Draft:Shakir Pichler

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Shakir Pichler
Shakir Pichler performing
Shakir Pichler performing
Background information
Birth nameShakir Pichler
Born (1967-08-01) August 1, 1967 (age 57)
Perth, Western Australia, Australia
OriginPerth, Western Australia
InstrumentsDrums, vocals
Years active1984–present

Shakir Pichler[1] (born August 1967) is an Australian musician, drummer, singer, and film industry professional. He is best known for his work in several influential Australian underground rock bands including The Bamboos, The Kryptonics[2], and The Howlin’ Moondoggies. He is also known for his stunt and vehicle coordination work in feature films such as Mission: Impossible II and Ghost Rider.[3]

Early life

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Shakir Pichler was born in Perth, Western Australia. He began drumming as a teenager and joined his first band, The Kryptonics, in 1984 at age 17.[4]

Music career

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The Kryptonics (1984–1986)

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Pichler joined garage punk band The Kryptonics[5] and performed on their debut single Plastic Imitation / Baby (1985, Cherry Top). The single was accompanied by a music video for “Baby”. He left the group in early 1986 when he was poached by The Bamboos.[6]

The Bamboos (1986–1987)

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In early 1986, Pichler joined Perth-based swamp rock outfit The Bamboos. He played drums on releases including Snuff / Virginia, Dead Girl (flexi), and the Born Killer EP. He toured nationally supporting bands such as Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds and The Cramps. He departed in 1987 and was replaced by Russell Hopkinson.[7][8]

The New Egyptian Kings (1991)

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Pichler briefly collaborated with Nick Sheppard of The Clash in a side project known as The New Egyptian Kings.[9]

The Howlin’ Moondoggies (1990s–ongoing)

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Pichler led the Sydney-based rockabilly trio The Howlin’ Moondoggies, performing upright drums and lead vocals. The band released Doggie Style (1999), Chasin’ Pussy (2003, reissued 2024), and The Last Leg (2004). Music videos included “Pistol Fast Cadillac” and “Pieces”.[10]

Fink (2001)

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He released the single and video Stupid Boy with the band Fink.[11]

Brutal Pancho (2002-2007)

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Pichler fronted glam-punk band Brutal Pancho, which released the single Rock Hard & Ready (Perris Records, USA) and contributed tracks to the compilation Hollywood Hairspray Vol. 6. Songs “Lock n Load” and “Imaginary Girl” appeared on DVD soundtracks.[12]

Amphetish (2007)

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He toured as drummer with Amphetish during an East Coast tour supporting US punk band The WishYouWerés, and produced the video “Sleep Forever”.[13]

The Terraces (2013)

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In 2013, Pichler played in all-star punk rock supergroup "The Terraces" with members of Rose Tattoo and One Way System. Their cover of “Complete Control” featuring Nick Sheppard of The Clash received world-wide coverage in Vive Le Rock magazine.[14]

Film and TV career

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Pichler has worked as a stunt rider, action vehicle coordinator, and precision driver on multiple film and television productions:[15]

  • Mission: Impossible II (2000) – Action vehicles[16]
  • Ghost Rider (2007) – Action vehicles[17]
  • Fat Pizza: The Movie (2003) – actor[18] (played mob boss)
  • Nightmares & Dreamscapes (TV, 2006) – Set Construction
  • Dirt Music (2020) - Action vehicle coordinator
  • Jasper Jones (2017) - Action vehicle coordinator & Precision scene driver
  • Breath (2017) - Action vehicle coordinator
  • 1% (aka Outlaws, 2017) - Action vehicle coordinator & stunt double Motorcycle rider
  • Hounds of Love (2016) - Action vehicle coordinator
  • Last Days of the Space Age (2023) – Disney+ series; Action vehicle coordinator and stunt/body double for Iain Glen[19]
  • On Our Selection - Art department
  • Lucinda 31 - Set dresser
  • Commercials for Kahlúa, Yellow Pages, Claritine (USA) [20]

Discography

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With The Kryptonics

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  • Plastic Imitation / Baby (7″, 1985 – Cherry Top)
  • Plastic Imitation / Baby + Bonus track "As long as you're mine" (7″, 1985 – Cherry Top)
  • Music video:
  • Rejectionville (compilation CD, 2007 – Memorandum)[21]

With The Bamboos

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  • Snuff / Virginia (7″, 1986 – Citadel)
  • Dead Girl (flexi, 1986 – Citadel)
  • Born Killer (EP, 1987 – Citadel)
  • Rarer Than Rockinghorse Shit (cassette, 1986 – Cleopatra)
  • Music videos:

With The Howlin’ Moondoggies

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  • Doggie Style (1999)
  • Chasin’ Pussy (2003; reissued 2024)
  • The Last Leg (2004)
  • Music videos:

With Fink

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  • Stupid Boy (2001 single and video) [7][24]

With Brutal Pancho

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  • Rock Hard & Ready (2007 – Perris Records USA)
  • “Lock n Load” (DVD soundtrack)
  • “Imaginary Girl” (DVD soundtrack)
  • Music videos:

With Amphetish

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  • Sleep Forever (2007 music video) [11][26]

With The Terraces

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Recognition and notability

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Pichler is documented in several notable publications, including:

  • The Who’s Who of Australian Rock (5th edition, 2002)[28]
  • Coverage in major music press such as Drum Media Sydney, UK’s Kerrang!, Xpress magazine Perth, Daily News Newspapers Perth, and Deathrow Magazine UK
  • Featured in countless interviews and articles during band releases and film roles
  • Appeared on national radio (Triple J), radio RTR (6UVS FM) and was reviewed in WA’s Daily News[29]
  • Appeared on national television music show ABC "Rage" and on Foxtel "Channel V".

Further reading

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  • McFarlane, Ian. The Who’s Who of Australian Rock. 5th ed. Melbourne: Five Mile Press, 2002. ISBN 9781741240295. Entry: “Shakir Pichler”.
  • Drum Media. “The Howlin’ Moondoggies: Upright and Outta Control”. Issue 378, Sydney, 1999, pp. 23–24.
  • Kerrang! Magazine (UK). “Swamp Punk Outta Perth: Brutal Pancho’s Biker Rock Invasion”. Issue 821, 2007.
  • Deathrow Magazine (UK). “Interview with Shakir Pichler: The Howlin' MoonDoggies”. Vol. 6, Issue 2, 1999.
  • Daily News WA. “Scandal: Shakir Pichler quits band mid tour!”. March 10, 1986.
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References

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  1. ^ "Who's who of Australian rock / compiled by Chris Spencer, Zbig Nowara & Paul McHenry | Catalogue | National Library of Australia". catalogue.nla.gov.au. Retrieved 2025-06-23.
  2. ^ "Divine Rites : Noise for Heroes - Kryptonics". www.divinerites.com. Retrieved 2025-06-23.
  3. ^ McFarlane, Ian. The Who’s Who of Australian Rock. 5th ed. Melbourne: Five Mile Press, 2002. ISBN 9781741240295.
  4. ^ Drum Media. “The Howlin’ Moondoggies: Upright and Outta Control”. Issue 378, Sydney, 1999, pp. 23–24.
  5. ^ "Divine Rites : Noise for Heroes - Kryptonics". www.divinerites.com. Retrieved 2025-06-23.
  6. ^ Discogs: Shakir Pichler
  7. ^ McFarlane, Ian. The Who’s Who of Australian Rock. 5th ed., 2002.
  8. ^ Kerrang! Magazine (UK). “Swamp Punk Outta Perth: Brutal Pancho’s Biker Rock Invasion”. Issue 821, 2007.
  9. ^ Deathrow Magazine (UK). “Interview with Shakir Pichler: Blood, Bruises and Brutal Pancho”. Vol. 6, Issue 2, 1999.
  10. ^ Drum Media. Issue 378, 1999.
  11. ^ Discogs: Fink
  12. ^ Kerrang! Issue 821, 2007.
  13. ^ Bandcamp and YouTube archives, 2007.
  14. ^ Vive Le Rock. Issue 24, UK, 2014.
  15. ^ IMDB: Shakir Pichler [1]
  16. ^ https://shotonwhat.com/o/527579/shakir-pichler
  17. ^ https://shotonwhat.com/o/527579/shakir-pichler
  18. ^ https://www.saltypopcorn.co.uk/movies/fat-pizza
  19. ^ Disney+ press release, 2023.
  20. ^ Local WA news coverage, 2003.
  21. ^ Discogs: The Kryptonics
  22. ^ Discogs: The Bamboos
  23. ^ Drum Media, 1999.
  24. ^ Discogs: Fink
  25. ^ Kerrang! Issue 821, 2007.
  26. ^ YouTube video, 2007.
  27. ^ Vive Le Rock, 2014.
  28. ^ McFarlane, Ian. The Who’s Who of Australian Rock. 5th ed. 2002.
  29. ^ Daily News WA. “Drummer’s Wild Ride From Perth to Pizza”. March 10, 2003.