The band shocked conservative middle Australia with their outrageous (for the time) costumes, lyrics, and on-stage activities, leading to nine of the eleven tracks on their first album being banned from commercial radio. Beyond this, they were also notable for being one of the first Australian rock bands to write lyrics directly about the Australian suburban lifestyle, rather than ditties about love or songs about New York or other foreign lands.
Lead singer Graham "Shirley" Strahan and guitarist Red Symons both went on to successful careers in Australian commercial television.
The name "Skyhooks" comes from an imaginary device created in the book Charlie and the Great Glass Elevator used to hold the elevator up in mid-air. See skyhook.