The story so far...

GANGgajang was formed in 1984 when Mark Callaghan, previously of The Riptides, and Buzz Bidstrup and Chris Bailey formerly of The Angels, were commissioned to write songs for the ABC TV program Sweet & Sour.

The songs became a debut album, the self titled "GANGgajang", with sales in excess of 130,000 with the hit singles Gimme Some Lovin, House of Cards, Giver of Life and the classic Sounds of Then (This is Australia

With the addition of Geoffrey Stapleton on keyboards, guitar and artwork, and Robert James on lead guitar, GANGgajang became a live entity.

In 1987, tracks from the album were featured in the classic cult surf movie Mad Wax, introducing the band to a growing world wide audience and garnering the vote of The Professional Surfers Association of “World’s Best Band”, coupled with some showcase gigs in the U.S. and the release of their second album GANGagain.

In 1990 the bandmembers took time off to complete some personal projects, reforming to record the Lingo album and tour again in 1992.

The band toured Brazil for the first time in 1995, playing to over 60,000 rapturous fans in ten concerts in nine cities, followed by another 2 massive tours in the subsequent years.

In 1996 the Nine TV network adopted Sounds of Then (This is Australia) for its 1996 year promotion, sparking a revived interest in the band’s live dates around Australia.

In 2002 the band released its 4th album Oceans and Deserts and in 2006 the 4 hour double disc DVD collection The Complete GANGgajang.

As the band members are always busy with personal projects, it’s now a rare occasion when they perform together – but it’s always good fun and great music featuring the old hits and new.

Currently:

Geoffrey Stapleton is hard at work preparing for his 6th art exhibition.

Robert James is writing and recording his second orchestral Symphony.

Mark Callaghan continues song writing alongside his work in the publishing industry, and Chris Bailey is alternating dates as bassist with his old band The Angels.

With founding member Buzz Bidstrup taking a leave of absence to focus on his work with The Jimmy Little Foundation, old friend and cohort JJ Harris of Divinyls and 1927 fame has been called in to fill the drummer’s chair, as material for a new album is being worked up

GANGgajang is:

Chris Bailey : bass and vocals

Mark ‘Cal’ Callaghan : vocals, didgeridoo and guitar

Robert James : guitar and vocals

Geoff Stapleton : keyboards, percussion and vocals

JJ Harris: drums

Kayellen Bee

Kayellen was a founding member of GANGgajang and co-wrote some early songs, including "Giver of Life".

She appeared on the first two albums as a backing singer and toured with the band as a percussionist and a singer until 1987.

Originally trained as a negative matcher for films, Kayellen is now continuing this line of work with her sister Marilyn Sommer, who although not credited on the Essential GANGgajang cover, sang backing vocals on "Gimme Some Lovin", "House of Cards" and "Maybe I" and did several live shows.

Guest musicians:

Mark O'Connor (keyboard)

Mike Gubb (keyboard)

Frank Corby (drums)

Gordon Sullivan (guitar)

James Black (guitar/keyboard)

Mark Dennison (sax)

Kevin Dubber (trumpet)

Clive Hodgson (sax)

Queeny van de Zandt (vocal) 

Guest recording Musicians:

Marilyn Sommer (vocal)

Wendy Matthews (vocal)

Andrew Leitch (keyboard)

Reg Mombassa (guitar)

James Black (keyboard)

Mike Gubb (keyboard)

Queeny van de Zandt (vocal)

Anny James (vocal)

Ron Francois (vocal)

Wayne Goodwyn (violin)

Tony Ansell, Peter Dilosa, Col Loughnan, Brent Stanton, George Brodbeck (brass) 

Producers:

Joe Wissert

"Tiny" Johnstone in action, assisting Cal.