Media release – Deaf Lepers, 14 December 2023

THE DEAF LEPERS ARE BACK – FRIDAY 19 JANUARY AT THE KISSING ROOM

After 38 years in suspended animation, the wild swamp garage sounds of The Deaf Lepers are finally back for a special one-night only Back To The Swamp soiree at the Grand Poobah Kissing Room, Friday 19 January.

Formed initially in early 1984 for a University amateur night (delivering a maximally enthusiastic three song set of voodoo psychobilly covers), word on these unknown newcomers to Hobart’s independent punk music scene spread rapidly.

Heavily predisposed to psychobilly pioneers The Cramps, while also drawing on inspiration from an emerging Australian milieu that included The Scientists, The Lime Spiders, Le Hoodoo Gurus and the Beast of Bourbon, the Deaf Lepers synthesised these influences into a unique style of their own, with originals including ‘Swampman‘, ‘Psycho Vampire’ and ‘You Can’t Say No’.

Over the course of 1984 and 1985, the Deaf Lepers proceeded to play many memorable shows at venues that included The Commerce Club (transformed into ‘The Raven Room’ on Leper nights), the Ace of Clubs, and other fondly remembered Hobart haunts of the 80s. And, what followed?

Those who once were Lepers dispersed to a range of bands both in Tasmania and further afield including Deaf Corpses, Skeleton Crew, Junkyard Jewels, B-Circuit, BlackCherrie, The Dreamweavers, The Fish John West Reject, Ideal Husbands, Gilbert Takes The Wheel, The Dunaways, Bastard Squad, The Rumjacks, Diggers With Attitude, The McQuades, MUDRAC, The Real Gone Lovers, The Intercontinental Playboys, and many more…

But on Friday 19 January, it is Back To The Swamp with the one-and-only Deaf Lepers.

For those who are Leper-familiar, we dearly look forward to reacquainting. And for those who are Leper-curious, we salute you for the boldness embodied in your impending decision. Yield to what your hips compel. There will be sweat. And delightfully so.