Caligula are an Australian band formed in Sydney in 1989, who produced electro rock music in the early 1990s. They released one studio album in 1994, Rubenesque, which peaked at number 13 on the ARIA album chart. Caligula toured with Depeche Mode, Pop Will Eat Itself, Ned's Atomic Dustbin, Ride, and Headless Chickens. The band reformed in 2017 and started recording and releasing new material in 2021.
History Caligula formed in Sydney in 1989 and were composed of five members: vocalist Ashley Rothschild, guitarist James McKinnon, drummer Dave Macken, Jamie Fonti (keyboards and backing singer), and bass guitarist Sean Fonti. The band also included Dave Ross and Mitchell Foley as founding members. In 1990 and 1991, the band released two EPs, before a compilation album including both EPs, titled Got One.
In 1994, they released their debut studio album Rubenesque and received national airplay on Triple J and Triple M with the song "Tears of a Clown" (Smokey Robinson & the Miracles cover) which reached #24 in the Australian singles chart.
Ashley Rothschild left Caligula, leading to their demise. The Fonti Brothers then created the band Primary with singer Connie Mitchell. Rothschild currently fronts the bands Panic Syndrome and Graveyard Rock Stars and teaches at Big Music Studios in Crows Nest.
In 2018 the band reunited to support Pop Will Eat Itself on the East Coast dates of their Australian tour.
Discography Albums Title Details Peak chart positions AUS Got One Released: 1991 Label: Timberyard Records (SAW 015) Format: CD Compilation of Caligula and Got One EPs - Rubenesque Released: March 1994 Label: Mercury, Phonogram (518994 2) Format: CD 13
EPs Title Details Peak chart positions AUS Caligula Released: 1990 Label: Timberyard Records (SAW012) Format: Vinyl 195 Got One Released: 1991 Label: Timberyard Records (SAW015) Format: Vinyl - The Bluff Released: August 1991 Label: Mercury (868971-2) Format: CD 96 I.C.U. Released: April 1993 Label: Mercury (862043-2) Format: CD 55
Singles Title Year Peak chart positions Album AUS N.B. The High Point number in the NAT column represents the release's peak on the national chart. "Check Point" 1992 - The Bluff "Tears of a Clown" 1993 25 Rubenesque "Roundabout" 1994 64 "So Fine (Why Can't You See?)" 139 "Fuzz" -
Awards ARIA Music Awards The ARIA Music Awards is an annual awards ceremony that recognises excellence, innovation, and achievement across all genres of Australian music. Caligula were nominated for one award.
| 1993 | Caligula | Best New Talent
References