The Warumpi Band

The Warumpi Band originated out of Papunya in the central desert region of the Northern Territory in the early eighties.

Warumpi's took their name from the honey-ant dreaming site located near the Aboriginal settlement of Papunya, 240 kilometres out of Alice Springs.

They toured the Northern Territory and Kimberly region playing to communities, outback stations and isolated townships developing their unique sound and writing much of their material on the road.

The Warumpi Band wrote, recorded and released the first rock song in an Aboriginal language Jailanguru Pakarnu (Out From Jail) in 1983.

In 1984, the debut album Big Name No Blankets was released with Blackfella/Whitefella, Breadline and Fitzroy Crossing receiving national airplay.

In 1985, Warumpi Band toured Australia and overseas - Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands and Vanuatu to promote the album which was now gaining much critical acclaim.

They inspired and accompanied Midnight Oil on a month long tour of Aboriginal communities in 1986 and recorded Go Bush on their return.

Go Bush includes the tracks From the Bush and the original version of the Indigenous anthem My Island Home.

More touring followed to promote the album and on their return to the Northern Territory, band members took time out to pursue other goals. Sammy Butcher, Gordon Butcher and George Rrurrambu honoured family and tribal commitments.

In 1995 the Warumpi Band was back on the road, completing a highly successful tour of Germany, France, Poland, Switzerland, Italy and the United Kingdom.

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