Jules Barnett

aka A bLUNT jESTER


Jules Barnett was bound for a life in music. Born on 23 January 1970, he spent his early childhood with his mother aboard the bus on the the Australian tour of BLERTA (Bruno Lawrence’s Electric Revelation and Travelling Apparition) – the collective of creatives who, in their time together, released three albums and two movies as well as other successful artistic pursuits.

Bruno Lawrence taught him to play the drums, an instrument that would be a mainstay in Barnett’s life. Just as articles about his favourite band KISS aided his learning to read, as a kid, Jules would practise the drums on cardboard boxes to their songs.

Thorazine Shuffle reunion line-up, Auckland, November 2018: Chris Familton, Steve Simpson (ex-Pash, Exponents), Josh Hetherington, Jules Barnett.
Photo credit: Chris Familton collection
Jules Barnett at the Thorazine Shuffle reunion at Hollywood Avondale in Auckland, 2018.
Thorazine Shuffle (clockwise): Antony McDonald, Jules Barnett, Murray Hood, Josh Hetherington, late 1996
Thorazine Shuffle, Albert Park, Auckland in the late 1990s at a 95bFM Summer Series - Antony McDonald, Josh Hetherington, Aaron Carson and Jules Barnett
Second Child: Damien Binder (top), Chris van de Geer (middle left), Jules Barnett (middle right) and Barbara Morgan (front).
From Jules Barnett's scrapbook.
Jules Barnett, 95bFM Summer Series, Albert Park, Auckland 1996
Jules Barnett at 10 years old drumming in KISS makeup
Chris Familton, Antony McDonald, Josh Hetherington and Jules Barnett
Thorazine Shuffle - More Than Anyone official video (2000)
On the roof of De Brett's Hotel in Auckland: Antony McDonald, Jules Barnett, Chris Familton and Josh Hetherington
Jules Barnett
Photo credit: Paul Taylor
Jules Barnett on the BLERTA bus, 1974.
Second Child with Jules Barnett opening for The Rollins Band at The Gluepot, Auckland, 1990.
Jules Barnett at the NZ Film Awards in 2012
Thorazine Shuffle - An Affair official video (1996)
Second Child, 1989: Barbara Morgan, Chris van de Geer, Jules Barnett, Damien Binder.
Jules Barnett at bFM in 1994
Jules Barnett with Renee Jones and Wallace Chapman, 2001
Photo credit: Grant Osborne; 95bFM archives
Thorazine Shuffle - Harry official video (1996)
Thorazine Shuffle - Emperor's New Clothes official video (1999)
Thorazine Shuffle – Secret You Hide live at The Hollywood Avondale, Auckland (2018)
Thorazine Shuffle as a trio - Jules Barnett, Aaron Carson and Josh Hetherington
Second Child, 1991-1992. Clockwise from top left: Damien Binder, Jules Barnett, Theo Jackson, Chris van de Geer.
A reunion of the Thorazine Shuffle trio - Aaron Carson, Josh Hetherington and Jules Barnett
Freak Power supporting Mudhoney live at the Powerstation, Auckland (1990)
Freak Power performing Angels in Albert Park, Auckland, New Zealand (1990)
Second Child, 1990: Chris van de Geer, Damien Binder, Barbara Morgan and Jules Barnett.
Jules Barnett's AAA pass collection which included Nirvana's Nevermind tour (1992), Red Hot Chili Peppers, Fugazi, Silver Scroll Awards (1999), Supergroove, Big Day Out (1995), Silverchair, The Cramps and Mudhoney.
Jules Barnett at the 2009 Thorazine Shuffle reunion, 95bFM's bStreet at Auckland's Britomart
Photo credit: Photo by Gareth Shute
Darcy Clay's band (Bob Kerrigan and Joel Tobeck plus Jules Barnett) and Emily Littler (Streetchant) performing All I Gotta Do live at Real Groovy, Auckland (2015)
Josh Hetherington and Jules Barnett onstage for the Thorazine Shuffle reunion at a private party, Hollywood Cinema, Avondale, Auckland, November 3, 2018.
Photo credit: Some Bizarre Monkey
Jules Barnett at the bNet NZ Music Awards in 2002
Second Child line-up 1991-92: Chris van de Geer, Theo Jackson, Damien Binder (at-front), Jules Barnett.
Jules Barnett in 1990
Bruno Lawrence and Jules Barnett at Auckland's Cook Street Market on Jules' birthday, 1985.
Murray Hood, Josh Hetherington, Jules Barnett and Antony McDonald
Jules Barnett and Aaron Carson
Jules Barnett recording in York Street Studios

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