Baby Animals

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This article is about the rock band. For other uses, see Baby Animals (disambiguation).

Baby Animals
Also known asWoody's Heroes
OriginSydney, New South Wales, Australia
Genres
Years active1989 (1989)–1996 (1996), 2007 (2007)–present
Labels
Members
Past members
  • Frank Celenza
  • Eddie Parise
Websitethebabyanimals.com

Baby Animals are an Australian hard rock band active from October 1989 to 1996 and reformed in 2007. The original line-up was Frank Celenza on drums; Suze DeMarchi on lead vocals and guitar; Dave Leslie on guitar and backing vocals; and Eddie Parise on bass guitar and backing vocals. They recorded two studio albums, Baby Animals (September 1991) – which peaked at No. 1 on the ARIA Albums Chart, and Shaved and Dangerous (August 1993) – which reached No. 2. At the ARIA Music Awards of 1992 the group won three trophies: Album of the Year and Breakthrough Artist – Album for Baby Animals and Breakthrough Artist – Single for "Early Warning" (April 1991). Baby Animals was listed in 100 Best Australian Albums (October 2010). The reunited line-up are DeMarchi, Leslie, Dario Bortolin on bass guitar and Mick Skelton on drums and percussion. Their fourth studio album, This is Not the End was issued in May 2013, which reached the top 20.

Biography

Early history: 1989–90

The Baby Animals were formed in Sydney in October 1989 by Frank Celenza on drums (ex-Boys, Bamboo Curtain, DD and the Rockmen); Suze DeMarchi on lead vocals and guitar (ex-Photoplay the Kind, DD and the Rockmen), Dave Leslie on guitar and backing vocals (ex-Swingshift); and Eddie Parise on bass guitar and backing vocals (ex-Boys, Bel Aires, Bamboo Curtain).[1][2] De Marchi, from Perth, had previously recorded three solo singles with EMI in the United Kingdom.[1] Upon her return to Perth in July she contacted former band mate Celenza to form a new band in Sydney.[1] Celenza was initially reluctant but recommended Parise.[3] In Sydney, DeMarchi approached talent manager, John Woodruff (The Angels, Diesel [ex-the Kind, with DeMarchi]), who referred Leslie to her.[3]

The band's first performance was in November 1989 at the Kardomah Café in Sydney, where they were billed as Woody's Heroes, then they worked the city’s pub and club circuit. According to Kerrang! magazine's writer, Celenza provided the band name, Baby Animals, after seeing an ad for a local TV show, Wheel of Fortune, hosted by "Baby" John Burgess.[4] Another version suggests the name came from a calendar in a mall. In a New Zealand magazine, RTR Sounz, DeMarchi mentioned they changed the origins of the name in different interviews as it got boring answering the same questions.[3] The group were assisted by The Angels including a band demo, "Break My Heart", on the B-side of that group's single "Dogs Are Talking" (April 1990), along with tracks from two other rock and roll bands – Rob Tognoni's Desert Cats and one by the Hurricanes – a national tour showcasing all four bands shortly followed.[1]

In August 1990, the band signed a publishing deal with SBK Songs (now EMI Songs). Whilst attending one of their gigs, Terry Ellis, president of the newly formed Imago Recording Company signed them to his label.[1] He described the experience as

"the band was great, the songs were terrific and to me Suze clearly had that indefineable magic that separates one artist from the crowd and makes them a star."[citation needed]

Debut album: 1991-1992

The band flew to New York to record the debut album (Bearsville Studio / Second City Studio, Long Island), produced by Mike Chapman.[5] DeMarchi said of the production process: "It was great. Basically, Mike left us alone to make the kind of music we know how to make; and whenever he did have a suggestion, it was always something that made the sound better. So what you hear is pure recording, the band as it really is."[citation needed]

Their debut single, "Early Warning", was released in April 1991 and immediately reached the Top 20 on the Australian Singles charts. After the release of the single, the band flew to the United States for a series of showcases for the Imago/BMG people, to coincide with the earlier release of the album there. With the Top 20 chart success of "Early Warning" at home, the second single "Rush You" was released in August 1991.

Their eponymous debut album Baby Animals was released in September 1991. The album debuted at number six on the ARIA Charts and spent six weeks at number one, eventually going eight times platinum and becoming the highest-selling debut Australian rock album until the release of Jet's album twelve years later.[5]

After listening to the band's album, Bryan Adams asked the band to join him on his European tour. Whilst overseas, the band picked up the 'Best New Act' at the inaugural 1991 Australian Music Awards. Christmas 1991 saw the band back in Australia for more touring, and the release of two more singles from the album "Painless" and "One Word", with the latter charting in the top 20 of the ARIA Charts. The 'Let Go Of My Ears' tour saw the band playing to sell out crowds all over the country.

In 1992 the band joined the Black Crowes on a national tour of Australia and New Zealand. They made an appearance on the Late Night with David Letterman show, performing the single "Painless".

The band picked up a number of honours at the 1992 ARIA Music Awards, receiving awards for 'Best Debut Album', 'Best Single', and 'Best Album'. DeMarchi was also nominated for 'Best Female Vocalist'.

The band then toured in the opening slot for Van Halen's "For Unlawful Carnal Knowledge Tour" across America from 28 January to 31 May, again playing to arena-size audiences. Eddie Van Halen requested their presence after his wife Valerie heard their album, and suggested them.

Australian Rolling Stone placed DeMarchi on the cover. It was the first time they had put an Australian artist or group on the cover on the merits of a debut album. The Editor's letter was used to explain why DeMarchi is on the cover, despite the fact that the band insisted on a photo of the whole band or no cover at all.[citation needed]

Sales of Baby Animals reached 4 times platinum in Australia, and topped 800,000 worldwide. The band having played over 500 shows when they stopped touring in August.

Shaved and Dangerous and disbandment: 1993-1996

In 1993, the band returned to New York (Bearsville Studio,[6] where they also recorded their first album). After two weeks of pre-production, they went to the Bahamas, where they spent two months recording at Compass Point Studios (AC/DC, The Rolling Stones, Bob Marley) which resulted in a more mature sound under producer Ed Stasium. Next, the band moved on to Los Angeles, where Nuno Bettencourt (Extreme) met up with the band. He contributed his songwriting/guitar skills ("Because I Can") and produced "Life From A Distance" and "Be My Friend". He also contributed to "She Does Whatever" on the Shaved and Dangerous Tour CD.

Shaved and Dangerous was released in August 1993 and Baby Animals supported Robert Plant's US tour, before returning home around Christmas time to prepare for a 27-date Australian tour. The tour was cut short when DeMarchi experienced throat problems, which required her to undertake surgery for her vocal cords. In August 1994 Baby Animals shared the stage with Extreme in a concert on the Azores island of Sao Miguel. DeMarchi and Bettencourt's wedding ceremony was also performed there. Songwriting/recording for the third record was anticipated for November. In 1995 on the verge of their first major US tour, their US-based record company Imago Records folded after losing its distributor, BMG. In early 1996 the band officially disbanded.[7]: 178 

Reformed and new albums: 2007-present

In 2007, the rumors of a reformed Baby Animals with all original members were confirmed. They released an acoustic CD of their hits titled Il Grande Silenzio on 19 January 2008, as part of the Liberation Blue Acoustic Series. The band appeared live on the Australian breakfast TV program Sunrise on 22 January 2008, and confirmed Australian tour dates from 2008.[8] On 12 January 2009, The Baby Animals announced another national tour throughout 2009, which was sold out[citation needed].

In 2009 internal conflicts become apparent[citation needed]. Celenza's resigned but two day later, was self-reinstated[citation needed]. Demarchi and Leslie decided to continue with a couple of hand-picked Sydney musicians, Matt Cornell (bass/ vocals) and Mick Skelton (drums).

In April 2013, the Baby Animals released their first new single in 20 years titled, "Email". It was followed by the release of a new album entitled This is Not the End in late May.[9] This was the first album released by new label Social Family Records. The album peaked at 19 on the ARIA Chart. [10]

In May 2016, the Baby Animals released a new album called BA25, celebrating 25 years since the release of their debut album. The album will include live songs, unreleased tracks, B-sides and pre-studio demos.[11]

Members

Current members
  • Suze DeMarchi - vocals
  • Dave Leslie - guitars
  • Mick Skelton - drums, percussion
  • Dario Bortolin - bass
Former members
  • Eddie Parise - bass
  • Frank Celenza - drums, percussion

Discography

Albums

Singles

  • "Early Warning" (1991) - No. 21 Australia
  • "Rush You" (1991) - No. 30 Australia
  • "Painless" (1991) - No. 49 Australia, #23 US-Rock
  • "One Word" (1992) - No. 15 Australia
  • "Impossible To Fly" (1992) - No. 48 Australia
  • "Ain't Gonna Get" (1992)
  • "Don't Tell Me What To Do" (1993) - No. 24 Australia
  • "At The End Of The Day" / "Backbone" (1993) - No. 60 Australia
  • "Lights Out At Eleven" (1994) - No. 54 Australia
  • "Email" (2013)
  • "Stitch" (2013) [16]

References

  1. ^ a b c d e McFarlane, Ian (1999). "Encyclopedia entry for 'Baby Animals'". Encyclopedia of Australian Rock and Pop. St Leonards, NSW: Allen & Unwin. ISBN 1-86508-072-1. {{cite book}}: |access-date= requires |url= (help); |archive-url= requires |url= (help); External link in |chapterurl= (help); Unknown parameter |chapterurl= ignored (|chapter-url= suggested) (help)
  2. ^ Holmgren, Magnus. "Baby Animals". hem.passagen.se. Australian Rock Database (Magnus Holmgren). Archived from the original on 11 October 2012. Retrieved 13 June 2016. {{cite web}}: |archive-date= / |archive-url= timestamp mismatch; 8 October 2012 suggested (help)
  3. ^ a b c Tom, Cheryl (1998). "The Evolution of the Baby Animals so Far..." babyanimals.tripod.com. Retrieved 13 June 2016.
  4. ^ "Baby Animals Live Review". Kerrang! (372): 34. 21 December 1991.
  5. ^ a b The 100 Best Australian Albums. Hardy Grant Publishing. 2010. p. 244. ISBN 9781740669559. OCLC 646229830. Retrieved 5 July 2011. {{cite book}}: Cite has empty unknown parameters: |lastauthoramp=, |trans_chapter=, |laydate=, |chapterurl=, |laysummary=, and |separator= (help)
  6. ^ Billboard (magazine): 54. 6 February 1993. {{cite journal}}: Missing or empty |title= (help)
  7. ^ Mathieson, Craig (2009). Playlisted: Everything You Need to Know About Australian Music Right Now. St Leonards, NSW: Allen & Unwin. ISBN 978-1-74223-017-7.
  8. ^ "Baby Animals tour dates - Yahoo!7 Sunrise". Retrieved 20 January 2009. [dead link]
  9. ^ Christine Sams (16 March 2012). "Not the End: DeMarchi Rocks up with the Band". Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 15 July 2014.
  10. ^ "LABEL SPOTLIGHT – SOCIAL FAMILY RECORDS". www.air.org.au. 7 July 2013. Retrieved 10 May 2016.
  11. ^ "The Baby Animals BA25". store.socialfamilyrecords.com. Retrieved 14 May 2016.
  12. ^ Roberts, David (2006). British Hit Singles & Albums (19th ed.). London: Guinness World Records Limited. p. 37. ISBN 1-904994-10-5.
  13. ^ "Week Commencing ~ 28th January 2008 ~ Issue #935" (PDF). pandora.nla.gov.au. 28 January 2008. Retrieved 23 March 2016.
  14. ^ "ARIA Albums Chart". Retrieved 10 July 2013.
  15. ^ "ARIA Albums: Ariana Grande Debuts At No 1". noise11.com.au. 28 May 2016. Retrieved 29 May 2016.
  16. ^ "Stitch - single". iTunes Australia. Retrieved 14 May 2016.

Notes

Taken from the book Baby Animals Guitar Tablature, Published by EMI

External links

Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Baby_Animals&oldid=725037888"