Tactics (band)

Tactics are a post punk group which formed in Canberra in 1977. The line up changed periodically, with songwriter and vocalist, David Studdert, as the mainstay. They released four studio albums, My Houdini (December 1980), Glebe (November 1981), Blue and White Future Whale (1986) and The Great Gusto (1990). Which were critically acclaimed and they were respected for the quality of their live performances. However, they did not achieve wider commercial success and remained largely unacknowledged outside of the alternative independent music scene. Their reputation for running against the grain musically, lyrically, and stylistically was described by Bob Blunt as "frenetic, discordant, [and] full of unusual rhythms." Tactics disbanded late in 1989 and Studdert relocated to London. Since then, Tactics have played in Sydney 2006, 2008 and 2019). David Studdert has played periodically with ex Tactics members in other projects.

Tactics were formed as a post punk, pop group in 1977 in Canberra. An early line up was Angus Douglas on lead guitar, Steve Kilbey (ex Baby Grande) on bass guitar, Dave Studdert on lead vocals and rhythm guitar, and Robert Whittle on drums and percussion. During 1978 Steve Ball became the bass player. Studdert's inspirations included "Tom Verlaine (Television's vocalist and songwriter), as well as Arthur Lee (of Love), Dylan, Neil Young and the poet Rimbaud", which were "strong initial influence on his own songwriting style." He told The Canberra Times Marie Ryan that "What I'm really aiming for with this band is our own identifiable sound. I want Tactics to sound like themselves in the way that Talking Heads sound like themselves, Love sound like themselves and Television sound like themselves." The Canberra Times reviewer opined that "They play with energy, and power, but their interesting, poppy songs come across with a lightness that eludes most other new wave bands. Their appearance at the Ainslie Rex, despite a few mix problems, was a demonstration of praiseworthy songwriting and sound musicianship."

In December 1980 Tactics released their first album, My Houdini, via Green Records label, which McFarlane felt was "full of frantic energy, scratchy guitars, uneasy melodies, challenging songs and astute lyrical observations." Australian writer, Clinton Walker, recognised it as a definitive recording of that period:My Houdini was a landmark Australian indy. It may hardly be remembered today, but that's probably because the sheer originality of Dave Studdert’s vision – and the shrillness of his voice – still asks too much of an audience. My Houdini featured a wider range of instrumentation than the band’s live sound, with Spielman playing piano on the recording; additionally saxophones and flutes by Danny Field were used for some tracks.

In 1981 Marsh was replaced by Garry Manley on bass guitar. Tactics' second album, Glebe, was released in November 1981. McFarlane highlighted the "departures from the earlier sound, featuring a stronger reggae/dub influence." In 1989 Tactics entered the studio to record their fourth studio album, The Great Gusto. The line up comprised Studdert, Snajik, Garry Manley on guitar and piano, and Malcolm MacCallum on drums and keyboards. In March 2008 Memorandum Recordings released the second volume of The Sound of the Sound. The double CD anthology includes a re mastered Blue and White Future Whale. The subsequent album, The Great Gusto, is represented in this collection by live versions and studio outtakes (an indication of Studdert’s dissatisfaction with the album). The band briefly reformed to publicise the CD release, and recorded five new songs in April 2008. August 2019 saw the band perform their High Speed Picnic Tour, playing in Sydney, Brisbane and Melbourne, with a new album under their wing Early Shift at Charles de Gaulle (released on Scenic View Records). The live band (and current album studio band) comprise David Studdert – vocals, rhythm guitar and production, Ingrid Spielman – piano and organ, Garry Manley – bass, Nic Cecire – drums and percussion, Lex Robertson – backing vocals and assorted other instruments, and Wayne Connolly – lead guitar and production. On the new album are added Peter Fenton – backing vocals, and Matt Galvin – guitar (all solos except on Who Tells Me). French musician Jili Serra played with the live and studio band – guitar, e bow, harmonica, bass.

David Studdert Lead vocals & rhythm guitar (all albums) 1977 2019. Angus Douglas Lead guitar (My Houdini, Glebe, The Bones ) 1977 84. Robert Whittle Drums, vocals (My Houdini, Glebe, The Bones ) 1977 82. Geoff Marsh Bass, vocals (My Houdini, The Bones ) 1979 81. Ingrid Spielman Piano (My Houdini, Glebe, The Bones , Early Shift at Charles de Gaulle) 1980 82 (recording sessions); Sept 2006, March 2008 and August 2019 (live band). Garry Manley Bass & guitar (Glebe, The Bones , The Great Gusto, Early Shift at Charles de Gaulle) 1981 83 (bass); 1989 90 (guitar); Sept 2006, March 2008 & August 2019 (bass in live band). Duncan MacKenzie organ 1982. Michael Farmer drums 1982. Nicky Baruch Vocals, keyboards, percussion, flute (Glebe, Blue & White Future Whale) 1982 86. David 'Snajik' Miller Bass (Blue & White Future Whale, The Great Gusto) 1984 86; 1989 90. Tony Donohoe Drums (Blue & White Future Whale) 1984 86. Michael Sherman Trumpet (Fatman, Committee of Love singles) 1986. Lex Robertson Keyboard (Early Shift at Charles de Gaulle) 1989 90; Sept 2006, March 2008 & August 2019 (live band). Pete Kelly Trumpet 1989 90; Sept 2006 & March 2008 (live band). Adam 'Sloth' Burrell Trumpet 1989 90. Robbie Weaver Trumpet (The Great Gusto) 1988 1989. Nic Cecire Drums (Early Shift at Charles de Gaulle) Sept 2006, March 2008 & August 2019 (live band). Matt Galvin Guitar (Early Shift at Charles de Gaulle) Sept 2006 & March 2008 (live band). Wayne Connolly Guitar (Early Shift at Charles de Gaulle) August 2019 (live band). Jili Serra Guitar, harmonica, bass August 2018 (Tactics live band in France); Sydney, August 2019 (live band). Geoffrey Datson Guitar (Tactics live band in France), August 2018.
others along the way: Hamish Reid (bass) & Errol Gooding (sax).