Caligula (band)

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Caligula
OriginSydney, Australia
GenresTechno-grunge
Years active1989-1995, 2017-present
Past membersAshley Rothschild
James McKinnon
Dave Macken
Jamie Fonti
Sean Fonti
Mitchell Foley
Dave Ross

Caligula are a band from Sydney, Australia, who produced electro rock music in the early 1990s. They released one studio album in 1994, Rubenesque, which peaked at number 13 on the ARIA album chart. Caligula toured with Depeche Mode, Pop Will Eat Itself, Ned's Atomic Dustbin, Ride, and Headless Chickens. The band reformed in 2017 and started recording and releasing new material in 2021.

History[edit]

Caligula formed in Sydney in 1990 and were composed of five members: vocalist Ashley Rothschild, guitarist James McKinnon, drummer Dave Macken, Jamie Fonti (keyboards and backing singer), and bass guitarist Sean Fonti. The band also included Dave Ross and Mitchell Foley as founding members. In 1990 and 1991, the band released two EPs,[1] before a compilation album including both EPs, titled Got One.

In 1994, they released their debut studio album Rubenesque and received national airplay on Triple J and Triple M with the song "Tears of a Clown" (Smokey Robinson & the Miracles cover) which reached #24 in the Australian singles chart.

Ashley Rothschild left Caligula, leading to their demise. The Fonti Brothers then created the band Primary with singer Connie Mitchell. Rothschild currently fronts the bands Panic Syndrome and Graveyard Rock Stars and teaches at Big Music Studios in Crows Nest.

In 2018 the band reunited to support Pop Will Eat Itself on the East Coast dates of their Australian tour.

Discography[edit]

Albums[edit]

Title Details Peak chart positions
AUS
[2]
Got One
  • Released: 1991
  • Label: Timberyard Records (SAW 015)
  • Format: CD
  • Compilation of Caligula and Got One EPs
-
Rubenesque
  • Released: March 1994
  • Label: Mercury, Phonogram (518994 2)
  • Format: CD
13

EPs[edit]

Title Details Peak chart positions
AUS
[2]
Caligula
  • Released: 1990
  • Label: Timberyard Records (SAW012)
  • Format: Vinyl
-
Got One
  • Released: 1991
  • Label: Timberyard Records (SAW015)
  • Format: Vinyl
-
The Bluff
  • Released: August 1991
  • Label: Mercury (868971-2)
  • Format: CD
96
I.C.U.
  • Released: April 1993
  • Label: Mercury (862043-2)
  • Format: CD
55

Singles[edit]

Title Year Peak chart positions Album
AUS
[2]
"Check Point" 1992 - The Bluff
"Tears of a Clown" 1993 25 Rubenesque
"Roundabout" 1994 64
"So Fine (Why Can't You See?)" -
"Fuzz" -

Awards[edit]

ARIA Music Awards[edit]

The ARIA Music Awards is an annual awards ceremony that recognises excellence, innovation, and achievement across all genres of Australian music. Caligula were nominated for one award.[3]

Year Nominee / work Award Result
1993 Caligula ARIA Award for Best New Talent Nominated

References[edit]

  1. ^ "Caligula" (PDF). Semper Floreat. 1 November 1991. p. 46. Retrieved 27 June 2023.
  2. ^ a b c Ryan, Gavin (2011). Australia's Music Charts 1988–2010 (pdf ed.). Mt. Martha, VIC, Australia: Moonlight Publishing.
  3. ^ "ARIA Awards Search Results - Caligula". ARIA Awards. ARIA Awards. Retrieved 1 August 2020.