Formed as a cover band

Exploding White Mice were formed in 1983 in Adelaide when Paul Gilchrist on vocals played a one-off show as a cover band at a party with Andy MacQueen on bass guitar (ex-The Deviants, Crunch Pets), Gerry Barrett on guitar ( Del Webb Explosion ) and Craig Rodda on drums ( Screaming Believers ). The band’s name was taken from a scene in the 1979 film Rock ‘n’ Roll High School , where a laboratory mouse spontaneously explodes upon exposure to music by The Ramones . Aside from The Ramones other major influences include Radio Birdman , MC5 , The Stooges , Johnny Thunders and American 1960s garage punk . The party gig went so well that the group decided to play regularly. One show was attended by Giles Barrow, who joined on rhythm guitar. In 1984 they started a residency at the Cathedral Hotel. Barrett left near year’s end and was replaced on guitar by Jeff Stephens (Firm Grip, Spitfire, Tombstone Shadow).