Thought Criminals, The

The Thought Criminals formed in Sydney (Australia) in late 1977. Bass player Roger Grierson set up Doublethink, a band management venture and record label for independent Sydney bands such as XL Capris, Tactics, Popular Mechanics and Suicide Squad.

The Thought Criminals released their own EP’s on the label, the second of which (Food For Thoughtcrimes) sold out its limited edition of 500 in three weeks.

Their debut album (Speed. Madness.. Flying Saucers…) was released in February 1980 and the band announced their retirement from live performances that same year. Their final gig was at Chequers in inner-city Sydney on 29 August 1980.

A second album – You Only Think Twice – was released the following year, after which the Thought Criminals disbanded.

Roger Grierson, Warren Fahey and rock journalist Stuart Coupe set up the Green record label in Sydney in the early 1980s while guitarist Stephen Philip ended up in Do-Ré-Mi.

In February 2006 the band reformed for a one-off performance at the Annandale Hotel in Sydney to publicise a two-CD retrospective anthology. In September that year, the Thought Criminals took to the stage again in a concert with Buzzcocks at Sydney’s Century Theatre.

They reunited again in February 2007 to play with TV Smith of The Adverts at the Annandale Hotel.

Bruce Warner
Vocals
Stephen Philip
Guitar
Roger Grierson
Bass
John Hoey
Keyboards
Derik Wappillspoon
Drums