Kimble Rendall, founding member of Hoodoo Gurus and XL Capris, dies at 67

XL Capris co-founder and Hoodoo Gurus founding member Kimble Rendall died at age 67. His passing was reported on April 20, 2025, by veteran publicist Melissa Hoyer in a Facebook post. The Hoodoo Gurus replied in turn, greeting the news with a nod to Rendall's role in the early days of putting the band together.

Rendall's creative endeavors spanned decades, from punk rock on the streets of Sydney in his early years to second unit directing huge Hollywood films and directing music videos. Even though his name was never in the popular news, his work behind the scenes went towards shaping world cinema and Australian music in indirect but profound ways.

Early life of Kimble Rendall and entry into music

Kimble Rendall was born in 1957. Although his early musical history is not well recorded, by the late 1970s, he had firmly established himself as a member of Sydney's emerging punk scene. It was here that Rendall co-founded XL Capris in 1978—an action that would go on to become the defining gesture of the decade's underground music scene.

XL Capris and the Punk Reimagination of "My City of Sydney"

XL Capris formed with Johanna Pigott, Julie Anderson, and Tim Gooding, combining DIY punk and satirical bite. Their break came in 1979 with a punk cover of "My City of Sydney", a nostalgic ballad by Tommy Leonetti. Rendall played guitar and vocals and shared writing credits on many of the band's songs.

Although never a number one hit, the track was a cult favorite and solidified the group's anti-image. Rendall departed the band in early 1981, but his presence can still be sensed in their work.

Forming Hoodoo Gurus: Brief but significant

Following his departure from XL Capris, Rendall joined the original lineup of Le Hoodoo Gurus in 1981 alongside Dave Faulkner, Roddy Radalj, and James Baker. Though he might not have stayed long in the band, his contribution was counted. He did guitar work on their debut single, "Leilani", and assisted in keeping the band alive during its formative years.

Rendall left the band before their first album, Stoneage Romeos (1984), and thus was not involved in their subsequent commercial success. Nevertheless, the Hoodoo Gurus never forgot their initial contribution, and he was still officially connected to the band over the years.

Move to music video direction

Rendall's vision for his art went way beyond performing. During the 1980s and 1990s, he also directed music videos for a wide variety of headliners. Some credits include:

Hoodoo Gurus
XL Capris
Cold Chisel
UB40
The Angels
Dragon
Hunters and Collectors
Mental As Anything

They helped establish the visual style of Australian rock during those decades, both as a reflection of his passion for music and his growing skills as a film director.

Significant contributions to film

Rendall turned to the world of film in the 2000s. He directed the second unit for some big-budget Hollywood films, among them:

The Matrix Reloaded (2003)
The Matrix Revolutions (2003)
I, Robot (2004)
Casanova (2005)
Ghost Rider (2007)

As second unit director, he headed big-budget action scenes and special effects, making him a regular member of big-budget movies. His work ensured the execution of cinematic imaginations while maintaining the logistical intensity such projects require.

Australian film direction: Diversifying his portfolio

Aside from second unit direction, Rendall also directed some Australian films:

Cut (2000): A horror-comedy featuring Molly Ringwald.
Bait 3D (2012): A 3D shark horror about a supermarket overwhelmed by sharks.
Guardians of the Tomb (2018): A Chinese-Australian co-production combining action and science fiction.

These projects demonstrated his capacity for directing feature films, typically trying out genre and special effects on low budgets.

Personal life and family

Kimble Rendall wed Basia Bonkowski in 1982. Bonkowski was a prominent television host and journalist, and she presented programs like Rock Around the World and The Big Gig. Rendall and Bonkowski had two adopted children, William and Camille. Bonkowski died in 2022, and Rendall was largely absent from the public eye after her death.

Recent public appearance with Hoodoo Gurus

One of Rendall's final public appearances was when he guested with the Hoodoo Gurus, an experience his publicist described as deeply personal. Though brief, it was a reminder of his connection to the band's origins and his influence on their early image.

Kimble Rendall passed away at 67, based on a widely accepted birth year of 1957. The first mention by Melissa Hoyer, followed by condolence messages from colleagues he had worked with, indicates the magnitude of his outreach.