Candy Harlots


Candy Harlots were an Australian band from Sydney, active between 1987 and 1995. They also released material as Helter Skelter and The Harlots. According to rock music historian Ian McFarlane they were, "an unashamedly macho, decadent lot, with a black leathers 'n' chains and gutter-rock image played out over an entertaining brand of hard-edged rock 'n' roll." They enjoyed Top 20 chart success with their March 1992 EP Foreplay on the Australian Recording Industry Association Singles Chart and obtained a Top 40 chart position with their sole full-length album Five Wicked Ways in May 1992.

History

Candy Harlots were formed in 1987 in Sydney by guitarist Ron Barrett, drummer Tony Cardinal, vocalist Mark Easton and bass guitarist Nick Szentkuti. Shortly after the band was formed, Easton met guitarist Marc De Hugar in Melbourne and invited him to join the group. Szentkuti spent six months as bass guitarist; he was followed by Scott Millard and then Leeno Dee. The band developed an underground following around Sydney and were offered a recording deal with Virgin Records after three shows but their manager turned down the offer. The contract was not signed until the band's management deal expired four years later. They played frequently in suburban Sydney pubs, including the Kardomah Cafe in Kings Cross and the St James Tavern in the city, and secured support slots with The Cult, Cheap Trick, Divinyls, The Angels, The Sunnyboys, Danish rock band D-A-D and Kings of the Sun.
Although the band's popularity increased, they found it difficult to secure a major label contract. Melbourne label 'Au Go Go Records' issued their debut 7" single Red Hot Rocket in April 1989, with the initial 500 copies pressed on red vinyl and wrapped in a pair of women's lace knickers. The single was produced by Mick Cocks of hard-rockers Rose Tattoo. The band followed this up with some live dates in Melbourne in mid-1989.
Numerous live shows led the band to prominence in the Sydney rock scene, and a follow-up single entitled Danger was released in May 1990 on the Sydney label 'Timberyard'. A friendship between New Jersey's Skid Row and the Candy Harlots was struck after a Hordern Pavilion show in 1990. Both bands jammed on The Troggs' Wild Thing at an after-show party at the Kardomah Cafe, with members of Mötley Crüe also in attendance.
In October 1990, Ron Barrett died after an asthma attack, at the age of 26. Ex-Flying Tigers guitarist Peter Masi was recruited in his stead. Lead guitarist Marc De Hugar was replaced in February 1991 by Phil Bowley. Mark Easton left after a final performance with Candy Harlots at Kardomah Cafe on 22 March 1991. New vocalist Tony 'Aiz' Lynch joined the band soon afterwards, and his songwriting skills helped the band to secure major label interest. Virgin Records signed the band after the track What Are We Fighting For?, co-written with Peter Stanton, was played to Virgin representatives including future manager Andrew McManus. The Lynch-led line-up received greater media attention than the Easton-fronted group, and they remained popular with the Australian hard rock and heavy metal fraternity, gaining many new fans through Virgin-backed promotional activities.
The Foreplay EP was released in March 1992 and reached No. 17 on the Australian Recording Industry Association Singles Chart. The debut album Five Wicked Ways followed in May, and reached a Top 40 ranking in the ARIA Albums Chart. The album was produced by Peter Blyton and spawned the successful single Sister's Crazy.
Virgin Records was eventually bought out by EMI and Candy Harlots were subsequently signed to EMI's US label. Soon afterwards Aiz Lynch was fired from the band, to be replaced by vocalist Hayden Watt. In mid-1993, founding drummer Tony Cardinal quit the group along with Peter Masi. However Bowley, Dee and Watt formed a new outfit called Helter Skelter, with the addition of drummer Tubby Wadsworth. They released one single, Cry for Love before Watt was replaced by Jordan Howe. In April 1994 they became known as The Harlots, issuing a self-titled CD EP in October, before dissolving the following year.
The line-up of Lynch, Bowley, Masi, Dee and Cardinal reformed for a one-off concert at the Gaelic Theatre in Sydney on 31 October 2009.

Post-breakup

Candy Harlots, Helter Skelter, The Harlots :

Studio albums

EPs