Tamam Shud - Evolution (1969) [Japan edition] (2007)

Australian outfit TAMAM SHUD was formed back in 1967. The band had originally started out as The Four Strangers in 1964, but soon changed their moniker to The Sunsets. A change in stylistic expression and a subsequent line-up alteration called for a third alteration in band name, and from 1967 Dannie Davidson (drums), Zac Zytnic (guitar), Lindsay Bjerre (vocals, guitars) and Peter Barron (bass) took the name Tamam Shud when they started exploring the recently popular psychedelic progressive rock genre.

They were an active live unit throughout their career, and built themselves a good reputation from their base in Sydney.

They made their debut in early 1969 with Evolution. It was a rough and raw creation, recorded in a mere 2,5 hours in the studio. Four of the tracks were featured in the score for the surf movie 'Evolution', and the entire recording session was in fact financed from the budget of this film.

Zytnic left the band towards the end of 1969, and was replaced by the young, promising guitarist Tim Gaze in 1970. This slightly revamped version of the band recorded and released the sophomore effort Goolutionites and the Real People later the same year. This concept effort was met with critical acclaim, and have later been described as one of the truly great Aussie progressive rock albums.

Gaze and Davidson had left prior to the album release, to partake in another band project. Kevin Sinnott (drums) and Kevin Stephenson (reeds) were brought in for live duties, and Tamam Shud started exploring a more jazz-oriented direction at this time. Gaza returned to the band just after the album was issued in October 1970 though, and Sinnott and Stephenson left the band again at this point. Davidson did not return however, and he was replaced by Nigel Macara. Larry Duryea, Bobby Gebert and Richard Lockwood would join the ranks of Tamam Shud towards the end of 1970 as occasional members of the live band.

Tamam Shud continued as a prolific live act throughput 1971, and in 1972 they were asked to contribute the soundtrack to a new surf movie, 'Morning of the Earth'. While initially asked to cater for the entire soundtrack, a change of plans soon saw their contribution reduced to three compositions only. This and various other setbacks eventually saw the band break up towards the end of 1972.

Fans of the band were delighted when it was announced that they were to reunite in 1993, 21 years after breaking up. Bjerre, Gaze, Barron and Macara hit the studio and recorded the album Permanent Culture, got a record deal with Polydor Records who issued the CD in 1994 and hit the road soon after the album release. But the album as well as the two singles released from it didn't fare as well as their label wanted, and they decided to drop Tamam Shud later the same year. Tamam Shud decided to call it a day as well, and disbanded when the support tour of their reunion album finished in April 1995..