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Warumpi Band

Origin: Papunya, Northern Territory, Australia
Style: Country and Rock, in Luritja and English
Active: 1980 - 2000
Members included (changed frequently): Brian Butcher, Gordon Butcher (*), Sammy Butcher (*), Murray Cook, Bill Heckenberg, Bill Jacobi, Dennis Minor (*), Alan Murphey, Neil Murray (*), George Rrurrumbu, Kenny Smith, Hilary Wirri. (*) = original members
The name comes from the honey-ant dreaming site located near the Aboriginal settlement of Papunya (240 kilometres west of Alice Springs).

Discography

Jailanguru Pakarnu (7")

The Warumpi Band wrote, recorded and released this as the first rock song in an Aboriginal language (Luritja).

Warumpi Band - Jailanguru Pakarnu.
Released 1983
Tracks
  1. Jailanguru Pakarnu (Out from Jail)

Blackfella/Whitefella (7")

Warumpi Band - Blackfella/Whitefella.
Released 1985
Tracks
  1. Blackfella/Whitefella
  2. Fitzroy Crossing

Sit Down Money (7")

Warumpi Band - Sit Down Money.
Released 1986
Tracks
  1. Sit Down Money

Big Name No Blankets

Debut album

Warumpi Band - Big Name No Blankets.

Released 1986
Tracks
  1. Waru (Fire)
  2. Blackfella/Whitefella
  3. Breadline
  4. Nyuntu Nyaaltjirriku (What Are You Going To Do)
  5. Animal Song
  6. Warumpinya (Papunya)
  7. Wiima Tjutja (All The Kids)
  8. Fitzroy Crossing
  9. Sitdown Money
  10. Mulga & Spinifex Plain
  11. Gotta Be Strong

My Island Home (7")

Warumpi Band - My Island Home.
Released 1987
Tracks
  1. My Island Home

No Fear (7")

Warumpi Band - No Fear.
Released 1987
Tracks
  1. No Fear

Go Bush

Warumpi Band - Go Bush.

Released 1988
Tracks
  1. No Fear
  2. Jailanguru Pakarnu (out from jail, rerecorded)
  3. Yolngu Boy
  4. Secret War
  5. My Island Home
  6. Didjeridoo Blue
  7. Kintorelakutu (Towards Kintore)
  8. Tjiluru Tjiluru (Sad and Lonely)
  9. My Countryside
  10. Falling Down
  11. From the Bush

The track "My Island Home" was covered by Christine Anu in 1995 and also recorded by Tiddas for the soundtrack to the feature film 'Radiance'.

From mid 1987-1992 the Warumpi Band took a break while the band's Aboriginal members honored family and tribal commitments.


Stompin Ground (7")

Warumpi Band - Stompin Ground.
Released 1996
Tracks
  1. Stompin Ground

Too Much Humbug

Warumpi Band - Too Much Humbug.
Released 1996
Tracks
  1. Wayathul
  2. Stompin Ground
  3. Makes You Feel
  4. Never Change
  5. Djulpan
  6. Stars
  7. Cold Weather
  8. Marrayilyil
  9. Joining My Life
  10. Koori Man
  11. Holdin You In My Arms
  12. We Shall Cry
  13. Blackfella Whitefella (remake)

The Stompem Ground Festival 2000 in Broome (October) was their last gig. After it Neil Murray retired. Neil Murray also wrote two books, 'Sing For Me Countryman' and 'One Man Tribe'.


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