Latest news with #HoodooGurus
AU Financial Review
18-05-2025
- Automotive
- AU Financial Review
Not my scene: Hoodoo Gurus-backed EV start-up hits Trump roadblock
The founder of an Australian electrical vehicle software company backed by high-profile investment bankers and the lead singer of the Hoodoo Gurus, says it has had to reduce its focus on US expansion since Donald Trump became president, but it still has lofty growth ambitions. BetterFleet's software is used to manage the efficiency of large fleets of electric buses and cars, and is used by 250 customers across Australia, Europe, Asia and North America, including transport authorities in Boston, Toronto, London and Sydney. It changed its name from EVenergi last year, and raised a $24 million funding round to fuel its expansion in March.
AU Financial Review
18-05-2025
- Automotive
- AU Financial Review
Not my scene: Hoodoo Guru-backed EV start-up hits Trump roadblock
The founder of an Australian electrical vehicle software company backed by high-profile investment bankers and the lead singer of the Hoodoo Gurus, says it has had to reduce its focus on US expansion since Donald Trump became president, but it still has lofty growth ambitions. BetterFleet's software is used to manage the efficiency of large fleets of electric buses and cars, and is used by 250 customers across Australia, Europe, Asia and North America, including transport authorities in Boston, Toronto, London and Sydney. It changed its name from EVenergi last year, and raised a $24 million funding round to fuel its expansion in March.
Perth Now
07-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Perth Now
‘Style influencer': Aussie drumming ‘king' dies aged 71
Revered Australian musician James Baker, drummer for bands including the Hoodoo Gurus, Beasts of Bourbon, Scientists and other rock groups, has died. Baker died at his home in Perth on Monday. He was 71. Music scribes have described him as a key figure in the evolution of punk and rock music in Western Australia, and he was lauded in a press statement as 'King of the Perth Big Beat, the godfather of Perth Punk and Australia's Garage Guru'. He was inducted into the WA Music Industry Hall of Fame in 2006. 'With a CV that reads like a who's who of Australian rock 'n' roll greatness ... James was also a genuine tastemaker and style influencer,' his reps said. 'He was a man who loved rock 'n' roll, and who shared that love with everybody. And he was loved. He was so loved.' The Hoodoo Gurus, inducted into the ARIA Hall of Fame in 2007, shared a picture of Baker on the drums to mark his passing. Born in Perth in 1954, Baker bought his first drum kit as a teen and was a member of short-lived bans Black Sun and the Slick City Boys. He travelled to the US and England in 1976 where he placed himself 'in the thick of punk's early days'. 'It was a perfect time to go there,' Baker told The West Australian. 'Six months before that, I wouldn't have seen much. Six months after, it was almost all over.' Rubbing shoulders with the likes of the Ramones, Sex Pistols and the Clash, he returned to Australia inspired to launch The Geeks, which later became the Victims. James Baker, pictured performing in Melbourne in 2023, has died. Credit: Martin Philbey / WireImage Baker had been living with terminal liver cancer for a decade. Despite his health battles, he continued to perform, write and record music. He released a solo album called Born to Rock in March 2024, and contributed his talents to several bands. 'I think rock was always what I was meant to do,' he told The West. 'It's not the easiest path but I've had a blast and that will be my way till the very last.' Baker is survived by his wife, Cathy, sister Barbara, two daughters and a grandson who is due this month.
7NEWS
07-05-2025
- Entertainment
- 7NEWS
Hoodoo Gurus drummer and big beat ‘king' James Baker dies aged 71
Revered Australian musician James Baker, drummer for bands including the Hoodoo Gurus, Beasts of Bourbon, Scientists and other rock groups, has died. Baker died at his home in Perth on Monday. He was 71. Music scribes have described him as a key figure in the evolution of punk and rock music in Western Australia, and he was lauded in a press statement as 'King of the Perth Big Beat, the godfather of Perth Punk and Australia's Garage Guru'. He was inducted into the WA Music Industry Hall of Fame in 2006. 'With a CV that reads like a who's who of Australian rock 'n' roll greatness ... James was also a genuine tastemaker and style influencer,' his reps said. 'He was a man who loved rock 'n' roll, and who shared that love with everybody. And he was loved. He was so loved.' The Hoodoo Gurus, inducted into the ARIA Hall of Fame in 2007, shared a picture of Baker on the drums to mark his passing. Born in Perth in 1954, Baker bought his first drum kit as a teen and was a member of short-lived bans Black Sun and the Slick City Boys. He travelled to the US and England in 1976 where he placed himself 'in the thick of punk's early days'. 'It was a perfect time to go there,' Baker told The West Australian. 'Six months before that, I wouldn't have seen much. Six months after, it was almost all over.' Rubbing shoulders with the likes of the Ramones, Sex Pistols and the Clash, he returned to Australia inspired to launch The Geeks, which later became the Victims. Baker had been living with terminal liver cancer for a decade. Despite his health battles, he continued to perform, write and record music. He released a solo album called Born to Rock in March 2024, and contributed his talents to several bands. 'I think rock was always what I was meant to do,' he told The West. 'It's not the easiest path but I've had a blast and that will be my way till the very last.' Baker is survived by his wife, Cathy, sister Barbara, two daughters and a grandson who is due this month.
Daily Mail
06-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
Aussie rock icons Hoodoo Gurus struck by a third tragedy in less than a month as founding drummer James Baker dies at age 71 following terminal cancer diagnosis
Aussie rock icons Hoodoo Gurus has lost another member. The ARIA Hall of Fame recipients confirmed on Tuesday that their original drummer James Baker has died aged 71. Baker's death came one year after he was diagnosed with terminal liver cancer. He joined the legendary rockers in 1981 and performed on their first album, Stoneage Romeos. The Perth-born musician co-wrote the band's very first single Leilani and also performed on their 1983 hit song My Girl. He left the band in 1984 and performed in several other iconic Australian bands throughout his career, including Beasts of Bourbon and The Scientists. Hoodoo Gurus shared a photo of Baker energetically playing the drums on stage to mark his passing. In 2006, in recognition of his long service to the music industry Baker was inducted into the Western Australian Hall of Fame. The musician was diagnosed with terminal cancer last year and was told he only had months to live, reported The West in August. He told the publication that he struggled with not being able to perform musically as his condition worsened. 'I get very tired. I can still play drums but if I had to stand up, I wouldn't be able to. I could probably play three songs, then I have to sit down,' Baker said. He is survived by his wife of ten years, Catherine Podger, and two daughters from a previous relationship. Baker's death came just weeks after the tragic passing of Hoodoo Gurus' original guitarist Kimble Rendall on April 20. 'RIP Kimble. Very sad news,' the band wrote on social media alongside a throwback picture of him playing the guitar in a studio. Baker's death follows the tragic passing of Hoodoo Gurus' original guitarist Kimble Rendall (left) and their former manager former manager Dominic 'Mick' Mazzone (right) 'Two losses we have had in the Gurus family this past week. We're still reeling from the shock.' The Sydney-born musician was the band's original guitarist in 1981 - 1982 and played on their breakout song Leilani, but left just as they were rising to fame in order to become a filmmaker. He went on to make movies such as the 2000 horror movie Cut, starring Kylie Minogue and Molly Ringwald. Rendall's own death was just days after the band's former manager Dominic 'Mick' Mazzone died after battling an illness. The band took to social media in April to remember the industry veteran as a 'dear friend'. 'We in the Hoodoo Gurus are utterly devastated at the sudden loss of our dear friend, Mick (Dominic) Mazzone,' they wrote in a statement. 'It is impossible to convey the shock and grief we are feeling right now. We have already shed many tears, and there will be many more to come. 'Our loss is nothing compared to the one that has been dealt to Mick's close family and friends and, in particular, to his beloved kids, Frank, Antonia and Alex.'
