Gunther Gorman - Infectious Rhythm (1981)

(Australian Late 1960's - Present)

Ian "Gunther" Gorman is one of Australia's finest guitar players. He started in the 60's at the age of 12, when he landed a wedding gig at the Parramatta Bowling Club. After attending the National School of Art in Canberra Gorman returned the Sydney to play with Home (1973-1975), the brain-child of Glyn Mason, former member of of Chain and Trevor Wilson from the original La De Das. 

In January 1975, Daddy Cool appeared at the final Sunbury Festival, after which Gunther Gorman was recruited to bolster the group's line-up, and although it was clear by this time that Daddy Cool was well and truly past its use-by date, they soldiered on for a few more months.

Meanwhile, the success of Sherbet in 1976 came despite founding member Clive Shakespeare leaving the band in January of that year. Gorman initially replaced Shakespeare, at the recommendation of Garth Porter who described him to the other band members as 'a real street punk guitarist'. Harvey James ex Mississippi and Ariel in turn replaced Gorman later that year. 

In 1977, he joined the Richard Clapton Band and was a major contributor to the recording of Richard Clapton's pivotal album 'Goodbye Tiger' playing lead guitar on most tracks and writing several tracks. 

From '78-'79 he formed Gunther's G-Force, then briefly joined Ross Wilson's Mondo Rock to work on their LP 'Primal Park'. 

G-Force Review 1978

In 1981, Gorman released his only solo LP " Infectious Rhythm" for WEA Records. The album features Huce Benjamin on drums, Clive Harrison bass, David Kimber piano, Don Miller Robinson guitar and bass, Ralph White brass, Doug Williams vocals and James Rogers bass. The LP was produced by Robinson and Gorman. 

In 1982 after receiving a phone call from Glenn A Baker, Gunther embarked on a 10 year here, there and everywhere stint with Frankie J. Holden, Rockpile Jones, Jim Manzie, Geoff Plummer, Wilbur Wilde in The Fives (1982-1992), a reformed version of Ol'55.

The Barstars - Mike Waddle, Gunther Gorman, Dave Twohill, Roger McCulloch

In 2010, he teamed up with Mike Waddle, Dave Twohill (ex Mental As Anything, Dragon, Men At Work) and Roger McCulloch as The Barstars. These four Cooma based musicians not only have a great sound but also some serious history behind them.

Gunther continues to play music, his current band is 'The Hip Replacements' a blues/rock band. They play in various venues and at festivals.

Gunther Gorman (far right) and the Hip Replacements, 2017

While researching for this post, I came across a reply made by Gorman to another blog follower on Ozzie Musicman's blog in 2011, to an enquiry about his association with the Aussie band Home. This is what he had to say:

Hi Sue. The band (Home) was formed in 1973 by original LA DE DA'S bassist/founding member, Trevor Wilson (dec) and vocalist/guitarist Glyn Mason (REBELS, CHAIN). We rehearsed in a flat in Bondi, then embarked on a couple of years playing clubs and touring as support act to other WEA artists (SLADE, SUZI QUATRO and YES). The final line-up consisted of Glyn (vox/guitar), Loppy Morris, ex HOT COTTAGE (drums); Funky Phil Lawson ex BAKERY (bass/vox)and yours truly (guitar, vocals). We released 2 albums on WEA during this period...HOME AT LAST (1974)and LONG WAY TO NOWHERE (1975) then we fell apart like a Hong Kong suit.

My own story thereafter is a bit of a mixed bag - other bands, various recordings, gigs, a lot of time in the US, one ill-fated solo album, some minor success in EU, a new family, some further education, and a few years working as an IP Examiner, and the rekindling of my passion for design / painting, and recording / performing.

Suffice to say I'm still here...and playing a lot more now too...having just completed some performances at the 2016 THREDBO BLUES festival with the HIP REPLACEMENTS - a 6 piece R&B unit formed here in the snowy by the wonderful bassist Jeremy Paul (AIR SUPPLY, DIVINYLS)

Thank for your request Sue...I hope this suffices. gg

Gunther Gorman 2017

This post consists of FLACs ripped from vinyl (thanks to Ozzie Musicman) and includes album artwork and label scans, along with all photos featured above.

Track Listing

Party Side (1)
A1 - Back It Up 3:06
A2 - Basically Lazy 3:18
A3 - Hard Labour 3:05
A4 - I Was Seduced? 3:56
A5 - Dirty Money 3:32
Smooth Side (2)
B1 - My Baby 3:26
B2 - O.J.B. 2:52
B3 - Infectious Rhythm 2:59
B4 - Don't Be A Fool 2:35
B5 - This Love 3:36

The Band:

Vocals – Doug Williams, Gunther Gorman

Bass – Clive Harrison, Don Miller Robinson, James Rogers

Guitar – Gunther Gorman, Don Miller Robinson

Clavinet – David Kimber

Drums – Huce Benjamin

Harmonica – Don Miller Robinson

Piano – David Kimber

Saxophone – Ralph White

Trombone – Ralph White

Trumpet – Ralph White

Gunther Gorman Link (196Mb)