Horror Movie: Skyhooks’ Glam Slam That Defined 1975 Australia
When Skyhooks released Horror Movie in 1974, it wasn’t just a song—it was a glitter-bombed jab at the telly that topped Australia’s charts. Out on Mushroom Records (K-5753), it hit No. 1 on March 31st, ’75, for two weeks, with a 27-week run. Written by bassist Greg Macainsh and produced by Ross Wilson, it launched from Living in the 70’s and debuted on Countdown the day Aussie TV went colour. Let’s explore its roots, its rise, and why it’s still a glam rock relic.
From Melbourne to the Masses
Skyhooks were Melbourne’s glam rebels by ’74, formed in ’73 around Macainsh’s witty songbook. Horror Movie—the second single off their debut—was his take on the nightly news, a ‘horror movie’ of fear and hype. Released in December ’74, it paired with B-side Carlton (Lygon Street Limbo), a love letter to Lygon Street’s vibe. Ross Wilson shaped it at TCS Studios, giving it punch without losing its edge. The band were already live-circuit darlings, but this track, tied to Countdown’s colour debut on March 1st, ’75, sent them stratospheric.
Chart Glory and Colour TV Fame
Charting on December 23rd, ’74, it peaked at No. 1, ousting The Carpenters’ Please Mr. Postman. It held for two weeks before Bob Hudson’s The Newcastle Song rolled in. Its 27 weeks landed it at No. 8 for ’75—a huge win for Mushroom’s young roster. That Countdown airing was key; as Australia’s screens lit up in colour, Graeme Strachan’s sequined strut made it unforgettable. It wasn’t just music—it was a cultural marker, outshining softer imports with local bite.
Glam with an Aussie Twist
In ’74, Australia was buzzing—Whitlam’s reforms, a loosening vibe, and pub rock’s raw energy. Skyhooks added glam’s flash—think Bowie, but with Melbourne sass. Horror Movie mocked TV’s scare tactics, a suburban lens on a global trend. The colour TV switch flipped a switch too—Countdown became a teen obsession, and Skyhooks were its poster kids. Their banned album track only fueled the hype; Horror Movie dodged the censors and won the airwaves.
A Lasting Echo
That riff, Strachan’s wail, the chorus—it’s instant ’70s. Living in the 70’s sold massive, but Skyhooks’ reign faded by decade’s end. Strachan’s 2001 death sealed their story, yet Horror Movie endures—Triple M’s ‘Ozzest 100’ proves it. It’s the sound of colour TV’s dawn, a glam snapshot that still sparks grins. Play it today, and you’re in ’75 Melbourne—bold, loud, and unapologetic. Got a Skyhooks memory? Share it below—I’d love to hear!