Photos by Andy Argyrakis

Somewhere in the middle of the Australian rock explosion that invaded America throughout the 1980s, the Hoodoo Gurus made a significant splash, on one hand sounding like they came straight out of the garage, but enhanced by pop meets punk variety and psychedelic influences at each aggressive turn.

Though the guys didn’t quite move the masses to the extent of Midnight Oil, INXS or Men At Work, they were college radio regulars with a dedicated cult following, who were surely salivating for a follow-up to their last local appearance in 2007.

The swanky City Winery finally sealed the deal prior to the pandemic for an instantaneous sell out, but numerous delays forced faithful to be even more patient and wonder if it would ever actually happen.

Not only did the extra availability allow co-founding front man/guitarist Dave Faulkner, fellow guitarist Brad Shepherd, bassist Richard Grossman and drummer Nik Rieth to record a new album, 2022’s “Chariot Of The Gods,” but they finally delivered on the promise, returning to Chicago after a 16-year absence.

Yet time truly melted away as the typically seated venue stood for nearly two hours of the Hoodoo Gurus hammering through a seminal catalogue, which led to its induction in the ARIA Hall of Fame, plus numerous gold and platinum certifications.

Thus far, no two shows have been exactly the same and the City Winery was no exception thanks to “A Place In The Sun,” “Answered Prayers,” “In The Middle Of Our Land” and “Hang With The Girls,” to name a handful of the many possessing mighty delivery and meaningful lyrics.

Nonetheless, the Hoodoo Gurus absolutely obliged on the singles, especially the ones that made a splash on these shores, including “Miss Freelove ’69” and “Come Anytime,” recalling the searing punch and driving hunger the band possessed back then.

It all reached a pinnacle in the encore with “What’s My Scene?” and “Like Wow – Wipeout,” which like everything that came before, were well worth every minute of the lengthy wait.

For additional information on the Hoodoo Gurus, visit HoodooGurus.net.

Upcoming concert highlights at City Winery include Tweet (May 15); Lynne Jordan & The Shivers (May 16); David Davis (May 17); Beatles Brunch (May 20); Tone Loc and C+C Music Factory (May 20); Bubbles & Beauties Drag Brunch (May 21); The Carole King & James Taylor Story (May 22); Louis Prima Jr. And The Witnesses (May 23); Al Stewart (May 24); Tweet (May 25); Peter Collins (May 26); J. Howell (May 28); Valerie June (May 29); Pascuala Ilabaca & Fauna (May 30); K’Jon (May 31); Jimmy Webb (Jun. 1); Willie Nile (Jun. 2); Bubbles & Beauties Drag Brunch (Jun. 4); Lyfe Jennings (Jun. 4); Melody Angel (Jun. 6); Billy Prine & The Prime Time Band (Jun. 7); Vinyasa & Vino (Jun. 8); Michael McDermott (Jun. 8); The Samples (Jun. 9) and Idan Raichel (Jun. 11). For additional details, visit CityWinery.com/Chicago.

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