Jimmy & The Boys
There were moments on stage when vocalist Ignatius Jones ceased to
be human; when his bloodied face, bondage mask, obscene leotard,
dripping sweat and Neanderthal gyrations culminated in a grotesque
indefinable creature, both frightening and fascinating.
Like footage of Nazi Concentration Camps, Ignatius commanded
attention, no matter how horrifying the spectacle. Teetering
between drama and depravity, lunacy and lucidity and rock and
repugnance, Jimmy and The Boys could scarcely be described as just
a rock group.
Their performance, their visual image, their on
and offstage behaviour were all carefully designed to elicit the
maximum level of shocked outrage from a public long since bored
with the standard media fare of moral decadence.
This was no cheeky bunch of high spirited lads hurling TV sets
into motel swimming pools or taking immoral advantage of the local
mayor's daughter, this was hardcore, R-rated rock-theatre
delivered with the subtlety of Copenhagen porn. Sadomasochism,
transvestitism, self-mutilation, drug abuse, inebriation,
simulated sex and mock rape all took starring roles in Jimmy and
The Boys blisteringly paced tribute to cultural degeneracy.
The act revolved around vocalist Ignatius Jones (real name John
Trapaga) and transvestite keyboard player Joylene Hairmouth
(real name Bill O'Riordan) - a couple of good old boys from
Cranbrook and Riverview (exclusive private schools). Since 1976
the duo had been surrounded by various combinations of backing
musicians, the constant guts & gore probably accounting for at
least some of the member turnover.
The double-jointed, bisexual, Ignatius was an extraordinary
creature. Born of Spanish parents in Manila, It was obvious even
in the 70's that if he were not fronting a band he would certainly
be a celebrated figure in another avenue of the performing arts
(he went on to starring roles in musical theatre, cabaret and on
national television as well as being actively involved in areas of
fine art and dance).
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