Southern Sons
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| Southern Sons | |
|---|---|
| File:SouthernSons.jpg | |
| Background information | |
| Origin | Melbourne, Australia |
| Genres | Rock Pop rock |
| Years active | 1990–1995 |
| Associated acts | Virgil Donati John Farnham |
| Past members | |
| Jack Jones Virgil Donati Phil Buckle Geoff Cain Peter Bowman |
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Southern Sons was an Australian band, originally billed as The State, best known in Australia in the early 90's for their hits 'Heart In Danger' and 'Hold Me In Your Arms'. The band also featured world renowned drummer, Virgil Donati.
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[edit] Overview
Southern Sons was created as a direct result of songwriter Phil Buckle's collaboration on six of the twelve songs on John Farnham's "Chain Reaction" album in 1990. Phil's group The State was signed to manager Glenn Wheatley's "Wheatley Brothers" records, and had released one album.
Hearing Farnham's treatment of his songs, Phil Buckle wanted to replace himself as lead vocalist and recruited John Farnham "sound-a-like" singer/guitarist Jack Jones, who had auditioned for the band previously but was considered too young. Jones' claim to fame prior to that was playing in Van Halen cover band Hans Valen.
The group changed its name from The State to Southern Sons after the addition of Jones and made its public debut as support act for Farnham's "Chain Reaction Tour", Phil and Jack also having played on the album, doing double duty as members of Farnham's backing band.
1990 saw the release of their debut album, "Southern Sons" (which spawned three top ten hit singles) and a five-track EP, "Train Tracks", released to coincide with Phil and Jack's return to Southern Sons duties after a European tour with Farnham.
Their second album in 1992, "Nothing But The Truth", came with the departure of guitarist Peter Bowman. After two singles, including "You Were There" one of three Phil Buckley songs in the Sydney Dance Company production of "Beauty and the Beast", "Nothing But The Truth" was re-released, with different cover artwork featuring a new look Jack Jones, to include the single "Silent Witnesses". Southern Sons third and final album, "Zone", was released in 1995, self-produced with former member Peter Bowman. Its lead single, "Don't Tell Me What's Right", featured vocals from Men At Work's Colin Hay.
Jones reunited with Farnham in 1999 for his "I Can't Believe He's 50 Tour" and the "Tour Of Duty Concert" for peacekeeping Australian troops in Dili, East Timor.
Buckle has collaborated with several Australian artists such as John Farnham, Rick Price and Rob Mills. Buckle co-wrote many of the songs from Farnham's "Chain Reaction" (released 1990) and "Then Again..." (released 1993) albums, the most famous being "Burn For You", ARIA Song of the Year in 1991.
Jones was married to New Zealand-born Australian actress Rebecca Gibney from 1992-1995. The marriage ended in divorce. He reverted to his birth name of Irwin Thomas some years ago, and has recorded under that name with a new band. He also was in a band with INXS member Gary Beers, Mudhead, releasing one album. Since 2004 he has been also been involved with a Melbourne band called Electric Mary and is releasing new music independently.
Jones and Donati were part of Tina Arena's backing band for her "In Deep" tour.
Donati is currently living and working in bar-ham running clinics and recording with a variety of artists including Steve Vai. He is currently a member of US rock band Soul Sirkus.
Cain reportedly spent several years living in Spain but has since returned to Australia and is living in Warrnambool.
Bowman left the band before the release of "Nothing But The Truth". Since leaving Southern Sons, Bowman has pursued songwriting and record production in the independent music sector; most notably working with Debra Byrne on her "Sleeping Child" album.
[edit] Discography
[edit] Albums
| Year | Album | ARIA chart positions[1] |
|---|---|---|
| 1990 | Southern Sons | 5 |
| 1992 | Nothing But The Truth | 26 |
| 1995 | Zone | — |
[edit] Singles & EPs
| Year | Single | ARIA chart positions[1] |
|---|---|---|
| 1990 | "Always And Ever" | 16 |
| 1990 | "Heart In Danger" | 5 |
| 1991 | "Hold Me In Your Arms" | 9 |
| 1991 | "The World Is Mine" (European Release) | — |
| 1991 | "Train Tracks (EP)" | 40 |
| 1992 | "Lead Me To Water" | 36 |
| 1993 | "You Were There" | 6 |
| 1995 | "Don't Tell Me What's Right" (with Colin Hay) | — |
| 1996 | "Trust In Me" | — |
[edit] Videos
| Year | Album | ARIA chart positions[1] |
|---|---|---|
| 1991 | Southern Sons: The Video | — |
