Warumpi is the name of a honey-ant dreaming site near the Aboriginal settlement of Papunya, 250 km west of Alice Springs in the Northern Territory.
In 1983, the Warumpi Band released the first-ever rock tune in an Aboriginal language (Luritja) – “Jailanguru Pakamu”.
The following year they released their debut album Big Name No Blankets, and toured the major Australian cities to much critical acclaim. In 1985 they embarked on a tour of Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands and Vanuatu.
Midnight Oil became inspired by Warumpi Band’s outback touring and, in 1986, took part in a month long tour of Aboriginal communities accompanied by the Warumpi boys. It was after this tour that the band recorded Go Bush.
From mid 1987 to 1992 the band took a break, while Neil Murray released the first of his two solo albums.
In 1992 the band performed at the nationally televised Stompem Ground Festival held in Broome. The next year they toured regional NSW as part of Carnivale Live On Tour. Other performers included Tiddas, Kev Carmody, Roger Knox and Euraba.
The Warumpi Band travelled and performed all over Europe during 1995, touching base in Germany, France, Poland, Switzerland, Italy and the UK.
In September they signed up with CAAMA Music and recorded Too Much Humbug which was released the following year.
In 1999 Warumpi Band played Sydney’s Big Day Out.
In 2000 Warumpi front man George Rrurrumbu released his solo album Nerbu Message, featuring the five-piece outfit Bomba.
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