Formed in 1987, Australian band Candy Harlots drew inspiration from The New York Dolls and Mötley Crüe to deliver hard-edged rock & roll with lots of black leather and chains.
Their debut single Red Hot Rocket was released in April 1989 by the independent Au Go Go label, with the first 500 copies issued on red vinyl and wrapped in a pair of lace panties.
The band issued their second single, Danger, on the Timberyard label in May 1990. Marc Lee De Huger left shortly afterwards.
Guitarist Ron Barrett died in October 1990 from an asthma attack, allegedly precipitated by drug and alcohol abuse. Mark Easton left the band at the end of the year.
Leeno Dee and Tony Cardinal decided to continue and recruited new members Phil Bowley (guitar), Peter Masi (guitar) and Aiz Lynch (vocals).
The band signed to Virgin Records and supported AC/DC on their Australian ‘Razor’s Edge’ tour.
Flamboyant frontman Lynch stayed long enough to sing on the singles Danger (a re-recorded version), Sister’s Crazy (April 1992) and What Are We Fighting For? (August 1992), the EP Foreplay (which reached the Aussie Top 30 in March 1992) and the sleaze-rock album Five Wicked Ways (May 1992).
In June 1992, the band dispensed with his services and replaced him with 18-year-old Hayden Watt. In mid-1993, Masi and Cardinal left leaving Leeno Dee as the only original member.
Tubby Wadsworth (drums) joined Dee, Bowley and Watt and the band changed their name to Helter Skelter but by April 1994 were gigging as The Harlots with the addition of new singer Jordan Howe.
The band issued the CD EP The Harlots in October 1994, which contained a cover of Detroit Rock City by KISS.
By the end of 1995, the band had broken up.
Mark Easton
Vocals Ron Barrett (“Ron B Gypsy”)
Guitar Marc Lee De Huger
Guitar Leeno Dee
Bass Tony Cardinal
Drums Phil Bowley
Guitar Peter Masi
Guitar Aiz Lynch
Vocals Hayden Watt
Vocals Tubby Wadsworth
Drums
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