Eight Bands From Perth Who Have Shaped WA Music

Although Perth is uniquely isolated from the rest of the world, it’s still a breeding ground for dedicated creatives.

With fewer direct paths than cities like Sydney or Melbourne, West Australian musicians often have to find their own way in the industry, creating their original sound without much outside interference.

Perhaps it’s this isolation which lends itself to a singular sound, a tenacious sense of independence, and the drive and determination to assert themselves as some of the most arresting, head-turning names on the scene that have led to so many great names coming out of Western Australia?

After all, it’s hard not to think about so many iconic names doing the rounds today – including the likes of Spacey Jane, Old Mervs, and San Cisco – without looking at some of the huge names that came before them.

With this in mind, we’ve decided to take a brief walk down musical memory lane to look at eight of the best names to have emerged from WA in recent decades.

1. Cheap Nasties

Forming in 1976 as Cheap Nasties, who were said to be the first punk band in Perth, had a propulsive and mechanical sound.

Back then, punk music generally confronted socio-political issues that rejected mainstream or corporate attitudes. However in the 1970s, Perth followed a usual pattern, being a middle-class, post colonial city. However, Cheap Nasties’ performances showed defiance to something that many in Perth didn’t know existed. 

Cheap Nasties was the first of a few bands for Kim Salmon (lead vocals and guitar). Dave Faulkner, known then as Dave Flick, joined the band in 1979 on the keyboard, leaving a year later to join The Victims, then moving on to become a mainstay member of Hoodoo Gurus. 

Cheap Nasties played their last show in 1977. By 1978, Salmon then formed The Invaders, which evolved into The Scientists, while the remaining members of the band formed Mankinis who had more poppier, new wave-styled direction.

2. Chalice

Originally from Manchester, Chalice migrated to Perth in the early 1970s and were known for their impeccable cover performances. 

They had a groovier sound, iconic for their rendition of Bohemian Rhapsody. One nostalgic night at the Gobble Night Club in Perth, Queen mainstays Brian May and Roger Taylor were a part of Chalice’s audience, commending them on their dramatic performance. 

Chalice released three singles in with with Clarion Records in Perth – In My World, Mr. Won't You Help Me, and Nine To Five Girl – before moving over to Sydney, signing with Polydor Records. 

3. The Victims

It was at a Cheap Nasties gig that Dave Faulkner (guitar and vocals) and James Baker (drums) met. They formed The Victims with Dave Cardwell playing the drums.

Their sound was based on Flamin’ Groovies, a group from the United States, who had a raw, explosive sound.

Their debut single Television Addict came only a year before the band split up in 1979. During this period of time, The Victims also released a five-track extended play with I Understand, Open Your Eyes, TV Freak, High School Girls, and Disco Junkies.

A decade later, their compilation album All Loud On The Western Front showcased The Victim’s works from their short-lived tenure, including an unreleased and fitting track Perth Is A Culture Shock. 

After their last gig in 1979, Baker went on to form The Scientists only two days later, where Faulkner briefly played with Midget and The Farrellys. They two reunited in 1981 to form Hoodoo Gurus.

In 2014-2015, Faulkner and Baker were joined by Ray Ahn to perform as The Victims for sold-out shows at the Rosemount Hotel and Mojo’s Bar in Fremantle.

The Victims bid farewell to their fans in late 2023 after the release of their final single Girls Don’t Go For Punks. They played the last leg of the tour on home soil in Perth. 

4. The Scientists

The Scientists had a pop-infused style of punk or swamp rock, and were heavily influential outside of Perth during the late 80’s to early 90’s. After Mark Arm of Mudhoney was said to be a fan of the four-piece, people began to follow their lead in underground music, which something we can only notice now looking back on the band’s history. 

Initially known as The Invaders, The Scientists was made up of Cheap Nasties’ Kim Salmon, The Victims’ James Baker, and Dennis Bryne. After a few changes to the members, by 1980 they had released The Scientists EP which saw them appearing on Countdown.  

By the end of 1983, The Scientists were the most popular independent band in Western Australia. They migrated to London on the search for new horizons. By 1987 they were back in Perth, they played their last show at Shenton Park Hotel. 

However in 2006, The Scientists were taken onboard by Mudhoney to support at All Tomorrow’s Parties festival in the United Kingdom. This started a chain of events, in 2008 they supported Sonic Youth for their Australian Tour, and in 2012, they played their first US show in New York where they performed their renowned album Blood Red River in its entirety. 

In 2021, they confirmed the release of studio album titled Negativity. They toured the album through Australia in 2022, also reaching spots in the UK, Spainm and Italy. 

5. The Stems

The Stems was founded by Dom Mariani In Perth in late 1983.,Gary Chambers was on drums and John Shuttleworth on bass guitar. The band, who had a fuzzy, garage rock infleuce, played their debut gig supporting The Saints and The Triffids at the Old Civic Theatre in 1984.

Said to sound like the Electric Prunes, The Sandals and like The Easybeats, The Stems grew their repertoire of original songs. This stood out in Perth’s music scene which was otherwise dominated by cover bands. 

They released their first and last EP At First Sight, Violets Are Blue which charted No.1 on the Australian alternative charts.  

They disbanded in 1987 just before their six-week European tour. According to Mariani this was due to internal conflicts, ego’s clashing and total burnout for the boys 

They reformed in 2003, releasing a new album in 2007. Since then, The Stems celebrated their 40th anniversary and released single Falling From The Sky in 2024.

6. The Triffids

Getting together in the late ‘70s, they began as a high school collaboration of David McComb and Alsy MacDonald under the name Dalsy. After some time, the band adopted The Triffids.

They had a post-punk, dream-pop sound. Their melancholic lyrics and sweeping instrumentation came together beautifully, setting them apart from the way other bands at the time adopted storytelling. 

In 1984, the band relocated to London to broaden their recognition as many groups did. Their successful 1986 album Born Sandy Devotional was hailed as a masterpiece, having a significant impact on Perth’s music landscape and legacy.

Wide Open Road is a integral part of The Triffids’ discovery. McComb paints a picture of Perth through the lens of one who grew up here. You could listen to the song from the other side of the world and still feel like you’re in WA.

In 2008, The Triffids were inducted into the ARIA Hall of Fame, garnering appreciation from both old and new generations of Australian musicians and audiences. 

7. The Waifs

Forming in Albany, WA, The Waifs are a folk rock band acclaimed for their contribution to Australian music. 

The group was formed by sisters Donna Simpson and Vikki Thorn, who previously toured Australia in a Kombi van, meeting Josh Cunningham in Broome after a gig, who would complete the trio. From biker bars to local pubs, The Waifs won the hearts of Australians on smaller scales before reaching national success.

In June of 2002, The Waifs, John Butler and their common manager Phil Stevens founded independent label Jarrah Records, set up to spread both musicians’ material over North America.

In the same year London Still from breakthrough album Up All Night was released and became a defining song for the band. Simpson captures themes of longing and homesickness, missing the familiar landscapes of Western Australia while touring Europe and living abroad. 

The Waifs are still active and currently on their Australian regional tour for 2025. 

8. Jebediah

Forming in 1994, Jebediah first gained attention after winning the National Campus Band Competition, long running music competition for tertiary students. Their debut single Jerks Of Attention received heavy recognition and numerous plays on triple j in 1996.

Jedediah’s breakthrough debut album, 1997’s Slightly Odway, became a landmark in Australian alternative rock, spending 54 weeks in the ARIA top 50. 

Lead singer Kevin Mitchell had distinctive voice. His nasally vocals paired with the band’s punchy guitar riffs was infectious in the early 2000s, influencing indie rock bands to follow. 

In 2005, the band went on a hiatus where Mitchell would work as a solo artist under his pseudonym Bob Evans. Jebediah reformed in 2010 to release their fifth studio album Kosciuzko, ultimately charting in the ARIA top ten. 

Over the past decade, Jebediah have travelled widely to perform, celebrating their 20th anniversary with a national tour and have recently embarked on Lookout festival, lined up with other Aussie legends like Jet, The Veronicas, and Grinspoon.

Whether it’s reunions, reissues or just a dive through their discovery, these bands will have a lasting legacy on WA’s music scene and proves that good music doesn’t need to come from the heart of the industry.