James Baker

James Lawrence Baker (7 March 1954 – 5 May 2025) was an Australian musician, best known as the drummer of various rock and punk rock groups, including the Victims, the Scientists, Hoodoo Gurus, Beasts of Bourbon, and the Dubrovniks. In 2006, Baker was inducted into the West Australian Music Industry Hall of Fame. The following year, Hoodoo Gurus were inducted into the ARIA Hall of Fame.

Biography

Early days

Baker grew up in Fremantle, Western Australia, with family roots stretching back in the port city for generations. His father played reserves for the East Fremantle Football Club.

In May 2003, Baker told Sylvester Fox of Groove Magazine about his first drumming gig, "I was in a Beatles covers band. I saw Ringo Starr and I said I want to do that." Shepherd, in turn, was sacked from Beasts of Bourbon.

Beasts of Bourbon

Baker joined the Beasts of Bourbon in September 1983, together with Tex Perkins (ex-the Dum-Dums), Spencer P. Jones (the Johnnys), and former bandmates Salmon and Sujdovic of the Scientists. They played support slots in Perth for the Fuzz, Little Birdy, The Panda Band, Brian Hooper, Pharaohs, and Beasts of Bourbon. On 25 August 2005 the Painkillers released their debut album, Drunk on a Train, on Blazing Strumpet Records, through Reverberation. In 2006 Baker was inducted into the West Australian Music Industry Hall of Fame.

Death Baker died from liver cancer on 5 May 2025, at the age of 71.

Discography Singles + List of single with selected details Title Year "I Can't Control Myself" / "Born to Be Punched" (as James Baker Experience) Released: 1985 "Friday Night Friend" / "She Said" (as The James Baker Beat with Dom Mariani) Released: 2025

Awards West Australian Music Industry Awards The West Australian Music Industry Awards are annual awards celebrating achievements for Western Australian music. They commenced in 1985.