Moonjuice music was played in Quiksilver stores worldwide, accompanied by surf footage. Tracks also released for Kelly Slater via Pavilion Productions, reaching surf culture audiences globally.
Songs selected by Kirk Pengilly of INXS for Layne Beachley's Life in the Fast Lane DVD, released through BMG.
Recorded with Daniel Jones, co-writer and producer behind Savage Garden's global catalogue.
Moonjuice formed in Brisbane in the late 1990s, founded by Douglas Lord and Nigel Kerr. Over approximately a decade, they performed at Brisbane's major venues including The Zoo, The Tivoli, The Troubadour, Ric's Bar, and The Healer, building a loyal following and finishing finalists in the Queensland Rock Awards.
Lord and Kerr wrote everything together across all versions of the band. Lord wrote most of the lyrics and some music. Kerr wrote most of the music and some lyrics. A partnership in the Jagger and Richards tradition, each crossing into the other's territory.
The band leaves behind five unreleased albums and approximately 300 hours of unreleased video footage. The full Moonjuice catalogue has never been heard. The current lineup of Douglas Lord, Nigel Kerr, Rowan Staples and Steven Bishop have not formally disbanded. A live return has not been ruled out.
Recordings with Daniel Jones opened doors. Kirk Pengilly of INXS selected songs for Layne Beachley's Life in the Fast Lane DVD through BMG. Tracks appeared on Kelly Slater's Trials and Triumphs through Pavilion Productions and Quiksilver in 2006.
The debut EP was released through MGM Distribution and Sci-Fi Records, mastered at 3:01 Studios in Sydney, with artwork by Franklin Johnson, Yellow House artist and Doug's uncle, brother of noted Australian abstract painter Michael Johnson.
Sero Sed Serio (2003)
Artwork by Franklin Johnson, Yellow House artist and Doug's uncle
Sero Sed Serio, "Late but in Earnest". Released through MGM Distribution, May 2003. Produced by Caleb James. Recorded at Psi-Fi Studios, Brisbane.
Tracks: Everybody · Get Up · Thank U · Surefire Woman.
Take It to Ten (2004)
Artwork: Michael Hoad
Take It to Ten. PSI-FI Records / MGM Distribution, 2004. Produced by Jeff Lovejoy, co-produced by Douglas Lord. Mastered at 301 Studios Sydney by Steve Smart.
Tracks: Take it to Ten · Make it Alright · Message to the Wise · Movin On · The Only One · Toxic.
Surefire Sessions (2006)
Artwork: Douglas Lord
Surefire Sessions. Released through Quiksilver, 2006. Produced by Daniel Jones. Arranged by Douglas Lord and Daniel Jones. Played in Quiksilver stores worldwide with surf footage.
Musicians: Ben Thompson (guitar, BV) · Jamie Sullivan (bass, BV, engineering) · Mick Skelton (drums, percussion) · Daniel Jones (percussion).
Douglas Lord and Nigel Kerr form Moonjuice in Brisbane, Queensland. Original songs, live shows, and a sound built for the rooms they played.
Debut EP released through MGM Distribution, May 2003. Produced by Caleb James, recorded at Psi-Fi Studios Brisbane. Studio sessions with Daniel Jones of Savage Garden also produced material for international releases. Artwork by Franklin Johnson, Yellow House artist and Doug's uncle.
Lindsay McKay, originally a drummer and later a renowned guitar technician who worked with David Bowie, Heart, The Black Crowes, INXS, Superjesus, and numerous artists worldwide, had played gigs with Moonjuice at the Sly Fox Hotel and Van Gogh's Earlobe when Darren Vowes was managing the band. McKay knew the music well. When Kirk Pengilly of INXS was looking for songs for Layne Beachley's project, the connection was made. Manager Sasha Dettori formalised the agreements with BMG. This was before the Daniel Jones sessions.
Kirk Pengilly of INXS selects Moonjuice songs for Layne Beachley's Life in the Fast Lane DVD, released through BMG.
Three tracks selected for Fox Sports Extreme Sports series, distributed to 52 countries in 2003. The Surefire Sessions EP played in Quiksilver stores worldwide with surf footage. Kelly Slater's Trials and Triumphs DVD (Pavilion Productions, 2006). The Gentleman Jack DVD produced through Michael Hennessey at Film Designs. Douglas Lord also appeared in the Film Designs music video Life Without a Ceiling for Brisbane band Mahala, alongside Jim Cass (Australian Muay Thai kickboxing champion), members of the Odin's Warriors MC, and kickboxers from the Valhalla stables, credited in the film as "Douglas Lord, Rock Star". Recording sessions with Daniel Jones of Savage Garden followed. Douglas Lord co-produced Take It to Ten and other recordings.
Lord and Kerr continue as the songwriting core. Steven Bishop joins on drums, founding member of Powderfinger, later of The Predators alongside Ian Haug and John Collins.
Lord goes on to found Digital Dominator and build Authority44™ and OGO1™. The music remains part of the story.
"Brisbane rock band Moonjuice have been kicking around since the early 1990s after pals Doug Lord and Nigel Kerr hooked up at Uni to write some tunes."
"In the company of Kings Of Leon and The Sights, Moonjuice bring the sounds of the 70s to a new audience... fully-formed rock-outs in the tradition of The Who and The Stones."
"Equipped with 70s West Coast harmonies and a fine collection of tunes, MoonJuice are set to impress... A top performance from a real class act.", Liam O'Neill
"One of Brisbane's finest rock outfits... shimmering, hook-laden pop rock that conjures memories of everyone from The Stones to Led Zeppelin." Producer Caleb James on frontman Doug Lord: "the bastard son of Joe Cocker and Robert Plant."
Moonjuice released two EPs. What was never released is considerably more.
Five unreleased albums and approximately 300 hours of unreleased video footage document a decade of original music, live performances, and studio sessions. The full Moonjuice catalogue has never been heard publicly.
The band members have gone their separate ways across the country but remain on good terms. A live return has not been ruled out.
Watch this space.
Moonjuice · Brisbane · Watch on YouTube
