Emerging onto the vibrant inner-city Melbourne music scene in late 1979, The Crackajacks made a significant impact during a peak in punk and new wave, albeit while still maintaining an underground profile. This group of young musicians was uniquely assembled to explore the music of early rockabilly artists, particularly the more obscure figures, positioning themselves as pioneers of a burgeoning rockabilly revival in Australia and beyond. Their commitment to authenticity saw them draw inspiration from the original rockabilly sound, tapping into a musical era that had largely faded from mainstream recognition.
At that time, the market for classic rockabilly recordings was limited, with only sporadic commercial successes from artists like Major Matchbox, Shakin' Stevens, and Queen’s "Crazy Little Thing Called Love." Unlike these acts, which offered a modern interpretation of the genre, The Crackajacks sought to delve deeper into rockabilly's roots. Guitarist Warren Rough, a seasoned musician from the 'ockabilly' band The Autodrifters, along with his bandmates, became well-versed in rockabilly history, partly through their explorations at Hound Dog's Bop Shop, a renowned record store in West Melbourne. The original lineup also included Charlie Paine on bass, Mick Lyon/Black on drums, and the charismatic Rick Newton as the frontman.
The rapidly changing music landscape saw Au-Go Go Records and Missing Link eager to capitalize on any act with genuine street credibility. Consequently, just months after their initial performances, The Crackajacks were invited to record in a small backyard studio. Although the results were not particularly remarkable and have since faded from memory, their subsequent session at York Street Studio with engineer David "Daffy" Williams proved more fruitful. There, the band produced an electrifying rendition of "Long Blond Hair," alongside a compelling version of "Stranger Than Fiction." "Long Blond Hair," originally by Johnny Powers (also known in Australia as Johnny "Scat" Brown), and "Stranger Than Fiction," penned by "Groovey" Joe Poovey, showcased the band's ability to reinterpret lesser-known songs into something resonant with contemporary audiences. Released in March 1980, the single became Au Go Go's top seller, receiving acclaim both domestically and internationally. Newton remarked at the time that finding a follow-up would be challenging—an assertion that has proven accurate over the years.
With the arrival of The Stray Cats, the rockabilly sound underwent a transformation, melding with new wave and punk influences. "Long Blond Hair" emerged as both the band's signature song and a weighty expectation. A deal was struck with Astor Records to distribute the single, but mainstream radio remained unresponsive. Astor eventually withdrew interest in funding an album through Missing Link, particularly as the company was in the process of being sold to Polygram. This led to the single being released for a third time after Missing Link secured a new partnership with the larger independent label Powderworks and distributor RCA. This iteration included a fresh B-side and was accompanied by a music video, although one reviewer noted the song's longevity had rendered it somewhat stale.
The band experienced changes in their lineup, with Peter Patter joining as the album neared completion, though Jack Cracka ultimately took over on bass by the time of the album's release. With "Can't Do Without You" b/w "Go Cat Go" as the new single, the effort was solid but lacked the distinctive flair of "Long Blond Hair." As this single struggled to gain traction, the distribution challenges faced by Powderworks, which was establishing an independent network, further complicated matters. Consequently, The Crackajacks' album fell victim to these disruptions, and the band's momentum began to wane.
Compounding these challenges was a meticulously crafted yet uninspiring album cover by artist Jeff Fisher and the decision to omit the original version of "Long Blond Hair" from the album, opting instead for a remixed version. The fate of "Little Heart Attacks" remains uncertain, as the lack of royalty statements from Powderworks leaves the exact number of copies sold ambiguous.
Despite these setbacks, The Crackajacks continued to perform, undergoing various lineup changes over the years. They even embarked on a revival tour in 1989, during which Newton had adopted the name Rick O'Shea after fronting the more country-influenced band "The Crummy Cowboys" for several years, while Rough remained active in roots music with The Paramount Trio, a group with which he continues to perform to this day.
