Theatrical rock band.
A rock band with musical influences ranging from melodic bubblegum rock to punk and hard rock, Shoot the DJ were a theatrical rock band based initially out of Armidale in the New England region of New South Wales (ca. 1982-84) and later in Sydney (ca. 1985-1986). While the band did not release any recordings during that period, its music was played on ABC Radio's Triple J network. Three limited edition CDs have since been released by the independent label Have Gravity Will Threaten: Crunch Time, a 1983 live recording from the Imperial Hotel, Armidale, and Cleared for Action and Mind-Driving, two studio recordings of original material. The band's live appearances throughout its time together combined a type of theatrical rock staging similar to Genesis (during the Peter Gabriel years), and including occasional on-stage appearances by actors/audience members.
Shoot the DJ formed in Armidale in 1983 towards the end of Australia's 'pub' rock era, creating a sound that has been described as 'hippy punk.' Bassist/singer/songwriter Clay Djubal joined forces with energetic guitarist/singer/sound engineer Jon Anderson, guitarist/singer Siegfried (Ziggy) Mirza, and then high-school student Ian Mitchell (drums/sound) to create a regional touring band committed to visual entertainment as much as to traditional hard rock music. After initially being signed on to play support gigs with touring acts such as Matt Taylor, Kevin Borich, Mi-Sex, Idol Minds, and the Lonely Hearts, the band evolved into a headline act. They were also associated with such bands as Dinosaurs from China, The Zip, and Giant Steps (featuring Jon Anderson's sister, Jen Anderson). Shoot the DJ's distinctive stage shows (featuring stage designs by Clay Djubal and Jo-ann Simmons) set them apart from all other regional NSW bands. One series of shows, for example, saw them design the stage as a flat, complete with furniture (a bed, stocked fridge, coffee table, lounge, etc.). On-stage visitors (who initially paid no attention to the band) gradually incorprated themselves into the entertainment as the show progressed. Another set required the entire stage (including amplifiers, PA speakers, drum riser, and side screens) to be wrapped in alfoil, creating an electric light show with minimal lighting. The band's live appearances would also involve poetry readings, theatrical scenes played out by actors, live television broadcasts, and a multitude of theme-related props, ranging from skeletons and blow-up sex dolls to original artwork and paintings by Clay Djubal.
The band's driving rhythm section, largely reliant on sonic compression, was punctuated by Anderson's quick-fire rhythm guitar, while its melodic strength came courtesy of Mirza's classic rock lead guitar style and the blending of three distinctly different vocal timbres. The themes explored in their largely original repertoire focused less on traditional rock/pop relationship subjects than they did on life in Australia at that time, particularly regional Australia ('Wilcannia,' 'On the Nullabor', and 'Australian Holiday'). Other songs spoke about recreational drugs/heroin-related deaths of friends ('Cop Out,' 'Radio 2LSD', and 'Frizzy Lizzy's Fun Factory'); satirised cigarette advertisements ('When Only the Best Will Do'); expressed the frustration of having little money and no obvious future ('Street People' and 'Paralytic with Intelligence'); explored life as a musician in a country town ('Keeping Beat' and 'Put the Boy Down'); and questioned religious faith ('How Does it Feel, Mary?'). A number of songs were co-written with poet Jo-ann Simmons, who had been with the band from its inception, first as sound/lighting operator and later as lighting operator. She and Clay Djubal were married between 1984 and 1989.
Shoot the DJ temporaily disbanded in 1984. While Anderson remained in Armidale, the other three members relocated to Sydney. Ian Mitchell joined Captains of Industry, led by his older brother Peter Mitchell, while Djubal and Mirza became involved with a loose collective of musicians and creative artists known as Some Trippin' Diggers. Its various members also included Matt Hirst (younger brother of Midnight Oil's Rob Hirst) on drums/co-lead vocals and Des Smith on keyboards.
Within a year, however, Shoot the DJ was reformed as a streamlined three-piece band (Djubal, Mitchell, and former Grafton guitarist, Nick Miles). Ziggy Mirza, who left to join the band Native Tongue, later returned to the band as bass guitarist, allowing Clay Djubal to move to lead vocals and keyboards. Although the band recorded an album's worth of material during this period and undertook a northern NSW regional tour, each of the remaining members eventually began to move in different career directions, leading to the band's eventual demise.
