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Any mention of Australian pub rock is incomplete without a nod to Choirboys—true stalwarts of Australia’s gritty rock scene and champions of the country’s working-class musical heart. From their birth on the sun-drenched Northern Beaches of Sydney in 1978 to touring nationally over 40 years later, Choirboys have become more than a band. They’re a rite of passage for generations of Aussie rock fans.Led by frontman Mark Gable, alongside original members Lindsay Tebbutt (drums) and Ian Hulme (bass), and later joined by Brett Williams (guitar), Choirboys cut their teeth in a time when live music poured out of pubs like beer from a tap. It was loud, it was raw, it was unfiltered—and Choirboys were right in the thick of it. “We had no idea what we were doing or where it would end up taking us,” Gable recalls. “They didn’t call it Pub Rock in those days, but we were there in the beginning—and we’re still here now.”
Their 1987 anthem “Run to Paradise” isn’t just a hit—it’s a national treasure. A song that perfectly captures the sound and spirit of Australia in the 80s, it catapulted the band to stardom. It hit the Top 10 on the Australian charts, and even cracked the U.S. Billboard charts—an achievement few Aussie rock acts can claim.
The hits didn’t stop there. Songs like “Boys Will Be Boys”, “Never Gonna Die”, and “Struggle Town” became fixtures on pub jukeboxes and festival stages alike. Backed by three Top 30 albums and a recording deal with legendary label Albert Productions (home to AC/DC, The Angels, and Rose Tattoo), Choirboys were embedded in the very DNA of Australian rock.
Over four decades on, Choirboys continue to deliver what fans crave most: an unforgettable live experience. A Choirboys show is more than a setlist—it's a high-octane celebration of real rock music, charged with humour, banter, and that unmistakable Aussie edge. As TheClothesLine.com.au aptly described, “Gable is still belting out an incredible rock vocal… Choirboys presented earnest and comical entertainment with discernible values steeped in Aussie rock and roll.”
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Event Venue & Nearby Stays
Bridge Hotel, 3 Baildon St, Kangaroo Point QLD 4169, Australia, Brisbane Adelaide Street
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