Bam Balams
The Group
The Bam Balams were a group from Sydney, Australia who began in 1984 and disbanded in 1991.
The band was put together by singer/songwriter/guitarist Brendan Kibble.
During their time together they released 5 singles, 1 EP and 1 LP.
The "Bambas" as they were affectionately known, got their name from a cut off the "Flamin' Groovies" LP "Supersnazz".
Their influences ranged from Gene Vincent/Johnny Burnett to Tony Joe White/CCR/The Byrds and Buck Owens.
In many ways they are considered as "trailblazers" of the genres now known as Alt-Country/Roots Rock.
Playing their mixed bag of swampy r&b, rockin' country and jangly pop, was not considered "hip" in the Sydney of the 1980s.
However, they caught the interest of Citadel/Green Fez Records (Died Pretty/The Stems/New Christs/Lime Spiders)
The indy charts of the day show that all of the band's releases charted highly.
Like many Australian independent acts from the 80s the Bambas achieved far more popularity overseas than in their own backyard.
In their case, Spain, France and Italy took to the band.
Unfortunately, the band never toured outside of Australia, and as the "Grunge" scene took hold of the early 90s, the band split up.
Brendan Kibble went on to form the Navahodads in the mid 90s.
The Navahodads played the brand of the swampy r&b that Kibble first conjured up in the Bam Balams.
The Navahodads released two CD albums "Mumbo Gumbo" and "Madame Mojo's".
Unlike the Bam Balams, the Navahodads toured outside of Australia.
Bam Balams Discography
Singles
- Deliver My Love b/w Mean Thang (Citadel Records) 1986
- No-One Else b/w Gettin' Over You (Citadel Records) 1986
- Surfin' In The Swamp b/w Fire In My Soul Green Fez) 1987
- Wheel Of Fortune b/w Rock It To The Moon (Green Fez) 1988
- Hellfire b/w Hold On Me (Green Fez) 1989
EP
- 45 RPM aka 10,000 miles (Pink Flamingo Records) 1989
LP
- Genuine Rock n Roll Medicine Show (Green Fez) 1988
Compilation track
- Munster Rock n Roller - Munster Dance Hall Favourites Vol 3 (Munster) 1989
The members
- Brendan Kibble - Vocals/Guitar
All releases
- Steve Cole - Bass
Singles: Deliver my love/No-one Else
- Matt Manchester - Drums
Singles: Deliver my love/No-one Else
- Brad Fitzpatrick - Guitar
Singles: Deliver my love/No-one Else
- Steve Carlin - Guitar
Single: Surfin' in the Swamp
- Warren Elford - Drums
Single: Surfin' in the Swamp
- Amr Z Abdallah - Bass
Singles: Surfin' in the Swamp/Wheel of Fortune
LP: Genuine Rock n Roll
- Ian "The Reverend" Little - Guitar
Singles: Wheel of Fortune/Hellfire
LP: Genuine Rock n Roll
EP: 45RPM
Compilation track: Rock n Roll Munster
- Joe Breen - Drums
Singles: Wheel of Fortune/Hellfire
LP: Genuine Rock n Roll
EP: 45RPM
Compilation track: Rock n Roll Munster
- Greg Marchant - Bass
Single: Hellfire
Compilation track: Rock n Roll Munster
- Dave Castellari - Bass
EP: 45RPM