{{Short description|Australian power pop group}} {{redirect|Riptides|other uses|Riptide (disambiguation)}} {{Use dmy dates|date=August 2017}} {{Use Australian English|date=August 2017}} {{Infobox musical artist | name = The Riptides | image = | image_size = | image_upright = | landscape = <!-- yes, if wide image, otherwise leave blank --> | alt = | caption = | background = group_or_band | alias = {{flatlist| * The Grudge * The Neon Steal * The Numbers }} | origin = Brisbane, Queensland, Australia | genre = {{flatlist| * Power pop * indie pop * Punk rock }} | years_active = {{flatlist| * {{start date|1977}}–{{end date|1983}} * {{start date|1987}}–{{end date|1991}} * 2007 }} | label = | website = {{URL|theriptides.com.au}} | current_members = | past_members = * Mark Callaghan * Dennis Cantwell * Scott Matheson * Allan Rielly * Tony Wheeler * Robert Vickers * Andrew Leitch * Michael Hiron * Graeme Hutchinson * Russell Parkhouse * Howard Shawcross * J.J.Harris * Graham Bidstrup * Tony Adams * Neil Chadwick }}
'''The Riptides''' were an Australian power pop group which was formed in Brisbane, Queensland, in 1977 as '''The Grudge'''. Their founding mainstay was Mark Callaghan on lead vocals, bass guitar, rhythm guitar and as principal songwriter. Former member Michael Hiron died in 2001.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Michael Hiron {{!}} Notes from Pig City |url=https://www.andrewstaffordblog.com/tag/michael-hiron/ |access-date=2022-12-10 |website=www.andrewstaffordblog.com}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2014-07-10 |title=Riptides, The – Nostalgia Central |url=https://nostalgiacentral.com/music/artists-l-to-z/artists-r/riptides/ |access-date=2022-12-10 |website=nostalgiacentral.com |language=en-GB}}</ref>
== History == ===1977–1979: formation=== The Riptides were formed in 1977 as the Grudge, their members were students at the Architecture Department, University of Queensland.<ref name="McFarlane">McFarlane, [https://web.archive.org/web/20040218062758/http://www.whammo.com.au/encyclopedia.asp?articleid=691 'The Riptides'] entry. Archived from [http://www.whammo.com.au/encyclopedia.asp?articleid=691 the original] on 18 February 2004. Retrieved 17 August 2017.</ref><ref name="Flags">{{cite web |url=http://transactions.brisbane.qld.gov.au/whatson/gig/reviews/2007_07_12_1_the_riptides.htm |title=Swim between the flags - The Riptides |publisher=Queensland Government |last=Bell |first=Steve |accessdate=2008-05-20 }}{{dead link|date=January 2018 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref> The original line-up was Mark "Cal" Callaghan on lead vocals, Dennis Cantwell on drums, Scott Matheson on rhythm guitar, Allan Rielly on lead guitar and Tony Wheeler on bass guitar. Robert Vickers became the bass guitarist after Wheeler left the band in 1978 to pursue a career as a clarinettist and composer.<ref name="McFarlane"/><ref name="HolmgrenR">The Riptides and related entries at Australian Rock Database: * The Riptides:– {{cite web |title=Riptides |last1=Holmgren |first1=Magnus | publisher = Australian Rock Database (Magnus Holmgren) |url=http://hem.passagen.se/honga/database/r/riptides.html |accessdate = 17 August 2017 |url-status=usurped |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20130929121538/http://hem.passagen.se/honga/database/r/riptides.html |archivedate = 29 September 2013 |df=dmy }} * Mark Callaghan (1979–83, 1987–88, 1991):– {{cite web|title= Mark Callaghan |last1=Holmgren |first1=Magnus |publisher=Australian Rock Database (Magnus Holmgren) |url=http://hem.passagen.se/honga/database/b/bidstrupgraham.html |accessdate=18 August 2017 |url-status=usurped |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20110514064942/http://hem.passagen.se/honga/database/b/bidstrupgraham.html |archivedate=14 May 2011 |df=dmy }} * Graham "Buzz" Bidstrup (1987–88):– {{cite web|title= Graham 'Buzz' Bidstrup |last1=Holmgren |first1=Magnus |publisher=Australian Rock Database (Magnus Holmgren) |url=http://hem.passagen.se/honga/database/b/bidstrupgraham.html |accessdate=18 August 2017 |url-status=usurped |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20110514064942/http://hem.passagen.se/honga/database/b/bidstrupgraham.html |archivedate=14 May 2011 |df=dmy }}</ref>
During 1978 the Grudge changed their name to the Neon Steal and then to the Numbers.<ref name="McFarlane"/><ref name="HolmgrenR"/> In September 1978 the Numbers issued a limited edition (500 copies) three-track extended play, ''Sunset Strip'', on the Go-Betweens' Able Label.<ref name="McFarlane"/> Australian musicologist, Ian McFarlane, described it as "punchy and energetic and featured a brilliant, English-flavoured 1960s-inspired pop sound."<ref name="McFarlane"/> Early in 1979 Vickers left the Numbers, travelling to New York City, where he joined the Colors.<ref name="McFarlane"/> In 1983 he joined the Go-Betweens.<ref name="McFarlane"/>
In 1979 Callaghan switched to bass guitar and the Numbers became the Riptides to avoid confusion with a Sydney band of that name.<ref name="McFarlane"/> They remixed ''Sunset Strip''{{'}}s tracks and reissued it in July 1979 (2000 copies) via Able.<ref name="McFarlane"/><ref name="HolmgrenR"/> Andrew Leitch then replaced Rielly on guitar and added keyboards.<ref name="McFarlane"/><ref name="HolmgrenR"/>
===1980–1983: Peak and break up=== The band issued a new single, "Tomorrow's Tears", in February 1980 on the Flat label.<ref name="McFarlane"/><ref name="HolmgrenR"/> McFarlane felt it was "a fabulous slice of 1960s-styled R&B; pop."<ref name="McFarlane"/> The band appeared on Australian Broadcasting Corporation's pop music TV show, ''Countdown'', to promote the single.<ref name="McFarlane"/><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3nVbPhInFFk |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211221/3nVbPhInFFk |archive-date=2021-12-21 |url-status=live|title=The Riptides - Tomorrow's Tears |publisher=YouTube |date=2007-08-02 |accessdate=2008-05-20}}{{cbignore}}</ref> The Riptides moved to Sydney in mid-1980.<ref name="McFarlane"/><ref name="Flags"/> In October they were signed to Regular Records.<ref name="Heather P">{{cite news | url = http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article228121376 | title = Baxter Ball | last = P | first = Heather | newspaper = Tharunka | volume = 27 | issue = 12 | date = 30 September 1981 | accessdate = 17 August 2017 | page = 29 | via = National Library of Australia }}</ref><ref name="Coupe">{{cite news | url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=8P5jAAAAIBAJ&sjid=5-YDAAAAIBAJ&pg=6852,2953752&dq | title = Variety! That's the Spice of Sydney Pub Rock | last = Coupe | first = Stuart | authorlink = Stuart Coupe | date = 11 January 1981 | work = The Sydney Morning Herald | publisher = Fairfax Media | accessdate = 17 August 2017 }}</ref>
Michael Hiron (ex-Leftovers, Flaming Hands, the Pineapples from the Dawn of Time) joined in March 1981 on bass guitar and Callaghan switched to rhythm guitar; Matheson also left.<ref name="McFarlane"/><ref name="HolmgrenR"/> The four-piece line-up entered the studio with producer, Graham "Buzz" Bidstrup, (ex-the Angels) in mid-1981 to record a six-track mini-album ''Swept Away'', which was released in November.<ref name="McFarlane"/><ref name="HolmgrenR"/> From the album, a track, "Only Time", was issued as a single, also in November, while Cantwell and Leitch both left.
Callaghan and Hiron reformed the Riptides in early 1982 with new bandmates, Graeme "Hutch" Hutchinson on drums (ex-Leftovers, the Humans), Russell Parkhouse on keyboards and Howard Shawcross on bass guitar (ex-Last Chance Café, Elks); while Hiron moved to lead guitar.<ref name="McFarlane"/><ref name="HolmgrenR"/> The group issued a new single, "Hearts and Flowers" in September, and supported Scottish group, Simple Minds, on their Australian tour in October.<ref name="McFarlane"/>
By January 1983 the Riptides decided to disband: they had enough of performing.<ref name="McFarlane"/> Callaghan recalled in December 2014, "There were other things that were going on in the band, you know, drugs, and I just thought nah, I've got to stop this, it's crazy. It had gone away from its original kind of vibe, anyway."<ref name="Stafford"/> In July 1983 Regular issued a compilation album, ''Riptides'' (a.k.a. ''The Last Wave''), with the track list selected by Callaghan.<ref name="McFarlane"/><ref name="HolmgrenR"/> Callaghan and Leitch had recorded a new track, "The Wedding Song", for the album.<ref name="McFarlane"/>
McFarlane summarised the group's output "one of the classic Australian new wave groups. The band's blend of diamond-hard power pop, snappy surf melodies and whomping backbeat was irresistible and eminently danceable. After becoming one of the biggest drawcards on the Australian pub circuit during the early 1980s, The Riptides called it a day in 1983."<ref name="McFarlane"/>
===1984–present: post break up=== In 1984 Bidstrup on drums and Callaghan on guitar and lead vocals formed a pop rock group, GANGgajang in Sydney, with Chris Bailey on bass guitar (ex-the Angels).<ref name="HolmgrenR"/><ref name="McFarlaneG">McFarlane, [https://web.archive.org/web/20040710214336/http://www.whammo.com.au/encyclopedia.asp?articleid=816 'GANGgajang'] entry. Archived from [http://www.whammo.com.au/encyclopedia.asp?articleid=816 the original] on 10 July 2004. Retrieved 18 August 2017.</ref> Leitch and Hiron formed a group, Catchcry, with Felix Davies on bass guitar, Ross Harley on guitar and vocals, and Tim Seckold on drums.<ref name="McFarlane"/>
The Riptides had developed a cult status in Brisbane; they periodically reformed briefly for gigs at universities during Orientation Week. Early in 1987 Callaghan revived the Riptides for a reunion tour to celebrate ten years since formation.<ref name="McFarlane"/> The line-up comprised Callaghan, Leitch, Hiron and Bidstrup on drums.<ref name="McFarlane"/><ref name="HolmgrenR"/> The tour provided a double live album, ''Riptides Resurface'', which came out in December.<ref name="McFarlane"/><ref name="HolmgrenR"/> They toured again in February 1988 with Callaghan, Leitch and Hiron; while Bidstrup was replaced by J.J. Harris on drums (ex-Divinyls).<ref name="McFarlane"/><ref name="HolmgrenR"/>
Callaghan, Harris and Hiron reformed the Riptides for tours during 1989 and 1990, with Brisbane's John Willsteed on guitar (ex-the Go Betweens).<ref name="McFarlane"/><ref name="HolmgrenR"/> In early 1991 Callaghan, Harris and Hiron entered the studio with a new guitarist, Tony Adams and a session drummer, J. J. Hackett (ex-Mondo Rock).<ref name="McFarlane"/><ref name="HolmgrenR"/> South African-born producer, Ricky Fataar (ex-Beach Boys drummer), recorded the group's first studio album, ''Wave Rock'' (August 1991).<ref name="McFarlane"/> It provided two singles, "Stop (Don't Start)" (May 1991) and "Here Comes the Sun" (August).<ref name="McFarlane"/> Neil Chadwick joined as a permanent drummer and the Riptides toured once again before disbanding at the end of that year.
In March 2001 Michael Hiron died suddenly.<ref name="Stafford">{{cite web | url = http://www.andrewstaffordblog.com/tag/michael-hiron/ | title = The Riptides: ''Tombs of Gold'' | last = Stafford | first = Andrew | work = Notes from Pig City | date = 19 December 2014 | accessdate = 17 August 2017 }}</ref> In July 2001 Callaghan played in a tribute gig for Hiron, in Brisbane, with other artists who had worked with the musician.
Bidstrup and Callaghan put together a new line-up of the Riptides for the Pig City Festival on 14 July 2007: adding Chris Bailey on bass guitar and Mark O'Connor on keyboards. They performed a classic set that showed why they still remain one of Brisbane's great bands.<ref name="Flags" /> ''Rave Magazine''{{'}}s Sebastian Hayes, Simon Topper and James Stafford described how "Callaghan run, high-kick and grin around the stage is a bit like watching an over-enthusiastic Dad meeting your pals at a 21st – embarrassingly uncool, but completely endearing. Thankfully, the dancing and clapping crowd adore the five-piece's surf-rock."<ref name="Hayes">{{cite journal | archiveurl = https://web.archive.org/web/20120211124513/http://www.ravemagazine.com.au/content/view/4434/82/ | url = http://www.ravemagazine.com.au/content/view/4434/82/ | title = Pig City | last1 = Hayes | first1 = Sebastian | last2 = Topper | first2 = Simon | last3 = Stafford | first3 = James | journal = Rave Magazine | archivedate = 11 February 2012 | date = 24 July 2007 | accessdate = 18 August 2017 }}</ref>
During 2014 Callaghan supervised another compilation album, ''Tombs of Gold'', which included unreleased material from the ''Swept Away'' sessions and four tracks from a later line-up.<ref name="Stafford"/>
== Members == * Mark Callaghan — lead vocals (1977- January 1983, Early 1987, February 1988, 1989, 1990, 1991, July 2007), bass (Early 1979-March 1981), rhythm guitar (Early 1981-January 1983, Early 1987, February 1988, 1989, 1990, 1991, July 2007) * Dennis Cantwell — drums, backing vocals (1977-Mid 1981) * Scott Matheson — rhythm guitar, backing vocals (1977-Early 1981) * Allan Rielly — lead guitar, backing vocals (1977-Mid 1979) * Tony Wheeler — bass (1977-Mid 1978) * Robert Vickers — bass, backing vocals (Mid 1978-Early 1979) * Andrew Leitch — lead guitar, backing vocals, keyboards (Mid 1979-Mid 1981, Early 1987, February 1988) * Michael Hiron — bass, backing vocals (March 1981-Mid 1981, Early 1987, February 1988, 1989, 1990), lead guitar, backing vocals (Mid 1981-January 1983) * Graeme Hutchinson — bass, backing vocals (Early 1982-January 1983) * Russell Parkhouse — keyboards, backing vocals (Early 1982-January 1983) * Howard Shawcross — drums (Early 1982-January 1983) * Graham Bidstrup — drums (Early 1987, July 2007) * J.J. Harris — drums (February 1988, 1989, 1990, Early 1991) * John Willsteed — lead guitar (1989, 1990) * Tony Adams — lead guitar, backing vocals (1991) * Neil Chadwick — drums (Mid 1991-End 1991) * Chris Bailey — bass (July 2007) * Mark O'Connor — keyboards (July 2007)
=== Timeline ===
<timeline> ImageSize = width:790 height:auto barincrement:22 PlotArea = left:120 bottom:120 top:10 right:20 Alignbars = justify DateFormat = dd/mm/yyyy Period = from:01/07/1977 till:01/08/2007 TimeAxis = orientation:horizontal format:yyyy Legend = orientation:vertical position:bottom columns:3 ScaleMajor = increment:3 start:1978 ScaleMinor = increment:1 start:1978
Colors = id:voc value:red legend:Vocals id:lg value:green legend:Lead_guitar id:rg value:brightgreen legend:Rhythm_guitar id:key value:purple legend:Keyboards id:b value:blue legend:Bass id:dr value:orange legend:Drums id:alb value:black legend:Studio_album id:bar value:gray(0.95)
LineData = layer:back color:alb at:15/11/1981 at:15/07/1983 at:15/08/1991
BackgroundColors = bars:bar
PlotData = width:11 textcolor:black align:left anchor:from shift:(12,–4) bar:Mark Callaghan from:start till:01/03/1979 color:voc bar:Mark Callaghan from:01/03/1979 till:15/03/1981 color:b bar:Mark Callaghan from:01/03/1979 till:15/03/1981 color:voc width:3 bar:Mark Callaghan from:15/03/1981 till:15/11/1981 color:voc bar:Mark Callaghan from:15/03/1981 till:15/11/1981 color:rg width:3 bar:Mark Callaghan from:15/02/1982 till:15/01/1983 color:voc bar:Mark Callaghan from:15/02/1982 till:15/01/1983 color:rg width:3 bar:Mark Callaghan from:15/01/1987 till:15/03/1987 color:voc bar:Mark Callaghan from:15/01/1987 till:15/03/1987 color:rg width:3 bar:Mark Callaghan from:01/01/1988 till:01/03/1988 color:voc bar:Mark Callaghan from:01/01/1988 till:01/03/1988 color:rg width:3 bar:Mark Callaghan from:01/05/1989 till:01/09/1989 color:voc bar:Mark Callaghan from:01/05/1989 till:01/09/1989 color:rg width:3 bar:Mark Callaghan from:01/05/1990 till:01/09/1990 color:voc bar:Mark Callaghan from:01/05/1990 till:01/09/1990 color:rg width:3 bar:Mark Callaghan from:01/02/1991 till:01/12/1991 color:voc bar:Mark Callaghan from:01/02/1991 till:01/12/1991 color:rg width:3 bar:Mark Callaghan from:01/06/2007 till:end color:voc bar:Mark Callaghan from:01/06/2007 till:end color:rg width:3 bar:Alan Rielly from:start till:01/09/1979 color:lg bar:Andrew Leitch from:01/09/1979 till:15/11/1981 color:lg bar:Andrew Leitch from:01/09/1979 till:15/11/1981 color:key width:3 bar:Andrew Leitch from:15/01/1987 till:15/03/1987 color:lg bar:Andrew Leitch from:15/01/1987 till:15/03/1987 color:key width:3 bar:Andrew Leitch from:01/01/1988 till:01/03/1988 color:lg bar:Andrew Leitch from:01/01/1988 till:01/03/1988 color:key width:3 bar:John Willisteed from:01/05/1989 till:01/09/1989 color:lg bar:John Willisteed from:01/05/1990 till:01/09/1990 color:lg bar:John Willisteed from:01/06/2007 till:end color:lg bar:Tony Adams from:01/02/1991 till:01/12/1991 color:lg bar:Scott Matheson from:start till:15/03/1981 color:rg bar:Russell Parkhouse from:15/02/1982 till:15/01/1983 color:key bar:Mark O'Connor from:01/06/2007 till:end color:key bar:Tony Wheeler from:start till:01/07/1978 color:b bar:Robert Vickers from:01/07/1978 till:01/04/1979 color:b bar:Michael Hiron from:15/03/1981 till:15/11/1981 color:b bar:Michael Hiron from:15/02/1982 till:15/01/1983 color:lg bar:Michael Hiron from:15/01/1987 till:15/03/1987 color:b bar:Michael Hiron from:01/01/1988 till:01/03/1988 color:b bar:Michael Hiron from:01/05/1989 till:01/09/1989 color:b bar:Michael Hiron from:01/05/1990 till:01/09/1990 color:b bar:Michael Hiron from:01/02/1991 till:01/12/1991 color:b bar:Graeme Hutchinson from:15/02/1982 till:15/01/1983 color:b bar:Chris Bailey from:01/06/2007 till:end color:b bar:Dennis Cantwell from:start till:15/11/1981 color:dr bar:Howard Shawcross from:15/02/1982 till:15/01/1983 color:dr bar:Graham Bidstrup from:15/01/1987 till:15/03/1987 color:dr bar:Graham Bidstrup from:01/06/2007 till:end color:dr bar:J.J. Harris from:01/01/1988 till:01/03/1988 color:dr bar:J.J. Harris from:01/05/1989 till:01/09/1989 color:dr bar:J.J. Harris from:01/05/1990 till:01/09/1990 color:dr bar:Neil Chadwick from:01/06/1991 till:01/12/1991 color:dr </timeline>
==Discography== ===Studio albums=== {| class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center;" border="1" |+ List of albums, with Australian chart positions ! scope="col" rowspan="2" | Title ! scope="col" rowspan="2" | Album details ! scope="col" colspan="1" | Peak chart<br />positions |- ! scope="col" style="text-align:center;" | <small>AUS<br/><ref name="AUS2"/><ref name="ARIA Chart">{{cite web|url= https://imgur.com/a/RdbASGj |title =The Riptides (Australian group) ARIA chart history |publisher=ARIA|via=Imgur.com|access-date=23 December 2025}} N.B. The High Point number in the NAT column represents the release's peak on the national chart.</ref></small> |- ! scope="row" | ''Swept Away'' | * Released: 1981 * Format: LP * Label: Regular Records (L20004) | align="center" | - |- ! scope="row" | ''The Riptides'' | * Released: 1983 * Format: LP, cassette * Label: Regular Records (RRLP 1207) | align="center" | - |- ! scope="row" | ''Wave Rock'' | * Released: October 1991 * Format: CD * Label: Bluedisc (510224-2) | align="center" | 125 |}
===Compilation albums=== {| class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center;" border="1" |+ List of albums, with Australian chart positions ! scope="col" rowspan="2" | Title ! scope="col" rowspan="2" | Album details ! scope="col" colspan="1" | Peak chart<br />positions |- ! scope="col" style="text-align:center;" | <small>AUS</small><br /><ref name=aus>{{cite book|last=Kent|first=David|authorlink=David Kent (historian)|title=Australian Chart Book 1970–1992|edition=illustrated|publisher=Australian Chart Book|location=St Ives, N.S.W.|year=1993|isbn=0-646-11917-6|page=253}}</ref> |- ! scope="row" | ''Resurface'' | * Released: 1987 * Format: 2xLP, Cassette * Label: Mercury (832 989-1) | align="center" | 56 |- ! scope="row" | ''Tombs of Gold'' | * Released: 2014 * Format: CD, download * Label: IS Music (ISM210401) | align="center" | - |}
===Singles=== {| class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center;" border="1" |+ List of singles, with Australian chart positions ! scope="col" rowspan="2" | Year ! scope="col" rowspan="2" | Title ! scope="col" colspan="1" | Peak chart<br />positions ! scope="col" rowspan="2" | Album |- ! scope="col" style="text-align:center;" | <small>AUS</small><br /><ref name=aus/><ref name="AUS2">{{cite web|url=https://www.bubblingdownunder.com/2022/05/week-commencing-6-may-1991.html | title=Bubbling Down Under Week Commencing 6 May 1991|access-date=21 June 2022}}</ref><ref name="ARIA Chart"/> |- | 1978 ! scope="row" | "Sunset Strip" | style="text-align:center;" | - | {{n/a|non album single}} |- | 1980 ! scope="row" | "Tomorrow's Tears" | style="text-align:center;" | - | ''Swept Away'' |- | 1981 ! scope="row" | "Only Time" | style="text-align:center;" | 89 |rowspan="2" | ''The Riptides'' |- | 1982 ! scope="row" | "Hearts and Flowers" | style="text-align:center;" | - |- |rowspan="2" | 1991 ! scope="row" | "Stop (Don't Start)" | style="text-align:center;" | 138 |rowspan="2" | ''Wave Rock'' |- ! scope="row" | "Here Comes the Sun" | style="text-align:center;" | 154 |}
==References==
{{Refbegin}} ;General * {{Cite encyclopedia | last = McFarlane | first = Ian | authorlink = Ian McFarlane | encyclopedia = Encyclopedia of Australian Rock and Pop | title = Whammo Homepage | archiveurl = https://web.archive.org/web/20040405231007/http://www.whammo.com.au/index.asp | url = http://www.whammo.com.au/index.asp | archivedate = 5 April 2004 | accessdate = 17 August 2017 | year = 1999 | publisher = Allen & Unwin | location = St Leonards, NSW | isbn = 1-86508-072-1 | url-status = dead | df = dmy-all }} Note: Archived [on-line] copy has limited functionality. ;Specific {{Refend}} {{Reflist}}
== External links ==
* [https://onesearch.slq.qld.gov.au/permalink/61SLQ_INST/tqqf2h/alma99183306814302061 The Riptides 2015], State Library of Queensland. Short film about the band including interviews and performances. {{Authority control}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Riptides}} Category:Musical groups from Brisbane Category:Australian power pop groups Category:Australian indie pop groups Category:Musical groups established in 1977 Category:Musical groups disestablished in 2007