The Lipstick Killers formed in 1978 in Sydney, Australia out of the remnants of two other bands: The Pyschosurgeons, which had featured guitarist Mark Taylor and bassist Kim Giddy, and Filth, which had included vocalist Peter Tillman. They took their main influences from American early 70s punk bands such as the Stooges, MC5 and the New York Dolls (whom they took their name from), and also 60s garage rock groups such as the Thirteenth Floor Elevators and the Chocolate Watch Band. The Lipstick Killers’ output was limited in their original time to just one double A-sided single, ‘Hindu Gods in Love/Shakedown USA’, which came out in 1979 on small local independent label, Lost in Space Records, in an edition of 1,000 copies and was produced by Deniz Tek from Radio Birdman. With Michael Charles replacing original drummer David Taylor shortly beforehand, The Lipstick Killers moved to Los Angeles. While they won fans such as Keith Morris from Black Flag and influential music journalist Byron Coley, they otherwise made little impression on the L.A. scene. Giddy left and was succeeded for their last few months by Stephen Mather, but they broke up as a result of poverty in late 1981. Since their demise, a small but intense cult following has continued to build around The Lipstick Killers. A second single, ‘Sockman’, which featured demos, was released on Australian label, Vi-Nil Records, in late 1984, and was followed in early 1985 on Citadel Records by a live album, ‘Mesmerizer’, which was recorded at one of their rare L.A. shows.
