[3][5] In September 1978 the Numbers issued a limited edition (500 copies) three-track extended play, Sunset Strip, on the Go-Betweens' Able Label.
"[3] The band appeared on Australian Broadcasting Corporation's pop music TV show, Countdown, to promote the single.
[3][5] The four-piece line-up entered the studio with producer, Graham "Buzz" Bidstrup, (ex-the Angels) in mid-1981 to record a six-track mini-album Swept Away, which was released in November.
The band's blend of diamond-hard power pop, snappy surf melodies and whomping backbeat was irresistible and eminently danceable.
[3] The Riptides had developed a cult status in Brisbane; they periodically reformed briefly for gigs at universities during Orientation Week.
[3][5] In early 1991 Callaghan, Harris and Hiron entered the studio with a new guitarist, Tony Adams and a session drummer, J. J. Hackett (ex-Mondo Rock).
[3][5] South African-born producer, Ricky Fataar (ex-Beach Boys drummer), recorded the group's first studio album, Wave Rock (August 1991).
Bidstrup and Callaghan put together a new line-up of the Riptides for the Pig City Festival on 14 July 2007: adding Chris Bailey on bass guitar and Mark O'Connor on keyboards.
[4] Rave Magazine's Sebastian Hayes, Simon Topper and James Stafford described how "Callaghan run, high-kick and grin around the stage is a bit like watching an over-enthusiastic Dad meeting your pals at a 21st – embarrassingly uncool, but completely endearing.
"[11] During 2014 Callaghan supervised another compilation album, Tombs of Gold, which included unreleased material from the Swept Away sessions and four tracks from a later line-up.