Various Artists - Roz's Oz Mix for Jodie
We stay outside the box for this week’s entry, and it’s
another compilation tape of Australian music, this time courtesy of my friend
Roz. I recounted here how I became a fan of the Whitlams, and when the band
announced their first ever show on these shores, several UK based fans (mostly
ex-pat Aussies) on the mailing list decided to arrange a meet up prior to the
show. Roz was instrumental in the organising of this, and a great time was had
by all. We became friends and over the course of the next few years attended a
number of gigs together, and at some point, she made me this tape of 80s and 90s
Australian indie music. As with most of these tapes it’s a long time since I’ve
listened to this, so I’m looking forward to revisiting it. There are a fair few
connections to both the Whitlams and Candle Records on this one, so for no real
reason, I think I’ll point these out as I go.
Artist: Various
Album: Roz’s Oz Mix for Jodie
UK Record Label: N/A
UK Release Date: 2002
UK Single Releases from Album: N/A
Sunnyboys – Alone with You: Formed by brothers
Jeremy (vocals and guitar) and Peter Oxley (bass) along with drummer Bil Bilson
and guitarist Richard Burgerman in Sydney in 1980, Sunnyboys achieved a
reasonable level of success, having several hit albums and singles. ‘Alone with
You’ was the second single (a re-recording of a track from their debut EP) to
be taken from their 1981 eponymous debut album (released on Mushroom Records).
This is a great way to kick off the compilation, catchy jangle pop, one of
those songs that you think you must have heard before (even when you haven’t)
because the hook is so insistent.
Whitlams Connection No. 1: Whitlams Frontman Tim Freedman played keyboards live for Sunnyboys on several tours.
Whitlams Connection No. 2: Tim Freedman’s brother Nick was a Sunnyboy following their reformation in 1987, playing guitar.
Whitlams Connection No. 3: Jeremy and Peter’s sister Melanie has released four albums as part of a duo with Chris Abrahams (also part of the avant-garde jazz trio the Necks). Chris Abrahams played piano on two Whitlams album, 1997’s Eternal Nightcap and 2002’s Torch the Moon.
Candle Records Connection No. 1: The younger brother of Jeremy and Peter, Tim Oxley (himself briefly a member of Sunnyboys as guitarist in 1998), was a member of the Dearhunters (along with his wife Jodi Phillis) who released their sole album, 1999’s Red Wine and Blue, on Candle Records. He then also later released two solo albums, 2002’s It’s All About Love and 2005’s Kitchen Songs on the label.
Links:
Album: Roz’s Oz Mix for Jodie
UK Record Label: N/A
UK Release Date: 2002
UK Single Releases from Album: N/A
Whitlams Connection No. 1: Whitlams Frontman Tim Freedman played keyboards live for Sunnyboys on several tours.
Whitlams Connection No. 2: Tim Freedman’s brother Nick was a Sunnyboy following their reformation in 1987, playing guitar.
Whitlams Connection No. 3: Jeremy and Peter’s sister Melanie has released four albums as part of a duo with Chris Abrahams (also part of the avant-garde jazz trio the Necks). Chris Abrahams played piano on two Whitlams album, 1997’s Eternal Nightcap and 2002’s Torch the Moon.
Candle Records Connection No. 1: The younger brother of Jeremy and Peter, Tim Oxley (himself briefly a member of Sunnyboys as guitarist in 1998), was a member of the Dearhunters (along with his wife Jodi Phillis) who released their sole album, 1999’s Red Wine and Blue, on Candle Records. He then also later released two solo albums, 2002’s It’s All About Love and 2005’s Kitchen Songs on the label.
Discogs
David Lane – Goodbye Rollercoaster: Not to be confused
with You Am I guitarist (and the Pictures frontman) Davey Lane, this is
actually Sydney singer songwriter David Lane. ‘Goodbye Rollercoaster’ is taken
from his second album, 2002’s Put Me in a Taxi (released on Vitamin
Records). This is a really nice song about leaving town and starting over
again. There’s an unexpected brass section, so what could be a quite melancholy
song, is actually joyously upbeat. Really enjoyed hearing this one again.
Links:
Discogs
Rob Clarkson – With My Hand on My Heart and My Futon
the Mattress: The Unusually titled ‘With My Hand on My Heart and My Futon
the Mattress’ is taken from Clarkson’s 1992 debut mini-album Beautiful Girls
& Beautiful Boys (released on Anubis Records). Contemporaneously to his
early 90s solo career, Clarkson was also a member of Tlot Tlot alongside long
term collaborator Stanley Paulzen (later of Ruck Rover and Fred Astereo). A
simple song, about sleeping on a mattress, but also about a relationship, about
jealousy and about what could be between them. I really like Rob Clarkson’s
voice and his story telling type songs.
Candle Records Connection No. 2: Clarkson’s band Ruck Rover released three albums on Candle Records, 2000’s Before We Lost It, 2002’s Good People’s Highway and 2004’s No Hints, No Clues, No Lies. He also released a compilation, 2003’s Shirts & Skins: Songs 1990 – 1996, and a solo album 2005’s Zone One on the label.
Links:
Candle Records Connection No. 2: Clarkson’s band Ruck Rover released three albums on Candle Records, 2000’s Before We Lost It, 2002’s Good People’s Highway and 2004’s No Hints, No Clues, No Lies. He also released a compilation, 2003’s Shirts & Skins: Songs 1990 – 1996, and a solo album 2005’s Zone One on the label.
Discogs
Club Hoy – Oh Julian: Formed in Sydney in 1989 by vocalists
and guitarists Penny Flanagan and Julia Richardson, and later joined by bassist
Bernie Hayes and drummer Vincent Sheehan, ‘Oh Julian’ is taken from the band’s
only album, 1991’s Thursday’s Fortune (released on Regular Records). I
defy anyone not to be tapping their foot within a few seconds of hearing this,
not dissimilar sounding to some of bands from the short lived ‘blonde movement’
in the UK in the late 1980s (think the Darling Buds or Voice of the Beehive).
Whitlams Connection No. 4: Club Hoy guitarist (and later solo artist in his own right) Bernie Hayes wrote the Whitlams single ‘Made Me Hard’ from their 1999 album Love This City.
Whitlams Connection No. 5: He’s also the brother of the late Anthony Hayes (aka Stevie Plunder) a founding and prominent early member of the band.
Whitlams Connection No. 6: One of their other brothers, Justin Hayes (aka Stanley Claret aka Justin Credible – not the wrestler) the frontman of Whopping Big Naughty, co-wrote (with his bandmate Ben Rossen) the song ‘Mum’s Going Out’ on their debut album Introducing the Whitlams.
Candle Records Connection No. 3: Bernie Hayes’s third brother, Pat Hayes, was a member of Stella One Eleven who had two tracks appear on the Candle Records various artists compilation 2000’s Banter. Additionally, they had two tracks on each of the label’s sampler cassettes Vol. 7 and Vol. 8.
Links:
Whitlams Connection No. 4: Club Hoy guitarist (and later solo artist in his own right) Bernie Hayes wrote the Whitlams single ‘Made Me Hard’ from their 1999 album Love This City.
Whitlams Connection No. 5: He’s also the brother of the late Anthony Hayes (aka Stevie Plunder) a founding and prominent early member of the band.
Whitlams Connection No. 6: One of their other brothers, Justin Hayes (aka Stanley Claret aka Justin Credible – not the wrestler) the frontman of Whopping Big Naughty, co-wrote (with his bandmate Ben Rossen) the song ‘Mum’s Going Out’ on their debut album Introducing the Whitlams.
Candle Records Connection No. 3: Bernie Hayes’s third brother, Pat Hayes, was a member of Stella One Eleven who had two tracks appear on the Candle Records various artists compilation 2000’s Banter. Additionally, they had two tracks on each of the label’s sampler cassettes Vol. 7 and Vol. 8.
Discogs
Snout – Greenwich Meridian Time: Formed in
Melbourne by Ross McLennan (vocals and bass) along with Rob Wolf (guitar) and
Hugh Williams (drums) in 1991, Snout’s first recorded appearance was on the
Half a Cow Records compilation Slice Two. Later going on to be a staple of the
Australian indie scene in the 1990s, ‘Greenwich Meridian Time’ is taken from
the band’s debut album 1994’s What’s that Sound? (released on Au Go Go
Records). There’s some dirty sounding guitars in this, a great rock n roll
scream too. Grungey but also catchy. The chorus is also a bit ‘Strawberry
Fields’ oddly.
Links:
Discogs
The Earthmen – Figure 8: Formed by Scott Stevens (vocals)
and Aaron Goldberg (guitar) in Melbourne in 1991, they were soon joined by
Stephen Nash (guitar), Eric Prentice (bass) and Glen Peters (drums). ‘Figure 8’
is the opening track of The Earthmen’s 1994 debut mini album The Fall and
Rise of my Favorite Sixties Girl (released on Summershine Records). There’s
a definite mid-nineties sound to this one, certainly not bad, but maybe a
slight step down from what we’ve had so far. Actually, I think this is a bit of
a grower, the “sooner or later” bit of the chorus could be one that gets lodged
in your head after a few listens. I quite like the screechy guitars too.
Links:
Discogs
The Hummingbirds – Two Weeks with a Good Man in
Niagara Falls: Formed in Sydney in 1986 by the late Simon Holmes (vocals
and guitar), Mark Temple (drums) and John Boyce (bass) (and joined a couple of
months later by Alannah Russack on vocals and guitar), ‘Two Weeks with a Good
Man in Niagara Falls’ was taken from the band’s second and final album 1991’s Va
Va Voom (released on rooArt Records). This is the song that immediately
stood out to me when I first got the tape. I listened to it a lot and liked it
so much that I bought the band’s greatest hits. I enjoyed the other tracks too,
but this was by far the best on that collection. There’s a definite C86
influence, catchy jangle pop indie, and one I really enjoyed hearing again.
Whitlams Connection No. 7: Tim Freedman played keyboards live with The Hummingbirds on several tours.
Links:
Whitlams Connection No. 7: Tim Freedman played keyboards live with The Hummingbirds on several tours.
Discogs
Montana – Haircut and a Guitar: Sydney indie pop
band formed in 1997 by Paul Scott (vocals and guitar), Patrick Carr (guitar), Michelle
Margherita (bass) and Steve Melville (drums). ‘Haircut and a Guitar’ was
originally taken from their debut release, the eponymously titled 1998 EP
(released on Velvet Sound Recordings) before later appearing on their debut
album, 2003’s Bubblegum Love (released on Rock Indiana Records and later
repackaged and re-released with extra tracks in 2005 as Bubblegum Love (with
Extra Love) on Lojinx Records). A change of direction here, as we have
probably the most American sounding song so far, that doesn’t mean it’s bad
though. It’s another one with a catchy chorus.
Links:
Discogs
Sidewinder – Titanic Days: Formed in Canberra in
1990 by brothers Nick (vocals and guitar) and Martin Craft (bass), along with
Pip Branson (guitar) and Girl Fox (drums), ‘Titanic Days’ is taken from
Sidewinder’s second album, 1997’s Tangerine (released on Half a
Cow/Mercury Records). Epic guitar to begin with, almost Black Sabbath-esque! I
haven’t listened to this since my last Walkman gave up the ghost in the
mid-2000s, and I can’t say I really remember it, but I’m enjoying hearing it
now. Some great twiddly noises in the background too.
Links:
Discogs
Even – Eternal Teen: We’ve covered Even before,
but to recap, the trio of Ash Naylor (vocals and guitar), Matthew Cotter
(drums) and Wally Kempton (bass) formed Even in Melbourne in 1994. ‘Eternal
Teen’ is taken from their 1996 debut album Less is More (released on
Rubber Records). This is fab, there’s an urgency about early Even that I really
like, but it will then switch to something much more mellow, before moving back
up a gear again.
Links:
Discogs
Clouds – Wednesday Night: Formed in Sydney in 1989
by Jodi Phillis (vocals and guitar), Trish Young (bass and vocals), Robert
Phelan (guitar) and Stu Eadie (drums), ‘Wednesday Night’ is taken from their
debut album, 1991’s Penny Century (released on Red Eye Records/Polydor
Records). I mean Clouds were great, so this is great obviously. I love Jodi
Phillis and Trish Young’s harmonies on this. Enjoyed hearing this again a lot.
Whitlams Connection No. 8: Stu Eadie was the Whitlams’ first permanent drummer. He also drummed for one of Tim Freedman’s other bands, the Olive Branch (more on them later).
Candle Records Connection No. 4: In 1996, whilst still a member of Clouds, Jodi Phillis released a solo album called Lounge O Sound, and in 2001 it was re-released on Candle Records. As mentioned previously, she was also a member of the Dearhunters whose 1999 album Red Wine and Blue was released by the label. She also released two further solo albums on Candle, 2001’s In Dreams I Live and 2003’s For Lovers, Artists and Dreamers. Finally, she and Trish Young re-united in 2005 as The Girls from the Clouds and released the EP Lalalala, once again this was on Candle.
Links:
Whitlams Connection No. 8: Stu Eadie was the Whitlams’ first permanent drummer. He also drummed for one of Tim Freedman’s other bands, the Olive Branch (more on them later).
Candle Records Connection No. 4: In 1996, whilst still a member of Clouds, Jodi Phillis released a solo album called Lounge O Sound, and in 2001 it was re-released on Candle Records. As mentioned previously, she was also a member of the Dearhunters whose 1999 album Red Wine and Blue was released by the label. She also released two further solo albums on Candle, 2001’s In Dreams I Live and 2003’s For Lovers, Artists and Dreamers. Finally, she and Trish Young re-united in 2005 as The Girls from the Clouds and released the EP Lalalala, once again this was on Candle.
Discogs
Tall Tales and True – Trust: Formed as a three
piece in Sydney in 1983, Tall Tales and True originally consisted of Matthew de
la Hunty (vocals and guitar), Paul Miskin (bass) and Willie McCracken (drums).
‘Trust’ is taken from their second album, 1989’s Shiver (released on
rooArt Records). The last track on Side A of the tape, and it’s a great slice
of 80s indie pop, thoughtful and thought provoking.
Links:
Discogs
The Olive Branch – I’ll Be ‘Round: After Penguins
on Safari went their separate ways, singer Tim Freedman formed (with Andy Lewis
and Stevie Plunder) the Whitlams. At the same time however, he and Andy (bass),
along with Tim’s brother Nick (guitar), drummer Stuart Henderson, and trumpeter
Paul Jensen also formed the Olive Branch. They only released two EPs, 1993’s Time
Flies Over Central and 1994’s Open Up the Sky (for this one, Stu
Eadie replaced Henderson on drums, and Andy Kell joined on sax) as once the
other band took off, Tim decided to concentrate solely on them. ‘I’ll Be
‘Round’ is taken from that first EP (released on Phantom Records). As a
Whitlams fan, I was always going to like this, but it’s fascinating to hear
this slightly divergent path that Tim briefly took. One of my favourite
Whitlams songs is ‘Life’s a Beach’ that actually started out as an Olive Branch
song. ‘I’ll Be ‘Round’ is a great track, not massively different to the
Whitlams – it could easily have fit on Undeniably the Whitlams for
example – but just different enough, with what sounds like a fairground organ
even making an appearance at times. Very enjoyable.
Whitlams Connection No. 9: I mean, it’s literally all there already…
Links:
Whitlams Connection No. 9: I mean, it’s literally all there already…
Discogs
Falling Joys – Shot in Europe: Formed in Canberra
in 1985 by vocalist and guitarist Suzie Higgie, bassist Stuart G. Robertson,
drummer Anthony Merrilees and keyboardist Robin Miles. ‘Shot in Europe’ is
taken from 1990’s debut album Wish List (released on Volition Records).
This is excellent. Suzie Higgie has a fabulous voice, and this is a great song!
Whitlams Connection No. 10: Anthony Hayes/Stevie Plunder’s brother, the afore mentioned Pat Hayes, joined Falling Joys in 1988 as bassist.
Links:
Whitlams Connection No. 10: Anthony Hayes/Stevie Plunder’s brother, the afore mentioned Pat Hayes, joined Falling Joys in 1988 as bassist.
Discogs
The Trims – Sure Fire: I’m afraid I know next to
nothing about the Trims. They consisted of Paul Vallen (vocals and guitar),
Damian Holland (guitar), Paul Bayntis (bass), Gavin Scotton (drums) and Adrian
Whitehead (keyboards), and ‘Sure Fire’ was the lead track from what appears to
be their one and only release, 2000’s self-released 100% Polyester EP.
Well, I might not know much about them, but I’m liking this a lot. Slight hints
of the Beatles, and Elliott Smith in places. There’s also someone else they
really remind me of, but I can’t quite place it – annoying! An excellent song.
Whitlams Connection No. 11: The EP was produced and engineered by Whitlams guitarist Jak Housden.
Links:
Whitlams Connection No. 11: The EP was produced and engineered by Whitlams guitarist Jak Housden.
Discogs
Custard – Bedford: Formed in Brisbane in 1989 by
singer and guitarist David McCormack, bassist Paul Medew, guitarist James
Straker and drummer Shane Brunn, ‘Bedford’ is taken from Custard’s
self-released debut album, 1992’s Buttercup (Bedford). I was actually
familiar with the band before I received this tape (we’ll find out why in
future weeks), and I really like them. ‘Bedford’ is a fab song, with slightly
off the wall lyrics, and breezy indie pop delivery.
Links:
Discogs
The Lucksmiths – Jewel Thieves: Formed in
Melbourne in 1993 by Tali White (vocals and drums), Marty Donald (guitar) and
Mark Monnone (bass), ‘Jewel Thieves’ is taken from the band’s second album,
1995’s The Green Bicycle Case (released on Candle Records). I’m big fan
of the Lucksmiths, they always cheer me up if I’ve been having a bad day.
Catchy tunes, unashamedly Aussie vocal delivery, wonderful harmonies, and
melodies to die for. ‘Jewel Thieves’ is a real highlight of theirs, and you
can’t help but like the silly “yeah, yeah, yeah” bit at the end!
Candle Records Connection No. 5: Probably the band more associated with Candle than any other, the band re-issued their 1993 self-released debut First Tape on the label in 1996, and also released their second through seventh studio albums on Candle Records: The Green Bicycle Case (1995), What Bird Is That? (1996), A Good Kind of Nervous (1997), Why That Doesn’t Surprise Me (2001), Naturaliste (2003) and Warmer Corners (2005). In addition, they also released two compilations Happy Secret (1999) and Where Were We? (2002) on the label.
Links:
Candle Records Connection No. 5: Probably the band more associated with Candle than any other, the band re-issued their 1993 self-released debut First Tape on the label in 1996, and also released their second through seventh studio albums on Candle Records: The Green Bicycle Case (1995), What Bird Is That? (1996), A Good Kind of Nervous (1997), Why That Doesn’t Surprise Me (2001), Naturaliste (2003) and Warmer Corners (2005). In addition, they also released two compilations Happy Secret (1999) and Where Were We? (2002) on the label.
Discogs
The Fauves – Dogs Are the Best People: Formed in
Melbourne in 1988 by Andrew Cox (guitar and vocals), Jack Dyer (bass), Philip
Leonard (guitar, vocals and brass) and Adam Newey (drums), ‘Dogs Are the Best
People’ is taken from their third album 1996’s Future Spa (released on
Polydor Records). A song literally about how dogs are great, with wonderfully
noisy guitars. I really like the vocal delivery and intonation on this one.
Links:
Discogs
The Welcome Mat – Can’t Wait to Remind You: The
four-piece were formed in Sydney in 1989 by Wayne Connolly (vocals and guitar),
Cory Messenger (vocals and guitar), Peter Bennett (drums) and David Moss
(bass), ‘Can’t Wait to Remind You’ is taken from the band’s second album 1996’s
Lap of Honour (released on ID Records). Slight shades of someone like
Teenage Fanclub here maybe, which is a definite positive in my book. I don’t
really remember this standing out to me before, but I’m really enjoying
listening to it now. A welcome reminder of the Welcome Mat.
Candle Records Connection No. 6: Wayne Connolly later played with the Small Knives who released an album on Candle in 2004 Rain on Tin.
Links:
Discogs
Paul Kelly – From St. Kilda to Kings Cross: It’s
impossible to do justice to Paul Kelly in just a sentence or two, he’s the
Australian equivalent of Bob Dylan, or Neil Young or someone, with an
incredible back catalogue of material stretching back to the late seventies.
‘From St. Kilda to Kings Cross’ is taken from his debut solo album, 1985’s Post
(released on White Label Records). A song I’ve listened to a lot over the
years, it tells the story of a journey between St. Kilda (in Melbourne) to
Kings Cross (in Sydney) (“is thirteen hours on a bus”), this song is just
beautiful. Heartfelt and moving, it’s just fantastic.
Links:
Discogs
Chris Wilson – Can’t Stand the Way: The late Chris
Wilson actually played as part of Paul Kelly’s band early in his career, but he
was also a well-respected solo musician. ‘Can’t Stand the Way’ is taken from
his second solo album, 1998’s The Long Weekend (released on Aurora
Records). A dark and brooding tale of a jealous ex-lover’s hatred for his
beloved’s new partner, there are some great lyrics here, almost spat out at
points. Not necessarily the sort of thing I would listen to too often, but
Wilson paints such a vivid picture with his words, that I’m actually really
enjoying hearing this one again.
Links:
Discogs
The Triffids – A Trick of the Light: One of the
better-known artists on the compilation, the Triffids were formed by singer and
multi-instrumentalist the late David McComb along with drummer and vocalist Alsy MacDonald
in Perth in 1978. They were soon joined by Phil Kakulas and Andrew McGowan on
guitar, Julian Douglas-Smith on piano and Byron Sinclair on bass. ‘A Trick of
the Light’ is taken from their fourth album, 1987’s Calenture (released
on White Hot Records). Whilst I’d heard of them before, I’m not sure that I’d
ever actually heard anything by them before I received this tape. Listening
again now, it’s excellent, I definitely need to listen to some more of their
stuff. There’s a slight vocal similarity to Nick Cave, but if he was in a more
chipper mood than usual. I like this song a lot.
Links:
Discogs
The Go-Betweens – Part Company: The Go-Betweens
are probably the most well-known band on the tape. Formed in Brisbane in 1977
by vocalist and guitarist Robert Forster and vocalist, guitarist and bassist,
the late Grant McLennan, Part Company is taken from their third album, 1984’s Spring
Hill Fair. The Go-Betweens were a wonderful band, there’s a beautiful
melancholy to their lyrics, with well chosen words, that (a bit like the Chris
Wilson track earlier) paint a really vivid picture.
Links:
Discogs
The Plunderers – Christo: Formed in Canberra in
1984 by Anthony Hayes (aka Stevie Plunder) (vocals and guitar) and (future
Sunnyboy) Nic Dalton (vocals and bass) along with Lindsay Dunbar (drums),
Plunder and Dalton having previously played together in Get Set Go (along with future
Falling Joys vocalist Suzie Higgie and her sister Jenny). Christo was a 1990 single,
featured later that year on compilation Banana Smoothie, Honey (released
on Citadel Records). When Roz gave me this tape, I was particularly eager to
hear what Stevie had sounded like pre-Whitlams, and it didn’t disappoint.
Christo is a great song, a real earworm, a highly recommended listen.
Plunder and Dalton, along with drummer Geoff Milne also had a side project, Hippy Dribble where they concentrated on more psychedelic material, and Captain Denim, where the trio played more laid-back country-tinged songs. In 1990 Dalton went on to launch the seminal Half a Cow label, then in 1992 joined the Lemonheads. With the Plunderers on hold Stevie and bassist Andy Lewis joined up with Tim Freedman to form the Whitlams. Stevie sadly passed away in 1996, and equally sadly was followed by Andy in 2000. RIP.
Whitlams Connection No. 12: Another obvious one here!
Links:
Plunder and Dalton, along with drummer Geoff Milne also had a side project, Hippy Dribble where they concentrated on more psychedelic material, and Captain Denim, where the trio played more laid-back country-tinged songs. In 1990 Dalton went on to launch the seminal Half a Cow label, then in 1992 joined the Lemonheads. With the Plunderers on hold Stevie and bassist Andy Lewis joined up with Tim Freedman to form the Whitlams. Stevie sadly passed away in 1996, and equally sadly was followed by Andy in 2000. RIP.
Whitlams Connection No. 12: Another obvious one here!
Discogs
It was a lot of fun to go back and re-listen to this, I
re-discovered some tracks, and gained a new appreciation for some others, a
real pleasure to re-visit. I’ve put together a playlist of the songs available on
Spotify that you can listen to here. Of those not available on the streaming
service, I’ve added a YouTube link below for a live version of the Rob Clarkson song (I couldn't find a studio version). Unfortunately, I was unable to find the Snout or Olive Branch songs, so you'll just have to imagine those:
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