Warumpi Band was a pioneering Australian rock group that rose to fame in the 1980s, renowned for being among the first to incorporate Indigenous Australian language, culture, and social issues into contemporary rock music. Formed in the remote community of Papunya, Northern Territory, the band's core line-up consisted of George Rrurrambu Burarrawanga, a charismatic Yolngu frontman, guitarist Neil Murray, bassist Gordon Butcher and drummer Sammy Butcher, who belong to the Luritja people. Their music traversed rock, punk, and reggae influences, reflecting the diverse and dynamic cultural exchanges of Australia.

The band's discography, showcasing the raw energy and activism of their art, includes the albums "Big Name, No Blankets" (1985), "Go Bush!" (1987), and "Too Much Humbug" (1996). Each record contributed to the group's reputation for searingly honest lyrics and engaging sounds, capturing the attention of both Indigenous and non-Indigenous audiences. Though they disbanded in 2000, their legacy was celebrated through "Warumpi Band 4 Ever," a compilation released posthumously. The foundation laid by the Warumpi Band not only carved a pathway for future Indigenous artists but also forever altered the landscape of Australian music.

Genres

Australian Indigenous Music

Australian Rock

Latest Release

Warumpi Rock (Papunya Sessions, 1982)

Warumpi Band

Album - 18 Tracks - Released November 19, 2021