Blackburn South Sharps
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The Blackburn South Sharps were the most prominent of the 1972-1977 Melbourne 'sharpie' gangs. The Sharpies were unique to Melbourne and are an important element of Melbourne's history in that their clothes were not a copy of US or UK fashion and they listened to Melbourne rock bands. Sharpies were an early precursor to the Australian phenomenon of bogans.
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[edit] Fashion
The Sharpies wore custom made leather shoes with a chisel toe and a cuban heel and a custom made cardigan. Both of these items were made in central Melbourne by immigrant Italian shop workers. They also wore black socks with short Levi jeans.
[edit] Music
The Sharpies tended to enjoy bands such as the Coloured Balls and AC/DC.
[edit] Movies
The Sharpies were influenced by Clint Eastwood movies, Paul Hogan and Lobby Loyde.
[edit] Activities
The Sharpies would defend their local territory from other sharpie gangs. Fights would be held between neighbouring gangs over any issue affecting the two gangs. They usually involved Otis, after a dispute resulting from the underaged purchasing of liquor or the ridiculous levels of intoxication he was regularly found in.
[edit] External links
- Blackburn Sth Sharps website - contains history, interviews, and photographs.
