The Fuckraker: Exploding White Mice 1983

Formed in Adelaide, Australia in 1983 when Paul Gilchrist on vocals played a one off gig as a covers band at a party with Andy MacQueen (former The Deviants, Crunch Pets) on bass guitar, Gerry Barrett on guitar (Del Webb Explosion) and Craig Rodda on drums (Screaming Believers). The bands name was taken from a scene in the 1979 film Rock and Roll High School, where a laboratory rat 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 1960's American 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 Stevens (Firm Grip, Spitfire, Tombstone Shadow). In 1985, Rodda was replaced on drums by David Bunny.
The group released four studio albums: Brute Force and Ignorance (Aug. 1988), Exploding White Mice (1990), Collateral Damage (1992), and We Walk Alone (1994). The band toured Europe twice before disbanding in 1999.

"A Nest of Vipers" E.P. 1985

Originally a covers band, "the Mice" began working on original tunes. In 1985, after adding David Bunny on drums, (Zippy and the Coneheads), they released a six-track E.P.: A Nest of Vipers on Australia's Greasy Pop Records. It was produced by Kim Horne. Also in 1985, their track "Down on the Street" appeared on the label's compilation album: An Oasis in a Desert of Noise.
In 1986, Sydney rock publication: RAM, named Nest of Vipers as the best Australian record of the year. The record was issued in the U.S. on Bigtime Records and renamed In A Nest of Vipers. But despite selling several thousand copies,the group received no royalties as Bigtime became insolvent soon after. During 1986 & 87, the group regularly toured major Australian cities and released a few 7" singles. In March of '87, the group released the single "Blaze of Glory" with the B-side being a cover of John Kongo's hit "He's Gonna Step on You Again" and in August of 1988 released their debut L.P.Brute Force and Ignorance which had been recorded and engineered by Cran Wilton at Soundworks studios in Kent Town. Shortly before it's release, Barrow left and was replaced by Dave Mason, formerly of Primevil's. In 1989, Jack Jacomos replaced Mason in turn.

In 1990, the group toured Europe and released a half-studio, half-live self titled L.P. on Germany's Normal Records. Shortly after, Gilchrist left (effectively changing the band's classic sound) and Stephens took over on lead vocals. In early 1991, they began recording Collateral Damage again at Soundworks Studios. However, when the Greasy Pop Record Company went out of business that year, they could not find a local distributor, and released it on Popular Records in Germany and NKVD Records in the United States. David's brother Andrew Bunny joined on rythm guitar. The groups final album was 1994's We Walk Alone on Au Go Go Records. Lucky Records (U.S.), Subway (Europe), and 12" Rock N Roll Inc 008 (Spain).
In 1994, the band had a cameo appearance in John Winters' 1994 film "The Roly Poly Man" as a "Punk Rock bar band from Hell."
In 1995, they re-released A Nest of Vipers with bonus tracks ("Blaze of Glory" and The Stooges' "Down on the Street") on Bastard records (CD) & Popular Records (LP).
In 1996, they issued a single: "Prepare to Die", and toured Europe with German band The Richies. They disbanded in 1999.

"Fear (Late at Night)" b/w "Without Warning" 1988

One of 10 copies of the "Fear (Late at Night)" 7" with this label on the B-Side
http://www.45cat.com/record/k539

"The black label with broken mouse image was created for the band by me [coodercat] while I was at Festival Records. There were only 10 of these pressed on red vinyl. Six went to the band and I kept the rest. One copy was given to the late "Rockin'" Ronnie Smith who unfortunately died much too early and took with him so much Rock & Roll history info. Heaven is a much better informed place now Ronnie is there!"
-cootercat 2 April, 2003