Formed in 1983, the Beasts have become something of an Australian indie "supergroup", the only constant being the vocals of Tex Perkins (The Cruel Sea, Salamander Jim).
The original line up included Perkins, guitarists Spencer P. Jones (The Johnnys) and Kim Salmon (The Scientists (2), Kim Salmon And The Surrealists), bassist Boris Sudjovic (The Scientists (2), Dubrovniks) and drummer James Baker (2) (Hoodoo Gurus, Dubrovniks).
The alcohol fuelled, swampy blues of The Beasts was instantly popular, particularly on the festival circuit, and their first LP "The Axeman's Jazz" (recorded allegedly in one afternoon with 3 cases of beer and a bottle of scotch) was a huge indie success.
Since then The Beasts have recorded 5 other studio LPs, (the best of which were probably the 1988 "Sour Mash" and 1990 "Black Milk" ) but have always been essentially a side project with a revolving membership.
Members:
Spencer P. Jones – guitar, backing vocals (1983–85, 1988–93, 1996–97, 2003–08, 2013) - Deceased 2018
Tex Perkins – lead vocals (1983–85, 1988–93, 1996–97, 2003–08, 2013, 2019)
Boris Sujdovic – bass guitar (1983–85, 1988–90, 2013, 2019)
James Baker – drums (1983–84, 1984–85, 1988–90, 2013)
Kim Salmon – guitar, harmonica, backing vocals, slide guitar (1983–84, 1988–93, 2013, 2019)
Stu Spasm – guitar (1984–85)
Tony Thewlis (The Scientists (2)) – guitar (1984)
Brett Rixon (The Scientists (2)) – drums (1984)
Brad Shepherd (Hoodoo Gurus)
Tony Pola (Kim Salmon And The Surrealists) – drums (1990–93, 1996–97, 2003–08, 2019) - Deceased 2021
Richard Ploog (Church)
Brian Hooper (Kim Salmon And The Surrealists) – bass guitar (1990–93, 1996–97, 2003–08) - Deceased 2018
Graham Hood (Johnnys) – bass guitar (1984–85)
Charlie Owen (Divinyls) – guitar (1996–97, 2003–08, 2019)
The Beasts took a break from playing live from 1997 but returned to play the "Big Day Out" series of festivals in January and February 2006 with a line up of Perkins, Jones, Hooper, Owen and Pola.
Beasts of Bourbon officially ended in 2018 with the deaths of Brian Hooper and Spencer P Jones. Perkins, Pola and Owen have regrouped with former members Salmon and Sudjovic as the Beasts, who released an album in February 2019 titled "Still Here."
