The 1980s were the golden age of rock n roll in the Australian music scene and the Celibate Rifles were in it up to their eye balls. Hailing from Sydney s northern beaches, also home to Midnight Oil and INXS, the Rifles hit the ground running and haven t stopped since.
The early 80s was an amazing time in Australian music, particular Sydney, recalls singer Damien Lovelock. It seemed like every pub had live music three or four nights a week and there still weren't enough venues to go around.

Establishing themselves through their distinctive sound and high energy performance, the Celibate Rifles quickly came to the forefront of the vibrant alternative music scene. In 1982 they released their debut EP But Jacques, the Fish?, followed in 1983 by their album Sideroxylon, still considered as one of the best ever debut albums by an Australian band. Four albums and many singles followed, as well as virtually non-stop touring around the Australian coast as reputation and demand continued to grow. In 1986 the band left for an exploratory tour of the US and Europe where they were variously described as the best live band in the world by the Village Voice; the most Australian sounding band in the world , by The Boston Globe, and masters of the twin devilled guitar attack by Paris Match. Constantly touring Europe and America was the experience of a lifetime. Playing with bands like The Ramones, Radio Birdman, Nirvana, and The Sugarcubes were really the salad days of the Celibate Rifles, says Lovelock.

Band members eventually made a decision to pursue life beyond the hotel room and the tour bus. However while we discussed and have come very close to calling it a day once or twice , recalls Lovelock, the fact we still enjoy playing together and can still cut it by our own standards has been reason enough to keep going. After all, there are still places like Barwon Heads, Narooma ,Darwin , Iceland and Manchester we have yet to play.
The Rifles are currently finishing off a new Ep of new songs for release when it is ready making it around 16 Albums and EP's, all now available online through Laneway Music . They are playing selectd shows by invitation , respect and enthusiasm for what they do and how they do it. The Celibate Rifles, striving to improve life one note at a time.
Come see them and grab a few notes for yourself .
Playing at:
Narrabeen RSL 18th March