The Band

Salvation Jane

Salvation Jane was an Australian women’s rock band active in Canberra, Australia between 1980 -1985 .

Salvation Jane band practice session at the Downer Community Centre ACT
Salvation Jane band practice session at the Downer Community Centre, 1980. Left to right: Mary McMullen, Maureen Cummuskey, Cascade Leggett, Tina Tsiamas, Virginia Walsh.

Introduction

First women’s rock band

The band was the first women’s rock band to play regular live gigs on the Canberra pub circuit, performing multiple music genres with an emphasis on rock, punk and folk.

They headlined concerts fundraising for Women’s Refuge and Rape Crisis organisations and performed at events that highlighted feminist issues, workers’ rights and anti-nuclear causes. Salvation Jane’s setlists included songs that highlighted women’s rights, LGBTQIA+ rights and social justice issues.

In 2013 the Centennial of Canberra Committee identified Salvation Jane as one of the notable Canberra bands of the 1980’s.

Collaborations

In 1983 – 1984 Salvation Jane collaborated with the Canberra women’s theatre group Women on a Shoestring. This produced a unique avant-garde style of theatre and music which combined the actors conventional theatre skills with cabaret performance by Salvation Jane.

Recordings

Salvation Jane did not produce any studio recordings in their 5 year career. Decades later some live recordings were discovered in a box of cassette tapes. These audiotapes are mixing desk recordings of some rehearsals and gigs created by Salvation Jane’s sound engineer and Canberra Radio Station 2XX.

Gigs

Salvation Jane performed gigs in Sydney, Adelaide and the southern coast of New South Wales before disbanding in 1985.

Personnel

Maureen Cummuskey

1980 – 1985.

Vocals, rhythm guitar, mandolin, bass guitar.

Cascade (Mary) Leggett

1980 – 1985.

Vocals, bass guitar, harmonica, percussion.

Mary McMullen

1980 – 1981.

Keyboards. Vocals.

Virginia Walsh

1980 -1981.

Flute. Vocals.

Jude Gates

1981 – 1985.

Keyboards.

Drummers

Tina Tsiamas 1980 -1981.

Carla Respondek 1982 – 1983.

Kate Barnett 1984. Vocals. Guitar.

Cate Carr 1984 – 1985.

Guest Musicians

Molly Jane Ellis. Synthesizer.

Bronny Evans. Flute.

Nancy Nicholls. Saxophone, guitar.

Sound Technicians

Debbie Neuhaus 1980 – 1981.

Lea Collins 1982 – 1985.

Blog Posts

Salvation Jane: the Beginning

It’s been over 4 decades since Salvation Jane said farewell to the Canberra pub scene, concerts for women’s rights and social justice causes. Discover the story behind the formation…

Keep reading