Mondo Rock - Chemistry

Chemistry is the second studio album by Australian rock band Mondo Rock, originally released in July 1981 via Avenue Records.

Ross Wilson was recently described, by noted Australian rock historian Ian McFarlane, as "one of this country’s national treasures". With a 45+ year career, that continues to this day, Wilson has given this country nearly five decades of great music.

From his pioneering sixties bands (The Pink Finks, Party Machine and Sons of the Vegetal Mother), to his national breakthrough with Daddy Cool, Ross Wilson's place in Australian music history was assured. However, it did not end there.

After disbanding Daddy Cool - and in an incredible three-year run - he formed the short-lived 'super group' Mighty Kong, re-formed Daddy Cool, produced (amongst others) the mega-selling Skyhook's debut album Living In The Seventies, started a record label (Oz Records) with Glenn Wheatley and formed Mondo Rock.

From 1976-1978 the band, initially called Ross Wilson's Mondo Rock, honed their live skills on a seemingly endless series of one-nite stands across the country. The line-up took some time to gel, eventually settling with Peter Laffy (guitar), Randy Bulpin (guitar), Tony Slavich (keyboards), Simon Gyllies (bass) and Iain McLennan (drums). It was this line-up who recorded the half-studio / half-live debut Primal Park.

In February 1980, a new version of Mondo Rock of Wilson, Gil Matthews and James Black (ex-Rum Jungle, Russell Morris Band) on keyboards and guitar; Paul Christie (ex-Kevin Borich Express) on bass guitar; and Eric McCusker (ex-The Captain Matchbox Whoopee Band) on guitar was established.

This line-up released their first major hit single, "State Of The Heart" in October 1980, which peaked at #6 on the Australian singles charts. The song was written by McCusker, who contributed many songs to the band's repertoire. Matthews left after the single appeared and was replaced by Andy Buchanan (ex-Darryl Cotton Band) and then by John James "J. J." Hackett (ex-Stars, the Fabulaires) in March 1981. Their next single, "Cool World", appeared in April 1981 and was also a major chart success in Australia, reaching #8.

Chemistry was released in July 1981 with two more singles released from the album with "Chemistry" peaking at #20 and "Summer Of '81" #31. Chemistry enjoyed a thirty-three week run in the Australian charts, peaking at #3 and producing two top ten and two top 40 singles, all of which remain radio staples to this day, especially “Summer Of ‘81”. On its US release Billboard described it as "state of the art rock”.

This is a must have for the Aussie music aficionado.

This album is a limited edition 2022 reissue on teal coloured vinyl with a printed inner sleeve, pressed in Australia via Bloodlines.