Formed in Sydney (Australia) in 1979, the Dynamic Hepnotics, led by front man “Continental” Robert Susz, stood out in the 1980s Australian rock scene with their danceable soul, blues, and funk-flavoured sound.
The band – whose original pianist was rotund radio personality (and former Simon Townsend’s Wonder Worldpresenter) Jonathan “Jono” Coleman – issued an independent single, Hepnobeat, in September 1981 and a six-track EP, Strange Land, in 1982.
They appeared in the Australian movie Going Down in 1983, and released a single (I’ll Make You) and a 1984 Live album that contains an audible hissing noise as a fire broke out under the stage during the recording of the album at Melbourne’s Billboard Club. The noise was caused by the fire extinguishers.
Signing to Mushroom Records’ White Label, they released the 1984 single Soul Kind of Feeling, which reached the Top 5 on the Australian singles charts and remained in the Top 10 for six months, becoming the most-played song on Australian radio in 1985.
They followed this success with the Top 20 single Gotta Be Wrong (Way to Love) and the Top 20 album Take You Higher in 1985.
The group saw numerous member changes over its seven-year run and officially disbanded in 1986, largely due to exhaustion – at their peak, they were playing up to 225 shows a year.
Following the breakup, the members remained active fixtures in Australian music, notably Robert Susz, who went on to form the award-winning soul/R&B band The Mighty Reapers.
“Continental” Robert Susz
Vocals, harmonica Andrew Silver
Guitar Tim Martin
Saxophone Manuel Patty
Bass Richard Ruhle
Drums Bruce Allen
Saxophone Allen Britton
Bass Robert Souter
Drums Mike Gubb
Keyboards Mark Simmonds
Saxophone Dave Brewer
Guitar Peter Bishop
Trumpet
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