Dropbears
 | This article needs additional citations for verification. (January 2017) |
Dropbears | |
|---|---|
| Origin | Sydney, Australia |
| Genres | Rock |
| Years active | 1981–1987 |
| Past members | Johnny Batchelor Simon Rudlin Chris Toms Phil Hall James Elliot Mike Knapp Bob Cooper Robert Hearn |
Dropbears were an Australian/New Zealand rock band active on the Australian music scene in the early 1980s. They had a few national chart hits and received national airplay. They had a minor charting hit with "Shall We Go" in 1985.
History
The band started life as The Socket Set in 1980, with Johnny Batchelor, Phil Hall (Sardine v, Lime Spiders), and a string of drummers. They played shows which included the sell-out opening night of The Saints' comeback Australian tour in 1980 (the Paralytic Tonight, Dublin Tomorrow tour).
As Dropbears, the band formed in Darlinghurst, Sydney, in 1981, with Batchelor, Simon Rudlin, and Chris "Chris Cross" Toms. Prior to this, Johnny and Simon had been jamming with bass player Rod Brunel (from Sydney band The Singles), but it wasn't working well. Chris Cross from Sydney punk band The Bedhogs knew Johnny, who asked him to join the band.
In 1982, Dropbears released the singles "Fun Loving" and "Lay Him Down", which both peaked at number one on the Sydney Indie charts. The following year, the band signed to WEA records and went on to release a series of successful singles.
In 2011, The Essential Dropbears was released through Warner Music Australia. The compilation album features 10 tracks, including the 1985 chart hits "Shall We Go" and "In Your Eyes".
Members
- Johnny Batchelor - guitar, vocals (1980–86, 1987)
- Chris Cross (Chris Toms) - bass (1981–82 - died 17 October 2010)[citation needed]
- Phil Hall - bass, vocals (1980, 1982–86, 1987)
- Simon Rudlin - drums (1981–82)
- James Elliot - drums (1982)
- Mike (Snapper) Knapp - drums, backing vocals (1982–86, 1987)
- Bob Cooper - saxophones, lyricon (1983)
- Robert (Bert) Hearn - guitar, guitar synth (1983–84)
Discography
Studio albums
| Year | Album details | Peak chart positions |
|---|---|---|
| AUS [1] | ||
| 1984 | Untitled
|
66 |
Compilations
| Year | Album details |
|---|---|
| 2011 | The Essential Dropbears [2]
|
Singles
| Year | Title | Peak chart positions | Album |
|---|---|---|---|
| AUS [1] | |||
| 1981 | "Fun Loving" | – | non-album single |
| 1983 | "Lay Him Down" | – | |
| 1984 | "Shall We Go" | 61 | |
| "Proud" | – | Untitled | |
| 1985 | "In Your Eyes" | 90 | non-album single |
| 1986 | "Fun Loving" (re-release) | – |
References
- ^ a b Kent, David (1993). Australian Chart Book 1970–1992. St Ives: Australian Chart Book. p. 96. ISBN 0-646-11917-6. N.B. The Kent Report chart was licensed by ARIA between mid-1983 and mid-June 1988.
- ^ "The Essential Dropbears". iTunes Australia. Retrieved 20 November 2017.
External links
| Authority control databases: Artists |
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