Tuesday, November 24, 2020

The Birthday Party

    Been quite a while since I've posted anything. I haven't died just been really busy.  This information comes from Stuart Coupe and Glenn A. Baker published in the New Rock'n'Roll . A band long gone but not forgotten. The nucleus of the group that became the Birthday Party came together in 1973 when they were at Caulfield Grammar School in Melbourne. They began to play seriously in 1977 as the Boys Next Door. They were heavily influences by the punk revolution , taking the themes of alienation, anger and musical rebellion and amplifying them into what amounted to a new music form. 

    The line up at this stage was Mick Harvey (guitar) Nick Cave (vocals) Tracy Pew (bass) and Phil Calvert (drums). They soon aroused the interest of major labels were signed to Melbourne based Mushroom records were they recorded their debut album Door Door. released in 1979. 

    By late 1978 Rolland Howard (guitar) had joined the band completing the line up. Mushroom Records soon took a dislike to the "uncommercial " trend that the bands music began to take and in 1979 the bank started to work with Indy label Missing Link. In August of that year they released a 5 track 12 inch entitled Hee Haw, changing their name to the Birthday Party. In early 1980 they released their self titled debut album and in March the traveled to England. They struggled in London for  recognition and their first UK single Mr. Clarinet was released independently. Only Ivo at 4.A.D and John Peel gave them any encouragement. In September 1980 they recorded their first Peel Session and released The Friend Catcher as a single on 4.A.D. Records This won them some critical acclaim and they returned to Australia for a tour. While back home they recorded their second album Prayers on Fire In March 1981 the returned to England and released the album on 4.A.D. Records which was very well received going right to the top of the independent charts.  

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