Back To The Wall

The Zoo Crew, those groovy hippie DJs at THE ZOO radio station, are spinning "Back To The Wall" by Divinyls from their 1988 album Temperamental, and the Zoo Freaks are loving it. This track, written by Chrissy Amphlett, Mark McEntee, and Richard Feldman, captures a raw, desperate energy with lyrics like "We are living in desperate times, my dear." It’s a song that resonates with anyone feeling cornered by life’s pressures. Fun fact: "Back To The Wall" found a spooky second life in the 1988 horror flick A Nightmare on Elm Street 4: The Dream Master, featured on the soundtrack, giving it a cult following among horror fans. The song’s dark, pulsing vibe perfectly matched the film’s eerie atmosphere.

Another tidbit comes from the Australian band Tropical Fuck Storm, who covered "Back To The Wall" in 2018 as a B-side on yellow vinyl, with vocalists Fiona Kitschin and Erica Dunn channeling Amphlett’s fierce delivery. This cover sparked renewed interest in the original, with fans on platforms like Instagram praising how TFS captured the song’s gritty spirit. Additionally, Aussie singer-songwriter Missy Higgins included her own version of the track on her 2014 cover album Oz, showcasing its enduring appeal. Amphlett herself once described the songwriting process for Temperamental as emotionally turbulent, reflecting the band’s lineup changes and industry pressures, which you can feel in the song’s raw intensity.

Divinyls began their journey in Sydney, Australia, in 1980, sparked by the electric chemistry between vocalist Chrissy Amphlett and guitarist Mark McEntee. The band formed after Amphlett, already a stage performer with a bold, provocative style, met McEntee, a seasoned musician from the local rock scene. Their early gigs in Sydney pubs showcased Amphlett’s iconic schoolgirl uniform and fishnet stockings, inspired by AC/DC’s Angus Young, paired with her wild stage antics—like wielding a neon tube as a prop. This raw energy quickly built a local following, leading to their debut EP Music from Monkey Grip in 1982 and their first album Desperate in 1983. Despite numerous lineup changes, Amphlett and McEntee remained the band’s core, crafting hits like "Science Fiction" and "Pleasure and Pain" before their global smash "I Touch Myself" in 1991.

The band’s official website, divinyls.com.au, offers a deep dive into their discography and legacy. You can also connect with their history on social media through their Facebook page, which shares throwback photos and fan memories, and their Instagram, where posts celebrate Amphlett’s fearless persona. On X, fans and the official account occasionally share tributes and rare clips. For fan communities, the Divinyls Fan Club on Facebook is a vibrant space where Zoo Freaks and others swap stories, rare vinyl finds, and concert memories. Another fan hub, divinyls.net, run by dedicated supporters, archives band history and news, keeping the spirit of Amphlett and McEntee alive.