Dave Graney

Dave Graney was one of the Australian music scene's most enduring, and strangest, stars. Hailing from the small South Australian town of Mount Gambier, Graney moved to Melbourne in the late 1970s and formed his first band The Moodists, featuring Graney's wife Clare Moore and future Dirty Three guitarist Mick Turner. Stylistically, The Moodists were influenced by other alternative Australian bands of the time, including the Birthday Party, although they were more influenced by American rock such as Iggy Pop and the Velvet Underground than the English punk and gothic scene. After releasing two singles in Australia and playing small pub venues in Melbourne for several years, the band was signed by English label Red Flame and promptly moved to London in 1983. The next few years saw the release of The Moodists' best work. Thirsty's Calling was released in late 1983, followed in 1984 by their Double Life album. Their first album, Engine Shudder, recorded in 1981 was also released by the Red Flame label. The beginning of the end came in 1985, after parting company with Red Flame. Although they released two more singles, The Moodists went through a number of line-up changes before finally disbanding in 1987. By the time the Coral Snakes formed in late 1987, Graney's influences had changed dramatically to the American 60s psychedelia of the Charlatans and the Quicksilver Messenger Service. In 1988 Dave Graney and the Coral Snakes released their debut EP At His Stone Beach in the UK. Supporting this proved difficult, as the band were forced to return to Australia voluntarily or face deportation. On his return to Australia, Graney formed the White Buffaloes. In 1990, they released an album entitled My Life on the Plains. As became a trademark later in his career Graney assumed...