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Dropbears

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This is an old revision of this page, as edited by Widr (talk | contribs) at 19:05, 15 March 2016 (Reverted 1 edit by 162.78.70.164 using STiki). The present address (URL) is a permanent link to this revision, which may differ significantly from the current revision.

For other uses, see Dropbear (disambiguation).

The Dropbears were a popular part of the Australian music scene in the early 1980s. They had a couple of 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 (Johnny Batchelor, Phil Hall (Sardine v, Lime Spiders) and a string of drummers). Under the name The Socket Set, they played shows which included the sell-out opening night of The Saints return Australian tour in 1980 (the Paralytic Tonight, Dublin Tomorrow tour).

As Dropbears, the band formed in Darlinghurst Sydney 1981 with Johnny Batchelor, Simon Rudlin and Chris Toms (Chris Cross) - Chris coined the name Dropbears - 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 lived downstairs and Johnny asked him to join the, as then, unnamed band.

In 1982, The Dropbears released two singles: Fun Loving, and Lay Him Down. Both went to #1 on the Sydney Indie charts, and Lay Him Down reached the Sydney top 20. The following year, the band signed to WEA records and went on to release a series of successful singles, but no album was ever released. This was a cause of frustration to the band, and ultimately led to its break-up.

In 2011, "The Essential Dropbears" was released through Warner Music Australia. This is available on Australian iTunes and 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

  • Untitled (1983)
  • Johnny Batchelor - Vocals, Guitars
  • Phil Hall - Bass, Keyboards, Backing Vocals
  • Mike Knapp - Drums, Backing Vocals
  • Additional musicians:
  • Fun Loving (1982)
  • Johnny Batchelor - Vocals, Guitars
  • Chris Toms (aka Chris Cross) - Bass
  • Simon Rudlin - Drums
  • Lay him down (1982)
  • Johnny Batchelor - Vocals, Guitars
  • Phil Hall - 8 String Bass, Backing Vocals
  • Simon Rudlin - Drums
  • Proud (1983)
  • Johnny Batchelor - Vocals, Guitars
  • Phil Hall - Bass, Backing Vocals
  • Mike Knapp - Drums, Backing Vocals
  • Additional musicians:
  • Shall We Go (1984) reached Aus#61 in mid-1985
  • Johnny Batchelor - Vocals, Guitars
  • Phil Hall - Bass, Keyboards, Backing Vocals
  • Mike Knapp - Drums, Backing Vocals
  • In Your Eyes(1985) reached Aus #90 in late 1985
  • Johnny Batchelor - Vocals, Guitars
  • Phil Hall - Bass, Keyboards, Backing Vocals
  • Mike Knapp - Drums, Backing Vocals

EPs

  • Fun Loved (1981)

Compilations

  • Fun Lovers Singles Pack (1986)
  • The Essential Dropbears (2011)

References

Album

  1. ^ http://www.australianmusicdatabase.com/recordings/dropbears-by-drop-bears
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