Warumpi Band facts for kids

The Warumpi Band was an Australian music group that played a mix of country and Aboriginal rock music. They formed in 1980 in a remote place called Papunya, in the Northern Territory, Australia.

The first members were George Burarrwanga on vocals and didgeridoo, Gordon Butcher Tjapanangka on drums, his brother Sammy Butcher Tjapanangka on guitar and bass, and Neil Murray on rhythm guitar and backing vocals. Their songs were sung in English, Luritja, and Gumatj languages.

Some of their most famous songs include "Jailanguru Pakarnu" (1983), "Blackfella/Whitefella" (1985), and "My Island Home" (1987). They released three albums: Big Name, No Blankets (1985), Go Bush! (1987), and Too Much Humbug (1996). The band mostly stopped performing from 1987 to 1995 while Neil Murray worked on his own music. In 1995, the singer Christine Anu covered "My Island Home," which became very popular. The Warumpi Band got back together for a while but officially broke up in 2000. George Burarrwanga sadly passed away in 2007.

The Band's Journey: How Warumpi Band Started

The Warumpi Band began in 1980 in Papunya, a small community about 240 kilometers (about 150 miles) northwest of Alice Springs in the Northern Territory. They played country and Aboriginal rock music. Neil Murray was a teacher and worker from Victoria who met local brothers Gordon Butcher Tjapanangka and Sammy Butcher Tjapanangka. They were from the Luritja people. Sammy's brother-in-law, George Rrurrambu Burarrwanga, who was visiting from Elcho Island, joined them.

Neil played rhythm guitar, Gordon played drums, Sammy played guitar and bass, and George sang and played the didgeridoo. The name 'Warumpi' comes from a Luritja word for a "honey-ant dreaming site" near Papunya. The band was first called Warumpinya Band, meaning "the band from Warumpinya," but they later shortened it to Warumpi Band. Many different musicians played with the band over the years. Neil Murray and George Burarrwanga were the most constant members.

Early Music and First Hit Song

The band started by playing popular rock 'n' roll songs. They toured around the Northern Territory and the Kimberley region in Western Australia. In 1983, they were voted the best band at the Aboriginal Country Music Festival. By then, they were writing and playing more of their own songs.

In October 1983, they released their first song, "Jailanguru Pakarnu." This means Out from Jail in the Luritja language. It was the first rock song ever released in an Aboriginal language. This song made people across Australia interested in the band, and they traveled to cities like Melbourne and Sydney to perform and appear on TV.

Growing Popularity and First Album

The Warumpi Band became very popular in Sydney's pub rock scene. They even opened shows for the famous Australian band Midnight Oil. In 1985, Warumpi Band signed with Midnight Oil's record label, Powderworks. They released their first album, Big Name, No Blankets, in April 1985.

This album included the important song "Blackfella/Whitefella," which came out in October. Music expert Ian McFarlane said the album was "an honest, enduring and bare-boned slice of indigenous country music." After the album, the band toured all over Australia and even played in Papua New Guinea, the Solomon Islands, and Vanuatu.

The Blackfella/Whitefella Tour and New Music

In 1986, Midnight Oil and Warumpi Band went on a special tour called the Blackfella/Whitefella Tour. They traveled to many very remote parts of Australia. This tour helped bring attention to important issues like land rights for Aboriginal people.

After this tour, the Butcher brothers left the band. George Burarrwanga and Neil Murray then recorded their second album, Go Bush! It was released in April 1987. This album featured the song "My Island Home," which Neil Murray wrote for George Burarrwanga after visiting George's home on Elcho Island.

Later Years and Legacy

The Blackfella/Whitefella Tour also inspired Midnight Oil's album, Diesel and Dust (1987), which became a worldwide hit. This helped bring more attention to Aboriginal rights and reconciliation. However, for Warumpi Band, it was hard to balance their music careers with their family lives.

By the end of 1988, Neil Murray started his own solo music career. The band would still get together sometimes for special shows. In 1995, Christine Anu, a singer who had worked with Neil Murray, released a very popular cover version of "My Island Home."

Soon after, George Burarrwanga, Sammy Butcher, and Neil Murray reunited the Warumpi Band for a tour in Europe. In April 1996, they released their third album, Too Much Humbug. The song "Stompin' Ground" from this album was nominated for an award at the ARIA Music Awards of 1997.

After 1996, the band only played together occasionally for festivals. In 2000, Neil Murray left Warumpi Band to focus on his solo career. George Burarrwanga continued to perform alone and released a reggae album called Nerbu Message in 2004. He included his own version of "My Island Home," sung in his native Gumatj dialect. George passed away on Elcho Island in 2007. Sammy Butcher still works in music, helping young people record their songs in Alice Springs. He also released his own album of guitar music called Desert Surf Guitar in 2002.

In 2015, a special collection called Warumpi Band 4 Ever was released. It included all three of the band's albums and some extra songs.

Band Members

Many different people played in the Warumpi Band over the years. Some were temporary members for tours or recordings. From late 1987 to early 1995, the band was not very active as members worked on other things.

• George Rrurrambu Burarrwanga – vocals, didgeridoo (1980–2000)
• Gordon Butcher Tjapanangka – drums (1980–1987, 1996)
• Sammy Butcher Tjapanangka – bass guitar, guitar (1980–2000)
• Neil Murray – guitar, songwriter (1980–2000)
• Brian Butcher – bass guitar (1983)
• Murray Cook – keyboards (1987)
• Alan Murphey – drums (1987)
• Kenny Smith – bass guitar (1987)
• Bill Heckenberg – drums (1996)
• Bill Jacobi – bass guitar, backing vocals
• Denis Minor – bass guitar
• Hilary Wirra – bass guitar

Discography: Warumpi Band Albums and Songs

This section lists the albums and singles released by the Warumpi Band.

Albums

Big Name, No Blankets

This was Warumpi Band's first album. It was recorded in Sydney in just five days and released in 1985. The album's title comes from something George Burarrwanga said to friends who thought the band must be rich because they were famous: "no we only got big name, no blankets."

Track listing

1. "Waru (Fire)"
2. "Blackfella/Whitefella"
3. "Breadline"
4. "Nyuntu Nyaaltjirriku (What Are You Going To Do)"
5. "Animal Song"
6. "Warumpinya (Papunya)"
7. "Wiima Tjuta (All the Kids)"
8. "Fitzroy Crossing"
9. "Mulga & Spinifex Plain"
10. "Gotta Be Strong"

Go Bush!

Warumpi Band's second album was released in 1987.

Track listing

1. "No Fear"
2. "Jailanguru Pakarnu (Out From Jail)"
3. "Yolngu Boy"
4. "Secret War"
5. "My Island Home"
6. "Didjeridoo Blue"
7. "Kintorelakutu (Towards Kintore)"
8. "Tjiluru Tjiluru (Sad and Lonely)"
9. "My Countryside"
10. "Falling Down"
11. "From the Bush"

Too Much Humbug

This was Warumpi Band's last album, released in 1996. The name "Too Much Humbug" refers to the pressure the band felt from people wanting them to release new music. In some Aboriginal communities, "humbug" means making too many demands.

Track listing

1. "Wayathul"
2. "Stompin' Ground"
3. "Makes You Feel"
4. "Never Change"
5. "Djulpan"
6. "Stars"
7. "Cold Weather"
8. "Marrayilyil"
9. "Joining My Life"
10. "Koori Man"
11. "Holdin' You in My Arms"
12. "We Shall Cry"
13. "Blackfella/Whitefella (Remake)"

Warumpi Band 4 Ever

This is a special collection of two CDs released in 2015. It includes all three of Warumpi Band's albums plus some extra songs.

Track listing - Bonus tracks

1. "Yaka Bayungu (I Have Nothing)" (live Broome 2000)
2. "Sitdown Money" (Powderworks A-side, 1986)
3. "Jailanguru Pakarnu (Out From Jail)" (Hot Records A-side, 1983)
4. "Route 66" (CAAMA cassette, 1983)
5. "It's All Over Now" (CAAMA cassette, 1983)
6. "Promised Land" (CAAMA cassette, 1983)
7. "Warumpi Rock" (CAAMA cassette, 1983)

Singles

Awards and Nominations

The ARIA Music Awards are big awards in Australia that celebrate the best music. Warumpi Band was nominated for several awards.

See also

• Luritja
• Gumatj language