Chris Morrow- Guitar/Vocals Annalisse Morrow-Bass/Vocals. Gary Roberts-Bass. Craig Bloxom-Bass. Russell Handley-Keyboards. Colin "Polly Newham-Keyboards. Marcus Phelan-Guitar. Epic Drummers-Marty Newcomb, Simon Vidale, John Bliss and Buzz Bidstrup.
After proving themselves playing the Sydney live circuit through 1978/79, Sydney band The Numbers made their three piece presence felt during 1980 with the release of their first single - The Modern Song - on the newly formed Deluxe Records through RCA (Label mates at the time included INXS and The Dugites). The Numbers original line-up consisted of brother-sister team Chris and Annalisse Morrow, playing guitar and bass respectively, and drummer Simon Vidale. The band toured Australia with XTC in mid-79 and, by the start of 1980, began emerging as a recording band. "Working rock and roll is a matter of jumping from stage to stage", said Chris at the time, who wrote most of The Numbers' material. "Eventually you hope to get to a stage where you go through the transition from being a pub band to a recording band. It's a matter of hard work and plugging away. We spent about six months just knocking on
doors. Now we're with a small recording label, but that gives us a lot more
creative flexibility, I think."
During 1980 The Numbers performed their two singles, The Modern Song and Five Letter Word, on the ABC's TV show Countdown. Soon followed the release of their self-titled, debut album. Though the albums musical content received critical praise, its running time came under scrutiny. But like most young Australian bands who made inroads on the recording scene, they were looking towards overseas markets to build. Unlike many, though, they did not want to be known as the top-drawing band in Australia before they left the country. "We'd like to go to Europe to maybe play some gigs, have a look around and see what the attitude is there' Chris said in 1980. "I think it will take us a while just to find out which end is up, but we want to try to develop overseas at the same time as we are developing here."
"We don't want to get to the end of the diving board in Australia and then just jump. I think everyone realises that America is the biggest place in terms of making money, but we've set our sights on Europe because we think we'd be more comfortable there (the album, and two singles Five Letter Word and I Don't Know, did receive a UK release). We think we are the type of band that would fit into the British scene more easily. After all, that's where we drew most of our inspiration from in the first place. We were all listening to bands like the Stones, the Who, the Small Faces and the Kinks when our musical behavioral patterns were starting to form."
During the early 80s' The band continued to tour vigorously through Australia and began toying with their line-up in an effort to broaden their sound. Subsequent record releases included the single Jericho in 1981 (as a four piece line up). And in 1982 a follow-up album 39:51 (which included the singles Big Beat and Dreams From Yesterday).
After a promising start, and a multitude of energetic live performances over the years, the band went back to basics in 1983 and reformed as a their original three-piece line-up. They played their last show at the Tivoli, in Sydney, that year.
Following the bands demise, Annalisse continued her career as a fashion designer and ventured into acting playing Laurel Lee in Shout: The Johnny O'Keefe Story, as well as appearing in the video for Icehouses' Baby You're So Strange. She eventually became one half of the duo Shatsi and delighted Sydney club patrons with her heartfelt renditions of classic torch songs and standards. Chris, continued to write and released a solo single Just What I Needed, through WEA. But it wasn't long before the siblings started collaborating again and formed The Maybe Dolls. With the duo helming the project they made a splash on the scene with their debut single Nervous Kid, and went on to produced a string of popular songs, including Propaganda and I Swear, featured on the TV series E Street. While their debut album Propaganda received a promising response, chart success eluded the band and though a great second album was recorded, it was sadly never released.
With the 2007 compilation release of Numerology, the power-pop trio (and their numerous incarnations) live on thanks to Aztec Music. If you missed this band the first time around you really missed one of the best Aussie bands that was. But it's never too late - check them out now - you won't be disappointed.
Read the review of the re-issued CD from The Sydney Morning Herald.
Thank you for the add guy's. I've been searching the record stores for a copy of 33 1/3, if you have them for sale, could you let me know pls. Also going to have a look for the Maybe Dolls myspace site. The Reels have done a tour, The Models too, is there one in the wings for the Numbers? Fingers crossed...... Paz
Thanks for the add! I saw you guys many times around Sydney in '79 and '80 and I can see the black electrical tape on Ann's playing fingers as if it was just yesterday :-) After seeing you cover Next To You by the Police at Selina's one night, I could never listen to the original version again! There will always be a place in my heart for The Numbers.
Loved this band to death when I was a wee 15 years old. I grew up in Country Victoria and I can remember attending a 3XY Under 18's Concert at Festival Hall in Melbourne with two friends in maybe 1980?? Numbers were on first, then it was James Freud and Berlin and headlining was Icehouse. My Dad drove us down in our blue combi and we drew numbers all over our faces and arms wailing 'Modern Song' much to the annoyance of my father. Such great memories!!!
Totally loved these guys tunes when I saw them back on Countdown many moons ago! I was pretty young but old enough to realise these were great tunes from being brought up in household filled with music. Also, had a bit of thing for Annalise if I recall. Possibly one of my first 'things'! Decided girls with bass guitars floated my boat!
Anyway, didn't have a copy of the songs until Numerology was released. Had to do with my memories and what I could figure out my guitar. Now 20 something years (and counting) of torture is over!
Just picked up a copy of 'Numerology'. Wow!! It is so good to hear these songs again. This will not be leaving my CD player for a long time. I still have an autograph Annalisse gave me all those years ago. Thanks for everything. Rob
Thank you sooooo much for accepting my friend request. The Numbers were such a big part of my musical life when I was a young musician myself. You have a fantastic page, just brilliant! I also give you a huge thank you for letting me know about the re-issue CD - I am so excited!! Drop me a comment/message anytime. All the best, Rob
Thx 4 the add
