Axatak
Axatak | |
|---|---|
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| Background information | |
| Origin | Melbourne, VIC |
| Genres | Heavy metal |
| Years active | 1981 - 1988 |
| Associated acts | Dark Stanley, Bengal Tigers, China Blue |
| Past members | John McCulloch, Mark Trask, Pete Denero, Andy Zouman, Don Haines, Yuri Linzew, Eddie Dessmann |
Band members
- Final line-up
- John McCulloch (vocals, guitar)
- Mark Trask (vocals, drums)
- Pete Denero (vocals, guitar)
- Andy Zouman (vocals, bass) d. 93
- Former members
- Don Hailes (drums) 1983-86
- Yuri Linzew (guitar) 1983-84
- Eddie Dessmann (drums) 1981-83
Band information
Formed in 1983 out of one of Melbourne's first Kiss tribute bands Kiss Klones, Axatak were a key part of Melbourne's early heavy metal scene. Bearing a heavy Kiss influence and the striking leather-clad shock rock image of the early Los Angeles glam metal scene, they managed to attain some mainstream attention. In 1984 original guitarist Yuri Linzew was replaced with Pete Denero and the band released their debut album Shock Rock on Aussie Records. In 1985, Axatak released a self-titled EP, and gained themselves notable prime time television appearances including performances of "Shock Rock" on Hey Hey It's Saturday and "Rockin' Tonight" on Star Search. In 1986 drummer Don Hailes was replaced with Mark Trask. Axatak eventually split up in 1988.
After Axatak split, bassist Andy Zouman formed a new band called China Blue, a short-lived project which became derailed as he became a reborn Christian. He produced a one hour video titled The Mermaids, The Mysteries of Music (Satanism in Rock Music) which featured live footage of Axatak. Zouman died of cancer in 1993. In recent years, guitarist Pete Denero (now as Pete Stark) returned to Melbourne's live scene with a new hard rock outfit called Dark Stanley.
Discography
Albums:
| 1984 | Shock Rock | Aussie Records |
EPs:
| 1985 | Axatak | Crunch |