Exploding White Mice

Exploding White Mice was a punk-pop group from Adelaide, active between 1983 and 1999. The name came from a scene in Rock ‘n’ Roll High School, and the sound chased speed, hooks, and grit. Four studio albums, constant gigging, and two Europe runs tell you they kept busy.

How The Band Got Started

The band began in 1983 when Paul Gilchrist, Andy MacQueen, Gerry Barrett, and Craig Rodda played a party set that went better than expected. Rhythm guitarist Giles Barrow soon joined after catching a show. Early heroes included The Ramones, Radio Birdman, MC5, The Stooges, Johnny Thunders, and 1960s American garage punk.

Early Moves and Lineup Shifts

By late 1984 Jeff Stephens replaced Barrett on guitar. In 1985 drummer David Bunney came aboard. The group issued the six-song EP A Nest of Vipers on Greasy Pop, produced by Kim Horne. Sydney magazine RAM later named it the best Australian record of 1986. The EP appeared in the United States as In the Nest of Vipers. Through 1986 and 1987, singles and national dates followed, including the 1987 single “Blaze of Glory,” backed with a cover of John Kongos’ “He’s Gonna Step On You Again.”

Albums

• Brute Force and Ignorance (August 1988), The Greasy Record Company / Festival Records, LP/CD/MC, AUS peak 60
• Exploding White Mice (June 1990), The Greasy Record Company / Festival Records, LP/CD/MC, AUS peak 90
• Collateral Damage (1992), Normal Records, LP/CD
• We Walk Alone (1994), Au Go Go, CD; Lucky Records, Subway, and Rock & Roll Inc editions noted

EPs

• A Nest of Vipers (1985), Greasy Pop Records, LP/CD/Cassette
• Prepare to Die (1997), Subway Records, LP

Singles

• 1987, “Blaze of Glory” / “He’s Gonna Step On You Again,” non-album
• 1988, “Fear (Late at Night)” / “Without Warning,” from Brute Force and Ignorance
• 1989, “Breakdown Number 2” / “Bury Me,” non-album
• 1989, “Make It” / “Ain’t It Sad,” AUS peak 149, non-album
• 1990, “I Just Want My Fun,” AUS peak 96, from Exploding White Mice

On The Road and Studio Notes

The debut LP was tracked with Kim Horne at Soundtrack Studios. Barrow departed before release and Dave Mason stepped in, then Jack Jacomos replaced Mason in 1989. The band toured Europe in 1990, released a self-titled LP that mixed studio and live cuts, and soon after Jeff Stephens shifted to lead vocals when Paul Gilchrist exited. Collateral Damage was started in early 1991 at Soundtrack Studios. After label troubles at home, it appeared in 1992 via Normal in Germany and NKVD in the United States. Andrew Bunney later joined on rhythm guitar. The last album, We Walk Alone, arrived in 1994 with multiple regional editions, and the group kept working through the mid 1990s. They also popped up on the 1994 film The Roly Poly Man as a bar band cameo.

Later Years and Wrap

Nest of Vipers returned in 1995 with bonus tracks on Bastard Records. In 1996 the EP Prepare to Die landed, followed by a European tour with The Richies. Exploding White Mice disbanded in April 1999 after a long run of shows and releases.

After the Band

Gerry Barrett spent time in Dust Collection, which marked a 25th anniversary show in 2009. Jeff Stephens co-produced recordings by The Gels in the early 2000s. David Bunney joined first-wave Adelaide punks Black Chrome in 2010. As of March 2012, Jack Jacomos worked as a mental health nurse. Bassist Andy MacQueen passed away on 27 May 2018. In 2023, Jeff Stephens joined Where’s The Pope? for a reunion gig.

Members

• Paul Gilchrist, vocals
• Andy MacQueen, bass
• Gerry Barrett, guitar
• Craig Rodda, drums
• Giles Barrow, rhythm guitar
• Jeff Stephens, guitar; later lead vocals
• David Bunney, drums
• Dave Mason, guitar
• Jack Jacomos, guitar
• Andrew Bunney, rhythm guitar