The Flaming Hands -

The Flaming Hands were an Australian New Wave/synthpop band from Sydney that released three singles on Phantom Records circa 1980/81, followed by four singles on Big Time during the subsequent three-year period, culminating with a self-titled album in 1984.

Members: Julie Mostyn (vocals), Jeff Sullivan (guitar), Paul “Sluggo” Maheno (saxophone, vocals), Michael Hiron (drums), Steve Harris (keyboards), Richard Allan (bass)

Background

The Flaming Hands formed in Sydney in late 1979 when singer Julie Mostyn teamed with guitarist Jeff Sullivan and keyboardist Steve Harris. Mostyn previously fronted the Kamikaze Kids with future Sunnyboys guitarist Richard Burgman and subsequent X guitarist Peter Coutanche. Sullivan and Harris played with drummer Alan Brown in The Passengers, which dissolved when singer Angie Pepper moved to the United States.

Mostyn knew Phantom Records founders Dare Jennings and Jules Normington through the Sydney post-punk circuit; she worked with Jennings on Phantom merchandise. The Flaming Hands debuted with the September 1980 Phantom single “I Belong to Nobody” (b/w “The Stranger”), recorded with bassist Richard Allan and drummer Michael Hiron. They followed in March 1981 with “Wake Up Screaming” (b/w “Sweet Revenge”), a Lobby Lloyd production with saxophonist Paul “Sluggo” Maheno.

In February 1982, the Flaming Hands reconfigured with Brown, bassist Grant Conner, and keyboardist Peter Bull. They opened Sydney dates for The Clash and issued a third single, “It’s Just That I Miss You,” a revised Passengers number (b/w “Go or Stay”).

The Flaming Hands split in late 1982 and regrouped the following year under a Big Time Records contract. Sessions for the group included INXS members Garry Gary Beers, Kirk Pengilly, and Andrew Farriss. Big Time issued “Cast My Love” in October 1983 ahead of the self-titled debut album.

Album discography: