Bio from somethingold-somethingnew.blogspot.com --
The Stems were considered by many to be the most seminal rock band of the 1980`s to emerge from Australia. They were formed in Perth in 1983 by Dom Mariani and Richard Lane (Julian Matthews and Gary Chambers rounded out the band on bass and drums respectfully up thru and including the "Love Will Grow' eepee. Dave Shaw filled in the throne-slot from "at first sight ... violets are blue" 1st elpee worth o'toons proper onward and to this day!), with a musical (and sartorial) style initially influenced by sixties garage punk and later by power pop.
Playing such local legendary (and now long-gone) venues as The Wizbah, The Old Melbourne and The Shenton Park Hotel on a regular basis, the group built up a substantial following in Perth.
In mid 1985 a trip to Sydney to meet up with their new label Citadel and to promote their first single Make You Mine b/w Shes A Monster was perfectly timed with the Sydney inner city scene rediscovering 60's music and fashion.
The Stems completed several Australian tours and were perhaps one of the first bands to gain national success while remaining in Perth, and despite never having toured internationally (until their reunion) they are held in high esteem in Europe and the US amongst fans of classic 1960's inspired rock 'n' roll.
The Stems released a total of 5 singles, an E.P. and a full length album, and set an impressive record with each release reaching No 1 on the Australian alternative charts. It was their debut album though, "At First Sight Violets Are Blue" released in 1987 that received national and international critical acclaim and would be one of the best selling Australian albums of that year, despite the lack of commercial airplay in the corporate FM dominated 1980's. The album has been named in the top 100 Australian albums of all time by Rolling Stone magazine. The Stems also appeared on one of the last episodes of Countdown.
Unfortunately their success was short lived when at the height of their powers and on the eve of a 6 week European tour they mysteriously disbanded.
The Stems epitomised 80's indie rock and are one of only a handful of bands, including the Hoodoo Gurus (half of the original line-up of the Hoodoo Guru's also came from Perth) and The Sunnyboys that cracked the mainsteam Australian charts with an indie approach in the 1980's.
The Stems reunited for a tour in early 2003 and played a number of very well received gigs and they are still gigging today, including playing festivals such as Little Steven's Underground Garage Festival.
The Stems have a new album due in 2007.
Dom Mariani has also performed solo as well as in such acclaimed bands as The Someloves, DM3, the all over the place instro Dom Mariani & the Majestic Kelp, the all surf instro The Stonefish, the all-star The Stoneage Hearts and the most recent The Rippled Souls, amongst others.
SHINDIG! VOL 2 ISSUE 5 hits the shops in the UK this week. Please give some time for the USA and other locations. Hopefully subscribers will already have the magazine, or at least have it soon. It's a gem
THE WEST COAST POP ART EXPERIMENTAL BAND "Part One" -- Expert Tim Forster begins his three part warts 'n' all story. Fab opening page art by the one and only Pete Fowler!
SAN FRANCISCO '67 -- the final part of Johnny Black's timeline ends with the "Death Of Hippie" event. To close the chronology in style we also tie in Johnny's interview with MAD RIVER (full transcript to follow on site) and Patrick The Lama's HUMAN BE-IN and ESTOTERIC TRIPS SAN FRAN SPECIAL rare LP pieces.
Also: MARK FRY DENNIS WILSON LOVE JACKIE LEE THE PINK FAIRIES MELLOW CANDLE BEEP SEALS MAGNIFICENT BROTHERHOOD PSYCH JAZZ PSYCHSPLOITATION MOVIES and lots, lots more including columns, rants, raves and reviews.
Please visit the site, read our monthly reviews and subscribe to the magazine. It's cheaper than buying it in the shops and saves the hassle of looking.
Shindig! is available in all good newsagents (WH Smiths & Barnes & Noble), book stores, comic stores and indie record shops!
Wassup Mates??? I hope everything's alright whatever you're up to... ; )
This is an invitation to go on our "Myspace" page and listen to our new song "Hey-Hey Mona!! (Fallen From The St*rz)" mixed by Octopus Turner & Helta SkeltAxis!!!
hey guys really kool catchy stuff its awsome love the organs and guitar settings with them nice drum beats also lovin the 60s sound you guys got anyways i got this song i wrote up on my profile n i was wonderin if u guys could check it out and leave a comment it would mean alot thanks guys matt :P
New links to old stuff about the Chronics: Razorcake interview (the same was later published on MRR, march 2003) some old reviews (smashin transistors, lowcut, OX, ...) Give a look frends, bye, S.
Just dropping in to say howdy! Also wanted to tell you that I have changed the format of my record label to now be 100% free online album releases including the back catalog of albums. Yep! Its FREE for the taking! We have always been about helping the bands and the scene rather than making money. In fact Sexbeat has cost me ... Well i don't even wanna know how much over the 10 years it has been running!
I am looking for more bands who would like to include a song on the next free on-line compilation(s) so if you or someone you know wants to submit something please visit my site and send me an email there.
Right now you can download the first 3 albums (More added weekly) FREE! The Howlin MoonDoggies "Chasin Pussy" (Punk/Rockabilly/Ska-core)
"Skunk & Disorderly" 28 All Australian Punk/Rock/Ska compilation.
"Brutal Pancho" Melbourne Rock band.
If you feel like helping keep us going and doing what we can for the scene please consider a donation via the Paypal link. (Optional) but MUCH appreciated!
Vocals/Guitar-Dom Mariani
Guitar/Vocals/Keys-Richard Lane
Bass/Backing Vocals-Julian Mattews
Drums/Backing Vocls-Dave Shaw
Bio from somethingold-somethingnew.blogspot.com --
The Stems were considered by many to be the most seminal rock band of the 1980`s to emerge from Australia. They were formed in Perth in 1983 by Dom Mariani and Richard Lane (Julian Matthews and Gary Chambers rounded out the band on bass and drums respectfully up thru and including the "Love Will Grow' eepee. Dave Shaw filled in the throne-slot from "at first sight ... violets are blue" 1st elpee worth o'toons proper onward and to this day!), with a musical (and sartorial) style initially influenced by sixties garage punk and later by power pop.
Playing such local legendary (and now long-gone) venues as The Wizbah, The Old Melbourne and The Shenton Park Hotel on a regular basis, the group built up a substantial following in Perth.
In mid 1985 a trip to Sydney to meet up with their new label Citadel and to promote their first single Make You Mine b/w Shes A Monster was perfectly timed with the Sydney inner city scene rediscovering 60's music and fashion.
The Stems completed several Australian tours and were perhaps one of the first bands to gain national success while remaining in Perth, and despite never having toured internationally (until their reunion) they are held in high esteem in Europe and the US amongst fans of classic 1960's inspired rock 'n' roll.
The Stems released a total of 5 singles, an E.P. and a full length album, and set an impressive record with each release reaching No 1 on the Australian alternative charts. It was their debut album though, "At First Sight Violets Are Blue" released in 1987 that received national and international critical acclaim and would be one of the best selling Australian albums of that year, despite the lack of commercial airplay in the corporate FM dominated 1980's. The album has been named in the top 100 Australian albums of all time by Rolling Stone magazine. The Stems also appeared on one of the last episodes of Countdown.
Unfortunately their success was short lived when at the height of their powers and on the eve of a 6 week European tour they mysteriously disbanded.
The Stems epitomised 80's indie rock and are one of only a handful of bands, including the Hoodoo Gurus (half of the original line-up of the Hoodoo Guru's also came from Perth) and The Sunnyboys that cracked the mainsteam Australian charts with an indie approach in the 1980's.
The Stems reunited for a tour in early 2003 and played a number of very well received gigs and they are still gigging today, including playing festivals such as Little Steven's Underground Garage Festival.
The Stems have a new album due in 2007.
Dom Mariani has also performed solo as well as in such acclaimed bands as The Someloves, DM3, the all over the place instro Dom Mariani & the Majestic Kelp, the all surf instro The Stonefish, the all-star The Stoneage Hearts and the most recent The Rippled Souls, amongst others.
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