Skyhooks - Ego Is Not A Dirty Word (1975)

[afoley2757]

Red is the Pope!

So called.

[LoveCreamBand]

Love Cream have been told many times that they are the next 'Skyhooks'. Check the Video Response and other videos on their profile to see for yourself. A LOT of fun onstage, with quirky costumes, and outrageous lyrics. And, best of all, 4 of the 5 of them aren't even 18 yet!

[700gsteak]

Wheres red simons?

[nzoz1975]

@700gsteak look harder, even if you have to strain your eyes.. he's there... it's so visible... and obvious... come on now.

[xXGothicTransistorXx]

@nzoz1975 hes more than obvious

[v8sainter]

@700gsteak

Red is the bishop!

[65earwig]

@700gsteak The bloke in the big red Pope hat,,?? I reckon thats him ay?

[zorazen2]

Ego Enchanting- Excellent.

1975 Launch Off Orbit.

Outrageous Outfits.

Fabulous Vido.

[zorazen2]

More Massive Marvellous Mighty Music.

Skyhooks' Supreme Songs.

ASTRONOMICAL AUSSIE ARTISTS.

[BBQkrewe]

found this album in a discount bin when i was just a young lad, and fell in love with this tune!

THANKS for the video!!!

SKYHOOKS RULE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Nunya84]

I always thought the lead singer was a chick

mind=blown

[troumer]

@Nunya84 Considering he recorded under the name "Shirley," that's understandable. For a long time I assumed it was a woman also until I saw band photos on the net. They never had much success in the US--they were mostly seen here as imitation Alice Cooper (which was unfair to both).

[staggo3000]

Press 5

[Neptuneman07]

This is one of the best tunes by Skyhooks. Very underrated band outside of Australia. Cheers!

[absolutelyfree1963]

I love the fuckin' lyrics... Nixon... Leonard Cohen....

These dudes were a riot... great band. Thanks for posting , NZOZ, you are a friggin' legend!

[xTheStroopeD]

Skyhooks played alot in phillip island back in the 70's to 80's and we used to catch a cab back and Red was the driver good memories back in the days

[bigeetah]

I remember seeing an old 'Countdown' special a few years back ( this was a groundbreaking Aussie tv show that presaged MTV by about a decade.) and bands like Skyhooks and Sherbet actually DID try to break into the US market, but they talked about how difficult it was at the time. It was a fascinating special that I wish they played again as it gave a fascinating look at the inside of music industry back then.

[bigeetah]

ahhh...sorry to sound nostalgic but this was truly the golden age of Australian music, right up to the mid '80s...many of the bands around at that ttime deserved international success, many more than the few who actually achieved it.

[3478475hi7]

shirl rocks.. & rolls.. all night long sweet susie! i remember as a child listening to him on countdown (he rocked... red you'r a bitch- nah you'r cool) several years ago he was on a childs show as a reg - (a queensland production) a builder if i remember correctly. it's too bad a great talent like himself died in a plane crash - it hurt me & i can only imagine how his family was affected -peace & respect to you guys i know i miss him

[vk3hau]

@3478475hi7

AAP General News (Australia)

08-30-2001

Qld; Police on the way to Shirley Strachan's helicopter crash

Police expect to retrieve the body of entertainer GRAEME SHIRLEY STRACHAN today, following

his death in a helicopter crash north-west of Brisbane yesterday afternoon.

A police spokesman says investigators are making their way on foot through rugged country

to the wreck of the helicopter at Mt Archer where rescuers camped overnight in preparation

for today's retrieval operation.

[paedr01]

Isn't it funny how Red used a lot of "masturbation references" in the videos and songs - Just 2 examples: with EGO - he's dressed as a bishop ( for buffing the bishops hat ) and "SMUT" - well, that one's just about wanking in the cinema. Yet he got away with it even back then on TV.

[jaggity]

People talk about the 70s and their 'gentler times, but they forget about bands like Skyhooks. This band spoke to a whole generation of Australian kids about things they could relate to and they were quite raunchy with songs about homosexuality, masturbation and sex. I learnt a lot listening to their songs and I think my broad outlook to life came early from some well played Hooks vinyls. Greg was a fine song writer and clever lyricist but it was Shirl's personality that sold them..

[danno0350]

In the uk have not heard this band (found by accident) don't think they came out over here, which is a shame because they are good. this is a TUNE....

[nzoz1975]

@danno0350 they set their sights on the US instead, seeing as the UK was often a fruitless voyage, even for a lot of our great acts... Little River Band avoided the UK due to bad experiences, and instead had succsss in the US... Skyhooks are just one out of a lot of good bands that were monsters in Austrlaia but unknown to the rest of the world. We haven't contributed much, but did (and still do) havea lot to offer... sadly, the world only wants Kylie and Dundee.

[ThatAdelaideGuy]

@nzoz1975 And ACDC

[MrBoglocks]

@nzoz1975 as much as I love aussie music you can compare this to what was being produced in the uk at that time

[percy888ferry]

@MrBoglocks Gary Glitter and Mud?

[euqsabtnatillim]

@danno0350 Skyhooks represented the high arts mirror that Australia held up to itself musically. With the Whitlam dream shattered our Vietnam veterans home and an oil and financial crisis looming our awareness of being part of the world was growing. Multiculturalism grew even wider and we started taking refugees from Asia and the middle east. We pined even more for the US at a time when it had lost its own soul. We became ashamed of our own culture and cringed at it. We died a little with Shirl.

[eppeywonder]

@danno0350 If you check the ebay.co.uk . Within prob one week you will see someone there has a 7" UK press of later hit Women In Uniform. Issued there on green wax, yellow wax and small run of black . Didn't really fair that well there but enough to be noticed by a band who tried to do it justice . Their name ? Iron Maiden. A little tip - check the 1st two Oz albums as o/s got a compilation of sorts. They were hillarious and brilliant . PS Think attained No1 in nYc . 1 wk

[arpee9216]

Ego isn't a dirty word but try telling that to the New Age people nowadays....

[doomey22a]

Haha, I love the guy in the big hat!

[shemericify]

I just love Skyhooks....never a wrong time to listen to them. What I find funny is all these kids who comment on a band from 20 years before they were born who have no idea about the way the world was back then.......I'd like to see them explain Lady Gaga to their kids in 30 years time when the world has changed again

[ChadWork1]

This album was a big part of my early musical development. I lived in Colorado in 1976 when my aunt who worked in a record pressing plant visited with a box of records. "Ego" stood out to me and actually scared me a little with the severed finger and odd inner photo. All very intriguing to a 10 year old. I could not get the title song out of my head, and the rest of the songs were/are great too. I had no idea they were Australian or even popular. Never heard of them outside of that one album.

[1sababoy]

This was such a fun band! RIP Shirley.

[riffmagos]

A very very underrated band. A shame really, because Shirl's vocals are very well done. Nice guitar work too. Fantastic song writing. The secret is that this still sounds great even now in 2010

[orwellwasrite]

The lead looks and sings bit like Leo Sayer.

[nzoz1975]

@orwellwasrite

I can see why you draw the comparison (incidently, Leo now resides in Sydney), but I think Skyhooks, particularly Shirley, display a wry sense of performance, that may not have been accepted by the UK mainstream (which Leo was a part of).

Only in Australia could Skyhooks make # 1 hits.

[undeademo666]

@nzoz1975 and they did and they will remain apart of australia's early music history

[Perizada]

@nzoz1975 You are so right

[nzoz1975]

@Perizada thank u

[genericgeorge]

Classic Hooks great time for aussie rock

[valburge]

I'm very amused at some of the comments.. As if Shirl and the boys were trying to compete with Pink Floyd and King Crimson.. lololol!! They were five Aussie boys having a good time making music and they struck the right chord at the right time.

For those who don't like Skyhooks, go listen to Sherbert instead, that was always the way it worked.

For the rest of us, we just loved Skyhoooks because they were good old alternative, stick-it-up-your-nose Skyhooks. Bugger off if you don't like them!

[nzoz1975]

@valburge oh thank you... you said it perfectly! Seriously, what prick in their right mind would raise Pink Floyd, King Crimson and Brian Eno to people who like Skyhooks... Brian Eno would laugh, Skyhooks would laugh and probably become great drinking mates, laughing at how much of a moron Matt is...

Humourless people like that can cause anybody with sense to drink.

[weeman1999999]

@valburge Well said.

[mastertusk]

@valburge yeah..at the time it was sherbet or skyhooks...skyhooks for me..I bought the album..first one ever for me...sherbet were pretty good though looking back...I was only about 9 at the time....then came aussie crawl and cold chisel...aussie crawl for me...is there a pattern...not really. I was at Cold Chisel's Last Stand concert...so its all good.

[ace69er]

@valburge Hea hear! Graeme Shirley Strachan, 1 of natures Gentlemen! A cousin of mine, sadly missed!

RIP Shirl!

[Multi1628]

@valburge I like all the serious groups you all are talking about, but they are well known in the U.S. I just discovered this group in 2010, and they are fun. Lots of room in this world for every musical expression!

[XxSKITTL97LIPSXx]

Great Video<3

[AlburyAustralia]

Oh yeah to establish yourself in the/unto your own world is definitely the way to go, (at the risk of being told to f**k off by admirers)- these blokes had the basics before the brawls!-In that to be fair I mean that in order to have a good ego is to know how to take regular pindicked violence in offence of your persona as water off a ducks back!

[inkimuff]

Oh wow, I remember this :-)  They just don't make 'em like they used to... When it was originally broadcast, though, didn't Shirl do a live vocal to it?

[angstmonkey1]

Red Symons <3

[mattydigs]

I like good music. This is terrible. and yea the ego is a bad thing you idiots.

[nzoz1975]

@mattydigs

Hmmm... you're a stuck up arrogant cunt, making comment on a video that really isn't any of your business and is only up here for those who like it. Seeing as you've found no valuable in it, would it not be best to piss off quietly? We don't care if you like good music. We don't care what you think of this. Take your own comment about ego and apply it to yourself moron.

Don't reply, just fuck off and let us like it!

[SoundsIUsedToHear]

@nzoz1975

i could not have said it better myself. however, i also wouldn't bother replying to somebody who lacks maturity and the consideration that most of the comments are positive. i used to play this band on radio at the time they toured the US (1976, I recall) and had grown a love for their wit, charm and irony. 'Ego' is not a bad thing, but when mixed with arrogance, resorts to ignorance. I don't have this immaturity at age 28 and I haven't developed it since. The man is a moron.

[weeman1999999]

@mattydigs  Fuck off pinhead.

[llandod77]

@mattydigs these guys go ok, it was the 70s, better than a lot of the shit out there now days. Your prob an uneducated american muso

[mattydigs]

@llandod77 Iron Butterfly,King Crimson,Hugh Masekela, Brian Eno's pop albums were in the 70's. THAT is some great shit. Bowie and Led Zeppelin should be noted as well. But i see your point.. not a whole lot of good stuff in the 70's.. i tend to agree. Disco sucked, prog (for the most part) sucked, funk is OK, punk sucked and whatever this repetitive junk is sucked too. Fuck you all

[nzoz1975]

@mattydigs

Yep, with attempting to flex a certain aquired taste, you've just come across as a cliche - a stereotype of a rock music lover - like somebody that studied to critic's Bible of Rock and have joined a list of pompus music lovers... most actually haven't got an individual concept of what music actually is. Your signing off shows that you've still got plenty of flies to brush away and in general, you come across as a stuck-up arrogant prick. Now that, my 'friend', is criticism.

[mattydigs]

@nzoz1975 What acquired taste am I attempting to flex? Just in those 4 artists alone there is diversity just from Brian Eno's output to Hugh Masekela is like apples to coconuts. What the hell are you talking about? Since when is Hugh Masekela stereotypical music snob stuff?

But here is something that is cliche.. I forgot to mention Pink Floyd. in my original list.

So instead of explaining to me why this is great you're just going to engage in a futile attempt to slag me down? good try

[nzoz1975]

@mattydigs

Don't act dumb. I know Brian Eno's work and no matter how diverse his catelogue is, there is no escaping the fact that his work is for a selective few, next to the great masses. You were trying to flex a certain superiority attitude when you made these comments and don't think anybody is going to see it other wise.

I am not going to explain to you why Skyhooks or anything else I have uploaded is good, because its not my place to influence people. Continue...

[nzoz1975]

The main thing I dislike is when somebody thinks they can leave a shitty comment on a video that isn't any of their business. Expect people to answer to your comment. This is what happens when you leave a comment like that.

Are you really that immature that you fail to see the flaw in these actions. I've come across many videos that I do not like, but why would I bother commenting? Do you think there's anything to be achieved?

Just move on. I told you not to bother responding.

[RHYSTREVITHICK]

@nzoz1975

You have a great way of explaining yourself nzoz1975! Keep Up The Good Work! Tell Them!

[nzoz1975]

@RHYSTREVITHICK thank you!!!

[nzoz1975]

@llandod77 He's just a young (well, not that much younger than myself) self-absorbed jerk - probably mentally frustrated with his surroundings and the lack of his own personal success (because successful people are often too busy to point out flaws in others) and in general, just didn't expect people to answer back to him.

He is hating what he is reading and he will take time to think of a winning response. He's just a self-important troll. They're all the same.

[RHYSTREVITHICK]

@mattydigs

Why are you so rude? if you dont like it keep it to your self

[nzoz1975]

@RHYSTREVITHICK because the guy is selfish, self-orientated and narrow-minded.  I'm not saying he is narrow-minded because he doesn't like the song nor band. I am saying this because even though he cottoned on that this has nothing to do with him, he still put his turd of an opinion where it really wasn't wanted and in doing so, represents himself badly. People with a streak of self-importance often make this mistake.

[Rumiton]

@nzoz1975 OTOH...ego is not a dirty word!

[thaiav8r]

A well remembered band of talents. I remembered hiring them for our boarding school dance in Melbourne back in 1974 before they released their first single and become big stars. ....These sings bring back a lot of fond memories.

[MazterGuitarz]

@thaiav8r

Yeah their, kind of geniouses, it's 70:s

but still I love to listen to them after all this years..

Must be some quality to this songs-.....?

Otherwise,

search me...

[slenderlovingcare]

I am only 22 but this music just kicks the ASS of the shit I hear on the radio today.

Shirley looks so damn young, can't believe that voice comes out of him.

[genericgeorge]

@slenderlovingcare yep a truly great singer. Reminds me of Mickey Dolenz...another underrated singer

[hussky18]

man i wish i lived back in these days music was so much better,as what alot of things..my parents grew up in the 70's and they said the skyhooks were massive in aust.

[KnowThyself24]

i like the guitarist pretty awesome....

[nimbus2506]

HAHAHAHHA @ eagle.... :)

I just heard they could be reforming

omgggg

<3 =D

[KB4th]

What a loss, Shirl, Agro and the Bandaid Collection.... RIP my friends.

[trippylippy1]

yay, skyhooks!

... if it wasnt for you guys, we might still be living in the 'rocker' days!

U kept the rebellious 60's happening!

[JacquiViolet]

Hahaha... my little brother use to think the words were "EAGLE.. IS NOT A DIRTY BIRD"........ hahahaha

[nzoz1975]

lol

[Tjmusic93]

@JacquiViolet hahahahah!

[freedomsoldier187]

@JacquiViolet I used to think it was eagle too :(

[OneHectare]

@JacquiViolet @nzoz1975 I thought "I'm living in the seven-tiies" was: "I'm never, never 17" !

[canihasusernamepls]

@JacquiViolet

I used to think the words were "ego, inside a gollywog". of course back then, i couldnt decipher lyrics very well, if they made no sense i wouldnt question it.

[peterchoyce]

"A fridge full of Leonard Cohen" ??

This was played a lot on WBCN Boston (Hellllo Maxanne!) 75- before 77 rock was pretty dim but we had the NY DOLLS but SKYHOOKS were even better. So shirley was M? I never could tell.

Remember the BANANA in the pants fad? (Roger Daltry!) The import LP had the boys standing in tight white pants!

CHarles- was 'Y DONT y'all get fucked' BM song of the week? I remember a bleeped out version. Same time as LENNON parody, Geniuses pain. ye BCN bleepin days

[jonnygno1]

my older sister had pen pal aus sent her lp of skyhooks ended up in my collection ace.

[gmtbrs]

Fuckin helicopters! Champ you were Shirl, rock on.

[MicMogul]

@gmtbrs and he was doing a great radio show on Triple M in Brissy for breakfast round that time.

[matonmagic]

God that was good music. They could remake that today. Idf like to see the Hill Top Hoods take that on. Give Red and Greg and Shirley there rights again.

[rashchallenge74]

Top quality. Just rediscovering Skyhooks after many years and loving it all again. Brilliant.

[19rudest62]

Hey Folks, I live on the Sunny Coast of QLD Shirley was an avid Chopper pilot, as it turns out I know someone who owns a Chopper business on the Coast and Knew Shirl, he said Shirl was one of natures Gentlemen a top bloke avid flyer just a top oz bloke, Shirl I do hope your flying high in the Great Beyond.

[snell196888]

Go Skyhooks go Freo ha ha

[davidg5969]

Listen to Axl Rose singing welcome to the jungle and don't tell me you can't hear Shirley Strachan

[JacksonMooresExotics]

This is a great song.

[whatzupa]

He's a great singer. RIP.

I can't think of any white male singer that compares today. The all do that faux alpha male thing now with no charisma.

I used to like Enrique, but after seeing him in concert I realised what a dumb shit he was. He also insulted all the males in the audience which didn't go down well with me, because I was there to hear the music.

[currawongee]

go melbourne

[TheGlenguy1958]

Australian music would not be what it is today without this band and AC/DC. I was at their concerts in the 70's 80' & their comeback in the 90's. This music makes you feel alive & happy. Enjoy it!!!

[meeeee1968]

skyhooks stood outside the norm

but their talent and music made sure they got the recognition they deserved,

god they were polished

some amazing songs that still are fresh today, what amazing vocals

rip shirl u legend !!!!!!!!

[toasterbot84]

lol love this song this is the first song i knew from skyhooks 

red is soo....emotionless = ]

[kioriboo]

O.O ok then... *runs away

[neofaustian]

Heroin acid speed I don't know what they were on but it worked.

[tjwfiddler]

There's a live version of this song where they replace the word "Ego" with "Sex" on the "Live be in it" album

[kornonyatv]

great song =]

[sp1midholm]

I was 16 at the time and loved Skyhooks. This song still sounds fresh today.

[creepingnet]

Favorited, because this is just too freakin hilarious...

[highervoltage2]

skyhooks were an example of everything that went wrong with music in 70s Aus.

[MicMogul]

I disagree with this, but a comment sure to stir passions.

Very autobiographical song for many.

[highervoltage2]

don't know, there's so much underrated stuff from the 60's that's far better than this yet this remains popular still. All I ever see mentioned is easybeats, loved ones, etc but buried beneath that are countless good bands like the type of groups found on the compilation ugly things.

[highervoltage2]

just because I dont like skyhooks? sheesh man whatever, it just seems a bit unfair to judge before you at least look past this shit and go on to listen to something better

[FromYesterdaii]

They're also the perfect example of what makes a fourteen year old wish they were alive at the time. :)

[nzoz1975]

my mum who was 14 at the time doesn't seem to care

[shakypam]

I was 12 and it worked for me. Maybe your mum was a sherbet slag nzoz1975? ;)

[crankerny]

Local radio station WSAY 1370 am played this classic to death back in the day !!!!

[therealsoulproduct]

Shirley had such a great Rock tenor voice. It was like the link between Robert Plant and Jack Russell (from Great White).

[znotty]

poor old shirl,good singer,bad pilot.

[fufarose]

Great chilhood memories,love it!

[Rockcritic97]

Is the guitarist with the feathery scarf and a moustache Red? I've forgotten

[cutealex]

Red Symonds is the one wearing a church costume

[potsmokerdudeman]

he looks stupid aye

[stuckdan]

stupid awesome, i think you meant

[potsmokerdudeman]

yeh he can play guitar like heaps good

[CrymeTymeRule]

yeah he does i couldn't even tell it was him

[Pipes1958]

That was Bongo Starkie with scarf

[Rockcritic97]

Skyhooks are great awesome video provider, love the guitar riffs. And sailtheseaofcheese, don't bag the ding

[sailtheseaofcheese]

that DING noise is so annoying

[oinkysqueak]

I saw skychooks in 1972 at blacktown oval for a 2 double jay concert when they were unknown band. Was this song off their first record I cant remember ;-)

[nzoz1975]

second