The name GANGgajang comes from the idea of the band being a collective of creative individuals, a..."GANG"
and the sound of a guitar being strummed -"gajang"

The story so far... GANGgajang hatched in 1984 at a time when Australia's live music circuit was bubbling as never before. They were able to tour as often as they wanted, safe in the knowledge that in almost any Australian city or town there would be a solid audience waiting, primed for a night of dancing, drinking and singing.
With a pedigree including The Angels, The Riptides and The Aliens it's not surprising GANGgajang's music took hold almost immediately. Live performance became one of the band's strengths, and with the original lineup intact, it still is.

The band's self-titled debut album, released in 1985 was laden with hit singles, including 'Giver Of Life', 'Gimme Some Lovin', 'House Of Cards' and the classic 'Sounds Of Then (This Is Australia)'.
In hindsight it's clear, GANGgajang were making music - melodic, elegant, bright, introspective, rhythmic, hopeful, vivid and infectious ­ that sounded like no other.
GANGgajang's second album gangAGAIN was released in 1987 and featured the singles 'American Money', 'Tree Of Love' and 'Luck Of The Irish'.

After an extended break during which band members recorded with side projects or released solo albums, produced other acts, wrote books or held art exhibitions, GANGgajang reunited to record and tour their third album Lingo in 1994.
Singles taken from the album included 'Hundreds Of Languages', 'Talk To Me' and 'Ordinary World'.

Unexpected success in Brazil brought new life to the band. Their first tour in 1995 covered all of the major cities, a tour which could have been scripted by Gabriel Garcia Marquez.
They met Brazilian fans who spoke no English apart from the lyrics to GANGgajang's songs. They soaked up the rhythms of the Samba clubs, climbed Corcovado and hung out with the Cariocas at Copacobana.
2001 saw them complete their third national tour of Brazil, this time with fellow Australians, Yothu Yindi, culminating in a performance on the beach in Rio de Janeiro to a crowd of over 20,000 people.

Album number four, Oceans and Deserts is the natural successor to GANGgajang, gangAGAIN and Lingo. It was written, conceived, plotted and planned on the road and in studios, across oceans geographic and deserts metaphoric (and vice-a-versa). While never losing its edge and spontaneity, the recording process snaked its way through the home studios of Rob, Buzz and Cal, producing songs of the calibre of' Nomadsland',' Trust', and 'I Will'.
As ever, it finds GANGgajang remaining true to the ideal of lyrics with a spirit of place, evocative arrangements, memorable melodies and organic grooves as wide and supple as any live band in the land.

Eighteen years on, they are a rare bird indeed.

GANGgajang release their newest album "Oceans and Deserts" at The Cornish Arms Hotel.
Friday 1st and Saturday 2nd November

For further information on GANGgajang: www.ganggajang.com

For further information about gigs @ The Cornish - info@cornisharms.com.au

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Last Updated Wed, May 15, 2002