Chantoozies are an Australian pop group, the band featured four female lead vocals singers: Eve von Bibra, Angie La Bozzetta, Ally Fowler and Tottie Goldsmith and four male musicians Brett Goldsmith, Scott Griffiths, Frank McCoy and David Reyne. Their name is an intentional mispronunciation of the French word for female singer "chanteuse". Chantoozies first single "Witch Queen" was released on Mushroom Records in January 1987 and peaked at number 4 on the Australian singles chart. The group went on to sell 300,000 records achieving Gold and Platinum status throughout the 80s and 90s in Australia. In early 2014, the Chantoozies released their first single in 23 years, called "Baby It's You". It was produced by Pseudo Echo frontman Brian Canham. The video co-starred Australian actors Hugh Jackman, Anthony LaPaglia and Eric Bana.
History
Pre Chantoozies
David Reyne had been drummer for Clutch Cargo which became Australian Crawl in late 1978. David Reyne had left before they recorded any material, and continued his acting education. He was also drummer for Cats Under Pressure with Simon Hussey and Mark Grieg in 1984. Reyne also acted on the 1980s television series, Sweet and Sour and Possession.
Frank McCoy had played in a number of bands, including The Stockings rockabilly outfits The Crackajacs and El Prezzos, country bands the Chaff Bandits, Crummy Cowboys and Hang em High La Bozzetta appeared on the television series, Special Squad.
1986–1992: ''Chantoozies'' to ''Gild the Lily''
Chantoozies formed as a good-time covers band to play at Tottie Goldsmith's 25th birthday party. The band's debut club gig attracted 600 people, which was encouragement enough for the musicians to continue and the group signed a record deal with Mushroom Records. In January 1987, the group released their debut single; a cover of Redbone's "Witch Queen" which peaked at number 4 on the national singles chart. The second single was a cover of John Kongos' "He's Gonna Step On You Again" and was released in June 1987, vying with The Party Boys' hard rock version of the same song for a place on the charts simultaneously. The Chantoozie's version peaked at number No. 36. Chantoozies third single, "Wanna Be Up", written by Brett Goldsmith and von Bibra, was released in May 1988 and peaked at number 6 on the national singles chart in July 1988. "Kiss'n' Tell", was released in September 1988 and peaked at No. 25 in November. By that time, Greg Millikan had replaced Griffiths on keyboards. Chantoozies toured with James Reyne and Daryl Braithwaite, supporting their self-titled, top ten debut studio album released in August 1988. In November 1989, the group released "Come Back to Me". In mid-1990, Griffiths and Goldsmith left the band. In October 1990, the group released "Walk On" and their version of The Angels' "My Boyfriend's Back" was included on the 1990 film The Crossing's soundtrack. In February 1991, The Chantoozies released a cover of Stephen Stills' "Love the One You're With" as the second single from their second studio album. The song peaked at number 21 on the singles chart. In April, The Chantoozie's released Gild the Lily in April 1991. A cover of Jackson Five's "I'll Be There" was released later in 1991, before the group disbanded.
Post Chantoozies
Eve von Bibra returned to acting with roles on mid-1990s TV with Time Trax and The Damnation of Harvey McHugh; and more recently as Jackie in the 2006 film Kenny. She has also worked on TV shows as an artist co-ordinator for RocKwiz and assisting production for Angry Boys and Outland. In November 2008 on RocKwiz, von Bibra appeared as a guest contestant and performed her solo rendition of "Love the One You're With" and a duet with Jed Kurzel for a cover of Bee Gees hit, "To Love Somebody".
Angelica La Bozzetta was the first actress to play Natalie Nash in Home and Away, and also appeared on 1990s episodes of Blue Heelers and Big Sky; and more recently in 2003 film The Rage in Placid Lake.
Ally Fowler also returned to TV with 1990s Cody and Big Sky; and since 2005 as a regular on All Saints.
Brett Goldsmith continued as a singer-songwriter and performer; also as a hospitality venue developer and more recently as a fashion photographer.
Tottie Goldsmith left Chantoozies before their second album and undertook a solo singing career. She then returned to TV as host of Sex/Life in the mid-1990s; acting during the 2000s included Stingers, Blue Heelers and Life.
David Reyne left early in 1990 and continued with his acting on Television on Bony, The Flying Doctors, and then as a presenter on Getaway and 9am with David and Kim.
Scott Griffiths supplied keyboards and synthesisers for Sir Piers 2003 release "Don't You Love Me".
Frank McCoy continued playing around Melbourne and fronted The Real McCoys,most remembered for their late night gig at Inflation Nightclub where a host of local and international musicians regularly sat in with the band. He presently has a duo, Cheese and Greens, a guitaroke outfit with BBQ Bob Wilson
All four female lead vocalists briefly re-formed Chantoozies for the June to August 2006 CountdownSpectacular Tour where they performed "Wanna Be Up".
2012–present: Reformation
In 2012 the Chantoozies traveled to Adelaide to perform alongside Leo Sayer, Mondo Rock, Uncanny X Men and Pseudo Echo at the Adelaide Clipsal 500. They played alongside Rick Astley on his Australian Tour and were an energetic and glamorous addition to the 2012 Carols by Candlelight at the Myer Music Bowl as part of the ‘Legends of Rock’. On 25 April 2014, The Chantoozies released their first new recording in 23 years, a cover of the Promises hit "Baby It's You". In May 2015 the group became a trio after the departure of Angie La Bozzetta due to family reasons. On 17 July 2019 they performed on the second day of the Big Red Bash at Birdsville, Queensland.
