chisel, which solidified in 1975, consisted of:
Jimmy Barnes: Lead vocals
Ian Moss: Guitar, vocals
Don Walker: Piano, keyboards, and primary songwriter
Phil Small: Bass guitar
Steve Prestwich: Drums
Other notable past members include Les Kaczmarek (original bassist) and Ray Arnott (drummer who briefly replaced Prestwich). Following Prestwich's death in 2011, Charley Drayton took over as the band's drummer.
Career and Musical Style
Cold Chisel's music is often described as "pub rock," a genre that blended hard rock, R&B, and blues. The band's sound was defined by the dynamic interplay between Barnes's aggressive, whiskey-soaked vocals and Ian Moss's melodic guitar work and smoother vocal style. Don Walker's songwriting was the band's creative core, with his lyrics often exploring themes of Australian identity, alienation, and working-class life.
The band's career was marked by intense touring, and they quickly earned a reputation for their electrifying and often chaotic live performances. Despite their massive success in Australia, Cold Chisel struggled to break into the international market, which contributed to internal tensions and led to their initial breakup.
Key Albums
Cold Chisel's discography includes a series of critically acclaimed and commercially successful albums:
Cold Chisel (1978): The band's self-titled debut, which featured the timeless Australian anthem, "Khe Sanh."
Breakfast at Sweethearts (1979): This album further cemented their reputation and earned platinum sales.
East (1980): Often considered their magnum opus, this album showcased a more communal songwriting approach with hits like "Choirgirl," "Cheap Wine," and "My Baby." It was a huge commercial success, winning several awards.
Circus Animals (1982): A darker and more complex album that captured the frustrations of their unsuccessful attempts to find an audience in America, featuring the iconic "Forever Now" and "Bow River."
Twentieth Century (1984): Released after their initial farewell tour, this album became another #1 hit.
Post-Breakup and Reunions
After their farewell tour in 1983, the band members pursued individual careers. Jimmy Barnes went on to become one of Australia's most successful solo artists, while Ian Moss also found success with his solo work.
Cold Chisel has reunited several times over the years for new albums and tours, demonstrating their enduring popularity. Their later studio albums include:
The Last Wave of Summer (1998)
No Plans (2012)
The Perfect Crime (2015)
Blood Moon (2019)
