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George (band)

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George
Background information
OriginBrisbane, Australia
GenresRock
Years active1996–2005, 2016-present
LabelsFestival Mushroom
MembersKatie Noonan
Tyrone Noonan
Geoff Green
Paulie Bromley
Nick Stewart
Past membersGeoff Hooton
WebsiteOfficial website

George (styled george) are an Australian rock band from Brisbane, Queensland. Their first album, Polyserena reached #1 in the Australian Charts on 17 March 2002.[1]

Background

The band consists of Katie Noonan on vocals and keyboards, her brother Tyrone Noonan on vocals, guitar and keyboards, Geoff Green on drums and percussion, Paulie Bromley on bass and Nick Stewart on acoustic and electric guitar. Geoff Hooton, a bass player left the band in early 2000.

The Noonans form the nucleus of the band sharing principal songwriting duties. Nick Stewart also contributes to many of the bands tunes. The Noonans grew up with a strong background in classical music with their mother Maggie Noonan being a well-known opera singer. Katie Noonan studied opera and jazz at the Queensland Conservatorium.

Nick Stewart grew up listening to and playing rock music. Paulie Bromley played in underground Brisbane rock band Pangaea with Ben Ely of Regurgitator. Geoff Green has been playing the drums since 1987, and studied music at the Queensland University of Technology.

History

The band formed in 1996 to enter a university music competition. It released a series of independent EPs namely George in 1998, You Can Take What's Mine in 1999 and Bastard Son/Holiday in 2000. Bastard Son/Holiday peaked at number 74 on the ARIA chart.[2] The EPs did progressively better earning good airplay on Triple J Radio and community radio stations across Australia. George was also winning a strong live following throughout the nation.

George signed with Festival Mushroom Records in mid-2001. "Special Ones" was the first single released on Festival Records followed by "Run" in October 2001 and "Breathe In Now" in February 2002. From this time the band toured heavily.

The band's first album Polyserena debuted at #1 on the national album charts in its first week; George became only the tenth Australian band to do so with a debut album.[3] Polyserena was certified double platinum and spent 36 weeks in the top 50.[1]

In January 2003 the band joined forces with the Sydney Symphony Orchestra over two nights (23rd & 25th) to perform Concerto for Group and Orchestra by Jon Lord. The band is the only rock group other than Deep Purple to perform the piece. It was typical of the band's eclectic approach combining classical, rock, funk, jazz and even electronic music.[citation needed]

George released the album Unity in February 2004 and it debuted at #5 in the Australian album chart of 1 March 2004. Katie Noonan says on the band's web site that the title reflects the band's approach on the album. "That family vibe brings a closeness and honesty that permeates what we do. Collectively and individually, we've been through a great period of change and growth. Knowing we can look to each other for strength brings comfort and solidarity. We have all been through the same thing and there's an incredible sense of union from that experience - that's what being in a band's about."[4]

George performed live in Brisbane on 22 December 2004.[5] Following this the band took a hiatus whilst individual members attended to their own projects. While there were no immediate plans to regroup and perform or record new material, the band intended to make a comeback at some stage.

The band reformed for a performance on the forecourt of the Sydney Opera House on Friday 27 January 2005.[citation needed]

The band plans to perform at Victoria’s Queenscliff Music Festival on 25–27 November 2016. This will be the band's first performance in 11 years.[6]

The band reformed for a 20th-anniversary celebration for a gig at the Concert Hall, QPAC during the Brisbane Festival on 9 September 2016. [7]

Discography

Albums/EPs

Year Album Chart positions Sales/certifications
AUS[1]
1998 George –
1999 You Can Take What's Mine[8] 82
2000 Bastard Son/Holiday 74[9]
2002 Polyserena 1 AUS: 2x Platinum
2004 Unity 5 AUS: Gold
2010 The Essential Hits –

Singles

Year Title Chart positions Album
AUS[1]
2001 "Special Ones" 29 Polyserena
"Run" 27
2002 "Breathe In Now" 29
"Breaking it Slowly" 43
2004 "Still Real" 37 Unity

References

  1. ^ a b c d "ARIA Charts". Archived from the original on 7 November 2012. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  2. ^ "ARIA Report Week Commencing 8th January 2001" (PDF). pandora.nla.gov.au. Archived from the original (PDF) on 21 February 2002. Retrieved 25 April 2016. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  3. ^ "The ARIA Report - WEEK COMMENCING: 11th March 2002 Issue No: 628" (PDF). pandora.nla.gov.au. 11 March 2002. Archived from the original (PDF) on 14 March 2002. Retrieved 25 April 2016. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  4. ^ Official website
  5. ^ Official website Archived 2 September 2007 at the Wayback Machine
  6. ^ "THE PURGE #150". auspOp. 21 July 2016. Retrieved 21 July 2016.
  7. ^ https://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/national/queensland/brisbane-band-george-reunite-for-one-night-at-brisbane-festival-20160629-gpufke.html
  8. ^ http://www.last.fm/music/George/You+Can+Take+What%27s+Mine
  9. ^ "ARIA Report Week Commencing 22 January 2001" (PDF). pandora.nla.gov.au. Archived from the original (PDF) on 21 February 2002. Retrieved 25 April 2016. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
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