The Riptides - Swept Away

Recorded in 1981 and produced by Graham `Buzz' Bidstrup
(ex-Angels) this "mini Lp" has 6 tracks of pure pop brilliance.
The band had by this stage released 2, 7" singles and after this
release even got on to countdown with the single from this,
the opening track
Only Time. The Riptides were of course Mark Callaghan's
band, one of the seminal late 70's Brisbane bands.
Mark went on to form the successful GANGgajang which
still plays around and to make the circle complete
Graham Bidstrup was a founding member of GANGgajang.

Track List
01 Only Time
02 Eternal Flame
03 Money For Life
04 Holiday Time
05 Day Has Gone
06 Mona Lisa

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Riptides - Sunset Strip, Single

Where it all began, recorded in Brisbane and released on the
Go-Betweens Able Label. I can remember hearing in the
early 80's that ZZZ had to keep their copy under lock and
key as copies were selling for $100. The song 77 Sunset Strip is
a classic Brisbane song, how is it bands write such perfect
pop songs right at the beginning of their career's.
A bit more riptide history from ganggajang.com

The Riptides formed in 1977 as The Grudge.
The band emerged from the Architecture Department
of the University of Queensland. In 1978, The Grudge
changed names to, firstly, The Neon Steal and then
The Numbers. The Numbers were part of the burgeoning
Brisbane punk/new wave scene which also gave rise to
The Leftovers, The Apartments, The Go-Betweens,
The Survivors, Razar, The Humans and The X-Men.
In September 1978, The Numbers issued the rare
`Sunset Strip' EP (500 copies) on The Go-Betweens'
Able label. The tracks `Sunset Strip', `Magic Castle'
and `Rules of Love' were punchy and energetic and
featured a brilliant, English-flavoured 1960s-inspired
pop sound. In early 1979, Robert Vickers left The Numbers.
He traveled to New York where he joined The Colors;
in 1983, he joined The Go-Betweens. Mark Callaghan
switched to bass, and The Numbers became The Riptides
(in order to avoid confusion with a Sydney band also
called The Numbers). The band remixed the `Sunset Strip' EP
and reissued it in July 1979,credited to The Riptides
(in a pressing of 2000 copies).

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Riptides - Self Titled 1983 album

The Riptides Self Titled 1983 Album is a true classic in the canon
of classic Australian Albums. Jam packed with fantastic tunes,
beautiful pop music and loads of fun. This album captures the
spirit of the band and gives you a fair idea why they were so
much fun live.

Track list
01 tomorrow's tears
02 only time
03 money for life
04 riptide
05 shake it
06 mona lisa
07 hearts and flowers
08 day has gone
09 no regrets
10 tombs of gold
11 the wedding song

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The Riptides - Tomorrow's Tears



The Riptides - Hearts & Flowers

The Riptides - Demos

The Riptides were largely a vehicle for the immense song-writing
talents of Mark Callahan but over a career spanning 6 years from
1979 to 1983 the band also featured a number of
excellent musicians including Howard Shawcross and
Russell Parkhouse.
Parkhouse is an extraordinary keyboard player and subsequently
played amongst other bands with The Mexican Spitfires.
Callaghan went on to find commercial success with Gangajang
but the sometime surf inspired but always inspiration pop
sensibilties of The Riptides had a fun loving and naivete
which could not be surpassed.The Riptides developed a certain
cult status in their home city of Brisbane.
Even during the Gangajang years, The Riptides would
regulalry reform to do tours.
I saw them a few times in this period, the first was
the 10 anniversary gig for 4ZZZ, the buzz was
amazing and last year when I talked with Mark
he remembered ZZZ staff throwing handful's
of money at them as payment.
The Riptides performance at last years Pig City
gig here was outstanding, one of the highlights,
on a day of 8hrs of highlights.
This album is very rare, only 500 copies were
made and each individually numbered.
Mine's number 43
Fantastic piece of work however and a great
place to hear the genius of one of Brisbane's
best bands.

Track list
01 Magic Moments
02 Power of Love
03 Kiss Nice
04 Time of My Life
05 Lonely Old Sunday
06 The Other Side
07 She's My World
08 Growing Up in Brisbane
09 No Reply
10 It Happens All the Time
11 Keep it Up
12 Swept Away

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Click on back cover to make larger to read