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The Hummingbirds

2025-09-15T10:18:39Z

2001:8003:747E:6B00:305C:81A6:FCE9:EE3C:

{{Short description|Australian indie/jangle pop band}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=October 2019}}
{{Use Australian English|date=October 2016}}
{{Infobox musical artist
|name = The Hummingbirds
|image =
|caption =
|background = group_or_band
|origin = [[Sydney]], [[New South Wales]], Australia
|genre = [[Indie pop]], [[jangle pop]]
|years_active = 1986–1993, 2011, 2016, 2017
|label = [[Phantom Records|Phantom]], [[rooART]], [[Polygram Records|Polygram]], [[Warner Bros. Records|Warner]], IV, [[Bertelsmann Music Group|BMG]]
|website =
|current_members =
|past_members = [[#Members|refer to Members list below]]
}}

'''The Hummingbirds''' were an Australian [[indie pop]] and [[jangle pop]] band from Sydney, who formed in 1986 from Bug Eyed Monsters.<ref name="McF">{{cite book |title=[[Encyclopedia of Australian Rock and Pop]] |last=McFarlane |first=Ian |author-link= Ian McFarlane |publisher=[[Allen & Unwin]] |location=[[St Leonards, New South Wales|St Leonards, NSW]]|year=1999 |chapter=Encyclopedia entry for 'The Hummingbirds' |chapter-url=http://www.whammo.com.au/encyclopedia.asp?articleid=928|isbn=1-86448-768-2 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20040829235034/http://www.whammo.com.au/encyclopedia.asp?articleid=928 |access-date=13 January 2008|archive-date=29 August 2004 }}</ref><ref name="allmusic">{{cite web|url={{AllMusic|class=artist|id=p13241/biography|pure_url=yes}} |title=Hummingbirds Biography|publisher=[[AllMusic]]|last=Ankeny|first=Jason|access-date=13 January 2009}}</ref> They were one of the most highly regarded outfits to emerge from Sydney's inner-city scene during the late 1980s and were an early signing to the [[rooArt]] label.<ref name="McF"/> The Hummingbirds' single "Blush" peaked at No. 19 on the [[ARIA Charts|ARIA singles charts]] in 1989.<ref name="Kent">{{cite book|title=[[Kent Music Report|Australian Chart Book 1970–1992]]|last=Kent|first=David|author-link=David Kent (historian)|publisher=Australian Chart Book|location=[[St Ives, New South Wales|St Ives]], N.S.W.|year=1993 |isbn=0-646-11917-6}}</ref><ref name="AusCharts">{{cite web|url=http://australian-charts.com/showinterpret.asp?interpret=The+Hummingbirds |title=The Hummingbirds discography |publisher=Australian Charts Portal |access-date=13 January 2009 }}</ref> They left rooArt in 1992, and disbanded in 1993.

==Biography==
The Hummingbirds formed in 1986 from the remnants of the short-lived band Bug Eyed Monsters.<ref name="allmusic"/> Band members originally comprised singer and guitarist [[Simon Holmes (guitarist)|Simon Holmes]], bassist John Boyce and drummer Mark Temple, after a few months of initial rehearsals as a three-piece, vocalist and guitarist Alannah Russack signed on.<ref name="McF"/><ref name="ARDb">{{cite web|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20040310061114/http://hem.passagen.se/honga/database/h/hummingbirds.html | url = http://hem.passagen.se/honga/database/h/hummingbirds.html | title = The Hummingbirds | publisher = [[Australian Rock Database]] | first = Magnus | last = Holmgren | archive-date = 10 March 2004 |url-status = usurped | access-date = 13 April 2025 }}</ref> In early 1987, Boyce departed and was replaced by singer and bassist Robyn St. Clare.<ref name="McF"/><ref name="allmusic"/><ref name="ARDb"/> They were one of Australia's most promising acts in the late 1980s and early 1990s, along with other up-and-comers like [[Ratcat]], [[Clouds (Australian band)|Clouds]], [[Tall Tales and True]] and [[The Falling Joys]].

They debuted in July 1987, with the single "Alimony", it was followed by three more singles, "Get On Down"/"Everything You Said" in January 1988, "Swim to Shore" in July and "Hindsight" in November.<ref name="McF"/><ref name="ARDb"/> All four singles were released on the [[independent record labels|independent label]], [[Phantom Records]].<ref name="McF"/><ref name="ARDb"/> All four singles were also re-issued by Phantom Records under the title ''Quatro'' in 1989.

The Hummingbirds signed to [[rooART]] in early 1989. They released their single "Blush" that August and it reached number one on the [[alternative pop|alternative music]] chart,<ref name="McF"/> and No. 19 on the [[ARIA Charts|ARIA singles charts]].<ref name="AusCharts"/> Their first album, ''[[loveBUZZ]]'', produced by [[Mitch Easter]], was released in 1989.<ref name="ARDb"/><ref name="Craig">{{cite book |title=[[The Sell-In]]: How the Music Business Seduced Alternative Rock |last=Mathieson |first=Craig |author-link= Craig Mathieson |publisher=[[Allen & Unwin]] |year=2000 |chapter=1990|chapter-url=https://books.google.com/books?id=dFnJSg-Obx0C&dq=%22the+hummingbirds%22+holmes&pg=PA18|isbn=1-86508-412-3 |access-date=13 January 2008}}</ref> and peaked at No. 31 on the [[ARIA Charts|ARIA album charts]].<ref name="AusCharts"/> It earned an American release, though sales were slow despite excellent reviews.<ref name="allmusic"/> In December 1989, [[Nic Dalton]] (The Plunderers) filled in on bass guitar as St. Clare, the regular bassist, took leave due to illness.<ref name="McF"/><ref name="Craig"/> Dalton left to join US [[alternative rock]] band [[The Lemonheads]],<ref name="ARDbDalton">{{cite web |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120603140835/http://hem.passagen.se/honga/database/d/daltonnic.html |url=http://hem.passagen.se/honga/database/d/daltonnic.html |title=Nic Dalton |last1=Holmgren |first1=Magnus |publisher=Australian Rock Database. Passagen.se (Magnus Holmgren) |archive-date=3 June 2012 |url-status=usurped |access-date=12 February 2014 }}</ref> The Hummingbirds had played support to The Lemonheads 1991 tour of Australia. Greg Atkinson, from the Ups and Downs and [[Big Heavy Stuff]], also filled in on bass during 1991.

The Hummingbirds continued recording, releasing another album produced by Easter, April 1991's ''Va Va Voom'',<ref name="ARDb"/> which peaked at No. 44 on the ARIA album charts.<ref name="AusCharts"/> However, its release was delayed due to problems with RooArt.<ref name="Craig"/> They were freed from their contract after the May 1992 release, "You Just Gotta Know My Mind", with Dalton again deputising for St. Clare – who was pregnant with her and Holmes' son Milo.<ref name="Craig"/>

In 1993, The Hummingbirds made two EPs on the small independent label IV Recordings, ''Gone'', (in February) and, ''Tail'', (in July).<ref name="ARDb"/><ref name="Craig"/> The band found it hard to justify their move from a major label like rooART to the smaller IV Recordings, and broke up after the release of ''Tail''. They played their final show on 11 December 1993, at the Central Club Hotel in (Richmond) Melbourne, featuring Holmes, Russack, St. Clare and Melder.

==Post break-up==
Simon Holmes joined [[Her Name in Lights]], which issued their debut album, ''Into the Light Again'' in October 2004.<ref name="Gyles">{{cite web | archive-url = https://webarchive.nla.gov.au/awa/20050806140000/http://pandora.nla.gov.au/pan/36937/20050807-0000/www.ozmusicproject.net/magazine/cdreviews325e.html | url = http://www.ozmusicproject.net/magazine/cdreviews325e.html | title = Her Name in Lights: ''Into the Light Again'' | last = Gyles | first = Soph | publisher = Oz Music Project (Jasper Lee) | archive-date = 6 August 2005 | access-date = 16 January 2014 }}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}</ref> He then went on to record other albums with a new band, Fragile. Alannah Russack played in Sydney as a solo artist. Robyn St. Clare, whose composition "[[Into Your Arms]]" was a hit for The Lemonheads,<ref name="ARDbDalton"/> has recorded with Ratcat. Mark Temple earned a PhD from the [[University of New South Wales]], and now is a Senior Lecturer in Molecular [[Biology]] at [[Western Sydney University]].<ref>{{Cite web | url=https://www.westernsydney.edu.au/staff_profiles/uws_profiles/doctor_mark_temple | title=Profiles }}</ref>

==Reunions==
After 17 years, the band reformed for a reunion on 27 January 2011, for the Big Day Out festival in Sydney. The line-up featured Holmes, Temple and Russack, with St. Clare replaced on bass.
The band followed the Big Day Out reunion show with some additional performances later that year;
 Thursday 7 July 2011 – Simon Holmes and Alannah Russack (acoustic performance), Union Hotel, Newtown.
 Saturday 17 September 2011 – full band at the Manning Bar, Sydney University.
The day before the show at the Manning Bar, the band played a short set for "Live at the Loft" on 2SER radio and were also interviewed by DJ Andrew Khedoori.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4m6csN9foO4|title=The Hummingbirds (2011) Live on 2SER radio|last=Mark Temple|via=YouTube}}</ref> The line-up featured Holmes, Temple, Russack and Danny Yau on bass.

Along with [[The Falling Joys]], the band reunited to play two shows on the 2nd and 3rd (matinee show) of July 2016 at the Newtown Social Club in Sydney (previously known as the [[Sandringham Hotel, Newtown]]).<ref>https://roundtown.com/event/57994698/Falling-Joys-The-Hummingbirds-with-Sierra-Fin-Newtown-and-Chilwell-AU {{dead link|date=July 2017}}</ref> The line-up featured Holmes, Temple, Russack and Danny Yau again on bass.

The band played as part of a tribute concert to [[The Cure]], celebrating the 25th anniversary of the release of The Cure album ''Wish''. The gig took place at the Factory Theatre in Marrickville, Sydney, on 15 April 2017. This was the final concert of The Hummingbirds.

Simon Holmes died in Sydney in July 2017, at the age of 54.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://themusic.com.au/news/beloved-90s-band-the-hummingbirds-guitarist-simon-holmes-passes-away/KQk6PTw_PiE/20-07-17 |title=Beloved '90s Band The Hummingbirds Guitarist Simon Holmes Passes Away |website=Themusic.com.au |access-date=10 November 2022}}</ref> A tribute night featuring many bands was held for Simon Holmes on 3 December at the Factory Theater in Sydney.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.factorytheatre.com.au/events/2017/12/03/ratcat-custard-ups-downs-more-hindsight-a-night-for-simon |title=RATCAT, CUSTARD, UPS & DOWNS + MORE: Hindsight - A Night for Simon | Factory Theatre |access-date=30 November 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171201081601/http://www.factorytheatre.com.au/events/2017/12/03/ratcat-custard-ups-downs-more-hindsight-a-night-for-simon |archive-date=1 December 2017 |url-status=dead }}</ref> As part of the tribute night a limited edition, self-titled vinyl LP was released, combining all of the tracks from the band's last two EP's 'Gone' and 'Tail', which were originally released only on CD in 1993.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://blankrecords.bigcartel.com/product/the-hummingbirds-2|title=The Hummingbirds|first1=Blank|last1=Records|website=Blank Records}}</ref>

==Members==
* John Boyce – bass guitar (1986–1987)
* [[Simon Holmes (guitarist)|Simon Holmes]] — vocals, guitar (1986–1993, 2011, 2016, 2017) (deceased)
* Mark Temple – drums (1986–1992, 2011, 2016, 2017)
* Alannah Russack – vocals, guitar (1986–1993, 2011, 2016, 2017)
* Robyn St. Clare – bass guitar (1987–1993)
* Shane Melder – drums (1992–1993)
* [[Nic Dalton]] — bass (1989–1991)
* Greg Atkinson – bass (1991)
* Danny Yau – bass (2011, 2016, 2017)

==Discography==
===Studio albums===
{| class="wikitable"
! rowspan="2" width="33"|Year
! rowspan="2" width="240"|Title
! colspan="1"|Peak chart positions
|-
!style="width:3em;font-size:75%"|[[ARIA Charts|AUS]] <ref name=aus/>
|-
|align="center"|1989
|'''''[[loveBUZZ]]'''''
*Released: October 1989
*Label: [[rooArt]] (838679)
*Format: CD, LP, Cassette
| align="center"|31
|-
|align="center"|1991
|'''''Va Va Voom'''''
*Released: June 1991
*Label: rooArt (848531)
*Format: CD, LP, Cassette
| align="center"| 44
|}

===Compilation albums===
{| class="wikitable"
! rowspan="1" width="33"|Year
! rowspan="1" width="260"|Title
|-
|align="center"|1989
|'''''Quatro'''''
*Released: 1989
*Label: [[Phantom Records]] (PH24/26/27/29)
*Format: 4x7-inch
*Note: limited to 500 on coloured vinyl
|-
|align="center"|2001
|'''''Greatest Hits'''''
*Released: September 2001
*Label: rooArt, [[Sony BMG|BMG Australia]] (7432187019)
*Format: CD
|-
|align="center"|2017
|'''''The Hummingbirds'''''
*Released: 2017
*Label: Blank (BRC 019)
*Format: LP
*Note: compiling two 1993 EPs ''Gone'' and ''Tail''
|-
|}

===Extended plays===
{| class="wikitable"
! rowspan="1" width="33"|Year
! rowspan="1" width="240"|Title
|-
|align="center"|1993
|'''''Gone'''''
*Released: February 1993
*Label: IV Recordings (IVR-003)
*Format: CD
|-
|align="center"|1993
|'''''Tail'''''
*Released: July 1993
*Label: IV Recordings (IVR-005)
*Format: CD
|-
|}

===Singles===
{| class="wikitable plainrowheaders"
|-
! rowspan="2" width="1em" | Year
! rowspan="2" | Title
! colspan="1" | Peak chart positions
! rowspan="2" | Album
|-
!style="width:3em;font-size:75%"|[[ARIA Charts|AUS]] <ref name=aus>Australian chart peaks:
*Top 50 ([[ARIA Charts|ARIA]]): {{cite web|url=https://australian-charts.com/showitem.asp?interpret=The+Hummingbirds&titel=Blush&cat=s|title=australian-charts.com > The Hummingbirds discography|publisher=Hung Medien|access-date=27 August 2019}}
*51–100 (ARIA): {{cite book|last=Ryan|first=Gavin|title=Australia's Music Charts 1988–2010|year=2011|publisher=Moonlight Publishing|location=Mt. Martha, VIC, Australia|edition=pdf}}</ref>
|-
| 1987
| "Alimony"/"Three in the Morning"
| align="center" | —
| rowspan="4" | ''Quatro''
|-
| rowspan="3" | 1988
| "Everything You Said"/"Get on Down"
| align="center" | —
|-
| "Swim to Shore"/"Be Careful"
| align="center" | —
|-
| "Hindsight"/"Dragged over the Coals"
| align="center" | —
|-
| rowspan="2" | 1989
| "Blush"
| align="center" | 19
| rowspan="3" | ''loveBUZZ''
|-
| "Word Gets Around"
| align="center" | —
|-
| 1990
| "Alimony"{{efn|group=upper-alpha|"Alimony" was re-recorded in 1989 for the ''loveBUZZ'' album}}
| align="center" | 79
|-
| rowspan="2" | 1991
| "If a Vow"
| align="center" | 73
| rowspan="2" | ''Va Va Voom''
|-
| "2 Weeks with a Good Man in Niagara Falls"
| align="center" | 93
|-
| 1992
| "You Just Gotta Know My Mind"
| align="center" | 81
| non-album single
|-
|}

'''Notes'''
{{notelist-ua}}

==Awards and nominations==
===ARIA Music Awards===
The [[ARIA Music Awards]] is an annual awards ceremony that recognises excellence, innovation, and achievement across all genres of [[Australian music]]. They commenced in 1987.
{{awards table}}
|{{Abbr|Ref.|Reference}}
|-
|rowspan="3"| [[ARIA Music Awards of 1990|1990]]
|rowspan="2"| ''loveBUZZ''
| [[ARIA Award for Best New Talent|Best New Talent]]
| {{nom}}
|rowspan=3"| <ref name="ARIA1990">{{cite web | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20110927120947/http://www.ariaawards.com.au/history-by-year.php?year=1990 | url = http://www.ariaawards.com.au/history/year/1990 | title = Winners by Year 1990 | publisher = Australian Recording Industry Association (ARIA) | archive-date = 27 September 2011 | access-date = 3 December 2013 }}</ref>
|-
| [[ARIA Award for Breakthrough Artist - Album|Breakthrough Artist - Album]]
| {{won}}
|-
| "Blush"
| [[ARIA Award for Breakthrough Artist - Single|Breakthrough Artist - Single]]
| {{won}}
|-
{{end}}

==References==
{{Reflist}}

{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Hummingbirds, The}}
[[Category:Musical groups disestablished in 1993]]
[[Category:Musical groups established in 2017]]
[[Category:Musical groups from Sydney]]
[[Category:1986 establishments in Australia]]
[[Category:2017 disestablishments in Australia]]
[[Category:Australian indie pop groups]]
[[Category:Australian jangle pop groups]]

Ilium (band)

2025-09-14T22:01:40Z

2001:8003:747E:6B00:305C:81A6:FCE9:EE3C: /* External links */

{{Short description|Australian heavy metal band}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=May 2024}}
{{Use Australian English|date=August 2013}}
{{Infobox musical artist
| name = Ilium
| image =
| image_size =
| landscape = 
| alt =
| caption =
| background = group_or_band
| alias = Iliad
| origin = [[Newcastle, New South Wales]], Australia
| genre = [[Heavy metal music|Heavy metal]], [[power metal]]
| years_active = {{start date|1998}}–present
| label = Steelheart, Adrenaline, Escape, Nightmare
| website = {{URL|iliumaustralia.bandcamp.com}}
| current_members = * [[Jason Hodges]]
* Adam Smith
* [[Lord Tim]] – Guest
* [[Tim Yatras]] – Guest
| past_members = * [[Lance King]]
* [[Mike DiMeo]]
* Pete Gilchrist
* Corey Gilchrist
* Michael Noonan
* Mark Snedden
* Steve Moore
* David Walmsley
* Matthew Woodland
* Kris Arendse
* David Pearson
* Glenn Rimer
* Kaspar Dahlqvist
}}

'''Ilium''' is an Australian melodic [[power metal]] band formed in [[Newcastle, New South Wales|Newcastle]] in 1998 as '''Iliad'''. Founding mainstay is guitarist-songwriter, Jason Hodges. Upon Adam Smith (ex-Oracle) joining on guitar they changed their name and have released eight studio albums; ''Sirens of the Styx'' (18 December 2003), ''Permian Dusk'' (25 November 2005), ''Vespertilion'' (17 April 2007), ''Ageless Decay'' (22 June 2009), ''Genetic Memory'' (26 August 2011), ''My Misanthropia'' (14 March 2015), ''Sirens of the Styx: Re-Styxed'' (25 October 2017) and ''Carcinogeist'' (28 February 2020).

==History==

===Founding and early years: 1998–2002===
Ilium were founded in Newcastle by former members of local [[power metal]] band, Oracle, with guitarist-songwriter [[Jason Hodges]] and vocalist Mark Snedden initially as Iliad in 1998.<ref name="MusicMight">{{cite web | url = http://www.rockdetector.com/artist/australia/newcastle/oracle | title = Artists :: Oracle | publisher = MusicMight (Rock Detector) | accessdate = 19 August 2013 | url-status = dead | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20140813233753/http://www.rockdetector.com/artist/australia/newcastle/oracle | archive-date = 13 August 2014 }}</ref> Hodges and Snedden were school friends and had formed Oracle in 1990.<ref name="MusicMight"/><ref name="Ilium Bio">{{cite web | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20030625195348/http://www.ilium-metal.com/bio_band.htm | url = http://www.ilium-metal.com/bio_band.htm | title = Ilium: The Band | publisher = Ilium Official Website | archive-date = 25 June 2003 | accessdate = 19 August 2013 }}</ref> Iliad also included later Oracle members: Kris Arendse on guitar and Michael Noonan on bass guitar; as well as session musician, David Pearson on drums.<ref name="MusicMight"/> They recorded a six-track demo which the band's website described as "ill-fated from the start, with an inappropriate producer and the band's lack of studio experience, coupled with plaguing health problems, the results were truly horrible".<ref name="MusicMight"/><ref name="Ilium Bio"/> Hodges listed the group's inspirations as "Black Sabbath, Judas Priest, [[Iron Maiden]], Helloween, Rage, [[Blind Guardian]], Gamma Ray, Rush, Megadeth, Coroner, Scorpions, Rainbow, [[Ozzy Osbourne]], [and] Dio".<ref name="Pharmerfour">{{cite web | url = http://www.heavymetalnation.com/2007/04/01/ilium-april-2007-interview-by-pharmerfour/ | title = Ilium – April 2007 Interview | last = Pharmerfour | publisher = Heavy Metal Nation | date = 1 April 2007 | accessdate = 20 August 2013 | url-status = dead | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20140813215104/http://www.heavymetalnation.com/2007/04/01/ilium-april-2007-interview-by-pharmerfour/ | archive-date = 13 August 2014 }}</ref>

Late in 1998 with the introduction of Adam Smith, also ex-Oracle, on guitar the group changed its name to Ilium. In 2002 they recorded a four-track eponymous extended play with [[Dungeon (band)|Dungeon's]] vocalist and guitarist [[Lord Tim]] (aka Tim Grose) producing and adding backing vocals. Noonan left during recording sessions and Smith completed the bass guitar work. The EP included a cover version of [[Fleetwood Mac]]'s "The Green Manalishi (With the Two Prong Crown)" in the vogue of [[Judas Priest]]'s 1979 [[The Green Manalishi#Judas Priest versions|version]]. The other tracks were "Half-Life", "Semblance" and "Antigone" – the first two were solely written by Hodges, while the latter was co-written with Smith and Sneddon.<ref name="MusicBrainz EP">{{MusicBrainz release|mbid=19a2da7d-4a8b-4336-a6cf-4f38caa64e32|name=Ilium {{noitalic|EP}} | accessdate = 19 August 2013 }}</ref><ref name="APRA HalfLife">{{cite web | publisher = [[Australasian Performing Right Association]] (APRA) | title = 'Half-Life' at APRA search engine | url = http://www.apra-amcos.com.au/worksearch.axd?q=Half%20Life | accessdate = 19 August 2013 }} Note: User may be required to click on 'Search again' and then 'Enter a title' or add Ilium at 'Performer'.</ref> Yet another ex-Oracle, Matthew Woodland, joined Ilium shortly before its release. The EP gained the attention of several labels, including Sentinel Steel boss Denis Gulbey, with [[Italy|Italian]] record company Adrenaline's metal label Steelheart signing the band.

===''Sirens of the Styx'': 2003–2004===
On 18 December 2003 Ilium issued their debut album, ''Sirens of the Styx'', with Lord Tim producing again and Steve Moore providing drums.<ref name="Sirens">{{cite AV media notes | title = Sirens of the Styx | others = Ilium | year = 2003 | publisher = Adrenaline / Steelheart Records | id = 0310 }}</ref> It included three tracks from ''Ilium'', as well as "Incipience: Beowulf Defeats Grendel", which is part one of a trilogy centred on the [[Beowulf]] and [[Grendel]] legends. Parts two and three appeared on their third release. "Incipience" was written by Hodges, Smith, Snedden and Noonan.<ref name="APRA Incipience">{{cite web | publisher = [[Australasian Performing Right Association]] (APRA) | title = 'Incipience: Beowulf Defeats Grendel' at APRA search engine | url = http://www.apra-amcos.com.au/worksearch.axd?q=Incipience%20Beowulf%20Defeats%20Grendel | accessdate = 20 August 2013 }}</ref> Another track, "The Celestial Sphere", written by Hodges, Smith and Snedden,<ref name="APRA Celestial">{{cite web | publisher = [[Australasian Performing Right Association]] (APRA) | title = 'The Celestial Sphere' at APRA search engine | url = http://www.apra-amcos.com.au/worksearch.axd?q=The%20Celestial%20Sphere | accessdate = 20 August 2013 }}</ref> became Ilium's first music video. Daniel Böhm from [[Germany|German]] metal magazine, ''Rock Hard'', found the album "sounds wonderfully wrong-headed".<ref name="Böhm">{{cite news | url = http://www.rockhard.de/megazine/reviewarchiv/review-anzeigen/16035-sirens-of-the-styx.html | title = Review Anzeigen: ''Sirens of the Styx'' | last = Böhm | first = Daniel | work = Rock Hard | language = de | publisher = Holger Stratmann | issue = 202 | accessdate = 19 August 2013 }}</ref> After recording the album, Peter Gilchrist joined on bass guitar, while drummer David Walmsley joined shortly thereafter.

Snedden left in July due to family and financial restraints, Lord Tim was recruited in his place, originally to complete the recording sessions but soon became a full-time member. Gilchrist and Walmsley both left Ilium at the end of 2003, Gilchrist was recorded on the demo tracks but bass guitar on the album was provided by Smith, with Walmsley completing his drum duties on the album before exiting. Tim's vocal style which was in tune with Smith and Hodges' vision, which helped Ilium garner international praise, whilst the production duties were taken over largely by Hodges and Smith. Late in 2004, Gilchrist and Walmsley rejoined Ilium, and Gilchrist's 15-year-old son Corey joined on keyboards, with his vocals providing extra body to their live performances. Corey Gilchrist auditioned to appear on the TV talent show, ''[[Australian Idol]]'', and twice reached the top 100 but did not progress.

===''Permian Dusk'': 2005–2006===
Ilium's second album, ''Permian Dusk'', was released on 25 November 2005. Walmsley left again as the album was being mastered and was replaced on drums by Dungeon's [[Tim Yatras]]. In October Corey was hit by a train and his foot was amputated, which forced both he and his father out of the band. Corey recovered and later appeared on ''Australian Idol'' getting into the semi-finals.

''Permian Dusk'' received a positive review from ''Rock Hard'', which gave it a score of 9.5/10 and led their reviewer, Wolfram Küper, to declare it as the best power metal album of the year.<ref name="Küper">{{cite news | url = http://www.rockhard.de/megazine/reviewarchiv/review-anzeigen/18838-permian-dusk.html | title = Review Anzeigen: ''Permian Dusk'' | last = Küper | first = Wolfram | work = Rock Hard | language = de | publisher = Holger Stratmann | issue = 225 | accessdate = 20 August 2013 }}</ref> [[AllMusic]]'s Stewart Mason felt it avoided the "more annoying aspects of modern metal", where Tim's vocals showed "oddly perfect diction and haughty delivery of an old-school metal singer" and the rest of the band "plays it fast and melodic, with clean-sounding chorused guitars riffing".<ref name="Mason">{{cite web | url = {{AllMusic | pure_url=yes | class=album/credits | id=r864226 }} | title=''Permian Dusk'' – Ilium | last = Mason | first = Stewart | publisher = [[AllMusic]] | accessdate = 20 August 2013 }}</ref> The group provided a music video for "Chloroform Divinity", which was co-written by Hodges and Smith.<ref name="APRA Chloroform">{{cite web | publisher = [[Australasian Performing Right Association]] (APRA) | title = 'Chloroform Divinity' at APRA search engine | url = http://www.apra-amcos.com.au/worksearch.axd?q=Chloroform%20Divinity | accessdate = 20 August 2013 }}</ref> In November 2006, it was announced that [[Sweden|Swedish]] keyboardist Kaspar Dahlqvist, a former member of various bands including [[Dionysus (band)|Dionysus]], Stormwind, Treasureland and [[Circle II Circle]], had joined the Ilium line-up, though personal issues have meant that he was unable to continue with the band.

===''Vespertilion'': 2007–2008===
Ilium issued their third album, ''Vespertilion'', on 17 April 2007, which received positive reviews. It included the next two instalments of their Beowulf trilogy with part two, "Desinence: Beowulf and the Serpent", and part three, "Beowulf: The Peroration", both co-written by Hodges, Smith and Snedden.<ref name="APRA Desinence">{{cite web | publisher = [[Australasian Performing Right Association]] (APRA) | title = 'Desinence: Beowulf and the Serpent' at APRA search engine | url = http://www.apra-amcos.com.au/worksearch.axd?q=Desinence%20Beowulf%20and%20the%20Serpent | accessdate = 20 August 2013 }} Note: User may be required to click on 'Search again' and then 'Enter a title' or add Ilium at 'Performer'.</ref>

''Rock Hard''{{'}}s Küper rated it at 8.0/10, he found it provided "a partly majestic, partly mystic atmosphere" with the sound of "melody, hardness and independence".<ref name="Küper2">{{cite news | url = http://www.rockhard.de/megazine/reviewarchiv/review-anzeigen/22547-vespertilion.html | title = Review Anzeigen: ''Vespertlion'' | last = Küper | first = Wolfram | work = Rock Hard | language = de | publisher = Holger Stratmann | issue = 251 | accessdate = 20 August 2013 }}</ref> Paul Batteiger of The Metal Crypt website noted they "tend to write really long songs that are just a little bit proggy without straying out of pure metal territory – they don't overuse keys, they don't go nuts with the solos, they just write long songs filled with heavy riffs".<ref name="Batteiger">{{cite web | url = http://www.metalcrypt.com/pages/review.php?revid=4574 | title = ''Vespertilium'' Review | last = Batteiger | first = Paul | publisher = The Metal Crypt (Michel Renaud) | date = 11 February 2009 | accessdate = 20 August 2013 }}</ref>

Despite many reviews crediting Dahlqvist as keyboardist, it was Smith who played keyboards along with guitar and bass guitar. In November that year Lord Tim announced his departure from Ilium.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ultimatemetal.com/forum/lord-news-gigs/350766-ilium-news.html |title=Ilium news – Ultimate Metal Forum |publisher=Ultimatemetal.com |date=2007-11-25 |accessdate=2012-05-17}}</ref>

===''Ageless Decay'': 2009–2010===
The release of ''Ageless Decay'' in June 2009 brought outstanding reviews from the metal music scene in Europe. The album features vocals by New Yorks '''Mike DiMeo''' which takes this band's music to places they have never been before. Surprisingly the band is largely unknown in its home country of Australia.{{Citation needed|date=August 2022}}

Significant changes for the album Ageless Decay are the artwork by Dimitar Nikolov and the mixing and mastering by Tommy Hansen. The team of Hodges and Smith continue to gain attention to their songwriting abilities. Ageless Decay is distributed by Escape Music.

===''Genetic Memory'': 2011–2014===
In July 2010 the band announced that they were working on their fifth album ''Genetic Memory'', The album was released in August 2011 by Escape Music. Many claiming this album a step forward for Ilium in most areas.

2012 a new song named Greenpeace Music Video dedicated to [[Greenpeace]] produced by [[FanVision]] & Vida Production in cooperation with Ilium, and in acting, written and directed by [[Diego Vida]]. Composed by Ilium with Lyrics by Jason Hodges and music by Adam Smith and voice by Mike DiMeo, promoting the new [[Rainbow Warrior (2011)|Rainbow Warrior]] ship.

===''My Misanthropia'': 2015-2016 ===
The sixth full-length release from Australian-based melodic heavy metal band Ilium draws from a wide range of US, British and Euro traditional heavy and power metal styles, with dark lyrical themes from various mythologies, legends and the depths of depression. Successfully marrying many different subgenres into their own version of traditional metal.

"My Misanthropia" features a new man at the front in vocalist Lance King, who takes over for the departing Mike DiMeo (ex-Riot). Mike's departure opened the doors for renowned vocalist [[Lance King]] (Balance of Power, Pyramaze, Avian) to take over. Lance's style was very much what the band were looking for on the final product, "My Misanthropia" will prove to be their most accomplished works yet.

The album was released digitally on 24 March 2015. The first 1000 CD copies released were a "Limited Edition Double Digipak" including bonus CD "Wendigo" (5 Tracks) including three originals and two very special remakes; "Tragedy" – (The Bee Gee's) and "Love is All" – (Roger Glover/Ronnie James Dio).

On 9 November 2015 Ilium released a lyric video for the song "[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-vK7VHm9jiQ The Cryptozoologist]" through [https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCeVz-C6s9Z4ADyoeKDD-y3Q Nightmare's Megaloud YouTube channel].

=== ''Sirens of the Styx: Re-Styxed'': 2017–present ===
Released 25 October 2017. Adam Smith (guitar, bass, keyboard), Lord Tim (vocals), Tim Yatras (drums) and Jason Hodges (lyrics). It is a complete re-working of the 2003 debut, with the original also included in the physical CD package. All songs have been re-written, and re-recorded along with a brand new track – 'Ode of the Trans-Dimensional Puppeteer'. Lord Tim from LORD and Dungeon, who recorded and sang backing vocals on the original, handles lead vocals.

=== Current ===
Adam Smith and Jason Hodges worked on a new EP, ''Quantum Evolution Event'', which was released in 2022.

==Discography==
{{Discography
| Type = EP
| Name = Ilium
| Released = 2002
| Label =
| Producer = [[Lord Tim]]
| Format = CD
| Chart position=
| Certification =
| Sales =
| Singles =
| from Album = 
| Writer = 
| Tracks = 
| Other info =
}}

{{Discography
| Type = studio
| Name = Sirens of the Styx
| Released = 2003
| Label = Steelheart (Italy)
| Producer = [[Lord Tim]]
| Format = CD
| Chart position=
| Certification =
| Sales =
| Singles =
| from Album = 
| Writer = 
| Tracks = 
| Other info =
}}

{{Discography
| Type = studio
| Name = Permian Dusk
| Released = 2005
| Label = Steelheart (Italy)
| Producer = Adam Smith / Jason Hodges
| Format = CD
| Chart position=
| Certification =
| Sales =
| Singles =
| from Album = 
| Writer = 
| Tracks = 
| Other info =
}}

{{Discography
| Type = studio
| Name = Vespertilion
| Released = 2007
| Label = Just Say Rock (Australia)
| Producer = Adam Smith / Jason Hodges
| Format = CD
| Chart position=
| Certification =
| Sales =
| Singles =
| from Album = 
| Writer = 
| Tracks = 
| Other info =
}}

{{Discography
| Type = studio
| Name = Ageless Decay
| Released = 2009
| Label =
| Producer = Adam Smith / Jason Hodges
| Format = CD
| Chart position=
| Certification =
| Sales =
| Singles =
| from Album = 
| Writer = 
| Tracks = 
| Other info =
}}

{{Discography
| Type = studio
| Name = Genetic Memory
| Released = 2011
| Label =
| Producer = Adam Smith / Jason Hodges
| Format = CD
| Chart position=
| Certification =
| Sales =
| Singles =
| from Album = 
| Writer = 
| Tracks = 
| Other info =
}}

{{Discography
| Type = studio
| Name = My Misanthropia
| Released = 2015
| Label = Nightmare Records
| Producer = Adam Smith / Lance King
| Format = CD
| Chart position=
| Certification =
| Sales =
| Singles =The Cryptozoologist, The Hatchling
| from Album = 
| Writer = 
| Tracks = 
| Other info =
|Videos=}}

{{Discography
| Type = studio
| Name = Wendigo EP
| Released = 2015
| Label = Nightmare Records
| Producer = Adam Smith / Lance King
| Format = CD
| Chart position=
| Certification =
| Sales =
| Singles =Tragedy, Love is All
| from Album = 
| Writer = 
| Tracks = 
| Other info =
}}{{Discography
| Type = studio
| Name = Sirens of the Styx: Re-Styxed
| Released = 2017
| Label = Nightmare Records
| Producer = Adam Smith / Lord Tim
| Format = Double CD
| Chart position=
| Certification =
| Sales =
| Singles =Ode of the Trans-Dimensional Puppeteer
| from Album = 
| Writer = 
| Tracks = 
| Other info =
}}{{Discography
| Type = studio
| Name = Carcinogeist
| Released = 2020
| Producer = Lord Tim
| Format = digital/CD
}}

== References ==
{{reflist}}

==External links==
* [http://www.myspace.com/iliummetal Official Myspace Page]
* [https://www.facebook.com/Ilium-129928725994/ Official Facebook Page]

{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Ilium}}
[[Category:Musical groups established in 1998]]
[[Category:Musical groups from New South Wales]]
[[Category:Australian heavy metal musical groups]]
[[Category:Australian power metal musical groups]]

Moving Pictures (band)

2025-09-13T23:52:00Z

2001:8003:747E:6B00:305C:81A6:FCE9:EE3C:

{{Short description|Australian rock band}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=September 2020}}
{{Use Australian English|date=March 2012}}
{{Infobox musical artist
| name = Moving Pictures
| background = group_or_band
| image = Moving Pictures singer Alex Smith onstage.jpg
| caption = Moving Pictures lead singer Alex Smith performing onstage
| image_size =
| landscape = 
| alt =
| alias =
| origin = [[Sydney]], [[New South Wales]], Australia
| genre = [[Pop rock]]
| years_active = {{start date|1980}}–{{end date|1987}}, 2005, 2011-present
| label = [[Al Coury#Network Records label|Network]], [[Epic Records|Epic]], [[Elektra Records|Elektra]]
| associated_acts = [[1927 (band)|1927]], Chasin' the Train, Alex Smith and DBM
| website = {{URL|moving-pictures-band.com}}
| current_members = Charlie Cole Garry Frost Ian Lees Alex Smith Mark Meyer Scott Simpkins
| past_members = Paul Freeland Joey Amenta Kevin Bennett Andy Thompson
}}

'''Moving Pictures''' are an Australian [[rock music|rock]] band formed in 1980.<ref>{{Cite web|last=|first=|date=1987|title=Moving Pictures - The Last Picture Show - Live (liner notes)|url=http://moving-pictures-band.com/music/the-last-picture-show/|access-date=25 October 2020|website=Moving Pictures Official Website}}</ref> Their debut album, ''[[Days of Innocence]]'', was issued in October 1981 and eventually peaked at No. 1 on the [[Kent Music Report]] Albums Chart in February the following year. In January 1982, they released their single, "[[What About Me (Moving Pictures song)|What About Me]]", which reached No. 1 on the Kent Singles Chart. Later that year, [[Elektra Records]] issued ''Days of Innocence'' and "What About Me" in North America. The single reached No. 29 on the [[Billboard Hot 100|''Billboard'' Hot 100]] and appeared on the associated year-end Hot 100 list for 1983. A proposed series of United States performances supporting [[REO Speedwagon]], [[Tom Petty]], and [[Hall & Oates]] fell through when Elektra was substantially reorganised.

In November 1982, another single, "Winners", peaked at No. 12 in Australia. In October 1983, their second album, ''Matinee'', was released. It reached No. 16 and, of its four singles, only the lead single, "Back to the Streets", reached the Top 40. Their non-album single "[[Never (Moving Pictures song)|Never]]" was used for two film soundtracks, ''[[Footloose (1984 soundtrack)|Footloose]]'' (1984) and ''[[Hot Rod (2007 film)|Hot Rod]]'' (2007). By the end of 1987, the group had disbanded. The band reformed in 2011 with annual tours.

==History==
===1980–1987===
Moving Pictures were formed in Sydney in 1980 with Charlie Cole on keyboards and trumpet; Paul Freeland on drums; Garry Frost on guitar, keyboards, and vocals; Ian Lees on bass guitar (ex-This Side Up); Alex Smith on vocals and guitar (Bilgola Bop Band, This Side Up); and Andrew Thompson on saxophone (Bilgola Bop Band).<ref name="McFarlane">{{Cite book | last1 = McFarlane | first1 = Ian | authorlink1 = Ian McFarlane | title = [[Encyclopedia of Australian Rock and Pop]] | chapter = Encyclopedia entry for 'Moving Pictures' | archiveurl = https://web.archive.org/web/20040705042450/http://www.whammo.com.au/encyclopedia.asp?articleid=517 | chapter-url = http://www.whammo.com.au/encyclopedia.asp?articleid=517 | year = 1999 | publisher = [[Allen & Unwin]] | location = [[St Leonards, New South Wales|St Leonards, NSW]] | archivedate = 5 July 2004 | isbn = 1-86508-072-1 | url-status = dead}}</ref><ref name="Holmgren">{{cite web | archiveurl = https://web.archive.org/web/20120927020532/http://hem.passagen.se/honga/database/m/movingpictures.html | url = http://hem.passagen.se/honga/database/m/movingpictures.html | title = Moving Pictures | publisher = [[Australian Rock Database]]. Passagen (Magnus Holmgren) | first = Magnus | last = Holmgren | archivedate = 27 September 2012 | url-status = usurped | accessdate = 12 February 2014 }}</ref><ref name=Bmusic>{{cite news | archiveurl = https://web.archive.org/web/20080723192849/http://www.bmusic.com.au/links/whatsnew/newsletters/archives/newsno107.html | url = http://www.bmusic.com.au/links/whatsnew/newsletters/archives/newsno107.html#where | work = Newsletter | publisher = Bmusic.com.au | title = Where are they now? – Moving Pictures | issue = 107 | archivedate=23 July 2008|date = 15–21 February 2004 | accessdate = 15 March 2013 }}</ref> Initially they performed as a "hard working, R&B-inspired pub-rock outfit", playing up to 250 shows a year, with their early influences being [[Bruce Springsteen]], [[Graham Parker]] and [[Van Morrison]].<ref name="McFarlane"/><ref name="retro">{{cite web|url=https://rqsretrouniverse.blogspot.com/2008/09/moving-pictures-lead-to-sound-of-1927.html |title=Moving Pictures lead to the sound of 1927 |publisher=RetroUniverse |date=1 September 2008|accessdate=16 December 2008}}</ref> In early 1981 Moving Pictures were signed to the Wheatley management team – run by former [[Masters Apprentices]]' bass guitarist [[Glenn Wheatley]] – and the allied Wheatley Records label.<ref name="McFarlane"/><ref name="retro"/> Their debut single, "Bustin' Loose", broke into the Top 50 on the Kent Singles Chart in October.<ref name="retro"/><ref name="Kent">{{Cite book | title = [[Kent Music Report|Australian Chart Book 1970–1992]] | last1 = Kent | first1 = David | authorlink1 = David Kent (historian) | publisher = Australian Chart Book Ltd | location = [[St Ives, New South Wales|St Ives, NSW]] | year = 1993 | isbn = 0-646-11917-6 }} Note: Used for Australian Singles and Albums charting from 1974 until [[Australian Recording Industry Association]] (ARIA) created their own [[ARIA Charts|charts]] in mid-1988. In 1992, Kent back calculated chart positions for 1970–1974.</ref>

Their debut album, ''[[Days of Innocence]]'', also appeared in October 1981 and initially failed to reach the Top 40 on the Kent Albums Chart.<ref name="McFarlane"/><ref name="Kent"/> It was produced by [[Charles Fisher (producer)|Charles Fisher]] ([[Radio Birdman]], [[The Radiators (Australian band)|The Radiators]], [[Air Supply]]).<ref name="Holmgren"/><ref name="HolmgrenCF">{{cite web | archiveurl = https://web.archive.org/web/20131022052832/http://hem.passagen.se/honga/database/f/fishercharles.html | url = http://hem.passagen.se/honga/database/f/fishercharles.html | title = Charles Fisher | publisher = [[Australian Rock Database]]. Passagen (Magnus Holmgren) | first = Magnus | last = Holmgren | archivedate = 22 October 2013 | url-status = usurped | accessdate = 12 February 2014 }}</ref> The band's live show was all about their rock leanings but the album featured strong ballads that belied that live rock act.<ref name="Bmusic"/> In January 1982 they issued another single, "[[What About Me (Moving Pictures song)|What About Me]]", which remained at [[List of number-one singles in Australia during the 1980s#1982 .28Kent Music Report.29|No. 1 for six weeks]] early [[1982 in music|that year]].<ref name="McFarlane"/><ref name="Kent"/> Renewed interest in the album saw it reach No. 1 in February on the Kent Albums Chart.<ref name="McFarlane"/><ref name="Kent"/> The album became the fourth-highest-selling album of the year.<ref name="Cameron2"/> "What About Me" won the 'Best Single' category at the 1982 [[Australian pop music awards|Countdown Awards]].<ref name="McFarlane"/> It was the second-highest-selling single in Australia for 1982, behind [[Survivor (band)|Survivor]]'s "[[Eye of the Tiger]]".<ref name="Cameron2">{{cite book | editor-first = Angus | editor-last = Cameron | title = The Second Australian Almanac: An 800-page Databank Crammed with Essential Information for Every Australian | chapter = Part Three: Facts and Figures: Australian National Top Ten Best-Selling Albums and Singles 1974–1985 | publisher = [[Angus & Robertson]] | year = 1986 | page = 346 | location = [[North Ryde, New South Wales|North Ryde, NSW]] | isbn = 0-207-15232-2 }}</ref>

The album's third single, "Sweet Cherie", from ''Days of Innocence'' peaked at 51, while the fourth and final single, "Winners", reached No. 12 in November.<ref name="McFarlane"/><ref name="Kent"/> By that time Freeland had been replaced on drums by Mark Meyer (ex-[[Stylus (band)|Stylus]], [[Richard Clapton|Richard Clapton Band]], Mark Gillespie Band).<ref name="McFarlane"/><ref name="Holmgren"/> Moving Pictures had signed to the [[Elektra Records|Elektra]] distribution label in the United States, which issued ''Days of Innocence'' and "What About Me" in North America.<ref name="McFarlane"/> The single reached No. 29 on the [[Billboard magazine|''Billboard'']] pop singles chart,<ref name="AllMusic">{{cite web |url={{AllMusic|class=artist|id=p469106/biography|pure_url=yes}} |title=Moving Pictures > Biography |publisher=[[allmusic]] |last=Swift |first=Brendan |accessdate=16 December 2008 }}</ref> spending 26 weeks inside the [[Billboard Hot 100|''Billboard'' Hot 100]]. It made ''Billboard''{{'}}s year-end Hot 100 list for 1983, at No. 88<ref name="80sxchange.com">[http://www.80sxchange.com/80s_charts/1983.htm "The Top 100 Pop Singles of 1983"]. ''80sxchange.com''. Retrieved 7 April 2007.</ref> – a rare feat for a single with such a low peak position. The song made an unusual comeback in 1989, peaking at No. 46.<ref name="AllMusic"/> On the eve of their planned US tour to capitalise on their success there, Elektra was substantially reorganised and their relationship collapsed.<ref name="McFarlane"/><ref name="AllMusic"/> The tour was to include support slots with [[REO Speedwagon]], [[Tom Petty]] and [[Hall & Oates]] as well as their own headlining shows.<ref name="McFarlane"/><ref name="retro"/> In hindsight this was Moving Pictures' best opportunity to enter the US market, but it was ruined.<ref name="Bmusic"/>

In October 1983 their second album, ''Matinee'', also produced by Fisher, was released.<ref name="McFarlane"/><ref name="Holmgren"/> It reached No. 16 in Australia and, of its four singles, only "Back to the Streets", reached the Top 40.<ref name="Kent"/> The album captured more of the band's live show feel and rock leanings. Late in 1983 the band toured Japan. Due to band problems Frost left the group in 1984, saying "the group had lost direction".<ref name="McFarlane"/><ref name="Bmusic"/> He was temporarily replaced on guitar by Joey Amenta (ex-Taste, Redhouse, [[Russell Morris|Russell Morris Band]], [[Wendy Stapleton|Wendy and the Rockets]]) until Kevin Bennett (Allied Harp, Wild Colonial Boys) joined the line-up in 1985.<ref name="McFarlane"/><ref name="Holmgren"/><ref name="AllMusic"/> The group continued to tour domestically and had gained a strong, loyal following. In May 1987 they undertook the Live Picture Show Tour and disbanded afterwards.<ref name="McFarlane"/><ref name="Holmgren"/> In December that year the next album, ''[[The Last Picture Show (Moving Pictures album)|The Last Picture Show]]'', based on the tour was issued.<ref name="McFarlane"/><ref name="Holmgren"/>

===1987–present: Post Moving Pictures===
Ex-Moving Pictures members have undertaken various musical careers:
* Charlie Cole initially worked in [[Los Angeles]], in 1990 he joined Frost's band, [[1927 (band)|1927]].<ref name="Holmgren"/> He has recorded work in America with members of the Blues Brothers Band, with [[James Blundell (singer)|James Blundell]] (in [[Nashville]]) and did session work for various individuals and bands including [[Ed Kuepper]]. In 1999 Cole returned to Australia and joined The Shuffle Kings in which, as from 2003, he played trumpet, recorder, keyboards and the piano accordion.<ref name="Bmusic"/>
* Garry Frost left Moving Pictures in 1984 feeling the group had lost direction. He concentrated on his song-writing and piano playing – so much so that he developed [[tendonitis]] in his wrists.<ref name="Bmusic"/> In 1987 he formed a pop-rock group, [[1927 (band)|1927]], with Eric Weideman, whom he had seen performing on ''[[Hey Hey It's Saturday]]''{{'}}s "Red Faces" talent segment.<ref name="Holmgren"/><ref name="Swift2">{{cite web|url={{AllMusic|class=artist|id=p13803/biography|pure_url=yes}} |last=Swift |first=Brendan |title=1927 > Biography |publisher=[[Allmusic]]. [[Rovi Corporation]] |accessdate=16 March 2013}}</ref> Whilst with 1927, Frost also worked with [[Gyan Evans|Gyan]] co-writing her 1989 hit "Wait". "Wait" was the first single from her [[Gyan (album)|self-titled]] debut album, which won an [[ARIA Music Awards|ARIA award]] and was certified platinum. In 1990 Frost left 1927, and became co-partner in a Sydney post production studio, he continued writing, performing and producing. Some of Frost's work in the early 2000s was with Sydney singer-songwriter, Djamel<ref name="Bmusic"/> and vocalist Carlie Fairburn.
* Ian Lees formed the blues band, Chasin' the Train, with fellow former Moving Pictures member Kevin Bennett.<ref name="Holmgren"/> Lees then became a session bass guitarist, he played with Mal Eastick and [[Lee Kernaghan]]. Over his career he has played for The Wild Colonial Boys, [[Tommy Emmanuel]], [[Tania Kernaghan]], [[Mondo Rock]], Phil Emmanuel, [[Gina Jeffreys]], Matt Taylor, and [[Kevin Borich]].<ref name="Bmusic"/>
* Alex Smith formed Alex Smith and the Volunteers aka Alex Smith and DBM, in 1989.<ref name="Holmgren"/> The line up included Ben Little (ex-Pink Slips) on guitar, Lee Borkman (Scribble) on keyboards, Dave Carter on bass guitar and Mark O'Shea on drums. In 1991 Smith fronted The Blues Liners, which released a single, "This Time Tomorrow", recorded at Alberts Studios.
* Andy Thompson became a session musician, he contributed a saxophone solo on [[Elton John]]'s track, "Li'l 'Frigerator", from his 1984 album, ''[[Breaking Hearts]]''. While a member of Moving Pictures Thompson had worked for Mark Gillespie in 1982 and then with [[Australian Crawl]] in 1983 for their album, ''[[Semantics (album)|Semantics]]''. He contributed to [[Jenny Morris (musician)|Jenny Morris]]' 1987 album, ''[[Body and Soul (Jenny Morris album)|Body And Soul]]''.<ref name="Bmusic"/> He toured with Cold Chisel and played with Dire Straits on their Brothers in Arms tour.
* Kevin Bennett, after forming Chasin' the Train with Lees, went on to blues, roots band, The Flood.<ref name="Holmgren"/><ref name="Bmusic"/>
* Mark Meyer joined Chasin' the Train alongside Lees and Bennett.<ref name="Holmgren"/> He has performed in [[Wendy Matthews]] touring band and together with Lees have both been long term rhythm section for [[James Blundell (singer)|James Blundell]]. Meyer and Lees have also worked with Australian guitarist-singer Lawrie Minson and Lee Kernaghan.<ref name="Bmusic"/>
* Original drummer Paul Freeland left the music business to focus on a career in wood-sculpting. Having received formal training as a [[metallurgy|metallurgist]] before joining the band, he would also go on to teach [[industrial arts|manual arts]] at The School of Performing Arts in [[Newtown, New South Wales|Newtown]]. He died of complications from [[Alzheimer's disease|Alzheimer's]] in April 2020.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.96fm.com.au/entertainment/music/original-moving-pictures-member-passes-away-after-alzheimers-battle/ |title=Original 'Moving Pictures' Member Passes Away After Alzheimer's Battle |last=Doyle |first=Pip |website=96FM Perth |date=20 April 2020 |access-date=28 January 2022}}</ref>

===2005: Reunion===
In 2005 Moving Pictures reformed as an acoustic trio, with Smith and Cole joined by Dave Carter (ex Alex Smith and DBM), for 26 performances throughout New South Wales and Queensland.<ref>{{cite news | url = http://www.smh.com.au/news/music/what-about-them/2005/08/12/1123353486362.html | title = What about them? | work = [[The Sydney Morning Herald]]| publisher = [[Fairfax Media]] | date = 13 August 2005 | last = Zuel | first = Bernard | accessdate = 16 December 2008}}</ref> In July 2011, to commemorate the thirtieth anniversary of the initial release of ''Days of Innocence'', Moving Pictures reformed with the line-up of Cole, Frost, Lees, Meyer, Smith and Thompson.<ref name="CashmereT">{{cite news | url = http://www.undercover.fm/news/14549-moving-pictures-reunite-for-sydney-and-melbourne-shows | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20160303231642/http://www.undercover.fm/news/14549-moving-pictures-reunite-for-sydney-and-melbourne-shows | url-status = usurped | archive-date = 3 March 2016 | title = Moving Pictures Reunite for Sydney and Melbourne Shows | last = Cashmere | first = Tim | publisher = Undercover.fm ([[Paul Cashmere]], Ros O'Gorman) | date = 1 May 2011 | accessdate = 17 March 2013 }}</ref><ref name="Yahoo7">{{cite web | url = http://au.tv.yahoo.com/sunrise/factsheets/article/-/9866512/moving-pictures-perform-on-sunrise-thursday-21-july/ | title = Moving Pictures Tour Dates | work = [[Sunrise (Australian TV program)|Sunrise]] | publisher = [[Seven Network]]. [[Yahoo!]] | accessdate = 17 March 2013 | url-status = dead | archiveurl = https://web.archive.org/web/20110811023526/http://au.tv.yahoo.com/sunrise/factsheets/article/-/9866512/moving-pictures-perform-on-sunrise-thursday-21-july/ | archivedate = 11 August 2011}}</ref><ref>[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2afID4NLRlw Moving Pictures - 'What About Me' (live on ''Sunrise'' 21-7-2011) @YouTube.com] Retrieved 1-20-2013.</ref> They performed in Melbourne and Sydney, including an appearance on breakfast TV show, ''[[Sunrise (Australian TV program)|Sunrise]]'', performing their signature song.<ref name="Yahoo7"/> Smith described the reformation "this line-up and this band hasn't been in the same room together since 1984 ... I'm just going to play it by ear – same as I used to do every day in the past [...] It will be like, 'What are we here for? We're here to play and have a great time'".<ref name="Spree">{{cite news | url = http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/entertainment/insider/a-return-to-innocence-for-iconic-eighties-band-moving-pictures/story-e6frewt9-1226046945147 | title = Return to Innocence for Iconic Eighties Band Moving Pictures | last = Spree | first = Kylie | work = [[The Sunday Telegraph (Sydney)|The Sunday Telegraph]] | publisher = [[News Limited]] ([[News Corporation (1980–2013)|News Corporation]]) | date = 1 May 2011 | accessdate = 17 March 2013 }}</ref>

==Legacy==
In February [[2004 in music|2004]] Moving Pictures' hit single, "What About Me", was [[cover version|covered]] by ''[[Australian Idol]]'' (2003) runner-up [[Shannon Noll]], which peaked at No. 1 on the [[ARIA Charts|ARIA Singles Chart]] – for four weeks.<ref name="AusChartsSN">{{cite web | url = http://australian-charts.com/showitem.asp?interpret=Shannon+Noll&titel=What+About+Me&cat=s | title = Shannon Noll – 'What About Me' | publisher = Australian Charts Portal. Hung Medien (Steffen Hung) | last = Hung | first = Steffen | accessdate = 16 March 2013 }}</ref> Noll liked the original, "it's just a great song about average people, and there are a lot of us out there ... I didn't mess around with it heaps, I just sang it as honest as possible".<ref name="Jenkins">{{Cite book | title = Molly Meldrum presents 50 years of rock in Australia | chapter = 40 Great Australian Songs | last1 = Jenkins | first1 = Jeff | last2 =Meldrum | first2 = Ian | authorlink2 = Molly Meldrum | year = 2007 | publisher = Wilkinson Publishing | location = Melbourne, Vic | pages = 302 | isbn = 978-1-921332-11-1 }}</ref> "What About Me" is the first Australian single to achieve No. 1 on two separate occasions by two different artists.<ref name="Jenkins"/>

Their song, "[[Never (Moving Pictures song)|Never]]", was used as part of the soundtrack for two films, 1984's ''[[Footloose (1984 soundtrack)|Footloose]]'' and 2007's ''[[Hot Rod (2007 film)|Hot Rod]]''.<ref name="AMGFoot">{{cite web | url = http://www.allmusic.com/album/footloose-2011-original-motion-picture-soundtrack-r2271940 | title = ''Footloose'' [Original Soundtrack] | last = Erlewine | first = Stephen Thomas | authorlink = Stephen Thomas Erlewine | publisher = [[Allmusic]]. [[Rovi Corporation]] | accessdate = 17 March 2013 }}</ref><ref name="AMGHot">{{citation | title = ''Hot Rod'' [Original Soundtrack] | last = Deming | first = Mark | publisher = [[Allmusic]]. [[Rovi Corporation]] }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0787475/soundtrack|title=Hot Rod - soundtrack|publisher=[[IMDb]]|accessdate=16 December 2008}}</ref> In both cases the song accompanied the film's star doing a [[punchdance]] routine.<ref>{{cite video |quote=I needed to think last night. So I galloped into a wooded glen, and after '''punch dancing''' out my rage and suffering an extremely long and very painful fall, I realized what has to be done. |first=Kimble |last=Rod |title=Hot Rod}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |website=[[Moviefone]] |url=http://news.moviefone.com/2011/08/10/footloose-remake-soundtrack-kenny-wormald-interview-white-stripes/ |title='Footloose' Star Kenny Wormald on Updating a Classic '80s Soundtrack With the White Stripes |first=Eric |last=Larnick |date=10 August 2011 |quote=there is one track -- central to the film -- that doesn't appear on the soundtrack. That's the song Ren McCormack '''punch-dances''' to all by himself in an abandoned factory, in one of the great frustration-venting scenes in pop-cinema history. So what does Ren McCormack '''punch-dance''' to when he needs to left off some steam in the year 2011? |access-date=20 October 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140415004354/http://news.moviefone.com/2011/08/10/footloose-remake-soundtrack-kenny-wormald-interview-white-stripes/ |archive-date=15 April 2014 |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |website=[[The Good Men Project]] |url=http://goodmenproject.com/arts/the-good-men-playlist-choosing-your-2014-montage-song-js/ |title=The Good Men Playlist: Choosing Your 2014 Montage Song |date=28 December 2013 |first=James |last=Stafford |quote=If you'd rather '''punch dance''' your anger out, stick with Footloose.}}</ref> The punchdance routine was also parodied in the ''[[Family Guy]]'' season 12 episode "[[Baby Got Black]]".<ref name="Noise11">{{cite web |url=http://www.noise11.com/news/moving-pictures-family-guy-synch-is-bittersweet-for-alex-smith-20140429 |title=Moving Pictures Family Guy Synch Is Bittersweet For Alex Smith |first=Paul |last=Cashmere |website=Noise11 |date=29 April 2014 |accessdate=13 February 2020}}</ref> The band have indicated that due to the bankruptcy of their U.S. record company, and unfortunate timing of the release of "Never", they had not received any royalties whatsoever for the track.<ref name="Spree"/><ref>{{cite web |url=https://newcastlelive.com.au/moving-pictures-never-paid-never/ |title=Moving Pictures: Never paid for 'Never' |website=Newcastle Live! |date=20 April 2016 |accessdate=13 February 2020}}</ref><ref name="Noise11"/>

In 2000, [[BMG Records|BMG]] Australia released an album, ''[[Days of Innocence – The Ultimate Collection]]'', which has remastered tracks from their debut album (reproducing its original cover art), with bonus tracks from ''Matinee'' and a couple non-album single sides, such as "Never".<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.amazon.com/Days-Innocence-Collection-Moving-Pictures/dp/B000050AMF#moreAboutThisProduct |title=''Days of Innocence - The Ultimate Collection''|publisher=Amazon|accessdate=16 December 2008}}</ref><ref name="NLA1">{{Citation | last = Moving Pictures (Musical group) | title = ''The Ultimate Collection'' | date = 2000 | publisher = BMG Australia. [[National Library of Australia]] | url = http://trove.nla.gov.au/work/9868763 | accessdate = 17 March 2013 | quote = Includes all the songs from Moving Pictures' 1982 album, ''Days of Innocence'', all the singles released afterwards and choice cuts from their second album, ''Matinee''}}.</ref>

==Members==
;Current members
*Charlie Cole – keyboards, trumpet (1978–1987, 2005, 2011–present)
*Alex Smith – vocals, guitar (1978–1987, 2005, 2011–present)
*Garry Frost – guitar, keyboards (1978–1983, 2011–present)
*Ian Lees – bass (1978–1987, 2011–present)
*Mark Meyer – drums (1982–1987, 2011–present)
*Scott Simpkins – saxophone (2018–present)

;Former members
*Paul Freeland – drums (1978–1982)
*Andy Thompson – saxophone (1978–1987, 2011–2016)
*Joey Amenta – guitar (1983–1985)
*Kevin Bennett – guitar, keyboards (1985–1987)
*Andy Bickers – saxophone (2017–2018)

==Discography==
===Studio albums===
{| class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center;" border="1"
! rowspan="2" width="300"|Title
! rowspan="2" width="300"|Details
! colspan="2"|Peak chart positions
! rowspan="2" width="240"|Certifications
|-
!style="width:3em;font-size:75%"|[[Kent Music Report|AUS]] <ref name="Kent"/>
!style="width:3em;font-size:75%"|[[Billboard 200|US]] <ref name="US">{{Cite web|url=https://www.billboard.com/music/moving-pictures|title=Moving Pictures Chart History|website=Billboard.com}}</ref>
|-
! scope="row" | ''[[Days of Innocence]]''
|
*Released: October 1981
*Label: Wheatley Records (WBEX 1005)
*Format: LP, Cassette, 8-Track Cartridge
| align="center"| 1 || 101
|
*AUS: 3× Platinum<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/newslocal/the-standard/moving-pictures-back-on-stage-to-mark-35-years-of-their-big-hit/news-story/726243623f5a1a954919c07b8e16e28e|title=Moving Pictures back on stage to mark 35 years of their big hit|website=The Daily Telegraph|date= 13 February 2017|accessdate=21 April 2020}}</ref>
|-
! scope="row" | ''Matinee''
|
*Released: October 1983
*Label: Wheatley Records (WBEX 1010)
*Format: LP, Cassette
| align="center"| 16 || -
|
|-
! scope="row" | ''Picture This''
|
*Released: 9 October 2015<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://themusic.com.au/music/albumreviews/2015/11/10/moving-pictures-picture-this-sebastian-skeet/|title=/|website=Themusic.com.au}}</ref>
*Label: Liberation Music
*Format: CD
*Note: Reworking of Old Songs
| align="center"| - || -
|
|-
|}

===Live albums===
{| class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center;" border="1"
! rowspan="1" width="300"|Title
! rowspan="1" width="300"|Details
|-
! scope="row" | ''The Last Picture Show''
|
*Released: 30 November 1987
*Label: Wheatley Records (SPCD 1022)
*Format: CD, LP
|-
! scope="row" | ''Live At The State Theatre''
|
*Released: 2011
*Recorded: July 2011
*Label: Empire Touring
*Format: CD
|-
! scope="row" | ''Live Under The Palms''
|
*Released: 2020
*Recorded: March 2020 in NSW, Australia
*Label: Punwin Productions
*Format: CDr
|}

===Compilation albums===
{| class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center;" border="1"
! rowspan="1" width="300"|Title
! rowspan="1" width="300"|Details
|-
! scope="row" | ''Greatest Hits''
|
*Released: 1984
*Label: CBS/Sony
*Format: LP, Cassette
|-
! scope="row" | ''[[Days of Innocence – The Ultimate Collection]]''
|
*Released: 2000
*Label: BMG (74321720302)
*Format: CD
|}

===Singles===
{| class="wikitable"
! rowspan="2" width="33"|Year
! rowspan="2" width="240"|Title
! colspan="2"|Peak chart positions
! rowspan="2" width="240"|Certifications
! rowspan="2" width="240"|Album
|-
!style="width:3em;font-size:75%"|[[Kent Music Report|AUS]] <ref name="Kent"/>
!style="width:3em;font-size:75%"|[[Billboard 200|US]] <ref name="US"/>
|-
| 1981
| align="left"| "Bustin' Loose"
| 43
| -
|
| rowspan="4" | ''[[Days of Innocence]]''
|-
| rowspan="3" | 1982
| align="left"| "[[What About Me (Moving Pictures song)|What About Me]]"
| 1
| 29
|
* [[ARIA]]: Gold<ref>{{cite web|title= Platinum and Gold Singles 1982 |publisher= [[Kent Music Report]] |issue= 453 |via= [[Imgur]] |date= 28 February 1983 |access-date= 10 November 2021 |url= https://i.imgur.com/totLqGG.jpg}}</ref>
|-
| align="left"| "Sweet Cherie"
| 51
| -
|
|-
| align="left"| "Winners"
| 12
| -
|
|-
| rowspan="3" | 1983
| align="left"| "Back to the Streets"
| 37
| -
|
| rowspan="3" | ''Matinee''
|-
| align="left"| "Where they Belong"
| 80
| -
|
|-
| align="left"| "Back to the Blues and Booze"
| 80
| -
|
|-
| 1984
| align="left"| "[[Never (Moving Pictures song)|Never]]"
| -
| -
|
| ''[[Footloose (1984 soundtrack)|Footloose soundtrack]]''
|-
| 1987
| align="left"| "[[What About Me (Moving Pictures song)|What About Me]]" (Live)
| -
| 46
|
| ''The Last Picture Show''
|}

==Awards and nominations==
===Countdown Australian Music Awards===
''[[Countdown (Australian TV series)|Countdown]]'' was an Australian pop music TV series on national broadcaster [[ABC Television (Australian TV network)|ABC-TV]] from 1974 to 1987, it presented music awards from 1979 to 1987, initially in conjunction with magazine ''[[TV Week]]''. The TV Week / Countdown Awards were a combination of popular-voted and peer-voted awards.<ref name="CountdownMarch1987">{{Cite web | url = http://www.countdownmemories.com/magazines/pdfs/1987_03.pdf | title = Countdown to the Awards | work = Countdown Magazine |date=March 1987 | publisher = [[Australian Broadcasting Corporation]] (ABC) | format = [[Portable document format]] (PDF) | accessdate = 16 December 2010 }}</ref>

{{awards table}}
|-
|1981
| themselves
| Best New Talent
| {{nom}}
|-
| rowspan="2" | 1982
| "What About Me?"
| Best Single
| {{won}}
|-
| themselves
| Most Popular Group
| {{nom}}
|-
| 1983
| Charles Fisher for work with Moving Pictures
| Best Record Producer of the Year
| {{nom}}
|-
{{end}}

==References==
{{Reflist|30em}}

==External links==
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20100907210811/http://www.abc.net.au/nsw/stories/s1435206.htm "Alex Smith from Moving Pictures"], interview with James O'Loghlin on ABC New South Wales radio's ''The Backyard'', broadcast on 11 August 2005. Archived from [http://www.abc.net.au/nsw/stories/s1435206.htm the original] on 7 September 2010.
* [http://www.debbiekruger.com/writer/aprap/songs2.html "They Wrote the Songs, Part 2"] interview of Garry Frost by [[Debbie Kruger]] for [[Australasian Performing Right Association]]'s magazine, ''APRAP'', July–August 2002.
* [http://15min.org/articles/2005/august/10/rock_3.html 2005 reunion]

{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Moving Pictures}}
[[Category:Musical groups from Sydney]]
[[Category:Musical groups established in 1980]]
[[Category:Australian pop rock groups]]

New Christs

2025-09-13T23:24:28Z

2001:8003:747E:6B00:305C:81A6:FCE9:EE3C:

{{Short description|Australian garage rock band}}
{{Use Australian English|date=July 2014}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=July 2014}}
{{Infobox musical artist
| name = The New Christs
| image =
| image_size =
| landscape = 
| alt =
| caption =
| background = group_or_band
| alias =
| origin = [[Sydney]], [[New South Wales]], Australia
| genre = [[Garage rock]], [[Garage punk (fusion genre)|garage punk]]
| years_active = {{start date|1980}}–{{end date|1981}}, {{start date|1983}}–{{end date|1984}}, {{start date|1987}}–{{end date|1990}}, {{start date|1992}}–{{end date|2001}}, {{start date|2006}}–present
| label = Green, Blue Mosque/[[Festival Records|Festival]], [[Citadel Records|Citadel]], Lance Rock, Laughing Outlaw
| associated_acts = Other Side, X-Men, [[The Hitmen]], [[Radio Birdman]], [[Lime Spiders]]
| website = 
| current_members = [[Rob Younger]] Jim Dickson Dave Kettley Brent Williams Paul Larsen
| past_members = [[#Members|see Members]]
}}

'''The New Christs''' are an Australian [[garage rock]] band formed in 1980 by founding mainstay, [[Rob Younger]], on lead vocals. Younger was the lead singer for punk rockers, [[Radio Birdman]], and in other [[hard rock]] groups, [[New Race]], Bad Music, the Other Side, Nanker Phelge, and Deep Reduction. The New Christs line-up since 2011 is Younger with Jim Dickson on bass guitar, Dave Kettley on guitar, Paul Larsen on drums and Brent Williams on guitar and keyboards. Over their career the group have issued five studio albums, ''[[Distemper (album)|Distemper]]'' (1989), ''Lower Yourself'' (1997), ''We Got This!'' (2002), ''Gloria'' (2009) and ''Incantations'' (2014). Three former members have died: [[Stevie Plunder]] in January 1996, Mark Wilkinson in December 2012 and Christian Houllemare in June 2014.

==1980–1981==

The New Christs were formed early in 1980 in Sydney as a hard rock group with Clyde Bramley on bass guitar (ex-[[The Hitmen]], Other Side), Bruce 'Cub' Callaway on guitar (ex-X-Men, Saints), John Hoey on keyboards (ex-X-Men), Don McGloneon on drums (ex-Bedhogs) and Rob Younger on lead vocals (ex-[[Radio Birdman]], Other Side).<ref name="McFarlane"/><ref name="Holmgren"/> This line up never performed live but they released a single, "Face a New God", in August 1981, which was produced by Callaway for Green Records.<ref name="McFarlane"/> The track was co-written by Callaway and Younger.<ref name="APRA Face New"/> Australian musicologist, [[Ian McFarlane]], described it as "searing acid-punk" which has "since emerged as one of the most collectable artefacts of the Australian punk/new wave era."<ref name="McFarlane"/> They disbanded later that year.

==1983–1984==

The New Christs reformed in June 1983 with Younger joined by [[Chris Masuak]] on guitar, [[Mark Kingsmill]] on drums and Tony Robertson on bass guitar (all from The Hitmen) and Kent Steedman on guitar (also in [[the Celibate Rifles]]).<ref name="McFarlane"/><ref name="Holmgren"/> They supported an Australian tour by [[Iggy Pop]] and then Steedman returned to the Celibate Rifles.<ref name="McFarlane"/> Younger kept the band going with Richard Jakimyszyn as a replacement on guitar (ex-[[Lime Spiders]]).<ref name="McFarlane"/><ref name="Holmgren"/> They issued two singles, "Like a Curse" (April 1984) and "Born out of Time" (April 1986), on Citadel Records, which were written and produced by Younger.<ref name="McFarlane"/><ref name="Holmgren"/><ref name="APRA Face New"/> McFarlane felt they were "consummate, guitar-driven, hard rock".<ref name="McFarlane"/> [[AllMusic]]'s Jack Rabid reviewed "Like a Curse", as being "more slam-bang rock with great rhythm from a man who has it coursing in his bones."<ref name="Rabid">{{cite web | url = http://www.allmusic.com/album/like-a-curse-mw0002314749 | title = 'Like a Curse' – New Christs | author = Rabid, Jack | publisher = [[All Media Guide]] | work = [[AllMusic]] | access-date = 6 November 2015 }}</ref> The group's music was used on the soundtrack of the feature film, ''[[Going Down (1982 film)|Going Down]]'' (1982<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0085604/?ref_=fn_al_tt_2 | title=Going Down | website=[[IMDb]] }}</ref>).<ref name="Going Down"/> This line-up broke up in May 1984.<ref name="McFarlane"/>

==1987–1990, 1991==

Another version of the New Christs were assembled in February 1987: with Younger were Louis Burdett on drums (ex-Powerhouse, [[Ed Kuepper|Ed Kuepper Band]]), Jim Dickson on bass guitar (ex-[[Railroad Gin]], Survivors, Passengers, Barracudas) and [[Charlie Owen (musician)|Charlie Owen]] on lead guitar (ex-Tango Bravo).<ref name="McFarlane"/><ref name="Holmgren"/> Burdett was soon replaced on drums by Nick Fisher (ex-Wet Taxis, Paris Green).<ref name="McFarlane"/><ref name="Holmgren"/> This line up released four singles, "The Black Hole" (July 1987), "Dropping Like Flies'" (December), "Headin' South" (November 1988) and "Another Sin" (June 1989).<ref name="McFarlane"/> A four-track extended play, ''Detritus'', was issued as a compilation in 1987 for the United Kingdom and United States markets.<ref name="Holmgren"/> It was followed in 1988 by an Australian compilation album, ''Divine Rites'', which collected five singles from Citadel Records.<ref name="Holmgren"/>

The group's first studio album appeared in August 1989, ''[[Distemper (album)|Distemper]]'', which McFarlane opined was "explosive" and "remains the definitive statement on the band's sound and style. It contained a wealth of powerful tracks."<ref name="McFarlane"/> Penelope Layland of ''[[The Canberra Times]]'' declared it to be "good, aggressive music, full of hate, even if it has all been done before... All in all a good album. Play it as a substitute for clobbering someone."<ref name="Layland"/> In June 2008 Dylan Lewis described it as "A non-stop ride of terrific songs full of melody and power offset the bleak, venomous lyrics. The tension the musicians create in each track is spine tingling. It's an exhausting album to listen to. To my ears, it stands as the greatest, raging Australian rock'n'roll album."<ref name="Lewis"/> It reached No. 1 on the ARIA Alternative Albums Chart.<ref name="McFarlane"/> They toured Australia and undertook two tours of Europe (1988, 1989).<ref name="McFarlane"/> The band split up in February 1990 but briefly reformed in 1991 to support [[Ramones]] at a gig in Sydney.<ref name="McFarlane"/>

==1992–2001==

Younger established the next version of New Christs in January 1992 with Billy Gibson on guitar and organ (ex-Eastern Dark), Greg Hitchcock on guitar (ex-The Neptunes, [[Kryptonics]]), Christian Houllemare on bass guitar (ex-Happy Hate Me Nots), Peter Kelly on drums (ex-Flies, No Man's Land, [[Vanilla Chainsaws]]) and [[Stevie Plunder]] on guitar (ex-[[The Plunderers (band)|The Plunderers]]).<ref name="McFarlane"/><ref name="Holmgren"/> Hitchcock soon left to join the Boom Babies and, in September 1992, Plunder formed [[the Whitlams]] and was replaced by Tony Harper (ex-Viscounts, Voodoo Lust).<ref name="McFarlane"/><ref name="Holmgren"/> Another four-track EP, ''Pedestal'', was released in October 1994.<ref name="McFarlane"/><ref name="Holmgren"/> In 1995 Mark Wilkinson (ex-Girlies, Lime Spiders) replaced Gibson on piano and guitar.<ref name="McFarlane"/><ref name="Holmgren"/> Younger, Harper, Houllemare, Kelly and Wilkinson line-up were recorded on a seven-track EP, ''Woe Betide'' (November 1995), which was produced by Younger.<ref name="McFarlane"/><ref name="Holmgren"/> A Canadian label, Lance Rock Records, issued a compilation album, ''Born out of Time'' (1996), which McFarlane described as "13 tracks of prime New Christs aural mayhem."<ref name="McFarlane"/><ref name="Holmgren"/> Younger felt it contained "the songs I can still stand."<ref name="Ginsberg">{{cite web | url = http://www.allmusic.com/artist/new-christs-mn0000475252/biography | title = New Christs | Biography & History | author = Ginsberg, Geoff | publisher = All Media Guide | work = AllMusic | access-date = 6 November 2015 }}</ref>

The New Christs were temporarily put on hold in early 1996 while Younger toured with a reformed, Radio Birdman.<ref name="McFarlane"/> The New Christs resumed by mid-year and released their second studio album, ''Lower Yourself'' (early 1997), produced by Younger.<ref name="McFarlane"/><ref name="Holmgren"/> Lauren Zoric of ''[[Rolling Stone Australia|Rolling Stone]]'' explained that it is "Propelled by tough, inventive riffs and glorious rock & roll grooves, occasional keyboards now infiltrate the make up. Harnessing and driving the band's considerable power, Younger is ever on the brink of immolation, expressing a diseased soul, wracked by the compromises and humiliations of love. Long may we revel in his purgatory."<ref name="Zoric">{{cite web | url = http://www.divinerites.com/dk_lower.htm | title = Records – ''Lower Yourself'' | author = Zoric, Lauren | work = [[Rolling Stone Australia|Rolling Stone]] | access-date = 5 November 2015 }}</ref> An extended version included a bonus four-track EP. The group toured Australia and then, in April 1997, Europe with Al Creed on guitar and vocals (ex-Fruitworld, Hey Charger!), who replaced Harper.<ref name="McFarlane"/>

They disbanded in 2001 and posthumously released a 2× CD studio album, ''We Got This!'', in 2002, which was produced by [[Wayne Connolly]].<ref name="Holmgren"/><ref name="Pants"/> Online webzine, ''Oz Music Project''{{'}}s Pants noticed that "The crux of this album though is the incredible vibrancy and individuality of the songs, each track rocking hard but having its own identity and personality, yet amazingly intertwining such emotion into each track."<ref name="Pants"/> I-94 Bar's Simon Li felt that "Younger is in some of his best vocal form on this CDLP, as the band responds the best way they can; solid and continually menacing."<ref name="I Bar Reviews"/> Fellow reviewer John McPharlin notice "there is a remarkable consistency of vision, intent and achievement across the whole album. Not for a single moment on any of these tracks does this sound like a band that had run its race, dropped the ball, hit bottom, lost the plot, shot its load and/or was about to tear itself apart."<ref name="I Bar Reviews"/> Ahead of its appearance Younger declared that it would be the last album from his group.<ref name="Pants"/>

Also in 2002, Citadel Records issued another compilation album, ''These Rags'', using remixed versions of two earlier EPs, ''Pedestal'' and ''Woe Betide''.<ref name="Holmgren"/> Three members of the 1990s line-up have died: Stevie Plunder in January 1996,<ref name="McFarlane"/> Mark Wilkinson in December 2012 and Christian Houllemare in June 2014.<ref name="Condon"/><ref name="Dowdall"/>

==2006–present==

In May 2006 Younger displayed another New Christs line-up: Jim Dickson on bass guitar, Dave Kettley on guitar (Shifter, The Dead Set, Radio Birdman), Brent Williams on guitar and keyboards, and Stu Wilson on drums. The Barman of I-94 Bar website caught their gig in May in [[Wollongong]], where they played "a Greatest Hits package with none of the new songs from the Younger canon... A solid hit-out by a new line-up with versatility and style... Europe's going to be in for a fine old time."<ref name="Barman 1"/> In May and June that year the group performed in Spain – including at the [[Primavera Sound]] in [[Barcelona]], an eclectic annual festival specialised in independent music – France, Germany and Belgium.<ref name="Barman 1"/> They subsequently toured Europe four more times (2008, 2009, 2011, 2014). In January 2008 Younger told Patrick of Mess+Noise website that he disputes providing a lasting legacy, "I think much of that [perceived influence] is born of hindsight... Sure, we had some degree of influence because so many people have told me over the years they started their group after hearing us. That’s how I got started, hearing other groups, except it was via the records of the [[New York Dolls]] and the Stooges, because the local groups were so vapid rather than inspiring."<ref name="Patrick"/>

The group's fifth studio album, ''Gloria'', was released in May 2009. Jeff Glorfeld of ''[[The Age]]'' rated it at three out of five.<ref name="Glorfeld"/> The Barman described it as "the most low key-sounding New Christs album in the canon. Production was an exercise in economic rationalism – live crowds are small and labels with cash to burn are thin on the ground – and much of what resulted from an earlier session was scrapped."<ref name="I Bar Reviews"/> In that same year they played at the [[Azkena Rock Festival]] in Spain.

In 2011 Wilson was replaced by Paul Larsen (also with The Celibate Rifles). Dominique Genot of I-94 Bar reviewed the group's live album, ''Live 2011'', which is "[as] live as you hope to see them (and I did during the 2011 Euro tour). The record was done at the Excelsior Hotel's closing night in Sydney in May, and the thing was quickly mixed by guitarist-keyboardist Brent Williams. The album's got a big sound, with Dave Kettley's guitar high in the ears. My personal criticisms is that Rob Younger's voice is too low in the mix - also i think there are a few cuts between the songs."<ref name="I Bar Reviews"/>

This line-up issued their sixth studio album, ''Incantations'', in June 2014. Gus Ironside of ''Louder Than War'' rated it as 9 out of 10 and felt it was "a highly melodic album, packed with hooks and insidious tunes, it's a tightly-coiled brute, as claustrophobically dense with detail as it is outright rocking."<ref name="Ironside"/>

== Members ==

;Current line-up
* Rob Younger – vocals
* Jim Dickson – bass
* Dave Kettley (Shifter, The Dead Set, Radio Birdman) – guitar
* Brent Williams (Zambian Goatherders) – guitar, keyboards
* Stu Wilson – drums
* Paul Larsen (aka Paul Loughhead) (The Celibate Rifles) – drums (replaced Wilson in 2011)

;Previous line-ups

;1980–81
* Rob Younger – vocals
* Clyde Bramley ([[The Hoodoo Gurus]]) – bass
* Bruce "Cub" Callaway ([[The Saints (Australian band)|The Saints]]) – guitar
* John Hoey – keyboards
* Don McGlone – drums
* Ken Doyle – drums (appeared on the single)

;1983–84
* Rob Younger – vocals
* [[Chris Masuak]] ([[The Hitmen]], [[Radio Birdman]]) – guitar
* [[Mark Kingsmill]] (The Hellcats, The Hitmen, The Hoodoo Gurus) – drums
* Tony Robertson (The Hitmen) – bass
* Kent Steedman ([[The Celibate Rifles]]) – guitar
* Richard Jakimyszyn ([[Lime Spiders]], The Hitmen, Molten Universe) – guitar (replaced Steedman)

;1987–90, 1991
* Rob Younger – vocals
* [[Charlie Owen (musician)|Charlie Owen]] – guitar
* Jim Dickson (Railroad Gin, [[The Survivors (Australian band)|The Survivors]], [[The Barracudas]], The Passengers, [[Deniz Tek|Deniz Tek Group]], Radio Birdman) – bass
* Louis Burdett – drums
* Nick Fisher – drums

;1992–2001
* Rob Younger – vocals
* Bill Gibson (Hellmen, [[The Eastern Dark]], [[Pyramidiacs]], Loose Pills) – guitar
* Greg Hitchcock – guitar (left in 1992)
* Christian Houllemare ([[The Someloves]], [[Happy Hate Me Nots]]) – bass
* [[Stevie Plunder]] ([[The Plunderers (band)|The Plunderers]], [[The Whitlams]]) – guitar
* Peter Kelly (Flies, [[Vanilla Chainsaws]], No Man's Land) – drums
* Tony Harper (Voodoo Lust) – guitar (replaced Plunder)
* Mark Wilkinson ([[Lime Spiders]], The Girlies – guitar (replaced Gibson)
* Al Creed (Aberration, [[The Panadolls]], [[Hell Crab City]]) – guitar (replaced Harper)
* Nik Rieth (Celibate Rifles, Brother Brick, [[Tumbleweed (band)|Tumbleweed]]) – drums (replaced Kelly)
* Stu Wilson – drums (replaced Reith)

==Discography==

===Albums===

* ''[[Distemper (album)|Distemper]]'' (1989) – Citadel
* ''Lower Yourself'' (1997) – Citadel
* ''We Got This!'' (2002) – Laughing Outlaw
* ''Gloria'' (May 2009) – Impedance
* ''Incantations'' (2014) – Impedance

===Extended plays===

* ''Pedestal'' (October 1994) – Lance Rock
* ''Woe Betide'' (November 1995) – Lance Rock

===Live albums===

*''Live 2011'' (2011) – Self-released. Recorded live at the Excelsior Hotel, Sydney, Australia, 7 May 2011.
*''Live'' (2014) – Pitshark

===Compilations===

* ''Detritus'' (EP, 1987) – What Goes On
* ''Divine Rites'' (1988) – Citadel
* ''Born Out of Time'' (1995) – Lance Rock
* ''These Rags'' (2002) – Citadel

===Singles===

* "Waiting World" / "Face a New God" (1981) – Green
* "Like a Curse" / "Sun God" (1984) – Citadel
* "Born out Of Time" / "No Next Time" (1986) – Citadel
* "The Black Hole" / "Addiction" (1987) – Citadel
* "Dropping Like Flies" / "Dead Girl" / "I Swear" / "You'll Never Catch My Wave" (1987) – Citadel
* "Headin' South" / "I Saw God" (1988) – Citadel
* "Another Sin" / "The Burning of Rome" (1989) – Citadel
* "I Swear (live)" / "The Black Hole" (live) (1989) – Romilar-D
* "Groovy Times" / "On Top Of Me" (2000) – Munster
* "Bonsoir à Vous" / "Animalisation" (2009) – Pitshark
* "The Ledge" / "Meanwhile" (2011) – Pitshark

== Further reading ==

*{{cite book |title=[[Encyclopedia of Australian Rock and Pop]] |last=McFarlane |first=Ian |author-link= Ian McFarlane |publisher=[[Allen & Unwin]] |year=1999 |isbn=1-86448-768-2 }}
*{{cite book|last=Beteta |first=Manuel |year=2016 | title =El año que matamos a Skippy: Un recorrido por el high-energy, punk, garage y power-pop australiano (in Spanish)|publisher=66 rpm Edicions |location=Barcelona|isbn=978-84-945330-6-8}}

==References==

{{Refbegin}}
;General
* {{Cite encyclopedia | last = McFarlane | first = Ian | author-link = Ian McFarlane | encyclopedia = [[Encyclopedia of Australian Rock and Pop]] | title = Whammo Homepage | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20040405231007/http://www.whammo.com.au/index.asp | url = http://www.whammo.com.au/index.asp | archive-date = 5 April 2004 | access-date = 5 November 2015 | year = 1999 | publisher = [[Allen & Unwin]] | location = [[St Leonards, New South Wales|St Leonards, NSW]] | isbn = 1-86508-072-1 }} Note: Archived [on-line] copy has limited functionality.
;Specific
{{Refend}}
{{Reflist|30em|refs=

<ref name="McFarlane">McFarlane, [https://web.archive.org/web/20040803173138/http://www.whammo.com.au/encyclopedia.asp?articleid=525 'The New Christs'] entry. Archived from [http://www.whammo.com.au/encyclopedia.asp?articleid=525 the original] on 3 August 2004. Retrieved 5 November 2015.</ref>

<ref name="Holmgren">[[Australian Rock Database]] entries:
* The New Christs (1981, 1983–84, 1987–90, 1992–2001): {{Cite web | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20031206034218/http://hem.passagen.se/honga/database/n/newchrists.html | url = http://hem.passagen.se/honga/database/n/newchrists.html | work = hem.passagen.se | title = The New Christs | publisher = Australian Rock Database (Magnus Holmgren) | last1 = Holmgren | first1 = Magnus | first2 = Weld | last2 = Henry | archive-date = 6 December 2003 | url-status = usurped | access-date = 5 November 2015 }}
* Greg Hitchcock (1992): {{Cite web | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20031229233509/http://hem.passagen.se/honga/database/h/hitchcockgreg.html | url = http://hem.passagen.se/honga/database/h/hitchcockgreg.html | work = hem.passagen.se | title = Greg Hitchcock | publisher = Australian Rock Database (Magnus Holmgren) | last1 = Holmgren | first1 = Magnus | archive-date = 29 December 2003 | url-status = usurped | access-date = 5 November 2015 }}
* Chris Masuak (1983–84): {{Cite web | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20031229222957/http://hem.passagen.se/honga/database/m/masuakchris.html | url = http://hem.passagen.se/honga/database/m/masuakchris.html | work = hem.passagen.se | title = Chris Masuak | publisher = Australian Rock Database (Magnus Holmgren) | last1 = Holmgren | first1 = Magnus | archive-date = 29 December 2003 | url-status = usurped | access-date = 6 November 2015 }}
* Charlie Owen (1987–90): {{Cite web | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20031220073427/http://hem.passagen.se/honga/database/o/owencharlie.html | url = http://hem.passagen.se/honga/database/o/owencharlie.html | work = hem.passagen.se | title = Charlie Owen | publisher = Australian Rock Database (Magnus Holmgren) | last1 = Holmgren | first1 = Magnus | archive-date = 20 December 2003 | url-status = usurped | access-date = 6 November 2015 }}
* Rob Younger (1981, 1983–84, 1987–90, 1992–2001): {{Cite web | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20031019112354/http://hem.passagen.se/honga/database/y/youngerrob.html | url = http://hem.passagen.se/honga/database/y/youngerrob.html | work = hem.passagen.se | title = Rob Younger| publisher = Australian Rock Database (Magnus Holmgren) | last1 = Holmgren | first1 = Magnus | archive-date = 19 October 2003 | url-status = usurped | access-date = 6 November 2015 }}
</ref>

<ref name="APRA Face New">{{cite web | publisher = [[Australasian Performing Right Association]] (APRA) | title = 'Face a New God' at APRA search engine | url = https://www.apra.com.au/cms/worksearch/worksearch.srvlt?action=workSearch#axd?q=Face%20A%20New%20God | access-date = 5 November 2015 }} Note: User may have to click "Search again" and provide details at "Enter a title:" e.g. Face a New God; or at "Performer:" New Christs</ref>

<ref name="Going Down">{{cite news | url = http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article124995605 | title = Four premiers in week of Australian cinema | newspaper = [[The Canberra Times]] | date = 11 March 1984 | access-date = 5 November 2015 | page = 13 | publisher = [[National Library of Australia]] }}</ref>

<ref name="Layland">{{cite news | url = http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article122279709 | title = Good and aggressive, if a bit unoriginal | author = Layland, Penelope | newspaper = The Canberra Times | date = 31 August 1989 | access-date = 5 November 2015 | page = 29 | publisher = National Library of Australia }}</ref>

<ref name="Pants">{{cite web | archive-url = https://webarchive.nla.gov.au/awa/20030806140000/http://pandora.nla.gov.au/pan/36937/20030807-0000/www.ozmusicproject.net/magazine/cdreviews2b9f.html | url = http://www.ozmusicproject.net/magazine/cdreviews2b9f.html | title = The New Christs: ''We Got This'' | author = Pants | publisher = Jasper Lee | work = Oz Music Project | archive-date = 6 August 2003 | access-date = 6 November 2015 }}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}</ref>

<ref name="Barman 1">{{cite web | url = http://i94bar-dev.info/gigreviews/newchristsreturn.html | publisher = I-94 Bar | title = New Christs + The Monstrous Blues + Bullitt. Oxford Tavern, Wollongong, 12 May 2006 | author = The Barman | access-date = 6 November 2015}}</ref>

<ref name="Patrick">{{cite web | url = http://messandnoise.com/features/2068987 | title = Do the Pop: Year Zero | last = Patrick | work = Mess+Noise | publisher = [[Junkee Media|Sound Alliance]] | date = 30 January 2008 | access-date = 6 November 2015 }}</ref>

<ref name="I Bar Reviews">{{cite web | url = http://i94bar-dev.info/reviews/newchrists.php | title = New Christs Reviewed | publisher = I-94 Bar | last1 = The Barman | last2 = McPharlin | first2 = John | last3 = Li | first3 = Simon | last4 = Genot | first4 = Dominique | access-date = 6 November 2015 }}</ref>

<ref name="Condon">{{cite web | url = http://themusic.com.au/news/all/2012/12/05/mark-wilkinso=n-lime-spiders-new-christs-guitarist-dies/ | title = Mark Wilkinson Lime Spiders New Christs Guitarist Dies | author = Condon, Dan | publisher = Street Press Australia | work = theMusic.com.au | date = 5 December 2012 | access-date = 5 November 2015 }}</ref>

<ref name="Dowdall">{{cite web | url = http://www.nfsa.gov.au/blog/2014/06/24/vale-christian-houllemare/ | title = Vale Christian Houllemare | author = Dowdall, Bronwyn | publisher = [[National Film and Sound Archive]] | date = 24 June 2014 | access-date = 5 November 2015 }}</ref>

<ref name="Lewis">{{cite news | url = http://www.theage.com.au/articles/2008/06/26/1214073416496.html | title = Best of the Best: Broadcaster Dylan Lewis | work = The Age | publisher = Fairfax Media | last = Lewis | first = Dylan | date = 27 June 2008 | access-date = 6 November 2015 }}</ref>

<ref name="Glorfeld">{{cite news | title=''Gloria'' | work = The Age | publisher = Fairfax Media | publication-date= 7 August 2009 | pages = 10 | issn = 0312-6307 | quote = Jeff Glorfeld ''Gloria'' The New Christs (Impedance Records) 3/5 Twenty-odd years ago, Rob Younger's fingerprints were found all over the Australian indie-rock scene as singer }}</ref>

<ref name="Ironside">{{cite news | url = http://louderthanwar.com/the-new-christs-incantations-album-review/ | title = The New Christs: ''Incantations'' – Album Review | last = Ironside | first = Gus | work = Louder Than War | date = 25 August 2014 | access-date = 6 November 2015 }}</ref>
}}

==External links==
*{{Facebook|thenewchrists|Official page}}
*[http://www.i94bar.com/features/au-revior-christian Death of Christian Houllemare at I-94 Bar]
*[http://pop_on_top.tripod.com/groovy.html Review of the single Groovy Times at Pop On Top]
*[http://www.divinerites.com/b_bigal.htm Biography of Al Creed]

{{Authority control}}

[[Category:Musical groups established in 1980]]
[[Category:Musical groups from Sydney]]
[[Category:Australian punk rock groups]]
[[Category:Australian garage rock groups]]

The Bumblebeez

2025-09-13T21:12:18Z

2001:8003:747E:6B00:305C:81A6:FCE9:EE3C:

{{Short description|Australian musical group}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=July 2014}}
{{Use Australian English|date=October 2011}}
{{Infobox musical artist 
| name = The Bumblebeez
| image =
| background = group_or_band
| occupation =
| origin = [[Braidwood, New South Wales]], Australia
| genre = [[Hip-hop music|Hip-hop]], [[indie rock]]
| years_active =
| label = Bang Gang 12 Inches
| website = [https://web.archive.org/web/20030414220242/http://www.thebumblebeez.com/]
| current_members = Christopher Colonna Pia Colonna
}}

'''The Bumblebeez''' (previously known as '''Bumblebeez 81'''<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.abc.net.au/triplej/musicnews/s1068744.htm|title=Bumblebeez 81|publisher=[[Triple J]]|date=18 March 2004|accessdate=2008-04-14}}</ref>) are an Australian indie duo, formed by Christopher Colonna and his sister Pia Colonna (AKA Queen ViLa). The band's music has been described as a "cut'n'paste collision of noisy hip-hop and rock."<ref>Phares, Heather. [http://www.allmusic.com/artist/bumblebeez-p575809/biography The Bumblebeez biography] Allmusic.com. Retrieved 2011-09-08.</ref> Their full-length debut album was ''Prince Umberto & The Sister of Ill'', released in 2007.<ref name=umbertoreview>{{cite news
|url=http://www.abc.net.au/triplej/review/album/s2007553.htm|title=Review for Prince Umberto and the Sister of Ill|publisher=[[Triple J]]|date=17 August 2007|accessdate=2011-06-14}}</ref>

==History==
The band was formed by Christopher Colonna and his sister Pia in [[Braidwood, New South Wales]]. The band was [[unearthed (talent contest)|unearthed]] by the Australian radio station [[Triple J]] in 2002.<ref>{{cite web
|url=http://www.abc.net.au/triplej/unearthed/bands/bumblebeez.htm|title=The Bumblebeez – ACT Unearthed winner|publisher=[[Triple J]]|accessdate=2008-04-14}}</ref> Around the same time, they won a competition run by the [[Australian Broadcasting Corporation|ABC]]'s short-lived ''[[Fly TV]]'', making them the first to sign to the Fly Records label.<ref>[http://www.cduniverse.com/search/xx/music/pid/5532807/a/White+Printz+EP.htm Bumblebeez 81 – White Printz EP CD] CDuniverse.com. Retrieved 2011-09-08.</ref> In 2004, The Bumblebeez served as opener for [[Radiohead]] in [[Melbourne]] and Sydney.<ref name=jaward/>

The band released ''White Printz'' and ''Red Printz'' EP's, before compiling them into one album called ''The Printz'' for release in 2004.<ref>Phares, Heather. [http://www.allmusic.com/album/the-printz-r694101/review The Printz review] Allmusic.com. Retrieved 2011-09-08.</ref>

The band released their first full-length album ''Prince Umberto and the Sister of Ill'' in September 2007, featuring the singles "Dr. Love" and "Rio". The album was selected as [[Triple J]]'s "feature album,"<ref name=umbertoreview/> and nominated for a [[J Award]] on 28 November 2007. The album was mixed by Zdar of the French band [[Cassius (band)|Cassius]].<ref name=jaward>{{cite web|url=http://www.triplej.net.au/jaward/bumblebeez_umberto.htm|title=The J Award Nominated Albums – Prince Umberto & The Sister of Ill / Bumblebeez|publisher=[[Triple J]]|accessdate=2008-04-14}}</ref>
In May 2011, the EP ''I'm a Cowboi'' was released.

Their new single "Summer Bum" was premiered by Richard Kingsmill on his '2011' triple j show on Sunday 18 September.

==Discography==
===Albums===
{| class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center;" border="1"
|+ List of albums, with Australian chart positions
! scope="col" rowspan="2" style="width:12em;" | Title
! scope="col" rowspan="2" style="width:16em;" | Album details
! scope="col" colspan="1" | Peak chart positions
|-
! scope="col" style="text-align:center;" | [[ARIA Charts|AUS]] <ref name=aus>{{cite book|last=Ryan|first=Gavin|title=Australia's Music Charts 1988–2010|year=2011|publisher=Moonlight Publishing|location=Mt. Martha, VIC, Australia|edition=pdf|pages=45}}</ref>
|-
! scope="row" | ''Prince Umberto & The Sister Of Ill''
|
* Released: August 2007
* Format: CD
* Label: 81 Records, Modular (MODCD046)
| align="center" | 61
|}

===Compilation albums===
{| class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center;" border="1"
|+ List of EPs, with selected details
! Title
! Details
|-
! scope="row" | ''The Printz''
|
* Released: 2004
* Format: CD
* Label: 81 Records, Modular (B0002346-12)
|}

===Extended plays===
{| class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center;" border="1"
|+ List of EPs, with selected details
! Title
! Details
|-
! scope="row" | ''White Printz E.P''
|
* Released: December 2002
* Format: CD
* Label: Fly Music (12662)
|-
! scope="row" | ''Red Printz E.P''
|
* Released: 2003
* Format: CD
* Label: 81 Records, Modular (MODEP007)
|}

===Charting singles===
{| class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center;"
|+List of charting single, with Australian chart positions
! scope="col" rowspan="2"| Title
! scope="col" rowspan="2"| Year
! scope="col" colspan="1"| Peak chart positions
! scope="col" rowspan="2"| Album
|-
! scope="col" style="width:3em;font-size:90%;"| [[ARIA Charts|AUS]] <ref name=aus/>
|-
! scope="row"| "Dr Love"
| 2007
| 79
| ''Prince Umberto & The Sister Of Ill''
|}

==Awards and nominations==
===APRA Awards===
The [[APRA Awards (Australia)|APRA Awards]] are presented annually from 1982 by the [[Australasian Performing Right Association]] (APRA), "honouring composers and songwriters". They commenced in 1982.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.apra-amcos.com.au/APRAAwards/MusicAwards/History.aspx |title=APRA History |publisher=[[Australasian Performing Right Association]] (APRA) | [[Australasian Mechanical Copyright Owners Society]] (AMCOS) |access-date=25 April 2022 }}</ref>

{{awards table}}
! {{Abbr|Ref.|Reference}}
|-
| [[APRA Music Awards of 2008|2008]]
| "Dr Love" (Christopher Colonna, Pia Colonna)
| Urban Work of the Year
| {{nominated}}
| <ref name="UWotYNom">{{cite web|url=http://www.apra-amcos.com.au/APRAAwards/MusicAwards/Nominations/UrbanWorkoftheyearNomination2008.aspx |title=Urban Work of the Year nomination - 2008 |publisher=Australasian Performing Right Association (APRA) |access-date=28 April 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090918043701/http://www.apra-amcos.com.au/APRAAwards/MusicAwards/Nominations/UrbanWorkoftheyearNomination2008.aspx |archive-date=18 September 2009 }}</ref>
|-
{{end}}

===J Award===
The [[J Awards]] are an annual series of Australian music awards that were established by the [[Australian Broadcasting Corporation]]'s youth-focused radio station [[Triple J]]. They commenced in 2005.
{{awards table}}
|-
| [[J Awards of 2007]]
|''Prince Umberto and the Sister of Ill''
| Australian Album of the Year
| {{nom}}
{{end}}

==References==
{{Reflist}}

{{Authority control}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Bumblebeez, The}}
[[Category:Australian hip-hop groups]]
[[Category:Australian indie rock groups]]
[[Category:Australian musical duos]]
[[Category:Musical groups from New South Wales]]
[[Category:Sibling musical groups]]
[[Category:Wichita Recordings artists]]

Grinspoon

2025-09-13T21:00:27Z

2001:8003:747E:6B00:305C:81A6:FCE9:EE3C:

{{Short description|Australian rock band}}
{{for|people with the surname|Grinspoon (surname)}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=April 2020}}
{{Use Australian English|date=June 2011}}
{{Infobox musical artist
| name = Grinspoon
| image = Grinspoon Oct 2009A.jpg
| image_size = Grinspoon in 2009
| landscape = yes
| alt =
| caption = Grinspoon performing at the 2019 Tour Press Shot
| background = group_or_band
| origin = [[Lismore, New South Wales]], Australia
| genre = [[Alternative rock]], [[post-grunge]], [[alternative metal]], [[pop rock]]
| years_active = 1995–2013, 2015, 2017–present
| label = [[Universal Music|Universal]], [[Grudge Records|Grudge]], Oracle, Chk Chk Boom
| website = [http://www.grinspoon.com.au/ grinspoon.com.au]
| current_members = [[Pat Davern]] Joe Hansen Kristian Hopes [[Phil Jamieson]]
}}

'''Grinspoon''' are an Australian rock band from [[Lismore, New South Wales]], who formed in 1995 by [[Pat Davern]] on guitar, Joe Hansen on bass guitar, Kristian Hopes on drums and frontman [[Phil Jamieson]] on vocals and guitar. Also in that year, Grinspoon won the national youth radio, [[Triple J]]–sponsored [[Triple J Unearthed#Talent competition (1995–2005)|Unearthed]] competition for Lismore, with their [[post-grunge]] song "[[Grinspoon (EP)|Sickfest]]". The band's name references [[Lester Grinspoon]], an associate professor emeritus of psychiatry at [[Harvard Medical School]], who supported [[marijuana]] for medical use.

All eight of Grinspoon's studio albums have reached the [[ARIA Charts|ARIA albums chart]] top 10. Their sound changed to mainstream rock with the release of their third studio album, ''[[New Detention]]'' (2002), which peaked at No. 2; likewise, their fifth studio album ''[[Alibis & Other Lies]]'' (2007) also reached No. 2. The 2004 fourth album, ''[[Thrills, Kills & Sunday Pills]]'', peaked at No. 4. At the [[ARIA Music Awards of 2005]] it won the [[ARIA Award for Best Rock Album|Best Rock Album Award]].

The band were signed to [[Universal Records]] in the United States by late 1998, and were promoted with the songs "Champion", which featured in ''[[Music of the Gran Turismo Series#Gran Turismo 3|Gran Turismo 3]]''; "Post Enebriated Anxiety", which was on the international version of ''[[Guide to Better Living]]'' (1999); "[[Chemical Heart]]", via the internet; and a [[cover version|cover]] of the [[Prong (band)|Prong]] song "Snap Your Fingers, Snap Your Neck", from Grinspoon's ''[[Pushing Buttons]]'' (1998) [[Extended Play|EP]], which was also included on ''[[ECW: Extreme Music]]'' (1998). On 4 December 2013, the band members announced an indefinite hiatus to pursue individual projects, although they made a return in earnest in 2017. Their eighth studio album, ''[[Whatever, Whatever]]'' (2024) reached No. 3.

== History ==
=== 1995-2000: Early years ===
In July 1995, [[Pat Davern]] (guitar), Joe Hansen (bass guitar), Kristian Hopes (drums) and [[Phil Jamieson]] (vocals, guitar)<ref name="McFarlane">{{cite book | author1 = McFarlane, Ian | author-link1 = Ian McFarlane | author2 = Jenkins, Jeff (Foreword) | title = [[Encyclopedia of Australian Rock and Pop|The Encyclopedia of Australian Rock and Pop]] | chapter = Encyclopedia entry for 'Grinspoon' | publication-date = 2017 | location = [[Gisborne, Victoria|Gisborne, VIC]] | publisher = Third Stone Press | edition = 2nd | page = 201 | isbn = 978-0-9953856-0-3 }}</ref> met at a [[Lismore, New South Wales|Lismore]] hotel, The Gollan, for a [[jam session|jam]] night. They decided to form a band and three weeks later they recorded a two-track demo,<ref name="McFarlane" /> which they entered for the national youth radio station [[Triple J Unearthed#Talent competition (1995–2005)|Triple J's Unearthed]] competition.<ref name="Howl">{{cite web|archive-url=https://webarchive.nla.gov.au/awa/20120726191200/http://pandora.nla.gov.au/pan/14231/20120727-0512/www.howlspace.com.au/en4/grinspoon/grinspoon.htm|url=http://www.howlspace.com.au/en4/grinspoon/grinspoon.htm|title=Grinspoon|last=Nimmervoll|first=Ed|author-link=Ed Nimmervoll|publisher=Howlspace – The Living History of Our Music. White Room Electronic Publishing Pty Ltd (Ed Nimmervoll)|archive-date=26 July 2012|access-date=22 January 2014}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}</ref><ref name="ARDb">{{cite web | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20120220031537/http://hem2.passagen.se/honga/database/g/grinspoon.html | url-status = usurped | url = http://hem2.passagen.se/honga/database/g/grinspoon.html | title = Grinspoon | publisher = [[Australian Rock Database]]. Passagen.se (Magnus Holmgren) | first1 = Magnus | last1 = Holmgren | archive-date = 20 February 2012 | access-date = 13 February 2014 }}</ref><ref name="Allmusic">{{cite web|url={{AllMusic|class=artist|id=p295615/biography|pure_url=yes}}|title=Grinspoon – Biography|work=[[Allmusic]]|publisher=[[Rovi Corporation]]|last=Nimmervoll|first=Ed|access-date=15 November 2009}}</ref> Their name was taken from [[Lester Grinspoon]], an associate professor emeritus of psychiatry at [[Harvard Medical School]], who supported [[marijuana]] for medical use.<ref name="Howl"/><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.erowid.org/culture/characters/grinspoon_lester/|title=Erowid Character Vaults – Lester Grinspoon|publisher=Erowid Center|date=8 July 2006|access-date=15 November 2009}}</ref> They won the competition with their [[post-grunge]], [[alternative rock]] song "Sickfest" – their first track ever written together by Davern and Jamieson.<ref name="McFarlane" /><ref name="APRA Sickfest">{{cite web | publisher = [[APRA AMCOS]] (Australasian Performing Right Association, Australasian Mechanical Copyright Owners Society) | title = Song Catalogue Search Results for 'Sickfest' | url = https://www.apraamcos.com.au/works-search?works=true&title=Sickfest&writer=&performer= | access-date = 29 March 2025 }}</ref>

Grinspoon gained airplay on Triple J and independent radio stations.<ref name="Howl"/> They developed a strong following among the Australian "alternative" and "mosh pit crowd."<ref>{{cite journal |author=Dom Smith |date=14 January 2011 |title=Grinspoon |journal=Soundsphere Magazine |url=http://www.soundspheremag.com/interviews/59-features/1847-grinspoon |quote=Aussie four-piece Grinspoon are a standout band on the worldwide alternative rock scene. |access-date=3 September 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120330153807/http://www.soundspheremag.com/interviews/59-features/1847-grinspoon |archive-date=30 March 2012}}</ref> Their debut [[extended Play]] (EP) was the six-track, ''[[Grinspoon (EP)|Grinspoon]]'' ({{abbr|a.k.a.|also known as}} ''Green Album''), was released in 1995 through the independent Oracle Records.<ref name="Howl"/><ref name="ARDb"/> It contained the songs "Sickfest" and "More Than You Are" that became popular with fans and were rerecorded on later releases.

Grinspoon's second EP, ''[[Licker Bottle Cozy]]'', recorded in June 1996 and [[record producer|produced]] by [[Phil McKellar]], was released by [[Grudge Records]] in December.<ref name="Howl"/><ref name="ARDb"/> It had a slightly heavier sound than their earlier EP with five tracks including the songs "Champion" and "Pig Pen". In September 1997 they released their first full-length album, ''[[Guide to Better Living]]'', co-produced by McKellar and well-known Swiss-American heavy metal producer [[Ulrich Wild]].<ref name="Howl"/><ref name="ARDb"/> The album peaked at No. 11 on the [[ARIA Charts|ARIA Albums Charts]]<ref name="AusCharts">{{cite web|url=http://www.australian-charts.com/showinterpret.asp?interpret=Grinspoon |title=Discography Grinspoon |work=Australian charts portal |publisher=australian-charts.com |access-date=15 November 2009 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120127121932/http://australian-charts.com/showinterpret.asp?interpret=Grinspoon |archive-date=27 January 2012}}</ref> and went [[List of music recording sales certifications#Albums|platinum]] with sales of over 70,000 in Australia.<ref name="ARIACred1997">{{cite web |url=http://www.aria.com.au/pages/aria-charts-accreditations-albums-1997.htm |title=ARIA Charts – Accreditations – 1997 Albums |publisher=Australian Recording Industry Association |access-date=17 November 2009}}</ref> It represents the [[Helmet (band)|Helmet]]-influenced<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.abc.net.au/triplej/jmag/grinspoon.htm |title=Triple j - jmag |website=www.abc.net.au |access-date=17 January 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160722234451/http://www.abc.net.au/triplej/jmag/grinspoon.htm |archive-date=22 July 2016 |url-status=dead}}</ref> [[alternative metal]] sound of their early career with heavier songs like "Pressure Tested 1984". The Australian version of the album features five live songs—illustrating the band's sense of humour and ability to play live—and a [[hidden track]], the [[acoustic music|acoustic]] "Protest". US branch of [[Universal Records]] signed the band by late 1998 and released an altered version of ''Guide to Better Living'' in March 1999.

Whilst in US touring for ten months as support act for [[Creed (band)|Creed]], [[Lit (band)|Lit]], [[Godsmack]] and [[Anthrax (American band)|Anthrax]],<ref name="Howl"/> Grinspoon released a six track EP, ''[[Pushing Buttons]]'', for their Australian market in September 1998.<ref name="ARDb"/> It featured the popular heavy song "Black Friday" and the lighter songs "Busy" and "Explain". After the intense US touring, Grinspoon released their second album, ''[[Easy (Grinspoon album)|Easy]]'' in September 1999, which peaked at No. 4 and went platinum in Australia.<ref name="AusCharts"/><ref name="ARIACred2000">{{cite web |url=http://www.aria.com.au/pages/aria-charts-accreditations-albums-2000.htm |title=ARIA Charts – Accreditations – 2000 Albums |publisher=Australian Recording Industry Association (ARIA) |access-date=17 November 2009}}</ref> It contained the singles "[[Ready 1]]" and "[[Rock Show (Grinspoon song)|Rock Show]]".

=== 2001-2007: Changing direction ===
After a break to reconsider their direction and sound Grinspoon started recording their next album, ''[[New Detention]]'', in [[Sydney]]'s [[Festival Records (Australia)|Festival Studios]] in September 2001 but prior to finishing the studios were shut down and so vocals and guitars were recorded in smaller studios.<ref name="Howl"/> Further delays occurred after Hopes injured his hand on a studio window.<ref name="Howl"/> ''New Detention'' was released in June 2002 and was more commercial—it peaked at No. 2 on the ARIA Albums Charts and went platinum.<ref name="AusCharts"/><ref name="ARIACred2002">{{cite web |url=http://www.aria.com.au/pages/aria-charts-accreditations-albums-2002.htm |title=ARIA Charts – Accreditations – 2002 Albums |publisher=Australian Recording Industry Association (ARIA) |access-date=17 November 2009}}</ref> The first single from the album, "[[Chemical Heart]]", released in February had created a stir with long term fans and the media because it was different from their previous grunge sound. The band insisted the change was a natural one and was an improvement. Nevertheless, the band still performs older tracks in their live shows. They released a four track EP in March 2003, ''[[Panic Attack (EP)|Panic Attack]]''—containing a cover of [[INXS]]'s "Don't Change"—which reached No. 13 on the ARIA Singles Chart.<ref name="AusCharts"/>

In August 2004, they released a new single, "[[Hard Act To Follow]]", which reached the Top 30.<ref name="AusCharts"/> It was from the September album ''[[Thrills, Kills & Sunday Pills]]'', which peaked at No. 4 and went platinum.<ref name="AusCharts"/><ref name="ARIACred2004">{{cite web |url=http://www.aria.com.au/pages/aria-charts-accreditations-albums-2004.htm |title=ARIA Charts – Accreditations – 2004 Albums |publisher=Australian Recording Industry Association (ARIA) |access-date=17 November 2009}}</ref> Grinspoon also performed at the [[2004 NRL grand final]] before a second single, "[[Better Off Alone (Grinspoon song)|Better Off Alone]]", issued in November, also reached the Top 30.<ref name="AusCharts"/> The third single was "[[Hold on Me (Grinspoon song)|Hold on Me]]" released in February 2005. For ''Thrills, Kills & Sunday Pills'', the band agreed that they were deliberately seeking a new audience, claiming they wrote a number of songs for the release and rejected any that sounded like earlier work.<ref name="Howl"/> It won the [[ARIA Music Awards of 2005|2005]] 'Best Rock Album Award' at the [[ARIA Music Awards]].<ref name="ARIAAwardList">{{cite web|url=http://www.ariaawards.com.au/history/search/?view=list&text=grinspoon|title=ARIA Awards 2014: History: Winners by Artist|publisher=[[Australian Recording Industry Association]] (ARIA)|access-date=11 April 2015}}</ref> They had previously been nominated 9 times.<ref name="ARIAAwardList"/>

Grinspoon had built a strong local following after their rise, they were regulars at Australian music festivals. On 26 March 2006, Grinspoon performed "Hard Act To Follow" and "Better Off Alone" at the [[2006 Commonwealth Games Closing Ceremony]] in [[Melbourne]]. They headlined the inaugural "Thank God It's Over" in Melbourne, at "BOBFest '06" in South Australia in October and at Odyssey 2006 at [[Dreamworld (Australian theme park)|Dreamworld]] for [[New Year's Eve]].

[[File:Phil Jamieson.jpg|thumb|Phil Jamieson on stage, 31 December 2007]]

In February 2007, Jamieson admitted himself to [[drug rehabilitation|rehab]] due to addiction to [[crystal methamphetamine]].<ref name="Howl"/><ref name="SMH">{{cite news|url=http://www.smh.com.au/news/people/grinspoon-frontman-in-rehab-for-ice-addiction/2007/02/17/1171405452009.html|title=Grinspoon frontman 'in rehab for ice addiction'|work=[[The Sydney Morning Herald]]|publisher=[[Fairfax Media]]|date=17 February 2007|access-date=17 November 2009}}</ref> On [[Andrew Denton]]'s ''[[Enough Rope]]'' in July, Jamieson discussed his drug addictions, an [[Affair#Extramarital affair|extramarital affair]], stealing money from bandmates, [[Drug detoxification|detox]] and rehab experiences.<ref name="Denton">{{cite web|url=http://www.abc.net.au/tv/enoughrope/transcripts/s1986497.htm|title=Episode 140: Phil Jamieson (23/07/2007) – transcript|work=[[Enough Rope]]|publisher=[[Australian Broadcasting Corporation]] (ABC)|date=23 July 2007|access-date=17 November 2009}}</ref>

The band completed, ''[[Alibis & Other Lies]]'' in July 2007, as their final album for Universal. It was co-produced by the band and Ramesh Sathiah, who had worked with them on their earliest recordings. Earlier albums before this were pop-oriented rock, while ''Easy'' and ''Alibis & Other Lies'' were more heavy rock. The first single from the album, "[[Black Tattoo]]", was released as a [[music download|digital download]] on 23 June and physically a week later. The album peaked at No. 2,<ref name="AusCharts"/> their equal highest album chart position (with ''New Detention'' in 2002). Grinspoon released a 2-disc [[compilation album|compilation]] entitled ''[[Best in Show (Grinspoon album)|Best in Show]]''. The first disc featured their hits and several older songs, like "Champion", which landed the song on ''[[Gran Turismo 3]]''. The second disc includes a collection of covers recorded over the years. In the US, all Grinspoon albums had been released on [[iTunes]] and other online music stores. The first four were ''Guide To Better Living'', ''Best In Show'', ''Thrills, Kills, and Sunday Pills'', and ''New Detention''. ''Easy'' and ''Alibis & Other Lies'' followed on 31 October 2007.

=== 2008-2009: Hiatus ===
On 5 February 2008, Jamieson announced, via the band's official website, that Grinspoon were on hiatus following their appearance at [[Big Day Out]] in late January.<ref name="Howl"/> Grinspoon headlined the Newton's Playground festival, held atop Bathurst's famous Mount Panorama in March, with their song "Lost Control" played in advertisements for the festival. On 1 May, Grinspoon announced they would complete more shows before writing a new album.

Grinspoon recorded [[The Easybeats]]' track "St. Louis" for a [[tribute album]], ''Easy Fever: A Tribute to The Easybeats and Stevie Wright''—released in October 2008—while Jamieson's duet with [[The Wrights (Australian band)|The Wrights]] on "[[Evie (song)|Evie part 3: I'm Losing You]]" from 2005 was included.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.jbhifionline.com.au/Product/368034/EASY_FEVER:_A_TRIBUTE_TO_THE_EASYBEATS_AND_STEVIE_WRIGHT|title=Easy Fever: A Tribute To the Easybeats and Stevie Wright – Various Artists|publisher=JB Hifi Online|access-date=17 November 2009}}</ref> The band contributed the track "Blind Lead Blind", their [[A-side and B-side|B side]] of 2007's "[[Minute By Minute (Grinspoon song)|Minute By Minute]]", to a compilation CD for [http://www.buttery.org.au/ The Buttery Drug and Alcohol Rehab Centre] titled ''Caution: Life Ahead'', which included contributions from other Australian acts such as [[Powderfinger]], [[Midnight Oil]] and [[The Living End]], and was released in November.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.jbhifionline.com.au/music/pop-rock/caution-life-ahead/385567|title=Caution: Life Ahead! Artists for Recovery - Various Artists|publisher=JB Hifi Online|access-date=17 November 2009}}</ref>

Grinspoon performed on 26 July 2009 at the annual [[Splendour in the Grass|Splendour in the Grass Festival]] in Byron Bay.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.splendourinthegrass.com/page.php?name=history |title=Splendour in the Grass 2009 – History |publisher=[[Splendour in the Grass]] |access-date=17 November 2009 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090914075853/http://www.splendourinthegrass.com/page.php?name=history |archive-date=14 September 2009 }}</ref> Jamieson then toured with a supergroup composed of The Living End's [[Chris Cheney]], [[You Am I]]'s [[Tim Rogers (musician)|Tim Rogers]], and [[Josh Pyke]] with a 17-piece band in August 2009. The group performed a tribute to [[The Beatles]]' [[The Beatles (album)|White Album]] for its 40th anniversary.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.triplem.com.au/brisbane/music/news//blog/oz-rocks-fab-4/20090514-3yfx.html|title=Oz Rock Royalty Cover Beatles White Album – Music – Triple M|work=[[Triple M]]|publisher=[[Austereo]]|last=Ruckus|first=Eddie|date=14 May 2009|access-date=17 November 2009}}</ref>

=== 2010: ''Six to Midnight'' ===
Grinspoon's next album, titled ''[[Six to Midnight]]'', was released on 11 September 2009 on the band's imprint Chk Chk Boom Records, distributed by Universal Records, which peaked at No. 6.<ref name="AusCharts"/> Two tracks, "[[Dogs (Grinspoon song)|Dogs]]" and the first single, "[[Comeback (Grinspoon)|Comeback]]", were released to radio earlier. For promotion of the album, the band toured in a more intimate setting than most of their previous concerts. On 6 November, Grinspoon played live on Triple J radio and confirmed that "Summer" was the second single from the album. In 2010 Premonitions was released as the third single from the album. The band toured for the album including two acoustic shows in London in early 2012 featuring Phil and Pat.

=== 2011–2019: ''Black Rabbits'' and hiatus ===
In September 2011 Grinspoon announced on their website that they are writing and recording their seventh studio album.

In May 2012 the band announced that they were heading to the United States for a month to record the album. The band also hinted that the title of the album would be ''[[Black Rabbits]]''. The album was later slated to feature guest musicians including Chris Cheney of [[The Living End (band)|The Living End]], Tim Rogers of [[You Am I]] and Scott Russo of [[Unwritten Law]].

On 23 July 2012, Grinspoon released the artwork of the album on their official Facebook page, confirming the name of the release ''Black Rabbits''.

The album was released on 28 September, debuting at number 8 on the ARIA charts.

On 5 December 2013 a statement on the official Grinspoon website announced that the band would be going on hiatus.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.fasterlouder.com.au/news/37869/Grinspoon-announce-indefinite-break|title=Grinspoon announce "indefinite break"|publisher=Faster Louder|date=4 December 2013|access-date=5 December 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131224032444/http://www.fasterlouder.com.au/news/37869/Grinspoon-announce-indefinite-break|archive-date=24 December 2013|url-status=dead}}</ref> A section of the statement reads: "Thanks to all our families, friends, and especially our fans for the support over the last 18 years – it's been a wild ride to say the least. We are still a band of brothers but it's time for us to take a break and recharge the batteries. We're excited to see what our future holds…adios amigos, it's been a blast!"<ref>{{cite web|url=http://grinspoon.com.au|title=Grinspoon – Guide to Better Living|website=Grinspoon|access-date=16 April 2018}}</ref>

In August 2015, it was announced that the band would be reforming exclusively to play a run of dates opening for [[Cold Chisel]].

In 2017, the band announced they would be re-releasing a special 20th Anniversary edition of [[Guide To Better Living]]<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.news.com.au/national/breaking-news/grinspoon-announce-20th-anniversary-tour/news-story/cd12729494c17c55b9b546b684e9078d |title=Grinspoon announce 20th anniversary tour |website=www.news.com.au |access-date=17 January 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170403022828/http://www.news.com.au/national/breaking-news/grinspoon-announce-20th-anniversary-tour/news-story/cd12729494c17c55b9b546b684e9078d |archive-date=3 April 2017 |url-status=dead}}</ref> and announced an Australia wide tour. The tour was sold out.

In 2019, the group released the compilation, ''[[Chemical Hearts (album)|Chemical Hearts]]''.

=== 2020–present: ''Whatever, Whatever'' ===
In May 2024, the group released the single "Unknown Pretenders", which was written in February 2020. At the same time, they announced the release of their eighth studio album ''[[Whatever, Whatever]]''.<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://themusic.com.au/news/grinspoon-announce-first-album-in-12-years-drop-45-date-national-tour/ZUPbeXh7en0/19-05-24|title=Grinspoon Announce First Album In 12 Years, Drop 45-Date National Tour|magazine=[[The Music (magazine)|The Music]]|date=19 May 2024|access-date=20 May 2024}}</ref>

== Discography ==
{{main|Grinspoon discography}}

* ''[[Guide to Better Living]]'' (1997)
* ''[[Easy (Grinspoon album)|Easy]]'' (1999)
* ''[[New Detention]]'' (2002)
* ''[[Thrills, Kills & Sunday Pills]]'' (2004)
* ''[[Alibis & Other Lies]]'' (2007)
* ''[[Six to Midnight]]'' (2009)
* ''[[Black Rabbits]]'' (2012)
* ''[[Whatever, Whatever]]'' (2024)

== Awards and nominations ==
===APRA Awards===
The [[APRA Awards (Australia)|APRA Awards]] are presented annually from 1982 by the [[Australasian Performing Right Association]] (APRA), "honouring composers and songwriters". They commenced in 1982.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.apra-amcos.com.au/APRAAwards/MusicAwards/History.aspx |title=APRA History |publisher=[[Australasian Performing Right Association]] (APRA) | [[Australasian Mechanical Copyright Owners Society]] (AMCOS) |access-date=25 April 2022 }}</ref>

{{awards table}}
! {{Abbr|Ref.|Reference}}
|-
| [[APRA Music Awards of 2013|2013]]
| "Passerby" (Patrick Davern and Phil Jamieson)
| Song of the Year
| {{shortlisted}}
| <ref>{{cite web|url=https://tonedeaf.thebrag.com/apra-song-year-shortlist-revealed/|title=APRA Song Of The Year 2013 Shortlist Revealed|website=Tone Deaf|date=11 April 2013|access-date=28 April 2022}}</ref>
|-
{{end}}

=== ARIA Awards ===
The [[ARIA Music Awards]] are a set of annual ceremonies presented by [[Australian Recording Industry Association]] (ARIA), which recognise excellence, innovation, and achievement across all genres of the [[music of Australia]]. They commenced in 1987. Grinspoon has won 2 awards from 14 nominations.<ref name="ARIAAwardList"/>

{{awards table}}
|-
| [[ARIA Music Awards of 1998|1998]] || ''[[Guide to Better Living]]'' || [[ARIA Award for Breakthrough Artist - Album|Breakthrough Artist - Album]] || {{nom}}
|-
| rowspan="2"| [[ARIA Music Awards of 2000|2000]] || Jonathon Burnside – ''[[Easy (Grinspoon album)|Easy]]'' || [[ARIA Award for Engineer of the Year|Engineer of the Year]] || {{won}}
|-
| | ''Easy'' || [[ARIA Award for Best Rock Album|Best Rock Album]] || {{nom}}
|-
| rowspan="5"| [[ARIA Music Awards of 2002|2002]] || rowspan="2"| ''[[New Detention]]'' || [[ARIA Award for Best Rock Album|Best Rock Album]] || {{nom}}
|-
| | [[ARIA Award for Best Group|Best Group]] || {{nom}}
|-
| | "[[Chemical Heart]]" || [[ARIA Award for Single of the Year|Single of the Year]] || {{nom}}
|-
| [[Phil McKellar]] – ''New Detention'' || [[ARIA Award for Producer of the Year|Producer of the Year]] || {{nom}}
|-
| Phil McKellar – "Chemical Heart" || [[ARIA Award for Engineer of the Year|Engineer of the Year]] || {{nom}}
|-
| [[ARIA Music Awards of 2003|2003]] || | Grinspoon – "[[No Reason (Grinspoon song)|No Reason]]" || Best Group || {{nom}}
|-
| [[ARIA Music Awards of 2004|2004]] || ''23 Hours of Waiting Around'' || [[ARIA Award for Best Music DVD|Best Music DVD]] || {{nom}}
|-
| rowspan="2"| [[ARIA Music Awards of 2005|2005]] || rowspan="2"| ''[[Thrills, Kills & Sunday Pills]]'' || Best Group || {{nom}}
|-
| | Best Rock Album || {{won}}
|-
| [[ARIA Music Awards of 2007|2007]] || ''[[Alibis & Other Lies]]'' || Best Rock Album || {{nom}}
|-
| [[ARIA Music Awards of 2010|2010]] || ''Six To Midnight'' || Engineer of the Year || {{nom}}
|-
| [[2024 ARIA Music Awards|2024]] || ''Whatever, Whatever'' || Best Rock Album || {{nom}}
|-
{{end}}

===J Awards===
The [[J Awards]] are an annual series of Australian music awards that were established by the [[Australian Broadcasting Corporation]]'s youth-focused radio station [[Triple J]]. They commenced in 2005.
{{awards table}}
|-
| [[J Awards of 2007|2007]]
|''Alibis & Other Lies''
| Australian Album of the Year
| {{nom}}
{{end}}

== References ==
{{reflist}}

== External links ==
* {{Official website|grinspoon.com.au/}}

{{Portal|Music|Australia}}
{{Grinspoon}}
{{Authority control}}

[[Category:ARIA Award winners]]
[[Category:Australian alternative metal musical groups]]
[[Category:Australian alternative rock groups]]
[[Category:Australian hard rock musical groups]]
[[Category:Australian post-grunge groups]]
[[Category:Australian power pop groups]]
[[Category:Musical groups established in 1995]]
[[Category:Musical groups from New South Wales]]
[[Category:Australian stoner rock musical groups]]
[[Category:Grudge Records artists]]

Ratcat

2025-09-13T01:02:23Z

2001:8003:747E:6B00:305C:81A6:FCE9:EE3C:

{{Short description|Australian indie rock band}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=September 2016}}
{{Use Australian English|date=September 2016}}
{{Infobox musical artist
| name =
| image = Ratcat.jpg
| image_size =
| landscape = 
| alt =
| caption = Ratcat in 1991
| background = group_or_band
| alias =
| origin = [[Sydney]], [[New South Wales]], Australia
| genre = [[Indie rock]]
| years_active = {{start date|1985}}–{{end date|1998}}, {{start date|2006}}–present
| label = {{flatlist|
* [[Waterfront Records|Waterfront]]
* [[rooArt]]/[[PolyGram]]
* [[Mercury Records|Mercury]]
}}
| associated_acts = Danger Mouse
| website = 
| current_members =
* Simon Day
* [[Nic Dalton]]
* Reuben Alexander
| past_members =
* Victor Levi
* Trevor Wintle
* Andrew Polin
* John McAteer
* Cathy Webb
* Amr Zaid
* Marc Scully
}}

'''Ratcat''' are an Australian [[indie rock]] band from [[Sydney]] who formed in 1985. The band is fronted by mainstay vocalist and guitarist, Simon Day. Their combination of [[indie pop]] song writing and energetic [[Punk rock|punk]]-style guitar rock won them fans from both the [[indie rock|indie]] and skate-punk communities. They found mainstream success with their extended play, ''[[Tingles]]'' (October 1990), album ''[[Blind Love (album)|Blind Love]]'' (June 1991) and the single, "[[Don't Go Now]]" (April), which all reached No. 1 on the [[ARIA Charts]] during 1991. The band released two subsequent albums that did not match their earlier chart success. Ratcat ceased performing live regularly in the late 1990s; however, they continue to perform sporadically. During their career, much of Ratcat's albums and singles artwork was created by Simon Day.<ref name="McFarlane"/>

==Career==
===1985–1990: Career beginnings and Waterfront Records===
{{Main|Ratcat (EP)}}
Ratcat were formed in 1985 in [[Sydney]] by Simon Day on lead guitar and lead vocals, Victor Levi on bass guitar and Andrew Polin on drums.<ref name="McFarlane">{{cite book | last1 = McFarlane | first1 = Ian | author-link1 = Ian McFarlane | title = [[Encyclopedia of Australian Rock and Pop]] | chapter = Encyclopedia entry for 'Ratcat' | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20040930214349/http://www.whammo.com.au/encyclopedia.asp?articleid=673 | chapter-url = http://www.whammo.com.au/encyclopedia.asp?articleid=673 | year = 1999 | publisher = [[Allen & Unwin]] | location = [[St Leonards, New South Wales|St Leonards, NSW]] | archive-date = 30 September 2004 | isbn = 1-86508-072-1 | url-status = dead | df = dmy-all }}</ref><ref name="Holmgren">{{cite web | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20110805133645/http://hem.passagen.se/honga/database/r/ratcat.html | url = http://hem.passagen.se/honga/database/r/ratcat.html | title = Ratcat| publisher = [[Australian Rock Database]]. Passagen.se (Magnus Holmgren) | last1 = Holmgren | first1 = Magnus | archive-date = 5 August 2011 | url-status = usurped | access-date = 4 September 2016 }}</ref> Both Day and Levi had been members of garage band, Danger Mouse.<ref name="McFarlane"/><ref name="Holmgren"/> Ratcat "built-up a strong live following by playing the local haunts of the Sydney skate-punk scene alongside the likes of Massappeal, The Hellmenn, The Hard-ons and Happy Hate Me Nots."

The group signed to [[Waterfront Records]], and released a [[Ratcat (EP)|self-titled]] extended play in December 1987, which "contained four of the band's self-penned stage favourites plus a cover of "[[I Think We're Alone Now]]"."<ref name="McFarlane"/> It was followed by two singles, "I Think I Love You" (August 1988) and "Baby's Got a Gun" (December).

In July 1989, the band released its debut album, ''This Nightmare''.<ref name="McFarlane"/><ref name="Holmgren"/> By that time the line-up was Day, John McAteer on bass guitar and Andrew Polin on drums.<ref name="McFarlane"/> According to Australian musicologist [[Ian McFarlane]], the album "contained a treasure-trove of witty, effervescent Day-penned tracks like "Go Go", "True Lust", "Baby's Got a Gun" and "The Killing Joke", plus a cover of UK band [[The Darling Buds]]' "If I Said"."<ref name="McFarlane"/> Another single, "Saying Goodbye" was released late in 1989 which was their final release on Waterfront.<ref name="McFarlane"/><ref name="Holmgren"/> Amr Zaid replaced McAteer on bass guitar and backing vocals.<ref name="McFarlane"/><ref name="Holmgren"/> Alister of ''[[UNSW Tharunka|Tharunka]]'' felt "Saying Goodbye" was "quite refreshing, both in the areas of its mixing and melody, despite decidedly average vocals."<ref name="Alister">{{cite news | url = http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article230429495 |title = Ratcat: 'Saying Goodbye' | last = Alister | newspaper = [[UNSW Tharunka|Tharunka]] | volume = 36 | issue = 4 | date = 9 April 1990 | access-date = 4 September 2016 | page = 27 | via = [[National Library of Australia]] }}</ref>

===1990–1998: ''Blind Love'' and rooArt records===
{{Main|Blind Love (album)}}
In February 1990, Ratcat supported English group [[Buzzcocks]] and fellow Australian band [[Falling Joys]],<ref name="Wong">{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article131175558 |title=Showtime: Back for the First Time | last = Wong | first = Kean | newspaper = [[The Canberra Times]] | volume = 64 | issue = 20,018 | date = 1 February 1990 | access-date = 4 September 2016 | page = 21 | via = National Library of Australia }}</ref> before signing with the [[rooArt]] label, distributed by [[PolyGram]].<ref name="McFarlane"/>

On 14 October 1990, the group released a six-track EP entitled, ''[[Tingles]]'', which was produced by Nick Mainsbridge ([[Tall Tales and True]], [[Martha's Vineyard (band)|Martha's Vineyard]]).<ref name="McFarlane"/><ref name="Holmgren"/> McFarlane noticed that "almost immediately the frisky "That Ain't Bad" scored mainstream radio support."<ref name="McFarlane"/> That track, combined with their cartoon, tattoo-ish artwork (which featured heavily on their releases and in their videos), saw ''Tingles'' reach No. 1 on [[ARIA Charts|ARIA Alternative Singles Chart]] and, in May 1991, the EP was a number-one hit on the ARIA Singles Chart for two weeks.<ref name="McFarlane"/><ref name="AusCharts Tingles">{{cite web | url = http://www.australian-charts.com/showitem.asp?interpret=Ratcat&titel=Tingles+EP&cat=s | title = Ratcat – ''Tingles'' EP | publisher = Australian Charts Portal. Hung Medien (Steffen Hung) | last = Hung | first = Steffen | access-date = 4 September 2016 }}</ref> "That Ain't Bad", the lead track, was Day's "simple attempt to mix noisy guitars and the words 'I love you' together in a song without one contradicting the other."<ref name="Aus Musician">{{cite web | url = http://www.australianmusician.com.au/the-50-most-significant-moments-in-australian-poprock-history-comments-welcome-at-wwwmyspacecomaustralianmusicianmagazine/ | title = The 50 Most Significant Moments in Australian Pop/Rock History | last = ''Australian Musician'' staff writers | work = Australian Musician Magazine | date = 19 June 2007 | access-date = 4 September 2016 }}</ref> ''[[The Canberra Times]]'' reviewer opined that it "has had the airplay, but it is not the best track. "Don't Go in the Water", a dire little track, and "Getting Away (From This World)", with its hackneyed but fairly successful insertion of sound from the Challenger shuttle disaster, are both excellent tracks."<ref name="Tingles EP">{{cite news | url = http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article122336303 | title = Hybrid Flowers are up with the best of them | newspaper = The Canberra Times | volume = 65 | issue = 20,361 | date = 10 January 1991 | access-date = 4 September 2016 | page = 12 | via = National Library of Australia }}</ref>

According to an ''Australian Musician Magazine'' staff writer, Ratcat were the first alternative band to go mainstream – they provided one of the Top 50 Most Significant Moments in Australian Pop/Rock History.<ref name="Aus Musician"/> The band's second album, ''[[Blind Love (album)|Blind Love]]'' was released in May 1991, and its lead single "[[Don't Go Now]]" (April) both reached No. 1 on their respective ARIA charts.<ref name="AusCharts">{{cite web | url = http://www.australian-charts.com/showinterpret.asp?interpret=Ratcat | title = Discography Ratcat | publisher = Australian Charts Portal. Hung Medien (Steffen Hung) | last = Hung | first = Steffen | access-date = 30 July 2016 }}</ref> The song was co-written by Day and Robyn St. Clare (of [[the Hummingbirds]]). For recording, at Paradise Studios, Day, Polin and Zaid were joined by St. Clare and [[Margaret Urlich]] on backing vocals;<ref name="NLA Blind">{{Citation | author1 = Ratcat | title = Blind love | publication-date = 1991 | publisher = [[rooArt]] | url = http://trove.nla.gov.au/work/20310437 | access-date = 4 September 2016 }}</ref> they were produced by Mainsbridge, again.<ref name="McFarlane"/><ref name="Holmgren"/> Zaid told Charles Miranda of ''The Canberra Times'' that their chart success was "really weird it happened so quickly it's sort of difficult for us to understand what has happened. And it does put pressure on us to come up with the goods. We have to look at what we've done [... but not] perform to any sort of dictated standard by what we've achieved."<ref name="Miranda">{{cite news | url = http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article118153997 | title = Ratcat from Alley to Rooftop | last = Miranda | first = Charles | newspaper = The Canberra Times | date = 27 June 1991 | access-date = 4 September 2016 | page = 13 | via = National Library of Australia }}</ref>

The group supported fellow Australian group, [[INXS]], on the latter's Australian tour in April and May 1991 and followed by headlining their own Invasion of the Dinosaur Killers Tour in June.<ref name="McFarlane"/><ref name="Aus Musician"/> Their next single, "[[Baby Baby (Ratcat song)|Baby Baby]]", was released in July and reached No. 21.<ref name="AusCharts"/> In September they started a four-month tour across the United Kingdom, continental Europe and the United States.<ref name="McFarlane"/><ref name="NLA Dec 91">{{cite news | url = http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article122395302 | title = Ratcat woo army of fans in Europe | agency = [[Australian Associated Press]] (AAP) | newspaper = The Canberra Times | volume = 66 | issue = 20,690 | date = 5 December 1991 | access-date = 4 September 2016 | page = 20 | via = National Library of Australia }}</ref> Polin described how "We were playing to full houses a lot of the way around... Admittedly, in London about a third of the audiences were Australians but we had sold about 17,000 copies of our album over there."<ref name="NLA Dec 91"/>

Upon their return to Australia in December, they released an eight-track live album, ''Alive''.<ref name="McFarlane"/><ref name="Holmgren"/><ref name="NLA Dec 91"/> Marc Scully replaced Zaid on bass guitar in mid-1992.<ref name="McFarlane"/><ref name="Holmgren"/> Their third studio album, ''Insideout'' (November 1992) also produced by Mainsbridge, spawned three singles, "[[Candyman (Ratcat song)|Candyman]]" (May 1992), "Holiday" (October 1992) and "The World (in a Wrapper)" (May 1993).<ref name="McFarlane"/><ref name="Holmgren"/> It was recorded between March and May 1992 at Rhinoceros Studios, with Day providing vocals, guitar and bass guitar; and Polin on vocals, drums and percussion.<ref name="Insideout">{{Cite AV media notes | title = Insideout | others = Ratcat | year = 1992 | type = liner notes | publisher = rooArt | id = 4509-93600-2 }}</ref> McFarlane opined that these releases "were unable to repeat the spectacular success of their predecessors but kept Ratcat in the public eye."<ref name="McFarlane"/>

In January 1995, the band released "Rain", which was produced by [[Tony Cohen]], and EP ''The Smiler'' in August 1995, and started work on a new album, ''Easy Rider''.<ref name="McFarlane"/><ref name="Holmgren"/> The band sporadically played live shows over the next few years and ''Easy Rider'' was eventually released in July 1997.<ref name="McFarlane"/>

Ratcat re-emerged in 1998 to play at the [[Homebake]] Festival with a new bass guitarist, [[Nic Dalton]] (ex-[[The Plunderers (band)|The Plunderers]], [[Sneeze (band)|Sneeze]], [[The Lemonheads]], among others). They also collaborated with [[John Paul Young]] – who supplied backing vocals – on a cover version of his earlier single, "[[I Hate the Music]]" (September 1998).<ref name="McFarlane"/> It was included on the soundtrack for the feature film, ''[[Occasional Coarse Language]]'' (November 1998).<ref name="McFarlane"/> The band officially disbanded in 1998.<ref name="McFarlane"/>

===2002–present: periodic performances===
The group played a few shows in 2002, including a spot at the [[Big Day Out]], and, in 2006, were a support act on [[the Psychedelic Furs]] Australian tour. They did a further gig at The Jack Daniel's music awards and played, in early June 2006, at the Come Together festival at Luna Park. In 2011, they played a show at The Factory in Marrickville, to mark the 20th anniversary of ''Blind Love''.

A 2010 TV ad for [[Bonds (clothing)|Bonds]]' brassieres featured a group of women dressed in the branded underwear performing a cover version of Ratcat's "That Ain't Bad" on a street float. An apparently shocked Day made a brief appearance as a passer-by, wearing his once signature black and white striped T-shirt and black jeans, reminiscent of the look he sported in early Ratcat videos. He has also appeared with Sydney bands including the Art, and the Glimmer (formerly the Mansons). In 2011 Ratcat were confirmed for Sydney's Homebake festival, subtitled "The Classic Edition".

The band played as part of the ''A Day on the Green'' concert series in March 2016, with [[Hoodoo Gurus]], [[Sunnyboys]], Violent Femmes and [[Died Pretty]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://themusic.com.au/news/all/2015/10/15/hoodoo-gurus,-sunnyboys-and-more-lead-a-day-on-the-green-announce|title=/|website=Themusic.com.au|access-date=20 June 2021}}</ref>

In October 2023, Ratcat will release ''All Stripped Back'', a re-recording of their greatest hits.<ref name="All Stripped Back">{{cite web|url=https://musicfeeds.com.au/news/ratcat-sydney-show-new-album/|title=Ratcat Announce Sydney Launch Show for New Retrospective Album 'All Stripped Back' |website=[[Music Feeds]]|date= 26 September 2023|access-date=1 October 2023}}</ref>

== Members ==
* Simon Day – vocals, guitar, bass guitar, main songwriter (1985–present)
* Trevor Wintle – drums (1986–1987)
* Andrew Polin – drums (1985–1986, 1987–2011)
* Victor Levi – bass guitar (1985–1988)
* Cathy Webb – bass guitar (1988)
* John McAteer – bass guitar (1988–1989)
* Amr Zaid – bass guitar, backing vocals (1989–1992)
* Marc Scully – bass guitar (1992–1996)
* [[Nic Dalton]] – bass guitar (1998–present)
* Reuben Alexander - drums (2011-present)

==Discography==
===Studio albums===
{| class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center;" border="1"
|+ List of studio albums, with selected chart positions and certifications
! scope="col" rowspan="2" | Title
! scope="col" rowspan="2" | Album details
! scope="col" colspan="1"| Peak chart positions
! scope="col" rowspan="2" style="width:12em;"| [[Music recording sales certification|Certifications]]
|-
! scope="col" style="width:3em;font-size:90%;"| [[ARIA Charts|AUS]] <ref name="ARIA peak positions"/><ref name="auto">{{cite Ryan|page=230}}</ref>
|-
! scope="row"| ''This Nightmare''
|
* Released: July 1989
* Label: [[Waterfront Records|Waterfront]] (DAMP 103)
* Formats: [[LP record|LP]], [[Compact disc|CD]]
| 81
|
|-
! scope="row"| ''[[Blind Love (album)|Blind Love]]''
|
* Released: May 1991
* Label: [[rooArt]] (848523)
* Formats: LP, CD
| 1
|
* [[Australian Recording Industry Association|ARIA]]: Platinum<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.aria.com.au/charts/1991/albums-chart |title=1991 Albums Chart |publisher=ARIA|access-date=2 July 2018}}</ref>
|-
! scope="row"| ''Insideout''
|
* Released: November 1992
* Label: rooArt (4509905532)
* Formats: CD, [[Cassette tape|cassette]]
| 59
|
|-
! scope="row"| ''Easy Rider''
|
* Released: July 1997
* Label: rooArt (74321492912)
* Formats: CD
| —
|
|-
! scope="row"| ''All Stripped Back''
|
* Released: 13 October 2023<ref name="All Stripped Back"/>
* Label: Ratcat
* Formats: CD, digital
| —
|
|}

===Live albums===
{| class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center;" border="1"
|+ List of live albums
! scope="col" rowspan="2" | Title
! scope="col" rowspan="2" | Album details
! scope="col" colspan="1" | Peak chart positions
|-
! scope="col" style="width:3em;font-size:90%;"| [[ARIA Charts|AUS]] <ref name="auto"/>
|-
! scope="row"| ''Alive''
|
* Released: December 1991
* Label: rooArt (510686)
* Formats: CD, cassette
| 62
|}

===Compilation albums===
{| class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center;" border="1"
|+ List of compilation albums
! scope="col" style="width:18em;"| Title
! scope="col" style="width:16em;"| Album details
|-
! scope="row"| ''Informer 80:629''
|
* Released: December 1993
* Label: [[Shock Records|Shock]] (RAISON006)
* Formats: CD
|-
! scope="row"| ''Twisted Tails - A Ratcat Best of...''
|
* Released: September 2001
* Label: [[Sony BMG]] (74321867012)
* Formats: CD
|-
! scope="row"| ''Rarities''
|
* Released: 18 February 2011<ref>{{cite web|url=https://music.apple.com/au/album/rarities/421073491|title= Rarities|publisher=iTunes Australia|access-date=2 July 2018}}</ref>
* Label: Ratcat
* Formats: [[Music download|Digital download]], [[Streaming media|streaming]]
|}

===Extended plays===
{| class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center;" border="1"
|+ List of extended plays, with selected chart positions and certifications
! scope="col" rowspan="2" style="width:12em;"| Title
! scope="col" rowspan="2" style="width:16em;"| EP details
! scope="col" colspan="1"| Peak chart positions
! scope="col" rowspan="2" style="width:12em;"| [[Music recording sales certification|Certifications]]
|-
! scope="col" style="width:3em;font-size:90%;"| [[ARIA Charts|AUS]] <ref name="ARIA peak positions"/><ref name="aus2">{{cite web|url=https://imgur.com/a/GutdT7i |title=RatCat ARIA Chart history 1992-1998 singles, received from ARIA in May 2024|publisher=ARIA|via=Imgur.com|access-date=5 July 2024}} N.B. The High Point number in the NAT column represents the release's peak on the national chart.</ref>
|-
! scope="row"| ''[[Ratcat (EP)|Ratcat]]''
|
* Released: July 1987
* Label: [[Waterfront Records|Waterfront]] (DAMP 66)
* Formats: LP, CD
| —
|
|-
! scope="row"| ''[[Tingles]]''
|
* Released: October 1990
* Label: rooArt (878 165)
* Formats: LP, CD, cassette
| 1
|
* [[Australian Recording Industry Association|ARIA]]: Platinum<ref name="auto1">{{cite web|url= https://www.aria.com.au/charts/1991/singles-chart |title=1991 Singles Chart |publisher=ARIA|access-date=2 July 2018}}</ref>
|-
! scope="row"| ''The Smiler''
|
* Released: July 1995
* Label: rooArt (0630113442)
* Formats: CD
| 135
|
|-
! scope="row"| ''Laughing Bag and Other Funny Stories''
|
* Released: July 1997
* Label: rooArt (74321492932)
* Formats: CD
| —
|
|}

===Singles===
{| class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center;" border="1"
|+ List of singles, with selected chart positions and certifications
! scope="col" rowspan="2" style="width:19em;"| Title
! scope="col" rowspan="2" style="width:1em;"| Year
! scope="col" colspan="1"| Peak chart positions
! scope="col" rowspan="2" style="width:10em;"| Certifications
! scope="col" rowspan="2" style="width:18em;"| Album
|-
! scope="col" style="width:3em;font-size:90%;"| [[ARIA Charts|AUS]] <ref name="ARIA peak positions">[https://australian-charts.com/search.asp?search=ratcat&cat=s Ratcat – ARIA peak positions]. ARIA Chart archives. Hung Medien. Retrieved 2 July 2018</ref><ref name="aus2"/>
|-
! scope="row"| "I Think I Love You"/”Depression”
|rowspan="3"| 1988
| —
|
| non-album single
|-
! scope="row"| "Go Go"<ref>{{cite web|url=https://themusic.com.au/news/ratcat-announce-one-off-the-nightmare-anniversary-show/_W9DERATEhU/19-06-24|title= Ratcat Announce One-off 'The Nightmare' Anniversary Show|website=The Music|date=19 June 2024|access-date=22 June 2024}}</ref>
| —
|
|rowspan="2"| ''This Nightmare''
|-
! scope="row"| "Baby's Got a Gun"/”Purple Room”
| —
|
|-
! scope="row"| "Saying Goodbye"
| 1989
| —
|
| non-album single
|-
! scope="row"| "[[Don't Go Now]]"
|rowspan="2"| 1991
| 1
|
* [[Australian Recording Industry Association|ARIA]]: Gold<ref name="auto1"/>
|rowspan="2"| ''Blind Love''
|-
! scope="row"| "[[Baby Baby (Ratcat song)|Baby Baby]]"
| 21
|
|-
! scope="row"| "[[Candyman (Ratcat song)|Candyman]]"
|rowspan="2"| 1992
| 38
|
|rowspan="3"| ''Inside out''
|-
! scope="row"| "Holiday"
| 41
|
|-
! scope="row"| "The World (In a Wrapper)"
| 1993
| 115
|
|-
! scope="row"| "Rain"<ref>{{cite web|url=https://i.imgur.com/ZxPUfdo.jpg|title=New Releases – Product Available from: 16/01/95 (from The ARIA Report Issue No. 257)|publisher=[[Australian Recording Industry Association|ARIA]]|access-date=15 November 2019}}</ref>
| 1995
| 138
|
| non-album single
|-
! scope="row"| "[[I Hate the Music]]" (Ratcat and [[John Paul Young]]) 
| 1998
| 186
|
| ''Occasional Course Language'' (soundtrack)
|}

==Other appearances==
{| class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center;" border="1"
|+ List of other non-single song appearances
|-
! scope="col" style="width:24em;"| Title
! scope="col" style="width:1em;"| Year
! scope="col" style="width:18em;"| Album
|-
! scope="row" | "Razor Blades"
| 1986
| ''On the Waterfront, vol 3'' (DAMP 43)
|-
! scope="row" | "The Purple Room"
| 1987
| ''Fuck or Fuck Off'' (DAMP 67)
|-
! scope="row" | "Everything You Said"
| 1988
| ''Hummingbirds/ Ratcat''<ref>{{cite AV media|people=RatCat/Hummingbirds|date=1988|title= Ratcat/ Hummingbirds (303037)|publisher=Birdcat|type=vinyl}}</ref>
|-
! scope="row" | "Dead Dog Standing"
| 1989
| ''I Could'a Been a Contender'' (DAMP 121)<ref>{{cite AV media|people=Various Artists|date=1989|title= I Could'a Been a Contender (Various Artists)|publisher=Rude|type=CD}}</ref>
|-
! scope="row" | "A Christmas Lullaby"
| 1989
| ''Rockin' Bethlehem'' (SAW025)<ref>{{cite AV media|people=Various Artists|date=1989|title= Rockin' Bethlehem (Various Artists)|publisher=Timberyard|type=CD}}</ref>
|-
! scope="row" | "You Get Me By"
| 1990
| ''Youngblood 2''<ref>{{cite AV media|people=Various Artists|date=1990|title= Youngblood 2 (Various Artists)|publisher=rooArt|type=CD}}</ref>
|-
! scope="row" | "Skin"
| 1991
| ''Triple J Live At The Wireless''<ref>{{cite AV media|people=Various Artists|date=1991|title= Triple J Live At The Wireless (Various Artists)|publisher=White Label|type=CD}}</ref>
|-
! scope="row" | "Tripping on a Blind Date"
| 1998
| ''Homebake Vol 2''<ref>{{cite AV media|people=Various Artists|date=1998|title= Homebake Vol 2 (Various Artists)|publisher=Warner Music Australia|type=CD}}</ref>
|-
! scope="row" | "That Ain't Bad"/"Don't Go Now"/"You Get Me By"
| 2001
| ''Rockart - The History Of RooArt Records''<ref>{{cite AV media|people=Various Artists|date=2001|title= Rockart - The History Of RooArt Records (Various Artists)|publisher=rooArt|type=CD}}</ref>
|-
! scope="row" | "Electric Lash"
| 2002
| ''Electric Lash (songs of The Church and Steve Kilby)''<ref>{{cite AV media|people=Various Artists|date=2002|title= Electric Lash|publisher=Blackwelder|type=CD}}</ref>
|-
! scope="row" | "Hell on Hot Bread"
| 2015
| ''Manilow Tribute!''<ref>{{cite AV media|people=Various Artists|date=2015|title= Manilow Tribute! (Various Artists)|publisher=Smudge|type=CD}}</ref>
|-
|}

==Awards and nominations==
===ARIA Music Awards===
The [[ARIA Music Awards]] is an annual awards ceremony that recognises excellence, innovation, and achievement across all genres of [[Australian music]]. They commenced in 1987.
{{awards table}}
! {{Abbr|Ref.|Reference}}
|-
| rowspan="4"|[[ARIA Music Awards of 1992|1992]]
| rowspan="2"| ''Blind Love''
| [[ARIA Award for Breakthrough Artist - Album|Breakthrough Artist - Album]]
| {{nom}}
| rowspan="4"|<ref name="ARIA1992A">{{cite web | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20070926235813/http://www.ariaawards.com.au/history-by-year.php?year=1992 | url = http://www.ariaawards.com.au/history/year/1992 | title = Winners by Year 1992 | publisher = Australian Recording Industry Association (ARIA) | archive-date = 26 September 2007 | access-date = 4 December 2013 }}</ref>
|-
| [[ARIA Award for Highest Selling Album|Highest Selling Album]]
| {{nom}}
|-
| rowspan="2"| Nick Mainsbridge for ''Blind Love'' and "Don't Go Now"
| [[ARIA Award for Producer of the Year|Producer of the Year]]
| {{nom}}
|-
| [[ARIA Award for Engineer of the Year|Engineer of the Year]]
| {{nom}}
{{end}}

== References ==
{{Reflist}}
{{Ratcat}}

== External links ==
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20100816121727/http://www.pedestrian.tv/fashion/news/ratcats-simon-day-cameos-in-new-bonds-ad/20561.htm Ratcat's Simon Day cameos in new Bonds ad], Pedestrian TV, August 11, 2010, retrieved August 17, 2010.
*[http://www.ratcat.id.au], A Fan Site
*[http://www.reubenalexander.net/Reuben_Alexander/current.html], Rueben Alexander's site
* {{IMDb name|nm13856344}}

{{Authority control}}

[[Category:Australian indie rock groups]]
[[Category:Musical groups established in 1985]]
[[Category:Musical groups disestablished in 1998]]
[[Category:Musical groups reestablished in 2006]]
[[Category:Musical groups from Sydney]]

Craig Hooper

2025-09-13T00:47:58Z

2001:8003:747E:6B00:305C:81A6:FCE9:EE3C: /* References */

{{short description|Australian musician (born 1959)}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=August 2022}}
{{Use Australian English|date=August 2022}}
{{Infobox musical artist
| name = Craig Hooper
| image =
| alt =
| caption =
| birth_name = Craig Lincoln Hooper
| alias =
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1959|11|23|df=y}}
| birth_place = [[Dubbo]], [[New South Wales]], Australia
| death_date = 
| death_place =
| genre = [[Indie rock]]
| occupation = Musician
| instrument = Guitar, keyboards
| years_active = 1976–present
| label =
| associated_acts = [[The Reels]], [[Do-Re-Mi (band)|Do-Ré-Mi]], [[The Church (band)|The Church]], [[The Crystal Set]]
| website = 
}}

'''Craig Lincoln Hooper''' (born 23 November 1959) is an Australian musician who was a core member (with [[Dave Mason (Australian musician)|Dave Mason]]) of [[indie rock]] band [[The Reels]] (1977–1992), and was in bands The Mullanes (the initial incarnation of [[Crowded House]]), [[The Church (band)|The Church]] (appears on their 1984 five-track extended play, ''Persia'') and [[The Crystal Set]].<ref name="Holmgren">{{cite web | archiveurl = https://web.archive.org/web/20120928064333/http://hem.passagen.se/honga/database/h/hoopercraig.html | url = http://hem.passagen.se/honga/database/h/hoopercraig.html | title = Craig Hooper | work = passagen.se | publisher = [[Australian Rock Database]] (Magnus Holmgren) | last1 = Holmgren | first1 = Magnus | archivedate = 28 September 2012 | url-status = usurped | accessdate = 14 July 2014 }}</ref><ref name="Holmgren Church">{{cite web | archiveurl = https://web.archive.org/web/20121006014121/http://hem.passagen.se/honga/database/c/church.html | url = http://hem.passagen.se/honga/database/c/church.html | work = passagen.se | title = The Church | publisher = Australian Rock Database (Magnus Holmgren) | last1 = Holmgren | first1 = Magnus | archivedate = 6 October 2012 | url-status = usurped | accessdate = 14 July 2014 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=HowlSpace – The Reels |publisher=HowlSpace |url=http://www.whiteroom.com.au/howlspace/en2/reels/reels.htm |accessdate=4 October 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070830155552/http://www.whiteroom.com.au/howlspace/en2/reels/reels.htm |archive-date=30 August 2007 |url-status=dead }}</ref>

As a keyboardist or guitarist, he was a session musician for [[Do-Re-Mi (band)|Do-Ré-Mi]], [[Rockmelons]] and [[Ross Wilson (musician)|Ross Wilson]].<ref name="Holmgren" />

Hooper was also involved in songwriting (co-writing with The Reels members)<ref>{{cite web|title=Australasian Performing Right Association |publisher=[[Australasian Performing Right Association|APRA]] |url=http://www.apra.com.au/site/public/searchworksresult.stm |accessdate=4 October 2007 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20070928070913/http://www.apra.com.au/site/public/searchworksresult.stm |archivedate=28 September 2007 }}</ref> and record producing (with Mason and Bruce Brown).<ref>{{cite web |title=Craig Hooper |publisher=Discogs | url=http://www.discogs.com/artist/Craig+Hooper |accessdate=4 October 2007 }}</ref>

== References ==
{{Reflist}}

{{The Reels}}
{{Authority control}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Hooper, Craig}}
[[Category:Australian male songwriters]]
[[Category:Crowded House members]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:1959 births]]
[[Category:The Reels members]]
[[Category:People from Dubbo]]

{{australia-musician-stub}}

The Reels

2025-09-13T00:46:59Z

2001:8003:747E:6B00:305C:81A6:FCE9:EE3C:

{{Short description|Australian rock band}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=September 2020}}
{{Use Australian English|date=May 2011}}
{{Infobox musical artist
| name = The Reels
| image =
| caption =
| background = group_or_band
| origin = [[Dubbo]], [[New South Wales]], Australia
| genre = [[Rock music|Rock]], [[indie pop]], [[New wave music|new wave]]
| years_active = 1976–1991, 2007–present
| label = [[Mercury Records|Mercury]], [[RCA Records|RCA]], [[K-tel]], [[Regular Records|Regular]]
| current_members =
| past_members = [[Karen Ansel]] [[Craig Hooper]] Stefan Fidock Colin "Polly" Newham [[Dave Mason (Australian musician)|Dave Mason]] John Bliss [[Paul Abrahams (musician)|Paul Abrahams]]
}}
'''The Reels''' are an Australian [[rock music|rock]] band which formed in [[Dubbo]], [[New South Wales]] in 1976. They disbanded in 1991, and reformed in 2007. The band's 1981 song "[[Quasimodo's Dream (song)|Quasimodo's Dream]]" was voted one of the [[APRA Top 30 Australian songs|top 10 Australian songs]] of all time by a 100-member panel from [[Australasian Performing Right Association]] (APRA) in 2001. The Reels had top 10 Australian singles chart successes with [[cover versions|covers]] of [[Herb Alpert]]'s "[[This Guy's in Love with You]]" (No. 7, 1982) and [[Creedence Clearwater Revival]]'s "[[Bad Moon Rising (song)|Bad Moon Rising]]" (No. 11, 1986). Rock [[music history|music historian]] [[Ian McFarlane]] described the group as "one of the most original and invigorating pop bands to emerge from the Australian [[New wave music|new wave]] movement of the late 1970s."<ref name="McF">McFarlane [https://web.archive.org/web/20040615213227/http://www.whammo.com.au/encyclopedia.asp?articleid=681 'The Reels'] entry. Retrieved 27 February 2010.</ref><ref name="SpencerReels1">[http://www.whiteroom.com.au/howlspace/whoswho/PHPTracks.php?Band_ID=173600]{{Dead link|date=June 2018|bot=InternetArchiveBot|fix-attempted=no}}</ref>

==Career==
===1976–1980: Early years===
Native Sons, consisting of John Bliss on [[drum kit|drums]], Craig Hooper on [[lead guitar]] and [[synthesizer|synthesiser]], and [[Dave Mason (Australian musician)|Dave Mason]] on [[singing|vocals]], formed in the regional centre of Dubbo, New South Wales in 1976.<ref name="SpencerNative">[http://www.whiteroom.com.au/howlspace/whoswho/PHPTracks.php?Band_ID=146650] {{Dead link|date=June 2018|bot=InternetArchiveBot|fix-attempted=no}}</ref> Mason is the son of [[Government of New South Wales|NSW parliamentarian]], [[John Mason (Australian politician)|John Mason]], who was the state's [[Liberal Party of Australia|Liberal Party]] leader during 1978–1981. Colin (Polly) Newham (keyboards/brass) from Orange, N.S.W. joined in 1977.

Native Sons played in the Dubbo/Orange/Newcastle area for two years, with a repertoire of cover versions and original songs. After moving to [[Sydney]] in 1978, the band added [[Paul Abrahams (musician)|Paul Abrahams]] on [[bass guitar]] and changed its name to The Brucelanders.<ref name="SpencerBruce">[http://www.whiteroom.com.au/howlspace/whoswho/PHPTracks.php?Band_ID=28675] {{Dead link|date=June 2018|bot=InternetArchiveBot|fix-attempted=no}}</ref> It developed an original repertoire of fast-paced, quirky pop and [[ska music|ska]], and its energetic performances gained it a following on the east coast live music scene. It was given support in Sydney by the [[Australian Broadcasting Corporation]] (ABC) rock radio station [[Triple J|Double J]], which continued when the station moved to the [[FM band]] in 1980 and became [[Triple J]].

By 1979, the Brucelanders had secured a recording contract with the Australian branch of [[Mercury Records]] and changed its name to the Reels, with the line-up of Abrahams, Bliss, Hooper, Mason and Newham. It released its debut single, "Love Will Find a Way" in October, which entered the top 40 of the Australian [[Kent Music Report]] Singles Chart.<ref name="Kent">{{cite book|title=[[Kent Music Report|Australian Chart Book 1970–1992]]|last=Kent|first=David|author-link=David Kent (historian)|publisher=Australian Chart Book Ltd|location=[[St Ives, New South Wales|St Ives, NSW]]|year=1993|isbn=0-646-11917-6}} NOTE: Used for Australian Singles and Albums charting from 1974 until [[Australian Recording Industry Association|ARIA]] created their own [[ARIA Charts|charts]] in mid-1988. In 1992, Kent back calculated chart positions for 1970–1974.</ref> The group's self-titled debut album was produced by [[Mark Opitz]] ([[The Angels (Australian band)|the Angels]], [[Cold Chisel]]) and appeared in November, as did a second single, "Prefab Heart". The group's distinctive image meant it gained increasing attention with [[music video]]s featured on the influential national ABC TV pop show ''[[Countdown (Australian TV series)|Countdown]]''.<ref name="McF"/><ref name="SpencerReels">[http://www.whiteroom.com.au/howlspace/whoswho/PHPTracks.php?Band_ID=173600]{{Dead link|date=June 2018 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=no }}</ref>

In July 1980, the Reels added a sixth member, also a synthesiser player, [[Karen Ansel]], a former member of Melbourne group the Romantics. This new line-up released a third single, "After the News". It marked a transition in the Reels' music – the group minimised guitars instead utilising synthesisers as its main instruments. The Reels were one of the first groups to use headsets instead of traditional microphones.

During late July, the group undertook the innovative Reels By Rail Tour, using rail transport to destinations in the eastern states. At the end of the year, returning to its covers band origins, The Reels released a five-track Christmas EP, ''Five Great Gift Ideas from The Reels'', produced by Bruce Brown and [[Russell Dunlop]], which included [[Jim Reeves]]' "[[According to My Heart]]" and [[Freda Payne]]'s "[[Band of Gold (Freda Payne song)|Band of Gold]]".<ref name="McF"/> "According to My Heart" was accompanied by a [[folk music|folksy]] music video filmed at a farm in [[New Zealand]]. The EP included one original, "The Bombs Dropped on Xmas", co-written by band members Mason, Newham and Ansel with Pamela Shalvey.<ref>'The Bombs Dropped on Xmas', apraamcos.com.au, Work ID GW01458866</ref>

===1981: ''Quasimodo's Dream''===
In May 1981, The Reels released the single "[[Shout and Deliver]]" as a precursor to the album considered by many to be its best work, ''[[Quasimodo's Dream]]''. Here The Reels displayed an impressive maturity in song writing, backed with strong performances, inventive arrangements and top-class production. It peaked at No. 27 in June. The album's [[Quasimodo's Dream (song)|title track]] was released as a single but, although widely considered to be one of the best Australian singles of that period, it failed to chart. The band undertook the Kitchen Man Tour, which saw the stage dressed as a fully equipped Australian kitchen.

The Reels' lack of top 10 mainstream commercial success was at odds with their strong live following, but it was due in part to the restrictive programming on commercial radio at that time, which gave little exposure to local "new wave" acts. The group's deteriorating relationship with Mercury was also a factor, as evidenced by the album's track listing: it included the earlier hit "According to My Heart", but a disclaimer printed on the sleeve noted that it had been included at the insistence of the record company (i.e. against the band's wishes).

Internal tensions were also a factor in the group's career vicissitudes. Bliss left just after the recording of the album, to be replaced by [[Stefan Fidock]] (who had played with Ansel in the Romantics). The new five-piece lineup promoted the album with the Kitchen Man Tour, after which Ansel, Newham then Abrahams left the band. Now reduced to a trio (Mason, Hooper and Fidock) The Reels continued performing by augmenting their live sound with taped backing tracks, and used the new [[Fairlight CMI|Fairlight synthesiser]] for studio recordings.

===1982–1985: ''Beautiful'' ===
In late 1982, having signed a new contract with the [[RCA Records]] label, The Reels recorded the ''Beautiful'' album, mainly covering [[Middle of the road (music)|middle of the road]] classics with a synthesiser feel. The Reels persuaded RCA to allow a ''Beautiful'' "Limited Collectors Edition"<ref>{{Citation |title=The Reels - Beautiful |date=1982-05-09 |url=https://www.discogs.com/release/5854275-The-Reels-Beautiful |access-date=2023-08-18 |language=en}}</ref> to be released by [[K-tel]], known for its licensed pop hit compilations and budget 'golden oldies'. At the time K-tel advertised extensively on Australian TV and was widely regarded as the antithesis of credible music. To emphasise the point, ''Beautiful'' was released with "bad taste" artwork that matched the K-tel aesthetic. Although the tracks on ''Beautiful'' walked a fine line between sincere tribute and gentle parody, it proved to be the biggest success of their career, selling in excess of 40,000 copies and reaching No. 32 on the album chart, as well as being certified gold. A single taken from it, a cover of the [[Burt Bacharach]]-[[Hal David]] song "[[This Guy's in Love With You]]" gave the Reels their biggest hit in Australia, peaking at number 7 around November 1982.<ref name="aus82">{{cite web|title= National Top 100 Singles for 1982 |publisher= [[Kent Music Report]] |via= [[Imgur]] |issue= 445 |date= January 3, 1983 |access-date= January 22, 2023 |url= https://i.imgur.com/iP7HHqt.jpg}}</ref> The album was later re-released through [[RCA Records|RCA]].

In 1983, the band released a five-track EP of original songs, ''Pitt Street Farmers'' (the title is an old Sydney satirical expression referring to wealthy owners of rural land who never leave the city). This was followed by a new version of "Quasimodo's Dream" in December 1983, which also failed to chart on its second release. At this point Mason was forced to give up performing after contracting [[hepatitis]], which effectively ended the group. Hooper joined [[The Church (band)|the Church]] as keyboard player, and later joined the Mullanes, the original incarnation of [[Crowded House]], and Fidock returned to Melbourne, joining the [[Sacred Cowboys]].

By late 1985, Mason had recovered and the Reels was revived (with the line-up of Mason, Hooper, Bliss and Newham) and completed its commitments to RCA with a single, a cover version of [[Etta James]]'s "[[Something's Got a Hold on Me|It Must Be Love]]".

===1986–1988: Later years===
The band then signed with [[Regular Records]] and released a radically slowed-down, synthesiser-driven version of [[Creedence Clearwater Revival]]'s "[[Bad Moon Rising (song)|Bad Moon Rising]]". It proved to be another hit, reaching No. 11 (October 1986); the arrangement featuring prominent use of the [[Vocoder]] voice synthesiser, which the band also used extensively on stage to augment Mason's vocals. However, at the end of 1986, Bliss left the band again.

In January 1987, their next single was a cover of the [[Edison Lighthouse]] hit "[[Love Grows (Where My Rosemary Goes)]]". During that year, they embarked on the popular "Reels By Request" tour, where the audience was allowed to call out for the songs they wanted to hear, chosen from long printed lists.<ref>{{cite news|author=Stuart Coupe|work=The Sydney Morning Herald|title=Reels: The most unlikely pop stars |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=zKpWAAAAIBAJ&pg=3076,7029692&dq=the-reels&hl=en |access-date=23 October 2013|date=24 August 1986}}</ref> This was followed by an 'all Australian songs' version of the same concept, which led to The Reels' next studio album, ''Neighbors'' - the name of which excluded the 'u' which would normally be contained in the [[Australian English]] spelling. This LP contained their idiosyncratic versions of thirteen Australian rock classics,<ref>{{cite news|author=Geoff Winestock|work=The Age|title=Reels put their own touch on cover songs|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=eCNVAAAAIBAJ&pg=4122,4763971&dq=the-reels&hl=en |access-date=23 October 2013|date=22 December 1989}}</ref> including the singles "[[Are You Old Enough?|Are You Old Enough]]" (originally a hit for [[Dragon (band)|Dragon]]) and "[[Forever Now (Cold Chisel song)|Forever Now]]" (by [[Cold Chisel]]). Steve Prestwich, who wrote "Forever Now", played on the Reels' version. The album also featured a new version of the Reels' own song "Shout and Deliver".

===1989–1992: Breakup===
In 1989, Mason appeared in the acclaimed Australian feature film ''[[Ghosts... of the Civil Dead]]'', in which he co-starred with [[Nick Cave]]. In September 1991, The Reels issued its first original single in five years, "I Don't Love You Anymore", followed by what proved to be their last single, a remix by [[Filthy Lucre (music producer)|Filthy Lucre]] of "Bad Moon Rising". The group officially disbanded to coincide with the release of the compilation CD ''Requiem''.

===2007–present: Comeback===
In May 2007, Dave Mason released his first solo album, ''Reelsville'', an acoustic re-recording of Reels hits. In August 2007, ''Reel to Reel'' was also released, a compilation of the Reels classic tracks with new liner notes as written by Mason.

In May 2008, Dave Mason, John Bliss and Colin Newham reunited and played shows.

At a subsequent show (the Gaelic Club, Surry Hills; 27 September 2008), Mason announced that Newham was retiring from the band. Original bassist Abrahams then rejoined the band, after 23 years. Despite this, the Reels never got to reunite as a six-piece group.

==After the Reels==
{{More citations needed|section|date=October 2021}}
Hooper was also a member of [[The Church (band)|the Church]], the Mullanes (the original incarnation of [[Crowded House]]), and also recorded with [[Rockmelons]] and [[Ross Wilson (musician)|Ross Wilson]].

Karen Ansel retired from the music business and became a noted film and TV [[computer graphics]] specialist in the US.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0030563/|title=Karen Ansel|website=IMDb.com|access-date=6 October 2021}}</ref>

Paul Abrahams also played bass in a band with Newham called Company of Strangers and was also a member of [[Peter Blakeley]]'s band, The Resurrection. In addition, he played bass for [[Wendy Matthews]], plus drums for Ya Ya Choral, Rat Tat Tat ([[Peter Blakeley]] and Jeff Stapleton) and The Bonerattlers who were regular buskers at [[Paddington Markets]].

Fidock joined the [[Sacred Cowboys]] in 1987. Around 2008, he established his company Fidock Drums, creating handcrafted snares and drumkits.<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://www.moderndrummer.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/md-342-cs.pdf|magazine=[[Modern Drummer]]|date=May 2008|title=Fidock Drums|access-date=6 October 2021}}</ref> He died from cancer in April 2020.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://themusic.com.au/news/stephan-fidock-drummer-reels-sacred-cowboys-passes-away/vCCkrtHQ09I/29-04-20/ |title=Archived copy |website=themusic.com.au |access-date=17 January 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211003093101/https://themusic.com.au/news/stephan-fidock-drummer-reels-sacred-cowboys-passes-away/vCCkrtHQ09I/29-04-20/ |archive-date=3 October 2021 |url-status=dead}}</ref>

John Bliss co-authored the book ''The A to Zen of Lawn Bowls'' with John Salter in 1997.

David Mason appeared in the [[Countdown Spectacular]] 2 concert series in Australia between late-August and early-September 2007 as a solo performer. He sang only one song, "Quasimodo's Dream".<ref>{{cite news|author=Peter Lalor|work=The Australian|title=From the Reels to real-life depression |url=http://www.theaustralian.com.au/news/nation/from-the-reels-to-real-life-depression/story-e6frg6nf-1111113600107 |access-date=23 October 2013|date=24 May 2007}}</ref>

In 2007, Mason released a new album, ''Reelsville'' on Liberation Blue. He performed one gig to launch the album at The Basement in Sydney on 16 May 2007. A further gig was booked for the Factory Enmore Theatre in Sydney on 24 May 2008. This show became a local cause celebre when police with sniffer dogs arrested two 60-year-old punters for smoking illegal drugs.

On 26 March 2011, Mason appeared on episode 114 of ''[[RocKwiz]]'' on [[SBS (Australian TV channel)|SBS TV]]. He performed "Quasimodo's Dream" and ended the show in a duet with [[Sally Seltmann]] performing the [[Conway Twitty]] song "[[As Soon as I Hang Up the Phone]]".

Mason, who now suffers from bipolar disorder, continues to play occasionally in three separate shows, an acoustic duo with [[Brendan Gallagher]] from [[Karma County]] and an electronic (one man show) 'Dark' with visuals by artist Libby Blainey, music by Scott Saunders from Dig; both these shows are mostly interpretations of Reels songs. 2017 saw the formation of the group Sandy Shores with Mason, Gallagher, Blainey together with [[Lindy Morrison]] and [[Amanda Brown (musician)|Amanda Brown]] from [[the Go-Betweens]] playing hits from past bands but mostly new original material.

==Members==
* [[Dave Mason (Australian musician)|Dave Mason]] – production, design, lead vocals (founding member Native Sons)
* Keith Greig – keyboards (founding member Native Sons)
* Tony Martin – bass (founding member Native Sons)
* Colin 'Polly' Newham – keyboards, vocoder, brass, production, songwriter, vocal
* [[Craig Hooper]] – guitars, keyboards, sax, production, songwriter, vocals (founding member Native Sons)
* [[Paul Abrahams (musician)|Paul Abrahams]] – bass, vocal
* John Bliss – drums (founding member Native Sons)
* [[Karen Ansel]] – keyboards, design, costumes, vocals
* Stefan Fidock – drums, vocals (deceased 26 April 2020)

'''Timeline'''

<div>
<timeline>
ImageSize = width:680 height:auto barincrement:30
PlotArea = left:80 bottom:20 top:0 right:0
Alignbars = justify
DateFormat = dd/mm/yyyy
Period = from:01/01/1979 till:01/06/2012
TimeAxis = orientation:horizontal format:yyyy
Legend = orientation:vertical position:bottom columns:4

Colors =
id:lead value:red legend:vocals/keyboards
id:keys value:purple legend:keyboards
id:guitars value:green legend:guitars/keyboards
id:bass value:blue legend:bass
id:drums value:orange legend:drums
id:lines1 value:black legend:Studio_Albums

ScaleMajor = increment:2 start:1979
ScaleMinor = increment:2 start:1979

BarData =

bar:Dave text:"Dave Mason"
bar:Colin text:"Colin Newham"
bar:Karen text:"Karen Ansel"
bar:Craig text: "Craig Hooper"
bar:Paul text:"Paul Abrahams"
bar:John text:"John Bliss"
bar:Stefan text:"Stefan Fidock"

PlotData=

width:10 textcolor:black align:left anchor:from shift:(10,-4)
bar:Dave from:01/01/1979 till:31/12/1983 color:lead
bar:Dave from:01/12/1985 till:01/04/1992 color:lead
bar:Dave from:01/05/2007 till:end color:lead
bar:Colin from:01/01/1979 till:01/06/1981 color:keys
bar:Colin from:01/12/1985 till:01/04/1988 color:keys
bar:Colin from:01/05/2008 till:27/09/2008 color:keys
bar:Craig from:01/01/1979 till:31/12/1983 color:guitars
bar:Craig from:01/12/1985 till:01/04/1992 color:guitars
bar:Paul from:01/01/1979 till:01/08/1981 color:bass
bar:Paul from:01/10/2008 till:end color:bass
bar:John from:01/01/1979 till:01/06/1981 color:drums
bar:John from:01/12/1985 till:31/12/1986 color:drums
bar:John from:01/05/2008 till:end color:drums
bar:Karen from:01/02/1980 till:01/08/1981 color:keys
bar:Stefan from:01/06/1981 till:31/12/1983 color:drums

LineData =

at:01/06/1979 color:lines1 layer:back
at:01/05/1981 color:lines1 layer:back
at:01/10/1982 color:lines1 layer:back
at:01/11/1988 color:lines1 layer:back
at:01/06/2007 color:lines1 layer:back

</timeline>
</div>

==Discography==
===Studio albums===
{| class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center"
|+ List of albums, with selected details and chart positions
! scope="col" rowspan="2" | Title
! scope="col" rowspan="2" | Album details
! scope="col" colspan="1" | Peak chart positions
|-
! scope="col" style="width:3em; font-size:90%"| [[Kent Music Report|AUS]] <ref name=aus>{{cite book|last=Kent|first=David|author-link=David Kent (historian)|title=Australian Chart Book 1970–1992|edition=illustrated|publisher=Australian Chart Book|location=St Ives, N.S.W.|year=1993|isbn=0-646-11917-6|page=249}}</ref><ref name="aus2">{{cite web|url=https://www.bubblingdownunder.com/2022/08/week-commencing-12-august-1991.html | title=Bubbling Down Under Week Commencing 12 August 1991|access-date=12 August 2022}}</ref>
|-
! scope="row" | ''[[The Reels (album)|The Reels]]''
|
* Released: 1979
* Format: [[LP record|LP]], [[Compact cassette|cassette]]
* Label: Mercury (6357 926)
| 81
|-
! scope="row" | ''[[Quasimodo's Dream]]''
|
* Released: May 1981
* Format: LP, cassette
* Label: Mercury (6437 139)
| 27
|-
! scope="row" | ''[[Beautiful (The Reels album)|Beautiful]]''
|
* Released: October 1982
* Format: LP, cassette
* Label: RCA (VPL1 0413)
| 32
|-
! scope="row" | ''[[Neighbors (album)|Neighbors]]''
|
* Released: December 1988
* Format: LP, cassette, [[Compact Disc|CD]]
* Label: [[Festival Records|Festival]] (L 38910)
| 92
|}

===Compilations===
{| class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center"
|+ List of compilations, with selected details and chart positions
! scope="col" rowspan="2" | Title
! scope="col" rowspan="2" | Album details
! scope="col" colspan="1" | Peak chart positions
|-
! scope="col" style="width:3em; font-size:90%"| [[ARIA Charts|AUS]] <ref name="aus2"/>
|-
! scope="row" | ''Unreel''
|
* Released: October 1983
* Format: [[LP record|LP]], [[Compact cassette|cassette]]
* Label: RCA (VPL1-0416)
| —
|-
! scope="row" | ''Requiem''
|
* Released: December 1992
* Format: [[Compact disc|CD]], VHS
* Label: Festival (RMD 93370)
| 131
|-
! scope="row" | ''Reel to Reel: 1978–1992''
|
* Released: 2007
* Format: CD, [[Music download|DD]]
* Label: Liberation Blue (BLUE153.2)
| —
|}

===EPs===
{| class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center"
|+ List of EPs, with selected details and chart positions
! scope="col" rowspan="2" | Title
! scope="col" rowspan="2" | EP details
! scope="col" colspan="1" | Peak chart positions
|-
! scope="col" style="width:3em; font-size:90%"| [[Kent Music Report|AUS]] <ref name=aus/>
|-
! scope="row" | ''[[Five Great Gift Ideas from The Reels]]''
|
* Released: November 1980
* Format: LP, cassette
* Label: Mercury (6235 014)
| 12
|-
! scope="row" | ''Pitt Street Farmers''
|
* Released: September 1983
* Format: LP, cassette
* Label: RCA Australia (SP 246)
| —
|-
! scope="row" | ''The Reels 1979 EP''
|
* Released: 2019
* Format: Download
* Label: Bloodlines (BLOODLP48)
| —
|-
! scope="row" | ''6 Great Gift Ideas''
|
* Released: 2019
* Format: Download
* Label: Bloodlines (BLOODLP60)
| —
|}

===Singles===
{| class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center"
|+ List of singles, with selected chart positions
! scope="col" rowspan="2" | Year
! scope="col" rowspan="2" | Title
! scope="col" colspan="1" | Peak chart positions
! scope="col" rowspan="2" | Album
|-
! scope="col" style="width:3em; font-size:90%"| [[Kent Music Report|AUS]] <ref name=aus/><ref name="ARIA history pages">{{cite web|url=https://imgur.com/a/HykNQ1P|title=The Reels ARIA peaks (1988 to 2024), received from ARIA in October 2024|publisher=ARIA|via=Imgur.com|access-date=2 November 2024}} N.B. The High Point number in the NAT column represents the release's peak on the national chart.</ref>
|-
| 1979
! scope="row" | "Love Will Find a Way" / "Spot the Ridge"
| 39
|rowspan="2" | ''The Reels''
|-
| rowspan="3" | 1980
! scope="row" | "Prefab Heart" / "Misused Abused"
| 52
|-
! scope="row" | "[[After the News]]" / "Media Themes"
| 65
| rowspan="4" | ''Quasimodo's Dream''
|-
! scope="row" | "According to My Heart" / "Love Will Find a Way"
| —{{efn|group=upper-alpha|"According to My Heart" sales counted towards the sale of the EP ''5 Great Ideas''}}
|-
| rowspan="3" | 1981
! scope="row" | "[[Shout and Deliver]]" / "Depression"
| 43
|-
! scope="row" | "[[Quasimodo's Dream (song)|Quasimodo's Dream]]" / "(Love Is) Here Today"
| —
|-
! scope="row" | "No.3" / "[[1-2-3 (Len Barry song)|1, 2, 3]]" / "Haunted"
| 93
| {{Non-album single}}
|-
| 1982
! scope="row" | "[[This Guy's in Love with You]]" / "Cry"
| 7
| rowspan="2" | ''Beautiful''
|-
| rowspan="2" | 1983
! scope="row" | "[[(Last Night) I Didn't Get to Sleep at All]]" / "Science Is Golden"
| —
|-
! scope="row" |"Happiness" / "Comedy"
| —
| ''Pitt Street Farmers''
|-
| 1985
! scope="row" | "It Must Be Love" / "My Family"
| —
| rowspan="3" {{Non-album singles}}
|-
| 1986
! scope="row" | "[[Bad Moon Rising (song)|Bad Moon Rising]]" / "World's End"
| 11
|-
| 1987
! scope="row" | "[[Love Grows (Where My Rosemary Goes)]]" / "Media Themes II"
| 70
|-
| 1988
! scope="row" | "[[Forever Now (Cold Chisel song)|Forever Now]]"
| 135
| rowspan="2" |''Neighbors''
|-
| 1989
! scope="row" | "[[Are You Old Enough?]]" / "[[What's My Scene?]]"
| —
|-
| 1991
! scope="row" |"I Don't Love You Anymore"
| 125
| rowspan="2" | ''Requiem''
|-
| 1992
! scope="row" |"Bad Moon Rising"
| 125
|}

'''Notes'''
{{notelist-ua}}

==Awards and nominations==
===Countdown Music Awards===
''[[Countdown (Australian TV series)|Countdown]]'' was an Australian pop music TV series on national broadcaster [[ABC Television (Australian TV network)|ABC-TV]] from 1974–1987, it presented music awards from 1979–1987, initially in conjunction with magazine ''[[TV Week]]''. The TV Week / Countdown Awards were a combination of popular-voted and peer-voted awards.<ref name="CountdownMarch1987">{{Cite web | url = http://www.countdownmemories.com/magazines/pdfs/1987_03.pdf | title = Countdown to the Awards | work = Countdown Magazine |date=March 1987 | publisher = [[Australian Broadcasting Corporation]] (ABC) | format = [[Portable document format]] (PDF) | access-date = 16 December 2010 }}</ref><ref name="1987noms&wins">{{cite web|url=http://1970scountdown.atspace.com/1987.html|title=Final episode of Countdown|website=1970scountdown|access-date=23 October 2020}}</ref>

{{awards table}}
|-
|1982
| "[[This Guy's in Love with You]]"
| Best Australian Single
| {{nom}}
|-
{{end}}

==Legacy==
The song "Quasimodo's Dream" is regarded as an Australian rock classic and has been covered by [[Kate Ceberano]], [[Rob Snarski (musician)|Rob Snarski]], [[Mick Harvey]] and [[Jimmy Little]]. In 2001, it was voted one of the top 10 Australian songs of all time by [[Australasian Performing Right Association|APRA]].

==References==
{{refbegin}}
;General
* {{cite encyclopedia |last=McFarlane |first=Ian |author-link=Ian McFarlane |encyclopedia=[[Encyclopedia of Australian Rock and Pop]] |title=Whammo Homepage |url=http://www.whammo.com.au/index.asp |access-date=27 February 2010 |year=1999 |publisher=[[Allen & Unwin]] |location=[[St Leonards, New South Wales|St Leonards, NSW]] |isbn=1-86508-072-1 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20040405231007/http://www.whammo.com.au/index.asp |archive-date=5 April 2004}} Note: Archived [on-line] copy has limited functionality.
* {{cite book|title=The Who's Who of Australian Rock|last=Spencer|first=Chris|author2=Zbig Nowara |author3=Paul McHenry |orig-year=1987|year=2002|publisher=Five Mile Press|location=[[Noble Park, Victoria|Noble Park]], Vic.|isbn=1-86503-891-1}}<ref>{{cite book|url=http://catalogue.nla.gov.au/Record/2090055|title=Who's who of Australian rock / compiled by Chris Spencer, Zbig Nowara & Paul McHenry|work=catalogue|year=2002|publisher=[[National Library of Australia]]|isbn=9781865038919|access-date=27 February 2010}}</ref> Note: [on-line] version established at [https://web.archive.org/web/20120229232852/http://www.whiteroom.com.au/howlspace/whoswho/aboutww.htm White Room Electronic Publishing Pty Ltd] in 2007 and was expanded from the 2002 edition.
;Specific
{{refend}}
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20120401032440/http://thereels.info/ Official website]
*[https://webarchive.nla.gov.au/awa/20120726191200/http://pandora.nla.gov.au/pan/14231/20120727-0512/www.howlspace.com.au/en2/reels/reels.htm Entry on HowlSpace]{{cbignore|bot=medic}}
*[http://www.nonightsweats.com/nns_reissues_reels-82.htm 1982 Trade Union Club (Sydney) playlist] by "NoNightSweats"
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20070215222131/http://www.memorabletv.com/musicworld/ozrock/qtor.htm The Reels - Memorable TV]
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20100717111621/http://www.nostalgiacentral.com/music/reels.htm The Reels - Nostalgia Central]
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20080302073631/http://www.acousticseries.com.au/DaveMason.htm Liberation Blue]

{{The Reels}}
{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Reels, The}}
[[Category:APRA Award winners]]
[[Category:Australian new wave musical groups]]
[[Category:Musical groups from New South Wales]]
[[Category:Musical groups established in 1976]]
[[Category:Musical groups disestablished in 1991]]
[[Category:Musical groups reestablished in 2007]]
[[Category:Mercury Records artists]]
[[Category:RCA Records artists]]

Melanie Oxley

2025-09-12T22:25:28Z

2001:8003:747E:6B00:305C:81A6:FCE9:EE3C:

{{Use dmy dates|date=December 2019}}
{{Use Australian English|date=January 2012}}
{{Infobox musical artist 
| name = Melanie Oxley
| image =
| caption =
| image_size =
| background = solo_singer
| birth_name = Melanie Susan Oxley
| alias =
| birth_date =
| birth_place = [[Kingscliff, New South Wales]], Australia
| origin =
| instruments =
| genre = [[Rock music|Rock]], [[dance-pop]], soul pop
| occupation = Musician, singer-songwriter
| years_active = 1983–present
| label = Mighty Boy, Spiral Scratch, [[Remote Control Records|Remote Control]], [[Vitamin Records|Vitamin]]
| associated_acts = Paris Green, The Crestriders, Sweet Nothing, Johnny Kannis Band, The Sparklers, [[Scribble (band)|Scribble]], Melanie Oxley & Chris Abrahams
| website =
}}

'''Melanie Susan Oxley''' is an Australian musician, singer-songwriter and primary school teacher. Oxley was a member of the dance pop group, The Sparklers (from 1985 to 1989), which in October 1988 released their debut album, ''Persuasion''.

Since 1989 Oxley teamed with keyboardist, [[Chris Abrahams]] to perform and record as a soul pop duo, Melanie Oxley & Chris Abrahams. They have released four studio albums, ''Welcome to Violet'', ''Coal'', ''Jerusalem Bay'' and ''Blood Oranges''. At the [[ARIA Music Awards of 1993]] ''Welcome to Violet'' was nominated for [[ARIA Award for Best Independent Release]].

==Biography==
===Early life===
Melanie Susan Oxley is the daughter of Eric and Jan Oxley. Eric, an art teacher, was originally from [[Manchester]] and had migrated to Sydney before the Oxley family settled in the rural northern beach community of [[Kingscliff, New South Wales|Kingscliff]] in 1965.<ref name="Guilliatt"/> Oxley's older brothers are [[Peter Oxley|Peter]] and [[Jeremy Oxley]] (born ca. 1961), who founded Australian pop-rock band [[The Sunnyboys]], and her younger brothers are Damien and Tim (singer, guitarist, drummer in The Humdingers, The Verys, [[The Dearhunters]], and Roger Loves Betty).<ref name="Guilliatt"/>

===1984-1988: Paris Green and The Sparklers===
Oxley performed with [[Louis Tillett]]'s jazz influenced blues-rock band Paris Green in 1984, alongside [[Charlie Owen (musician)|Charlie Owen]].<ref name="Dwyer"/><ref name="Holmgren"/> She performed backing vocals on [[The Triffids]]' 1984 [[Extended Play|EP]], ''[[Raining Pleasure (EP)|Raining Pleasure]]''.<ref name="Holmgren"/> In early 1985 she worked for the Johnny Kannis Band with Richard Jakimyszyn on guitar, Tony Juke on keyboards and guitar, Kannis on lead vocals, Tony Robertson on bass guitar, Don Raffael on saxophone and Destroyer on drums.<ref name="HolmgrenJK"/> Also that year she was briefly in Sweet Nothing.<ref name="Holmgren"/><ref name="McFarlane"/> Later that year, Oxley formed a dance pop band, The Sparklers, in Sydney with [[Chris Abrahams]] (ex-[[Benders]]) on keyboards; her brother Peter Oxley on bass guitar; Bill Bilson (The Sunnyboys) on drums; and Mark Walker (Hoi Polloi, Sweet Nothing) on guitar – who was replaced by Colin Bloxsom, a year later.<ref name="McFarlane"/> The Sparklers released two singles before Abrahams left, he was replaced by Phil Grove. The Sparklers released an album, ''Persuasion'', in October 1988 with Oxley writing all tracks except one co-written with Abrahams.<ref name="NLAPersuasion"/>
{{quote|after my brothers' band [The Sunnboys] split up, my brother Peter and I started the Sparklers with Chris, although he left before that album [''Persuasion''] was made.|Melanie Oxley|<ref name="Dwyer"/>}}

''Persuasion'' was produced by Leszek Karski on Mighty Boys Records before the group disbanded in 1989.<ref name="McFarlane"/> Oxley also performed backing vocals for [[Johanna Pigott]]'s band [[Scribble (band)|Scribble]], appearing on their 1986 album ''Pop Art'', as well as on [[Ed Kuepper]]'s 1986 album ''[[Rooms of the Magnificent]]''.<ref name="Holmgren"/><ref name="Rooms"/> Other 1980s work includes The Spliffs ''House of Seven'' (1988) and Penguins on Safari's ''Normal Soon'' (1989).<ref name="Holmgren"/>

===1989-present: Melanie Oxley & Chris Abrahams===
In 1989 Oxley formed a soul pop duo, Melanie Oxley & Chris Abrahams, with ex-The Sparklers bandmate, Abrahams (by then also a pianist-songwriter for experimental jazz trio, [[The Necks]]).<ref name="McFarlane"/> She worked periodically with Abrahams, performing, writing songs and recording albums, while maintaining a career as a primary school teacher. In December 1990 the duo released a four-track EP, ''Resisting Calm'', on Spiral Scratch Records.<ref name="McFarlane"/><ref name="NLAResisting"/> For the EP they used Tony Buck on drums, Mike Bukovsky on trumpet, Gerard Corben (ex-The Sparklers) on guitar, Guy Dickerson on guitar, Stuart Eadie on [[floor tom]]s, [[Jackie Orszaczky]] on bass guitar and Lloyd Swanton on acoustic bass.<ref name="Resisting"/> It was co-produced by Abrahams and Oxley.<ref name="Resisting"/> National radio station, [[Triple J]], placed the track, "Benchtop", on high rotation – a live version appeared on the compilation album, ''[[Live at the Wireless#Live at the Wireless 2|Live at the Wireless 2]]'' (1991).<ref name="Live2"/> Their debut studio album, ''Welcome to Violet'', followed in October 1992 on [[Remote Control Records]], which exemplified their "moody, emotive soul/pop" sound.<ref name="McFarlane"/><ref name="NLAWelcome"/> At the [[ARIA Music Awards of 1993]], ''Welcome to Violet'' was nominated for Best Independent Release.<ref name="ARIA1993"/> On 3 October 1994, their second studio album, ''Coal'', appeared.

Their third studio album, ''Jerusalem Bay'', was issued in December 1998 and was produced by Oxley and Abrahams.<ref name="McFarlane"/><ref name="NLAJerusalem"/> Additional musicians included [[Miroslav Bukovsky|Mike Bukowski]] on trumpet (ex-Ten Part Invention) and Hamish Stuart on drums ([[Ayers Rock (band)|Ayers Rock]], Wig World, Catholics).<ref name="McFarlane"/><ref name="NLAJerusalem"/> The album includes a cover version of "[[Cry Me a River (1953 song)|Cry Me a River]]" written by [[Arthur Hamilton]].<ref name="NLAJerusalem"/> ''Blood Oranges'' the fourth studio album was released in April 2003 on [[Vitamin Records]]. ''[[The Age]]''{{'}}s Michael Dwyer described their sound as "sophisticated, sometimes jazz-tinted pop" while Oxley feels "It's quite a different album to ''Jerusalem Bay'', and it was recorded differently. That one was much more organic and live. With ''Blood Oranges'', Chris did a lot of work before we went into the studio, quite a lot of programming".<ref name="Dwyer"/> Session musicians included Stuart, [[Michael Sheridan (musician)|Michael Sheridan]] on guitar and [[Jonathan Zwartz]] on bass guitar. Vitamin Records promoted the album as being "Coloured by a strange, at times, dark playfulness, [it] is dotted throughout with classic sounding songs drawn from a number of pop influences. Lyrically thoughtful, deceptively simple".<ref name="AMOBlood"/>

In April 2003 ''[[Sydney Morning Herald]]''{{'s}} John Shand reviewed their performance at The Basement, he found Oxley used "a lot of breath aerating [her] lovely voice. Unlike, say, [[Renée Geyer]], however, this does not make it husky, but creates a soft-edged, whispering quality, which remains unaffected by volume, and which suggests innocence and sensuality in equal measure".<ref name="Shand"/> In October that year ABC [[Radio National]] broadcast ''South Island'' on ''The Listening Room''; ''South Island'' was a joint project by Oxley (performer) with Abrahams (composer and performer) and Sherre DeLys (text and sound design).<ref name="NLASouth"/>

In January 2008 Oxley and Abraham provided "a simply devastating performance of 'Embedded'" at a tribute concert for its deceased songwriter, [[David McComb]] of The Triffids.<ref name="Zuel"/> A documentary film, ''It's Raining Pleasure'' (2009), showcased the performances and included an interview with Oxley, it was screened at the [[Adelaide Film Festival|Adelaide International Film Festival]].<ref name="Raining"/>

==Personal life==
As of July 2003 Melanie Oxley's domestic partner is former drummer and television producer, Angus Millar. Oxley is a mother of three children and outside her musical career she is a primary school teacher who has taught at Newtown Public School, Annandale Public School and Summer Hill Public School in Sydney's inner west.<ref name="Dwyer"/><ref>2012 interview</ref><ref name="Moore"/>

==Melanie Oxley & Chris Abrahams Discography==
===Albums===
{| class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center;"
|-
!Title
!Album details
|-
! scope="row"| ''Welcome To Violet''
|
*Released: October 1992<ref name="NLA Violet">{{Citation | author1=Oxley, Melanie | author2=Abrahams, Chris | title=Welcome to Violet | date=1992 | publisher=Remote Records | url=https://trove.nla.gov.au/work/21505685 | access-date=5 March 2022}}</ref>
*Label: Remote Music (Rem 1)
*Format: CD
|-
! scope="row"| ''Coal''
|
*Released: October 1994
*Label: Remote Music (Rem 2)
*Format: CD
|-
! scope="row"| ''Jerusalem Bay''
|
*Released: December 1998<ref name="NLA Jerusalem">{{Citation | author1=Oxley, Melanie | author2=Abrahams, Chris | title=Jerusalem Bay | date=1998 | publisher=Remote Records | url=https://trove.nla.gov.au/work/8439670 | access-date=5 March 2022 }}</ref>
*Label: Remote Music (Rem 4)
*Format: CD
|-
! scope="row"| ''Blood Oranges''
|
*Released: April 2003<ref name="NLA Blood">{{Citation | author1=Oxley, Melanie | author2=Abrahams, Chris | title=Blood oranges | publication-date=2003 | publisher=Remote Records | url=https://trove.nla.gov.au/work/28890836 | access-date=5 March 2022}}</ref>
*Label: Remote Music (Rem 5)
*Format: CD, digital
|-
!Moment of Truth
|
*Released: April 2023<ref name="NLA Blood" />
*Label: Remote (REM6)
*Format: CD
|}

===Extended plays===
{| class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center;"
|-
!Title
!EP details
|-
! scope="row"| ''Resisting Calm''
|
*Released: December 1990
*Label: Spiral Scratch (0008)
*Format: CD, LP
|}

==Awards and nominations==
===ARIA Music Awards===
The [[ARIA Music Awards]] are a set of annual ceremonies presented by [[Australian Recording Industry Association]] (ARIA), which recognise excellence, innovation, and achievement across all genres of the [[music of Australia]]. They commenced in 1987.

{{awards table}}
! {{Abbr|Ref.|Reference}}
|-
| [[ARIA Music Awards of 1993|1993]]
| ''Welcome to Violet'' (with Chris Abrahams)
| [[ARIA Award for Best Independent Release|Best Independent Release]]
| {{nom}}
| <ref name="BIR ARIA">{{cite web|url=http://www.ariaawards.com.au/history/award/Best-Independent-Release|title=ARIA Awards Best Independent Release|publisher=Australian Recording Industry Association (ARIA)|access-date=9 June 2021|archive-date=28 August 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180828023730/https://www.ariaawards.com.au/history/award/best-independent-release|url-status=live}}</ref>
|-
{{end}}

==References==
;General
* {{Cite encyclopedia|last=McFarlane |first=Ian |author-link=Ian McFarlane |encyclopedia=[[Encyclopedia of Australian Rock and Pop]] |title=Whammo Homepage |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20040405231007/http://www.whammo.com.au/index.asp |url=http://www.whammo.com.au/index.asp |archive-date=5 April 2004 |accessdate=14 August 2012 |year=1999 |publisher=[[Allen & Unwin]] |location=[[St Leonards, New South Wales|St Leonards, NSW]] |isbn=1-86508-072-1 |url-status=dead }} Note: Archived [on-line] copy has limited functionality.
;Specific

{{Reflist|30em|refs=

<ref name="Guilliatt">{{cite news | url = http://www.rockhamptonapartment.com.au/rockhampton-apartment-articles/2004/9/11/lost-chord/ | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20110610153746/http://www.rockhamptonapartment.com.au/rockhampton-apartment-articles/2004/9/11/lost-chord/ | url-status = dead | archive-date = 10 June 2011 | title = Lost Chord | last = Guilliat | first = Richard | work = [[Sydney Morning Herald]] | publisher = [[Fairfax Media]] | date = 11 September 2004 | accessdate = 14 August 2012 | df = dmy-all }}</ref>

<ref name="Holmgren">{{cite web | url = http://hem.passagen.se/honga/database/o/oxleymelanie.html | publisher = [[Australian Rock Database]]. Passagen (Magnus Holmgren) | title = Melanie Oxley | last1 = Holmgren | first1 = Magnus | accessdate = 14 August 2012 | url-status = usurped | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20131109104534/http://hem.passagen.se/honga/database/o/oxleymelanie.html | archive-date = 9 November 2013 | df = dmy-all }}</ref>

<ref name="Dwyer">{{cite news | url = https://www.theage.com.au/articles/2003/07/02/1056825452179.html | title = Musical Blood | publisher = Fairfax Media | work = [[The Age]] | last = Dwyer | first = Michael | date = 4 July 2003 | accessdate = 14 August 2012 }}</ref>

<ref name="HolmgrenJK">{{cite web | url = http://www.hem.passagen.se/honga/database/k/kannisjohnny.html | publisher = Australian Rock Database. Passagen (Magnus Holmgren) | title = Johnny Kannis | last1 = Holmgren | first1 = Magnus | last2 = Weld | first2 = Henry | last3 = Bennetts | first3 = Gye | accessdate = 14 August 2012 | url-status = usurped | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20110805212237/http://hem.passagen.se/honga/database/k/kannisjohnny.html | archive-date = 5 August 2011 | df = dmy-all }}</ref>

<ref name="McFarlane">McFarlane, [https://web.archive.org/web/20040803085003/http://www.whammo.com.au/encyclopedia.asp?articleid=6 'Chris Abrahams'] entry. Archived from [http://www.whammo.com.au/encyclopedia.asp?articleid=6 the original] on 3 August 2004. Retrieved 14 August 2012.</ref>

<ref name="NLAPersuasion">{{cite web | url = http://trove.nla.gov.au/work/16068144?versionId=18854061 | title = ''Persuasion'' [sound recording] | publisher = Trove. [[National Library of Australia]] | accessdate = 14 August 2012 | quote = All lyrics and music by Melanie Oxley, except one song 'Truck', lyrics written by Chris Abrahams and Melanie Oxley, music by Chris Abrahams}}</ref>

<ref name="Rooms">{{cite AV media notes |title=Rooms of the Magnificent |title-link=Rooms of the Magnificent |others=[[Ed Kuepper]] |year=1986 |chapter=Liner notes |chapter-url=http://www.thekuepperfiles.com/roomsofthe.shtml |publisher=Hot Records |id=#HOT 1027 |accessdate=15 August 2012 }}</ref>

<ref name="NLAResisting">{{cite web | url = http://trove.nla.gov.au/work/21851352?versionId=26302929 | title = ''Resisting Calm'' [sound recording] / Melanie Oxley & Chris Abrahams | publisher = Trove. National Library of Australia | accessdate = 14 August 2012 }}</ref>

<ref name="Resisting">{{cite AV media notes |title=Resisting Calm |others=Melanie Oxley & Chris Abrahams |year=1990 |publisher=Spiral Scratch Records |id=12002 }}</ref>

<ref name="Live2">{{cite web|url=http://hem.passagen.se/honga/database/comp/wireless.html |publisher=Australian Rock Database. Passagen (Magnus Holmgren) |title=Triple J - Live at the Wireless |last1=Holmgren |first1=Magnus |accessdate=16 August 2012 |url-status=usurped |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080515222311/http://hem.passagen.se/honga/database/comp/wireless.html |archive-date=15 May 2008 }}</ref>

<ref name="NLAWelcome">{{cite web | url = http://trove.nla.gov.au/work/21505685?versionId=25767273 | title = ''Welcome to Violet'' / Melanie Oxley & Chris Abrahams [sound recording] | publisher = Trove. National Library of Australia | accessdate = 14 August 2012 }}</ref>

<ref name="ARIA1993">{{cite web|url=http://www.ariaawards.com.au/history/year/1993 |title=ARIA Awards – History: Winners by Year 1993: 7th Annual ARIA Awards |publisher=[[Australian Recording Industry Association]] (ARIA) |accessdate=14 August 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090512183729/http://www.ariaawards.com.au/history-by-year.php?year=1993 |archive-date=12 May 2009 |url-status=dead }}</ref>

<ref name="Shand">{{cite news | url = https://www.smh.com.au/articles/2003/04/14/1050172532134.html | title = Melanie Oxley and Chris Abrahams, The Basement | last = Shand | first = John | work = Sydney Morning Herald | publisher = Fairfax Media | date = 15 April 2003 | accessdate = 14 August 2012 }}</ref>

<ref name="NLASouth">{{cite web | url = http://trove.nla.gov.au/work/8522939?selectedversion=NBD26513099 | title = ''South Island'' [sound recording] / by Chris Abrahams and Sherre DeLys. ''Northern Composure'' / by Jane Ulman and Andrei Shabunov | publisher = Trove. National Library of Australia | accessdate = 14 August 2012 | quote = ''South Island'': A journey around New Zealand's South Island which explores complex issues of place and space, and of the intrusion of the human into the wild. The trip culminates in a visit to Oamaru, birthplace of Chris Abrahams and the town where both Janet Frame and Colin McCahon lived for some of their lives. Text and sound design by Sherre DeLys. Music composed by Chris Abrahams and performed by Melanie Oxley and the composer}}</ref>

<ref name="Zuel">{{cite news | url = https://www.smh.com.au/news/arts/heartstoppers-on-the-road-to-david/2008/01/18/1200620204478.html | title = A Secret in the Shape of a Song | last = Zuel | first = Bernard | work = Sydney Morning Herald | publisher = Fairfax Media | date = 19 January 2008 | accessdate = 14 August 2012 }}</ref>

<ref name="Raining">{{cite web | url = https://www.screenaustralia.gov.au/find-a-film/detail.aspx?tid=27949 | title = ''It's Raining Pleasure'' | publisher = [[Screen Australia]]. Federal Government of Australia | year = 2009 | accessdate = 14 August 2012 }}</ref>

<ref name="NLAJerusalem">{{cite web | url = http://trove.nla.gov.au/work/8439670?selectedversion=NBD13916867 | title = ''Jerusalem Bay'' / Melanie Oxley, Chris Abrahams [sound recording] | publisher = Trove. National Library of Australia | accessdate = 15 August 2012 | quote = All tracks written by Oxley/Abrahams except track 10, written by A. Hamilton}}</ref>

<ref name="AMOBlood">{{cite web | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20070921064440/http://amo.org.au/release.asp?id=4815 | url = http://amo.org.au/release.asp?id=4815 | title = ''Blood Oranges'' | publisher = [[Australian Music Online]]. [[Federal Government of Australia]] | archive-date = 21 September 2007 | year = 2003 | accessdate = 15 August 2012 }}</ref>

<ref name="Moore">{{cite web | url = http://user.enewsexperts.com.au/ws/viewimage.aspx?c=eIt62Fl0orvQ3G4tP3kkgcZ1ouVRdL&i=12529&ct=application/pdf&f=Newsletter%20Term%202%20Week%2010.pdf | title = Newsletter Term 2 Week 10 – Principal's Message | last = Moore | first = Ellie | work = Johnson Street Journal | publisher = Annandale Public School | page = 1 | date = 28 June 2012 | accessdate = 15 August 2012 }}</ref>

}}

{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Oxley, Melanie}}
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:Australian women musicians]]
[[Category:Australian women singer-songwriters]]
[[Category:Australian singer-songwriters]]
[[Category:People from Tweed Heads, New South Wales]]
[[Category:Year of birth missing (living people)]]

Sherbet (band)

2025-09-12T21:34:00Z

2001:8003:747E:6B00:305C:81A6:FCE9:EE3C: /* External links */

{{Short description|Australian rock band}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=January 2022}}
{{Use Australian English|date=February 2012}}
{{Infobox musical artist
| name = Sherbet
| image =
| alt =
| caption = Sherbet in 1975: Tony Mitchell, Garth Porter and Clive Shakespeare (standing); Daryl Braithwaite and Alan Sandow (front).
| image_size =
| landscape = 
| background = group_or_band
| alias = Highway, The Sherbs
| origin = [[Sydney]], [[New South Wales]], Australia
| genre = [[Rock music|Rock]], [[Soul music|soul]], [[Pop music|pop]], [[New wave music|new wave]]
| years_active = {{start date|1969}}–{{end date|1984}}, 1998, 2001–2003, 2006–2007, 2011
| label = [[Festival Records|Festival]], [[RSO Records|RSO]], [[MCA Records|MCA]], [[Atco Records|Atco]]
| associated_acts = Clapham Junction, Downtown Roll Band, Samael Lilith
| website = 
| current_members =
| past_members = Denis Loughlin [[Doug Rea]] Sam See [[Clive Shakespeare]] Danny Taylor [[Alan Sandow]] [[Daryl Braithwaite]] Bruce Worrall [[Garth Porter]] [[Tony Mitchell (musician)|Tony Mitchell]] Gunther Gorman [[Harvey James]] Tony Leigh John Watson
}}

'''Sherbet''' (aka '''Highway''' or '''The Sherbs''') was one of the most successful [[Australia]]n rock bands of the 1970s. The 'classic line-up' of [[Daryl Braithwaite]] on vocals, [[Tony Mitchell (musician)|Tony Mitchell]] on bass guitar, [[Garth Porter]] on keyboards, Alan Sandow on drums, and [[Clive Shakespeare]] on guitar provided their teen-oriented pop style. In 1976 Shakespeare left and was soon replaced by [[Harvey James]]. Sherbet's biggest singles were "[[Summer Love (Sherbet song)|Summer Love]]" (1975) and "[[Howzat (song)|Howzat]]" (1976), both reaching [[Chart-topper|number one]] in Australia. "Howzat" was also a top 5 hit in the United Kingdom. The band was less successful in the United States, where "Howzat" peaked at No. 61. As The Sherbs they also reached No. 61 in 1981 with "I Have the Skill". The group disbanded in 1984. Subsequent re-unions have occurred since 1998.

According to rock music historian, [[Ian McFarlane]], "alongside [[Skyhooks (band)|Skyhooks]], Sherbet was the most successful Australian pop band of the 1970s. With a run of 20 consecutive hit singles to its credit, and 17 albums that yielded ten platinum and 40 gold disc awards, Sherbet was the first domestic act to sell a million dollars' worth of records in Australia". In 1990 Sherbet were inducted into the [[ARIA Hall of Fame]] alongside classical composer and pianist, [[Percy Grainger]]. On 15 January 2011 Harvey James died of [[lung cancer]]. On 15 February 2012 Clive Shakespeare died of [[prostate cancer]]. On 23 January 2019 founding vocalist Denis Loughlin died after being diagnosed with cancer.

==History==
From 1970 until 1984 Sherbet scored 20 hit singles in Australia (including two number ones) and released ten [[music recording sales certification|platinum]] status albums.<ref name="McFarlane"/><ref name="Kent"/> The single "Howzat" which was a number-one hit in 1976, also reached number four on the [[UK Singles Chart]].<ref name="Kent"/><ref name="British Hit Singles & Albums"/> They were the first Australian band to reach $1 million in [[Gramophone record|record]] sales in Australia,<ref name="McFarlane"/> and they pioneered the concept of massive regional tours. In December 1976, the book ''Sherbet on Tour'', by Christie Eliezer, sold 30,000 copies in its first week.<ref name="Thomas"/><ref name="Kruger"/>

===Formation and early years (1969–1972)===
Sherbet was formed in Sydney in April 1969, with [[Glasgow]]-born Denis Loughlin (ex-[[Sebastian Hardie|Sebastian Hardie Blues Band]], Clapham Junction) on vocals, [[Doug Rea]] (ex Downtown Roll Band) on bass guitar, Sammy See (ex Clapham Junction) on organ, guitar and vocals, [[Clive Shakespeare]] (ex-Downtown Roll Band) on lead guitar and vocals, and Danny Taylor (ex Downtown Roll Band) on drums.<ref name="McFarlane"/><ref name="Holmgren"/> Initially they were a [[soul music|soul]] band, playing [[Motown]] covers and rock-based material. [[Alan Sandow]] (ex-Daisy Roots) had replaced Taylor on drums by July.<ref name="McFarlane"/><ref name="Holmgren"/> Sherbet signed to the [[Infinity Records]] label, a subsidiary of [[Festival Records (Australia)|Festival Records]].<ref name="McFarlane"/> In March 1970, the band's debut single was issued, a cover version of [[Badfinger]]'s "Crimson Ships", from that band's January 1970 album ''[[Magic Christian Music]]''.

During 1970, the band played a residency at Jonathon's Disco, playing seven hours a night, four days a week for eight months. They were spotted by their future manager, [[Roger Davies (manager)|Roger Davies]]. By March [[Daryl Braithwaite]] (Bright Lights, House of Bricks, Samael Lilith) had joined, initially sharing lead vocals with Loughlin who left the band a few months later. Braithwaite's former bandmate Bruce Worrall (Bright Lights, House of Bricks, Samael Lilith) took over from Rea on bass guitar. By year's end the group undertook their first national tour.<ref name="McFarlane"/><ref name="Nimmervoll"/> See had left in October to join [[The Flying Circus (band)|The Flying Circus]] and was replaced by New Zealand-born [[Garth Porter]] (Samael Lilith, Toby Jugg) who provided Hammond organ and electric piano.<ref name="McFarlane"/><ref name="Holmgren"/>

In 1971, Sherbet entered Australia's prestigious national rock band contest, [[Hoadley's Battle of the Sounds]], and won the New South Wales final but lost the national final to Adelaide-based band [[Fraternity (band)|Fraternity]] (led by [[Bon Scott]] later in [[AC/DC]]).<ref name="Kimball"/> They entered again in 1972 and won the national final, previous winners include [[The Twilights]] (1966) and [[The Groove (band)|The Groove]] (1968), which went on to achieve major commercial success.<ref name="Kimball"/>

Sherbet's first chart hits on the ''[[Go-Set]]'' National Top 40 were covers of [[Blue Mink]]'s "Can You Feel It Baby?" (September 1971), [[Delaney and Bonnie]]'s "Free the People" (February 1972) and [[Ted Mulry]]'s "You're All Woman" (September 1972).<ref name="GoSetCharts"/> Most of their early recordings were produced by Festival's in-house producer [[Richard Batchens]], who later produced albums and singles for another Infinity label mate, [[Richard Clapton]].<ref name="Kimball"/> The band increased its profile with prestigious support slots on major tours by visiting international acts including [[Gary Glitter]] and [[The Jackson 5]].

===Rise to stardom (1972–1975)===
[[File:Sherbet logo.svg|300px|thumb|right|This band logo first appeared on the 1973 album cover, ''[[On with the Show (Sherbet album)|On with the Show]]''. The logo evolved with the addition of stylised encapsulating horizontal lines from their name on ''[[Time Change... A Natural Progression (album)|Time Change... A Natural Progression]]'' in 1972. More than 30 years later, the logo appeared on the 2006 compilation album ''[[Super Hits (Sherbet album)|Super Hits]]'']]
In January 1972, Sherbet's 'classic line-up' was in place when [[Tony Mitchell (musician)|Tony Mitchell]] replaced Worrall on bass guitar: the band now consisted of lead vocalist Braithwaite, keyboardist Porter, drummer Sandow, bassist Mitchell and guitarist Shakespeare.<ref name="McFarlane"/><ref name="Nimmervoll"/> The band had evolved from a soul-based covers band into a teen-oriented pop, rock outfit that relied mostly on original material.<ref name="McFarlane"/><ref name="Nimmervoll"/> Nevertheless, they released occasional covers throughout the 1970s, including [[Leiber and Stoller]]'s "Hound Dog", [[The Beatles]]' "[[Nowhere Man (song)|Nowhere Man]]" and [[Free (band)|Free]]'s "Wishing Well". From 1972 to 1976, Sherbet's chief songwriting team of Porter and Shakespeare were responsible for co-writing the lion's share of the band's material, which combined British pop and American soul influences.

Sherbet issued their debut album, ''[[Time Change... A Natural Progression]]'', in December 1972 on Infinity Records.<ref name="McFarlane"/> Also that month the band were voted 'Most Popular Australian Group' by readers of ''Go-Set'' in their [[Australian pop music awards#1972|annual pop poll]].<ref name="KentThesis"/> The album's accompanying single "You've Got the Gun", written by Shakespeare, Porter and Braithwaite, was Sherbet's first self-penned A-side, and peaked at No. 29 in January 1973.<ref name="GoSetCharts"/>

In December 1973, the band hit the ''Go-Set'' Top 10 for the first time with the Porter and Shakespeare original, "Cassandra".<ref name="McFarlane"/><ref name="GoSetCharts"/> It was issued in October ahead of their second album, ''[[On with the Show (Sherbet album)|On with the Show]]'' released in November, which peaked at No. 6 on the ''Go-Set'' Top 20 Australian Albums Chart in February 1974.<ref name="McFarlane"/><ref name="GoSetCharts"/> It was followed by "Slipstream" which reached No. 7 on ''Go-Set''{{'}}s National Top 40 in August.<ref name="McFarlane"/><ref name="GoSetCharts"/> A string of hits followed on the Australian [[Kent Music Report]] Singles Chart (replaced ''Go-Set'' charts after August), with Sherbet releasing original Top 10 hits such as "Silvery Moon" (1974) and their first number-one hit "Summer Love" (1975).<ref name="Kent"/> A total of 11 Sherbet songs reached the Australian top 10.<ref name="Kent"/>

The band were the darlings of Australia's [[teenybopper]]s: for six years in a row they were voted 'Most Popular Australian Group' by readers of ''[[TV Week]]'' for their [[Australian pop music awards#1967.E2.80.931978: King of Pop Awards|King of Pop Awards]] from 1973 to 1978.<ref name="Jenkins"/> From 1975 they made more appearances on national TV pop show ''[[Countdown (Australian TV series)|Countdown]]'' than any other band in the programme's history.<ref name="CountdownBio"/> Band members – especially Braithwaite – often appeared as co-hosts.<ref name="Jenkins"/><ref name="Warner"/> According to contemporary musician, [[Dave Warner (musician)|Dave Warner]], "[t]hey had a clean-cut boys-next door image; a big contrast to the bad boy, weirdo, heavy-riff persona favoured by their peers".<ref name="Warner"/> Sherbet's albums also charted on the Australian Kent Music Report Albums Chart with October 1974's ''[[Slipstream (Sherbet album)|Slipstream]]'' peaking at No. 5, 1975's ''[[Life... Is for Living]]'' reached No. 6, and their first compilation album, ''[[Sherbet's Greatest Hits|Greatest Hits 1970-75]]'', from 1975 became their first number-one album.<ref name="Kent"/>

From 1974, Braithwaite maintained a parallel solo career with Sherbet members often playing on his solo singles. Braithwaite was voted 'King of Pop' for three successive years, 1975 to 1977.<ref name="Jenkins"/> Beginning in 1975, Sherbet's records were produced by [[Richard Lush (record producer)|Richard Lush]] who had started as a trainee engineer at EMI's Abbey Road Studios, where he helped engineer some of The Beatles' recordings including ''[[Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band]]''.<ref name="McFarlane"/><ref name="Holmgren"/> Porter began to take an occasional lead vocal on Sherbet singles, including "Hollywood Dreaming" and "A Matter of Time". Throughout this era, Sherbet toured Australia regularly and with remarkable thoroughness; they were one of the few bands to consistently commit to playing full-scale concerts in regional areas of the country.<ref name="McFarlane"/>

The idea for the [[satin]] [[bomber jacket]]s came from Garth Porter. He got an American baseball jacket in an [[Op Shop]]. When they were having their clothes designed (by [[Richard Tyler (designer)|Richard Tyler]]), Garth said: "If you're going to make me anything just make me something like this," showing him the satin bomber jacket.<ref name=jacket>Glad All Over by Peter Wilmoth, McPhee/Gribble Books/[[Penguin Books]], 1993, page 102. {{ISBN|0-86914-293-3}}</ref> Before they knew what was happening, the trend took hold and everybody in the band was having them made up to their own requirements. Their management then went as far as using it as a marketing tool for the band.<ref name= "jacket" />

===International success (1976–1979)===
In January 1976, Shakespeare left Sherbet citing 'personal reasons'.<ref name="McFarlane"/> He later explained "I couldn't even go out the front of my house because there were all these girls just hanging on the fence [...] There was always a deadline for Garth and me - another album, another tour. When it did finally end, I was relieved more than anything because I had had enough. I left the band early in 1976 for reasons I don't want to discuss fully … but let's just say I wasn't happy about where all the money went".<ref name="Quinn"/> The last single he played on was "Child's Play", which was a No. 5 hit in February.<ref name="Kent"/> Shakespeare was briefly replaced by journeyman guitarist Gunther Gorman (ex-Home) but within weeks a more permanent replacement, [[Harvey James]] (ex-[[Mississippi (band)|Mississippi]], [[Ariel (Australian band)|Ariel]]) joined.<ref name="McFarlane"/><ref name="Holmgren"/> Meanwhile, Mitchell had stepped up to join Porter as Sherbet's new main songwriting team. The pair were responsible for penning "Howzat" (1976), the band's only international hit, which was inspired by the sport of [[cricket]]. The song's success led to an extensive international tour in 1976-77. "Howzat" went to number one in Australia,<ref name="Kent"/> and in [[RIANZ|New Zealand]],<ref name="NZCharts"/> it was a Top 10 hit in several European countries<ref name="Nimmervoll2"/> – including number four on the [[UK Singles Chart]],<ref name="UKCharts"/> number six in [[Dutch Top 40|The Netherlands]],<ref name="NLDCharts"/> and number eight in [[Norway]].<ref name="NORCharts"/> It reached the top 10 in South Africa, South-East Asia, and Israel.<ref name="McFarlane"/><ref name="Nimmervoll2"/> The single had less chart success in the United States where it reached No. 61 on the [[Billboard Hot 100|''Billboard'' Hot 100]].<ref name="AMGSingl"/> The album of the [[Howzat (album)|same name]] also made No. 1 in Australia,<ref name="Kent"/> No. 12 in New Zealand,<ref name="NZCharts"/> but failed to chart in the US.

In 1976, the release of the double A-sided single "Rock Me Gently/You've Got the Gun" saw the record company place full page ads in ''[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]''. The promotion went on to state the band had a sound "as sophisticated pop/rock along the lines of [[Chicago (band)|Chicago]] or [[Three Dog Night]]". It goes on to say the single has "the unique distinction of having received heavy airplay before it was shipped".<ref>''[[Rolling Stone]]'', 7 October 1976, issue no 223. "[[Around the Traps]]" section - page 54.</ref>

Hoping to achieve further international success, from 1977, Sherbet spent several years trying to make an impact in the US. Their 1977 album ''[[Photoplay (album)|Photoplay]]'' was retitled ''Magazine'' for US release, and featured an elaborate gate-fold packaging. Though ''Photoplay'' and its lead single, "Magazine Madonna", were successful in Australia – both reached No. 3 on their respective charts – the retitled ''Magazine'' LP failed to chart in the US as did the associated single.<ref name="McFarlane"/><ref name="Kent"/> In the same year Sherbet provided the soundtrack for the buddy comedy, ''[[High Rolling]]''. With US success proving elusive, the band's label [[RSO Records]] felt that the lightweight name Sherbet may have hurt their chances. Accordingly, their US-recorded [[Sherbet (Sherbet album)|self-titled]] album, was issued in the US under a new group name, Highway, and re-titled as ''Highway 1'' – despite the change it also flopped.

By this time the band's career in Australia had begun to decline. Though the ''Sherbet'' album peaked at No. 3, "Another Night on the Road" (1978) was Sherbet's final top 10 Australian hit.<ref name="Kent"/> The band's next single, "Beg, Steal or Borrow" missed the chart completely, and January 1979's "Angela" – from the soundtrack to the film ''Snapshot'' – reached the top 100 - but only just.<ref name="Kent"/>

The group's Australian success was on the wane, and either as Sherbet or as Highway, they were unable to come up with a follow-up international hit to "Howzat". Frustrated by the career downturn, after issuing a final single in Australia as Highway – "Heart Get Ready" – which flopped at No. 89, the band broke up in mid-1979. Throughout the 1970s, the group was managed by Roger Davies. The group briefly reunited for the ''Concert of the Decade'' held on 4 November 1979 at the [[Sydney Opera House]] and sponsored by radio station [[2SM]] – an edited hour of concert footage was broadcast by the [[Nine Network]] under the same name and a double-LP was issued on [[Mushroom Records]] later that month.<ref name="Kruger3"/> During the concert, Mitchell also supplied bass guitar for Neale Johns' set (see [[Blackfeather]]) and then [[Stevie Wright (Australian singer)|Stevie Wright]]'s rendition of his solo hit "[[Evie (song)|Evie]]".<ref name="Kruger3"/>

===The Sherbs era (1980–1984)===
The break-up did not last long. In 1980, Sherbet reconvened as The Sherbs with exactly the same personnel they had before the split: Braithwaite, Harvey, Mitchell, Porter and Sandow. The new renamed iteration of the group also changed their approach, as they now featured a somewhat modified progressive [[New wave music|new wave]] sound.<ref name="Ankeny"/> This version of the band had some minor success in America, but their almost complete lack of chart action in Australia was in stark contrast to their 1970s heyday.

The Sherbs' first album ''[[The Skill]]'' was released in October 1980 and reached the top half of the [[Billboard 200|''Billboard'' 200]].<ref name="AMGAlb"/> It was the first album by the group – under any of their names – to chart in the US. An accompanying single, "I Have the Skill", became the band's second US pop chart hit at No. 61.<ref name="AMGSingl"/> The Sherbs also appeared on the inaugural AOR-oriented [[Mainstream Rock Tracks|Rock Tracks]] chart issued by ''Billboard'' in March 1981: "I Have the Skill" debuted at No. 45. The track peaked at No. 14 – the band's highest position on any US chart,<ref name="AMGSingl"/> and The Sherbs also received airplay on US [[album-oriented rock]] (AOR) radio stations with "No Turning Back". However, none of the singles from ''The Skill'' reached the Australian Kent Music Report top 100,<ref name="Kent"/> a huge comedown for a band that had been major charting artists in Australia only two years earlier.

The Sherbs's second album, ''Defying Gravity'', followed in 1981, but failed to produce a single that charted in the either the US or Australian top 100.<ref name="Kent"/> The band did, however, chart on ''Billboard''{{'}}s Rock Tracks Chart with the album cut "We Ride Tonight" peaking at No. 26 in 1982.<ref name="AMGSingl"/> The track's mild AOR success was not enough to ignite album sales in the US, though, and ''Defying Gravity'' only reached No. 202 on the album charts. A mini-album, ''Shaping Up'', appeared in 1982. It was critically well received and spawned two minor hits in Australia, but the US issue missed the chart completely. The Sherbs were now in a position where the US listening public were largely indifferent to their releases, and – despite their newer, more contemporary sound – the Australian audience had seemingly written them off as a relic of the 1970s. Porter has said that he found this especially frustrating, as he felt The Sherbs were actually writing and performing better material during this era than in their 1970s heyday.

James left The Sherbs at the end of 1982 to be replaced by Tony Leigh (Harry Young and Sabbath, Gillian Eastoe Band) on guitar.<ref name="McFarlane"/> In late 1983, the group announced their decision to disband in 1984, they reverted to Sherbet and undertook a successful farewell tour of Australia and a final single, "Tonight Will Last Forever".<ref name="McFarlane"/> Shakespeare returned to co-write and appear on the final single. Both Shakespeare and James rejoined Sherbet on the final tour.<ref name="McFarlane"/> Following the group's break-up, Braithwaite continued his solo career in Australia, and Porter and Shakespeare each became successful [[record producer]]s.<ref name="McFarlane"/> In 1990 Sherbet were inducted into the [[ARIA Hall of Fame]] alongside classical composer and pianist, [[Percy Grainger]].<ref name="McFarlane"/><ref name="ARIAHoF"/>

===Reunions (1998–2011)===
Sherbet have reunited on occasion over subsequent years. Their first reunion was an ABC-TV special on New Year's Eve 1998.<ref name="Kimball"/> They performed "Howzat" and "Summer Love" without Sandow<ref name="Kimball"/> – John Watson (ex-[[Kevin Borich|Kevin Borich Band]], [[Australian Crawl]]) filled in on drums. On 10 March 2001 with Sandow on board, the band reunited for ''[[Gimme Ted]]'' – a benefit concert for Ted Mulry, with two songs recorded for the associated 2×DVD tribute album released in May 2003.<ref name="APRAP"/><ref name="Holmgren GT">{{Cite web | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20030822060044/http://hem.passagen.se/honga/database/comp/gimmeted.html | url = http://hem.passagen.se/honga/database/comp/gimmeted.html | title = ''Gimme Ted – The Ted Mulry Benefit Concerts'' | publisher = Australian Rock Database | last1 = Holmgren | first1 = Magnus | archive-date = 22 August 2003 | url-status = usurped | access-date = 6 December 2020 }}</ref> In June 2003 Sherbet performed at another benefit show for Wane Jarvis (a former [[Road crew|roadie]]).<ref name="Jinman"/>

At the May 2006 [[Logie Award]]s Sherbet reunited as a six-piece: Braithwaite, James, Mitchell, Porter, Sandow and Shakespeare, where they performed "Howzat".<ref name="Logies2006"/> The band played three shows in late August 2006 billed as Daryl Braithwaite and Highway.<ref name="Souths"/> They followed by joining the [[Countdown Spectacular]] tour throughout Australia during September and October. 2006 also saw the release of two newly recorded tracks on the compilation album, ''[[Super Hits (Sherbet album)|Sherbet – Super Hits]]'', "Red Dress" (Porter, Shakespeare, Braithwaite, Mitchell, James, Sandow) and "Hearts Are Insane" (Porter), both produced by Ted Howard.

2007 saw the release of a live compilation on CD and DVD entitled ''Live – And the Crowd Went Wild'' encompassing material recorded in the 1970s at shows in Sydney, Melbourne and the UK. Sherbet performed on the [[Countdown Spectacular#Countdown Spectacular 2|Countdown Spectacular 2]] in August and September. On 15 January 2011 Harvey James died of [[lung cancer]] – the remaining members except Shakespeare, who was too ill,<ref name="Quinn"/> performed at Gimme that Guitar, a tribute concert for James on 17 February.<ref name="McCabe"/><ref name="Kruger2"/> This was the last performance by Sherbet to date.

On 15 February 2012 Clive Shakespeare died of [[prostate cancer]].<ref name="Cashmere"/><ref name="Prostate"/> Founding vocalist Denis Loughlin (28 July 1949{{spaced ndash}}23 January 2019) died after contracting cancer.<ref name="Geel Addy">{{cite web | url=https://www.geelongadvertiser.com.au/subscribe/news/1/?sourceCode=GAWEB_WRE170_a&dest=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.geelongadvertiser.com.au%2Fnews%2Fgeelong%2Fdenis-mcelwee-loughlin-sherbet-founding-member-mourned-and-celebrated-by-hundreds-at-geelong-funeral%2Fnews-story%2F92069bfd5848a39fcecff8a4a05a70cc&memtype=anonymous&mode=premium | title=A Cheeky, Loyal 'Wild Boy' | work=Geelong Advertiser | date= | access-date=October 27, 2022 | url-access=subscription }}</ref><ref name="Loughlin Obit">{{cite web | url=https://www.funeralzone.com.au/obituaries/2163 | title=Denis McElwee Loughlin, Obituary | website=Funeral Zone Australia | via=National Library of Australia | archive-url=https://webarchive.nla.gov.au/awa/20190327200145/https://www.funeralzone.com.au/obituaries/2163 | archive-date=27 March 2019 | access-date=27 October 2022 }}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}</ref>

==Discography==
{{Main|Sherbet discography}}
* ''[[Time Change... A Natural Progression]]'' – 1972
* ''[[On with the Show (Sherbet album)|On with the Show]]'' – 1973
* ''[[Slipstream (Sherbet album)|Slipstream]]'' – 1974
* ''[[Life... Is for Living]]'' – 1975
* ''[[Howzat (album)|Howzat!]]'' – 1976
* ''[[Photoplay (album)|Photoplay]]'' – 1977
* ''[[Sherbet (Sherbet album)|Sherbet]]'' – 1978 (Released overseas as ''Highway 1'' by Highway)
* ''[[The Skill]]'' – 1980 by The Sherbs
* ''[[Defying Gravity (The Sherbs album)|Defying Gravity]]'' – 1981 by The Sherbs
* ''[[Shaping Up (album)|Shaping Up]]'' – 1982 by The Sherbs (Mini-LP)

==Band members==
Arranged chronologically:<ref name="Holmgren"/>
* Denis Loughlin – lead vocals {{small|(1969–1970, died 2019)}}
* [[Doug Rea]] – bass {{small|(1969)}}
* Sam See – keyboards, organ, guitar, backing vocals {{small|(1969–1970)}}
* [[Clive Shakespeare]] – guitar, backing vocals {{small|(1969–1976, 1984, 1998, 2001, 2003, 2006, 2007, died 2012)}}
* Danny Taylor – drums {{small|(1969)}}
* [[Alan Sandow]] – drums, percussion, [[bongo drum|bongo]]s, [[Bell (instrument)#Chimes|chimes]], occasional backing vocals {{small|(1969–1984, 2001, 2003, 2006, 2007, 2011)}}
* [[Daryl Braithwaite]] – lead vocals, tambourine, [[tabla]] {{small|(1970–1984, 1998, 2001, 2003, 2006, 2007, 2011)}}
* Bruce Worrall – bass {{small|(1970–1972)}}
* [[Garth Porter]] – keyboards, [[clavinet]], piano, backing and occasional lead vocals, [[Hammond organ]], electric piano, synthesiser, saxophones {{small|(1970–1984, 1998, 2001, 2003, 2006, 2007, 2011)}}
* [[Tony Mitchell (musician)|Tony Mitchell]] – bass, backing and occasional lead vocals, ukulele {{small|(1972–1984, 1998, 2001, 2003, 2006, 2007, 2011)}}
* Gunther Gorman – guitar {{small|(1976)}}
* [[Harvey James]] – guitar, backing vocals, slide guitar {{small|(1976–1982, 1984, 1998, 2001, 2003, 2006, 2007, died 2011)}}
* Tony Leigh – guitar {{small|(1982–1984)}}
* John Watson – drums {{small|(1998)}}
* Gabe James – guitar {{small|(2011)}}
* Josh James – guitar {{small|(2011)}}
* Johnny Sans – guitar {{small|(2011)}}

=== Timeline ===
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ScaleMinor = increment:1 start:1970

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id:voc value:red legend:Vocals
id:g value:green legend:Guitars
id:key value:purple legend:Keyboards
id:b value:blue legend:Bass
id:dr value:orange legend:Drums
id:studio value:black legend:Studio_album
id:bars value:gray(0.95)

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at:15/12/1972
at:15/11/1973
at:15/09/1974
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at:15/08/1978
at:15/10/1980
at:15/07/1981
at:15/11/1982

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bar:Denis Loughlin from:start till:15/05/1970 color:voc
bar:Daryl Braithwaite from:15/03/1970 till:15/06/1979 color:voc
bar:Daryl Braithwaite from:15/07/1980 till:15/07/1984 color:voc
bar:Daryl Braithwaite from:15/12/1998 till:15/01/1999 color:voc
bar:Daryl Braithwaite from:01/03/2001 till:15/03/2001 color:voc
bar:Daryl Braithwaite from:01/06/2003 till:01/07/2003 color:voc
bar:Daryl Braithwaite from:01/05/2006 till:01/06/2006 color:voc
bar:Daryl Braithwaite from:01/08/2006 till:15/11/2006 color:voc
bar:Daryl Braithwaite from:01/02/2011 till:end color:voc
bar:Clive Shakespeare from:start till:15/01/1976 color:g
bar:Clive Shakespeare from:15/05/1984 till:15/07/1984 color:g
bar:Clive Shakespeare from:15/12/1998 till:15/01/1999 color:g
bar:Clive Shakespeare from:15/05/1984 till:15/07/1984 color:g
bar:Clive Shakespeare from:01/03/2001 till:15/03/2001 color:g
bar:Clive Shakespeare from:01/05/2006 till:01/06/2006 color:g
bar:Clive Shakespeare from:01/08/2006 till:15/11/2006 color:g
bar:Clive Shakespeare from:01/06/2003 till:01/07/2003 color:g
bar:Gunther Gorman from:15/01/1976 till:05/02/1976 color:g
bar:Harvey James from:05/02/1976 till:15/06/1979 color:g
bar:Harvey James from:15/07/1980 till:15/09/1982 color:g
bar:Harvey James from:15/05/1984 till:15/07/1984 color:g
bar:Harvey James from:15/12/1998 till:15/01/1999 color:g
bar:Harvey James from:01/03/2001 till:15/03/2001 color:g
bar:Harvey James from:01/06/2003 till:01/07/2003 color:g
bar:Harvey James from:01/05/2006 till:01/06/2006 color:g
bar:Harvey James from:01/08/2006 till:15/11/2006 color:g
bar:Tony Leigh from:15/09/1982 till:15/07/1984 color:g
bar:Gabe James from:01/02/2011 till:end color:g
bar:Josh James from:01/02/2011 till:end color:g
bar:Johnny Sans from:01/02/2011 till:end color:g
bar:Sammy See from:start till:15/10/1970 color:key
bar:Sammy See from:start till:15/10/1970 color:g width:3
bar:Garth Porter from:15/10/1970 till:15/06/1979 color:key
bar:Garth Porter from:15/07/1980 till:15/07/1984 color:key
bar:Garth Porter from:15/12/1998 till:15/01/1999 color:key
bar:Garth Porter from:01/03/2001 till:15/03/2001 color:key
bar:Garth Porter from:01/06/2003 till:01/07/2003 color:key
bar:Garth Porter from:01/05/2006 till:01/06/2006 color:key
bar:Garth Porter from:01/08/2006 till:15/11/2006 color:key
bar:Garth Porter from:01/02/2011 till:end color:key
bar:Doug Rea from:start till:15/07/1970 color:b
bar:Bruce Worrall from:15/07/1970 till:15/01/1972 color:b
bar:Tony Mitchell from:15/01/1972 till:15/06/1979 color:b
bar:Tony Mitchell from:15/07/1980 till:15/07/1984 color:b
bar:Tony Mitchell from:15/12/1998 till:15/01/1999 color:b
bar:Tony Mitchell from:01/06/2003 till:01/07/2003 color:b
bar:Tony Mitchell from:01/03/2001 till:15/03/2001 color:b
bar:Tony Mitchell from:01/05/2006 till:01/06/2006 color:b
bar:Tony Mitchell from:01/08/2006 till:15/11/2006 color:b
bar:Tony Mitchell from:01/02/2011 till:end color:b
bar:Danny Taylor from:start till:15/07/1969 color:dr
bar:Alan Sandow from:15/07/1969 till:15/06/1979 color:dr
bar:Alan Sandow from:15/07/1980 till:15/07/1984 color:dr
bar:Alan Sandow from:01/03/2001 till:15/03/2001 color:dr
bar:Alan Sandow from:01/06/2003 till:01/07/2003 color:dr
bar:Alan Sandow from:01/06/2003 till:01/07/2003 color:dr
bar:Alan Sandow from:01/08/2006 till:15/11/2006 color:dr
bar:Alan Sandow from:01/05/2006 till:01/06/2006 color:dr
bar:Alan Sandow from:01/02/2011 till:end color:dr
bar:John Watson from:15/12/1998 till:15/01/1999 color:dr
}}

==Awards and nominations==
===ARIA Music Awards===
The [[ARIA Music Awards]] is an annual awards ceremony that recognises excellence, innovation, and achievement across all genres of [[Australian music]]. They commenced in 1987. Sherbet were inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1990.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ariaawards.com.au/history-by-award.php?awardID=36 |title=Winners by Award: Hall of Fame |publisher=[[Australian Recording Industry Association]] |access-date=23 October 2020}}</ref>

{{awards table}}
|-
| [[ARIA Music Awards of 1990|1990]]
| Sherbet
| [[ARIA Hall of Fame]]
| {{yes2|inductee}}
{{end}}

===Go-Set Pop Poll===
[[Australian_pop_music_awards#1966–1972:Go-Set_pop_poll_results|The Go-Set Pop Poll]] was coordinated by teen-oriented pop music newspaper, ''[[Go-Set]]'' and was established in February 1966 and conducted an annual poll during 1966 to 1972 of its readers to determine the most popular personalities.<ref name="Top40TV">{{Cite web | url = http://users.ncable.net.au/~ronjeff/top40/oz_king.htm | title = Australian Music Awards | publisher = Ron Jeff | access-date = 16 December 2010 }}</ref>

{{awards table}}
|-
| rowspan="2"| 1972
| themselves
| Best Australian Group
| style="background:gold;"| 1st
|-
| "You're All Woman"
| Best Australian Single
| style="background:silver"| 2nd
|-
{{end}}

===King of Pop Awards===
[[Australian_pop_music_awards#1967–1978:_King_of_Pop_Awards|The King of Pop Awards]] were voted by the readers of [[TV Week]]. The King of Pop award started in 1967 and ran through to 1978.<ref name="Top40TV">{{Cite web | url = http://users.ncable.net.au/~ronjeff/top40/oz_king.htm | title = Australian Music Awards | publisher = Ron Jeff | access-date = 16 December 2010 }}</ref>
* NB: wins only

{{awards table}}
|-
| 1973<ref name="SherbKoP">{{cite web |url=http://www.musicaustralia.org/apps/MA?function=showDetail&currentMapsRecord=destra%20Media~A28FE211-A6CA-4CC0-B3C8-7393D7567C51&itemSeq=9&total=11&&returnFunction=searchResults&scope=scope&simpleTerm=dancer&sessionId=reuseSearch24C5E8AA99AC0833FDB56F88856340B31218243339905 |title=Sherbet |publisher=Music Australia |date=3 April 2007 |access-date=8 December 2008}}</ref>
| themselves
| Most Popular Australian Group
| {{won}}
|-
| 1974<ref name="SherbKoP"/>
| themselves
| Most Popular Australian Group
| {{won}}
|-
| rowspan="3"| 1975<ref name="SherbKoP"/>
| [[Daryl Braithwaite]] (Sherbet)
| King of Pop
| {{won}}
|-
| themselves
| Most Popular Australian Group
| {{won}}
|-
| "Summer Love"
| Most Popular Australian single
| {{won}}
|-
| rowspan="4"| 1976<ref name="SherbKoP"/>
| Daryl Braithwaite (Sherbet)
| King of Pop
| {{won}}
|-
| themselves
| Most Popular Australian Group
| {{won}}
|-
| ''Howzat''
| Most Popular Australian album
| {{won}}
|-
| "Howzat"
| Most Popular Australian single
| {{won}}
|-
| rowspan="4"| 1977<ref name="SherbKoP"/>
| Daryl Braithwaite (Sherbet)
| King of Pop
| {{won}}
|-
| themselves
| Most Popular Australian Group
| {{won}}
|-
| ''Photoplay''
| Most Popular Australian album
| {{won}}
|-
| "Magazine Madonna"
| Most Popular Australian single
| {{won}}
|-
| 1978<ref name="SherbKoP"/>
| themselves
| Most Popular Australian Group
| {{won}}
{{end}}

===TV Week / Countdown Awards===
''[[Countdown (Australian TV series)|Countdown]]'' was an Australian pop music TV series on national broadcaster [[ABC Television (Australian TV network)|ABC-TV]] from 1974–1987, it presented music awards from 1979–1987, initially in conjunction with magazine ''[[TV Week]]''. The TV Week / Countdown Awards were a combination of popular-voted and peer-voted awards.<ref name="CountdownMarch1987">{{Cite web | url = http://www.countdownmemories.com/magazines/pdfs/1987_03.pdf | title = Countdown to the Awards | work = Countdown Magazine |date=March 1987 | publisher = [[Australian Broadcasting Corporation]] (ABC) | format = [[Portable document format]] (PDF) | access-date = 16 December 2010 }}</ref>

{{awards table}}
|-
| 1979
| themselves
| Most Popular Group
| {{nom}}
|-
{{end}}

==References==
{{Refbegin}}
;General
* {{Cite encyclopedia |last=McFarlane |first=Ian |author-link=Ian McFarlane |encyclopedia=[[Encyclopedia of Australian Rock and Pop]] |title=Whammo Homepage |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20040405231007/http://www.whammo.com.au/index.asp |url=http://www.whammo.com.au/index.asp |archive-date=5 April 2004 |access-date=9 April 2011 |year=1999 |publisher=[[Allen & Unwin]] |location=[[St Leonards, New South Wales|St Leonards, NSW]] |isbn=1-86508-072-1}} Note: Archived [on-line] copy has limited functionality.
*{{Cite book |last=Marshall |first=Victor |title=Fraternity: Pub Rock Pioneers |publisher=Brolga |year=2021 |isbn=978-1920785109 |location=Melbourne, Australia |pages=288–292 |language=en}}
;Specific
{{Refend}}
{{Reflist|colwidth=30em|refs=

<ref name="McFarlane">McFarlane, [https://web.archive.org/web/20040419053920/http://www.whammo.com.au/encyclopedia.asp?articleid=365 'Sherbet'] entry. Archived from [http://www.whammo.com.au/encyclopedia.asp?articleid=365 the original] on 19 April 2004. Retrieved 10 February 2012.</ref>

<ref name="Kent">{{cite book | title = [[Kent Music Report|Australian Chart Book 1970–1992]] | last1 = Kent | first1 = David | author-link1 = David Kent (historian) | publisher = Australian Chart Book Ltd | location = [[St Ives, New South Wales|St Ives, NSW]] | year = 1993 | isbn = 0-646-11917-6 }} Note: Used for Australian Singles and Albums charting from 1974 until [[Australian Recording Industry Association]] (ARIA) created their own [[ARIA Charts|charts]] in mid-1988. In 1992, Kent back calculated chart positions for 1970–1974.</ref>

<ref name="British Hit Singles & Albums">{{cite book | first= David | last= Roberts | year= 2006 | title= British Hit Singles & Albums | edition= 19th | publisher= Guinness World Records Limited | location= London | isbn= 1-904994-10-5 | page= 496}}</ref>

<ref name="Thomas">{{cite news | url = https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=2tJaAAAAIBAJ&pg=4814%2C6170029 | title = Rock Author Christie Writes a Best-Seller | last1 = Thomas | first1 = Helen | work = [[The Age]] | publisher = [[Fairfax Media]] | page = 2 | date = 27 December 1976 | access-date = 13 February 2012 }}</ref>

<ref name="Kruger">{{cite web | url = http://www.debbiekruger.com/homebody/sydney/musicmayhem.html | title = Music and Mayhem | last1 = Kruger | first1 = Debbie | author-link1 = Debbie Kruger | publisher = Debbie Kruger | access-date = 13 February 2012 }}</ref>

<ref name="Holmgren">{{cite web | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20121010162541/http://hem.passagen.se/honga/database/s/sherbet.html | url = http://hem.passagen.se/honga/database/s/sherbet.html | title = Sherbet | publisher = [[Australian Rock Database]]. Passengen.se (Magnus Holmgren) | last1 = Holmgren | first1 = Magnus | last2 = Sather | first2 = Gary | last3 = Hart | first3 = Alison | last4 = Cahill | first4 = Anthony | archive-date = 10 October 2012 | url-status = usurped | access-date = 12 February 2014 }}</ref>

<ref name="Nimmervoll">{{cite web | archive-url = https://webarchive.nla.gov.au/awa/20020414140000/http://pandora.nla.gov.au/pan/14231/20020415-0000/www.howlspace.com.au/en3/sherbert/sherbert.htm | url = http://www.howlspace.com.au/en3/sherbert/sherbert.htm | title = Sherbet | last1 = Nimmervoll | first1 = Ed | author-link1 = Ed Nimmervoll | publisher = Howlspace. White Room Electronic Publishing Pty Ltd | archive-date = 14 April 2002 | access-date = 22 January 2014 }}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}</ref>

<ref name="Kimball">{{cite web | url = http://www.milesago.com/Artists/sherbet.htm| title = Sherbet | work = Milesago: Australasian Music and Popular Culture 1964–1975 | last1 = Kimball | first1 = Duncan | publisher = Ice Productions | year = 2002 | access-date = 20 February 2012 }}</ref>

<ref name="GoSetCharts">{{cite news | url = http://www.sitelevel.com/query?slice_title=Entire+Site&query=Sherbet&crid=727d9294 | title = Search results for 'Sherbet' | work = [[Go-Set]] | publisher = Waverley Press | access-date = 11 February 2012 }}</ref>

<ref name="KentThesis">{{cite thesis | type=MA|title = The place of Go-Set in rock and pop music culture in Australia, 1966 to 1974 | last1 = Kent | first1 = David Martin | publisher = [[University of Canberra]] | date = September 2002 | location = [[Canberra]], ACT | url = http://erl.canberra.edu.au/uploads/approved/adt-AUC20050509.095456/public/02whole.pdf | pages = 255–264 | url-status = dead | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20150904073704/http://erl.canberra.edu.au/uploads/approved/adt-AUC20050509.095456/public/02whole.pdf | archive-date = 4 September 2015 | df = dmy-all }}</ref>

<ref name="Jenkins">{{cite book | title = Molly Meldrum presents 50 years of rock in Australia | last1 = Jenkins | first1 = Jeff | first2 = Ian 'Molly' | last2 = Meldrum | author-link2 = Molly Meldrum | year = 2007 | publisher = Wilkinson Publishing | location = Melbourne, Vic | isbn = 978-1-921332-11-1 }}</ref>

<ref name="CountdownBio">{{cite web | url = http://www.countdown.com.au/artist/sherbet | title = Sherbet | work = [[Countdown (Australian TV series)|Countdown]] | publisher = [[Australian Broadcasting Corporation]] (ABC) | access-date = 13 February 2012 }}</ref>

<ref name="Warner">{{cite book | title = Countdown: The Wonder Years 1974–1987 | last1 = Warner | first1 = Dave | author-link1 = Dave Warner (musician) | date = June 2006 | publisher = ABC Books ([[Australian Broadcasting Corporation]]) | pages = 18, 82, 89 | location = Sydney, NSW | isbn = 0-7333-1401-5 }}</ref>

<ref name="NZCharts">{{cite web | url = https://charts.nz/showinterpret.asp?interpret=Sherbet | title = Discography Sherbet | publisher = New Zealand Charts Portal. Hung Medien (Steffen Hung) | last1 = Hung | first1 = Steffen | access-date = 11 February 2012 }}</ref>

<ref name="UKCharts">{{cite web | url = http://www.theofficialcharts.com/artist/_/sherbet/ | title = Sherbet – Artist | publisher = [[Official Charts Company]] | access-date = 11 February 2012 | url-status = dead | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20110217184838/http://www.theofficialcharts.com/artist/_/sherbet/ | archive-date = 17 February 2011 | df = dmy-all }}</ref>

<ref name="NLDCharts">{{cite web | url = http://dutchcharts.nl/showinterpret.asp?interpret=Sherbet | title = Discografie Sherbet | publisher =GtK Dutch Charts. Hung Medien (Steffen Hung) | last1 = Hung | first1 = Steffen | language = nl | access-date = 11 February 2012 }}</ref>

<ref name="NORCharts">{{cite web | url = http://norwegiancharts.com/showinterpret.asp?interpret=Sherbet | title = Discography Sherbet | publisher = Norwegian Charts Portal. Hung Medien (Steffen Hung) | last1 = Hung | first1 = Steffen | language = no | access-date = 11 February 2012 }}</ref>

<ref name="Quinn">{{cite news | url = http://www.theage.com.au/entertainment/music/last-chord-for-clive-shakespeare-founding-member-of-sherbet-20120216-1tbx2.html | title = Last chord for Clive Shakespeare, Founding Member of Sherbet | last1 = Quinn | first1 = Karl | work = The Age | publisher = Fairfax Media | date = 17 February 2012 | access-date = 18 February 2012 }}</ref>

<ref name="Nimmervoll2">{{cite web | url={{Allmusic | pure_url=yes | class=artist | id=p20490 | tab=biography}} | title=Sherbet – Biography | last1 = Nimmervoll | first1 = Ed | publisher=[[Allmusic]]. [[Rovi Corporation]] | access-date= 11 February 2012 }}</ref>

<ref name="AMGSingl">{{cite web | url={{Allmusic | pure_url=yes | class=artist | id=p144546 | tab=charts-awards/billboard-singles}} | title= The Sherbs – ''Billboard'' Singles | publisher= Allmusic. Rovi Corporation | access-date= 11 February 2012 }}</ref>

<ref name="Kruger3">{{cite web | url = http://www.debbiekruger.com/broadcaster/2sm/concdec.html | title = 2SM ''Concert of the Decade'' | last1 = Kruger | first1 = Debbie | publisher = Debbie Kruger | date = 4 November 1979 | access-date = 13 February 2012 }}</ref>

<ref name="Ankeny">{{cite web | url={{Allmusic | pure_url=yes | class=artist | id=p144546 | tab=biography}} | title= The Sherbs – Biography | last1 = Ankeny | first1 = Jason | publisher= Allmusic. Rovi Corporation | access-date= 11 February 2012 }}</ref>

<ref name="AMGAlb">{{cite web | url={{Allmusic | pure_url=yes | class=artist | id=p144546 | tab=charts-awards/billboard-albums}} | title= The Sherbs – ''Billboard'' Albums | publisher= Allmusic. Rovi Corporation | access-date= 11 February 2012 }}</ref>

<ref name="ARIAHoF">{{cite web | url = http://www.ariahalloffame.com.au/inductees_listing.htm | title = ARIA 2008 Hall of Fame inductees listing | publisher = [[Australian Recording Industry Association]] (ARIA) | access-date = 13 February 2012 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20080615011737/http://www.ariahalloffame.com.au/inductees_listing.htm | archive-date = 15 June 2008 }}</ref>

<ref name="APRAP">{{cite web | url = http://www.apra-amcos.com.au/downloads/file/About%2520APRA/Aprap_July_01.pdf | title = Ted Mulry Benefit | work = APRAP | publisher = [[Australasian Performing Right Association]] (APRA) | date = July 2001 | page = 16 | format = [[Portable Document Format]] (PDF) | access-date = 12 February 2012 }}</ref>

<ref name="Jinman">{{cite news | url = http://www.smh.com.au/articles/2003/06/17/1055828326986.html | title = Stars Line Up to Farewell Australia's Nice Man of Rock | last1 = Jinman | first1 = Richard | work = [[Sydney Morning Herald]] | publisher = [[Fairfax Media]] | date = 18 June 2003 | access-date = 12 February 2012 }}</ref>

<ref name="Logies2006">{{cite news | url = http://news.ninemsn.com.au/entertainment/97931/howzat-sherbet-to-perform-at-logies | archive-url = https://archive.today/20121231003149/http://news.ninemsn.com.au/entertainment/97931/howzat-sherbet-to-perform-at-logies | url-status = dead | archive-date = 31 December 2012 | title = "Howzat!" Sherbet to Perform at Logies | publisher = [[ninemsn]] ([[Nine Entertainment Co.]] & [[Microsoft]]) | date = 1 May 2006 | access-date = 13 February 2012 }}</ref>

<ref name="Souths">{{cite web | url=http://www.southsjuniors.org.au/tlml/auditorium | title=Auditorium Shows | work=Souths Juniors | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060819164926/http://www.southsjuniors.org.au/tlml/auditorium | archive-date=19 August 2006}}</ref>

<ref name="McCabe">{{cite news | url = http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/entertainment/sydney-confidential/cancer-kills-sherbet-pop-legend-harvey-james/story-e6frewz0-1225988939992 | title = Cancer Kills Sherbet Pop Legend Harvey James | last1 = McCabe | first1 = Kathy | date = 17 January 2011 | work = [[The Daily Telegraph (Sydney)|The Daily Telegraph]] | publisher = [[News Limited]] ([[News Corporation (1980–2013)|News Corporation]]) | access-date = 12 February 2012 }}</ref>

<ref name="Kruger2">{{cite web | url = http://www.debbiekruger.com/pr/krugerprofiles/gimmethatguitar.html | title = Gimme that Guitar | last1 = Kruger | first1 = Debbie | publisher = Debbie Kruger | access-date = 13 February 2012 }}</ref>

<ref name="Cashmere">{{cite news | last = Cashmere | first = Paul | title = Sherbet Guitarist Clive Shakespeare Loses Battle with Cancer | url = http://www.noise11.com/?p=10799 | access-date = 16 February 2012 | publisher = Noise11 | date = 16 February 2012 }}</ref>

<ref name="Prostate">{{cite news | url = http://www.contactmusic.com/news/rocker-clive-shakespeare-dead-at-62_1295746 | title = Rocker Clive Shakespeare Dead at 62 | publisher = Contactmusic.com Ltd | access-date = 18 February 2012 | date = 17 February 2012 }}</ref>
}}

==External links==
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20081030122513/http://www.webcutsmusic.com/news14.html Webcuts] On-line essay celebrating "Magazine Madonna"
* [http://portrait.gov.au/site/exhibition_subsite_pol2.php ''Sherbet Slips into Something Comfortable''] photographed by [[Lewis Morley]] for ''POL'' October/November 1974. Exhibited at [[National Portrait Gallery (Australia)|National Portrait Gallery]], Canberra, 15 March – 18 May 2003.
* [http://www.ausnotebook.com.au/docs/ARTICLES/Celebrities/SHERBET_GarthPORTER.htm Sherbet Today (2006)]
* [http://catalogue.nla.gov.au/Record/1388276 Sherbet scrapbooks at the National Library of Australia]

{{Sherbet}}
{{Daryl Braithwaite}}
{{Authority control}}

[[Category:Australian rock music groups]]
[[Category:ARIA Award winners]]
[[Category:ARIA Hall of Fame inductees]]
[[Category:Musical groups from Sydney]]
[[Category:Musical groups established in 1969]]
[[Category:Musical groups disestablished in 2011]]
[[Category:Atco Records artists]]