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Archive for the ‘New Wave’ Category

RIP, Greg Ham (April 19, 2012) Men At Work

Posted by themusicsover on April 19, 2012

Greg Ham
September 27, 1953 – April 19, 2012

Greg Ham was an Australian musician who made an indelible mark on pop music by way of his flute work with popular ’80s new wave band, Men At Work.  It is Ham’s flute riffs that can be prominently heard in the band’s mega hit, “Down Under.”  The album from which it came, 1982′s Business As Usual, topped the charts in both the US and Australia as it sold upwards of 15 million copies worldwide.  Formed in 1978 by Colin Hay, the band brought Ham on shortly thereafter to handle saxophone, flute, and keyboard duties.  He remained with the outfit until 1985 but then rejoined in 1996.  He continued to play with the band until recently.  Away from Men At Work, Ham worked as an actor on the Australian television series, While You’re Down There.  He also taught guitar at a Melbourne primary school.  On April 19, 2012, Greg Ham was found dead in his home.  Cause of death was not immediately released.  He was 58.

Thanks to Anne Bentley for the assist.

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Men At Work

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RIP, Phil Brown (February 2, 2012) The Records

Posted by themusicsover on February 2, 2012

Phil Brown
September 13, 1953 – February 2, 2012

Phil Brown was the bassist for the English power pop band, the Records.  After earlier being considered to play in Free and Mott the Hoople, Brown was hired by the Records.  Formed during the late ’70s, the band went on to build a formidable cult following with some loyalists going as far as calling them the “British Big Star.” Drawing inspiration from the likes of Badfinger and the Raspberries, the Records began putting out records in 1979.  That year’s Shades In Bed included the catchy single, “Starry Eyes,” which went on to become one of power pop’s most enduring songs.  Although signed to Virgin Records, the band failed to catch on beyond cult status in the US, and split up in 1982.  After the Records, Brown collaborated with Kirsty MacColl, Mark Nevin, and Jane Aire.  He formed his own band, the Hurt in 1984, and later played in Hollywood Killers.  In 2001, Phil Brown was diagnosed with an undisclosed degenerative illness which ultimately took his life on February 2, 2012.

Thanks to Belinda Rawlins at Bubbles In The Think Tank for the assist.

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Smashes, Crashes and Near Misses - The Records

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RIP, Laura Kennedy (November 14, 2011) Bassist For Bush Tetras

Posted by themusicsover on November 14, 2011

Laura Kennedy
DOB Unknown – November 14, 2011

Laura Kennedy is perhaps best remembered as the original bassist for influential New York post punk band, Bush Tetras.  Formed in 1979, the no wave band built a legion of loyalists thanks in part to their early ’80s club hits, “Too Many Creep,” and “Can’t Be Funky/Cowboys In Africa.”  The band is often recognized as the first all female post punk band and for their part in developing a scene that also included Television, Sonic Youth, and Lydia Lunch.  As reported on prefix, Laura Kennedy died on November 14, 2011 as a result of Hepatitis C which she had been living with for nearly two decades.

 

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Very Very Happy - Bush Tetras

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Died On This Date (January 4, 2011) Mick Karn / Bassist For Japan

Posted by themusicsover on January 4, 2011

Mick Karn (Born Andonis Michaelides)
July 24, 1958 – January 4, 2011

Mick Karn is perhaps best remembered as the bassist for British art-rock band, Japan during the late ’70s and early ’80s.  The band, which also featured David Sylvian, Richard Barbieri, Steve Jansen and Rob Dean where one of the foundations on which the “New Romantic” movement was built – even though they fought to distance themselves from it.  They fancied themselves more of the David Bowie, New York Dolls and T. Rex ilk.  Albums like Gentlemen Take Polaroids and Tin Drum quickly established them as leaders of the alternative rock heap around the world.  After the band broke up in 1982, Karn released several solo albums while collaborating with the likes of Midge Ure, Peter Murphy, Joan Armatrading, Gary Numan, and Kate Bush.  He continued to record as recently as 2009.  On January 4, 2011, Mick Karn died of a cancer that he had been battling for the previous several months.  He was 52.

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Tin Drum (2003 Remaster) - Japan

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Died On This Date (November 4, 2010) James Freud / Lead Singer of The Models

Posted by themusicsover on November 4, 2010

James Freud (Born Colin McGlinchey)
June 29, 1959 – November 4, 2010

James Freud is best remembered as the lead singer and bassist for ’80s Australian new wave rock band, the Models. Formed in Melbourne (originally without Freud) in 1979, musically the Models had much in common with fellow countrymen, INXS, including  a handsome and charismatic front man in Freud.  Over the next ten years, the group scored a handful of moderate hits, both in Australia and the U.S., but they never quite broke out of cult status.   Freud was just 16 when he formed his first band, and after hearing the Sex Pistols a year later, he realized rock ‘n roll was his true calling.  By the end of the ’70s, James Freud & the Radio Stars were causing a local stir and were quickly signed to Australia’s storied Mushroom Records.  Their first single “Modern Girl” was successful enough to land them on a Gary Numan tour.  Freud then joined the Models in 1982, and went on to write a some of their biggest hits.  Records like “Barbados” and “Out Of Mind, Out Of Sight” helped them become one of Australia’s post-punk bands.  After they broke up in 1988, Freud embarked on a solo career which included Mushroom’s most expensive album to date, Step Into The Heat.  He also wrote two autobiographies, I Am The Voice Left From Drinking and I Am The Voice Left From Rehab, in which he chronicled his career in music and his struggles with substance abuse.   On November 4, 2010, 51-year-old James Freud was found dead from what was reported to be a suicide.  Just several days earlier, he and the Models were inducted into the ARIA Hall of Fame.

Thanks to Anne Bentley for the assist.

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