Dropbears
Encyclopedia
The Dropbears were a popular part of the Australian music scene in the early 1980s. They had a couple of national chart hits and received national airplay. They had a minor charting hit with Shall We Go in 1984.
The band started life as "The Socket Set" in 1980 (Johnny Batchelor, Phil Hall (Sardine v
, Lime Spiders
) and a string of drummers). Under the name The Socket Set, they played shows which included the sell-out opening night of The Saints
return Australian tour in 1980 (the Paralytic Tonight, Dublin Tomorrow tour).
As Dropbears, the band formed in Darlinghurst Sydney 1981 with Johnny Batchelor, Simon Rudlin and Chris Toms (Chris Cross) - Chris coined the name Dropbears - prior to this Johnny and Simon had been jamming with bass player Rod Brunel (from Sydney band "The Singles"), but it wasn't working well. Chris Cross from Sydney punk band The Bedhogs lived downstairs and Johnny asked him to join the, as then, unnamed band.
In 1982, The Dropbears released two singles: Fun Loving, and Lay Him Down. Both went to #1 on the Sydney Indie charts, and Lay Him Down reached the Sydney top 20. The following year, the band signed to WEA records and went on to release a series of successful singles, but no album was ever released. This was a cause of frustration to the band, and ultimately led to its break-up.
Members:
Johnny Batchelor, Guitar, Vocals - 1980-86, 1987
Chris Cross (Chris Toms), Bass - 1981-82
Phil Hall, Bass, Vocals - 1980, 1982-86, 1987
Simon Rudlin, Drums - 1981-82
James Elliot, Drums - 1982
Mike (Snapper) Knapp
, Drums, Backing Vocals - 1982-86, 1987
Bob Cooper, Saxophones, Lyricon - 1983
Robert (Bert) Hearn, Guitar, Guitar Synth - 1983-84 (?)
Johnny Batchelor - Vocals, Guitars
Phil Hall - Bass, Keyboards, Backing Vocals
Mike Knapp - Drums, Backing Vocals
Additional musicians:
Mike Caen (Dragon
, Mental as Anything
) - Guitars
Jenny Morris - Backing vocals
Bob Cooper - Saxophones, Lyricon, Keyboards
Mark Kennedy (Ayers Rock
, Renee Geyer
, Men at Work
) - Percussion
?? - Keyboards
Fun Loving (1982)
Johnny Batchelor - Vocals, Guitars
Chris Toms (aka Chris Cross) - Bass
Simon Rudlin - Drums
Lay him down (1982)
Johnny Batchelor - Vocals, Guitars
Phil Hall - 8 String Bass, Backing Vocals
Simon Rudlin - Drums
Proud (1983)
Johnny Batchelor - Vocals, Guitars
Phil Hall - Bass, Backing Vocals
Mike Knapp - Drums, Backing Vocals
Additional musicians:
Mike Caen - Guitars
Jenny Morris - Backing vocals
Bob Cooper - Saxophones
Mark Kennedy (Ayers Rock, Renee Geyer Band, Men at Work
) - Congas, Triangle
Shall we go (1984)
Johnny Batchelor - Vocals, Guitars
Phil Hall - Bass, Keyboards, Backing Vocals
Mike Knapp - Drums, Backing Vocals
Additional musicians:
Mike Caen - Guitars
Jenny Morris - Backing vocals
Sharon O'Neill - Backing Vocals
Doane Perry
(Dragon
, Jethro Tull
, Lou Reed
) - Linn Drum Programming
Ricky Fataar
(Beach Boys, Rutles) - Bongoes
Alan Mansfield
(Dragon
, Robert Palmer, Bette Midler
) - Piano
In your eyes(1985)
Johnny Batchelor - Vocals, Guitars
Phil Hall - Bass, Keyboards, Backing Vocals
Mike Knapp - Drums, Backing Vocals
Additional musicians:
Mike Caen - Guitars
Jenny Morris - Backing vocals
Sharon O'Neill - Backing Vocals
Doane Perry
(Dragon
, Jethro Tull
, Lou Reed
) - Linn Drum Programming
Marc Hunter
(Dragon
) - Backing Vocals
Alan Mansfield
(Dragon
, Robert Palmer) - Piano
The band started life as "The Socket Set" in 1980 (Johnny Batchelor, Phil Hall (Sardine v
Sardine v
Sardine v was an Australian post-punk band, formed by Ian Rilen , and Stephanie Rilen ....
, Lime Spiders
Lime Spiders
Lime Spiders are an Australian punk rock band, currently consisting of Mick Blood, Tom Corben, Gerard Corben, David Sparks and Tony Bambach.-Early Days :...
) and a string of drummers). Under the name The Socket Set, they played shows which included the sell-out opening night of The Saints
The Saints (band)
The Saints are an Australian rock band, which formed in Brisbane in 1974 as punk rockers. Founders were Chris Bailey , Ivor Hay , and Ed Kuepper . Alongside mainstay Bailey, the group has had numerous line-ups...
return Australian tour in 1980 (the Paralytic Tonight, Dublin Tomorrow tour).
As Dropbears, the band formed in Darlinghurst Sydney 1981 with Johnny Batchelor, Simon Rudlin and Chris Toms (Chris Cross) - Chris coined the name Dropbears - prior to this Johnny and Simon had been jamming with bass player Rod Brunel (from Sydney band "The Singles"), but it wasn't working well. Chris Cross from Sydney punk band The Bedhogs lived downstairs and Johnny asked him to join the, as then, unnamed band.
In 1982, The Dropbears released two singles: Fun Loving, and Lay Him Down. Both went to #1 on the Sydney Indie charts, and Lay Him Down reached the Sydney top 20. The following year, the band signed to WEA records and went on to release a series of successful singles, but no album was ever released. This was a cause of frustration to the band, and ultimately led to its break-up.
Members:
Johnny Batchelor, Guitar, Vocals - 1980-86, 1987
Chris Cross (Chris Toms), Bass - 1981-82
Phil Hall, Bass, Vocals - 1980, 1982-86, 1987
Simon Rudlin, Drums - 1981-82
James Elliot, Drums - 1982
Mike (Snapper) Knapp
Mike Knapp
Mike Knapp, better known as Snap or Snapper, is a musician from Hamilton, New Zealand.Snap started playing guitar, drums, and singing at an early age, around 1970, with his family in a group called 'The Doves' featuring multiple harmony vocals. in 1974 Snap created a rock band called 'Butterburr'...
, Drums, Backing Vocals - 1982-86, 1987
Bob Cooper, Saxophones, Lyricon - 1983
Robert (Bert) Hearn, Guitar, Guitar Synth - 1983-84 (?)
Discography
Untitled (1983)Johnny Batchelor - Vocals, Guitars
Phil Hall - Bass, Keyboards, Backing Vocals
Mike Knapp - Drums, Backing Vocals
Additional musicians:
Mike Caen (Dragon
Dragon (band)
Dragon is a popular New Zealand rock band, they were formed in Auckland, New Zealand in January 1972 and relocated to Sydney, Australia in May 1975. They were previously led by singer Marc Hunter and are currently led by his brother bass player Todd Hunter...
, Mental as Anything
Mental As Anything
Mental As Anything are an Australian New Wave–rock music band formed at an art school in Sydney in 1976. Their most popular line-up was Martin Plaza on vocals and guitar; Reg Mombassa on lead guitar and vocals; his brother Peter "Yoga Dog" O'Doherty on bass guitar and vocals; Wayne "Bird"...
) - Guitars
Jenny Morris - Backing vocals
Bob Cooper - Saxophones, Lyricon, Keyboards
Mark Kennedy (Ayers Rock
Ayers Rock (band)
Ayers Rock was a jazz fusion/progressive rock band from Melbourne, Australia. The group formed in 1973, and included many well-travelled rock performers; drummer Mark Kennedy had previously played in Spectrum, and played on sessions for King Harvest and Friends...
, Renee Geyer
Renée Geyer
Renée Rebecca Geyer is an Australian singer who has long been regarded as one of the finest exponents of jazz, soul and R&B idioms. She had commercial success as a solo artist in Australia, with "It's a Man's Man's World", "Heading in the Right Direction" and "Stares and Whispers" in the 1970s and...
, Men at Work
Men at Work
Men at Work are an Australian rock band who achieved international success in the 1980s. They are the only Australian artists to have a simultaneous #1 album and #1 single in the United States . They achieved the same distinction of a simultaneous #1 album and #1 single in the United Kingdom...
) - Percussion
?? - Keyboards
Fun Loving (1982)
Johnny Batchelor - Vocals, Guitars
Chris Toms (aka Chris Cross) - Bass
Simon Rudlin - Drums
Lay him down (1982)
Johnny Batchelor - Vocals, Guitars
Phil Hall - 8 String Bass, Backing Vocals
Simon Rudlin - Drums
Proud (1983)
Johnny Batchelor - Vocals, Guitars
Phil Hall - Bass, Backing Vocals
Mike Knapp - Drums, Backing Vocals
Additional musicians:
Mike Caen - Guitars
Jenny Morris - Backing vocals
Bob Cooper - Saxophones
Mark Kennedy (Ayers Rock, Renee Geyer Band, Men at Work
Men at Work
Men at Work are an Australian rock band who achieved international success in the 1980s. They are the only Australian artists to have a simultaneous #1 album and #1 single in the United States . They achieved the same distinction of a simultaneous #1 album and #1 single in the United Kingdom...
) - Congas, Triangle
Shall we go (1984)
Johnny Batchelor - Vocals, Guitars
Phil Hall - Bass, Keyboards, Backing Vocals
Mike Knapp - Drums, Backing Vocals
Additional musicians:
Mike Caen - Guitars
Jenny Morris - Backing vocals
Sharon O'Neill - Backing Vocals
Doane Perry
Doane Perry
Doane Ethredge Perry is an American musician, composer and author. He has been working since 1984 as drummer and percussionist with Grammy award winning band Jethro Tull.-Early life:...
(Dragon
Dragon
A dragon is a legendary creature, typically with serpentine or reptilian traits, that feature in the myths of many cultures. There are two distinct cultural traditions of dragons: the European dragon, derived from European folk traditions and ultimately related to Greek and Middle Eastern...
, Jethro Tull
Jethro Tull (band)
Jethro Tull are a British rock group formed in 1967. Their music is characterised by the vocals, acoustic guitar, and flute playing of Ian Anderson, who has led the band since its founding, and the guitar work of Martin Barre, who has been with the band since 1969.Initially playing blues rock with...
, Lou Reed
Lou Reed
Lewis Allan "Lou" Reed is an American rock musician, songwriter, and photographer. He is best known as guitarist, vocalist, and principal songwriter of The Velvet Underground, and for his successful solo career, which has spanned several decades...
) - Linn Drum Programming
Ricky Fataar
Ricky Fataar
Ricky Fataar is a South African multi-instrumentalist of Malay descent, who has performed as both a drummer, and a guitarist. He gained fame as an actor in the comedic television movie, The Rutles: All You Need Is Cash, a spoof on the actual history of The Beatles, and for his performance as a...
(Beach Boys, Rutles) - Bongoes
Alan Mansfield
Alan Mansfield
Sir Alan James Mansfield KCMG, KCVO was Governor of Queensland, Australia between 1966 and 1972.-Family:Sir Alan Mansfield was born in Brisbane and educated in Sydney. The Mansfield family had land in Gumdale. Mansfield lived in the Mount Gravatt area for many years...
(Dragon
Dragon
A dragon is a legendary creature, typically with serpentine or reptilian traits, that feature in the myths of many cultures. There are two distinct cultural traditions of dragons: the European dragon, derived from European folk traditions and ultimately related to Greek and Middle Eastern...
, Robert Palmer, Bette Midler
Bette Midler
Bette Midler is an American singer, actress, and comedian, also known by her informal stage name, The Divine Miss M. She became famous as a cabaret and concert headliner, and went on to star in successful and acclaimed films such as The Rose, Ruthless People, Beaches, and For The Boys...
) - Piano
In your eyes(1985)
Johnny Batchelor - Vocals, Guitars
Phil Hall - Bass, Keyboards, Backing Vocals
Mike Knapp - Drums, Backing Vocals
Additional musicians:
Mike Caen - Guitars
Jenny Morris - Backing vocals
Sharon O'Neill - Backing Vocals
Doane Perry
Doane Perry
Doane Ethredge Perry is an American musician, composer and author. He has been working since 1984 as drummer and percussionist with Grammy award winning band Jethro Tull.-Early life:...
(Dragon
Dragon
A dragon is a legendary creature, typically with serpentine or reptilian traits, that feature in the myths of many cultures. There are two distinct cultural traditions of dragons: the European dragon, derived from European folk traditions and ultimately related to Greek and Middle Eastern...
, Jethro Tull
Jethro Tull (band)
Jethro Tull are a British rock group formed in 1967. Their music is characterised by the vocals, acoustic guitar, and flute playing of Ian Anderson, who has led the band since its founding, and the guitar work of Martin Barre, who has been with the band since 1969.Initially playing blues rock with...
, Lou Reed
Lou Reed
Lewis Allan "Lou" Reed is an American rock musician, songwriter, and photographer. He is best known as guitarist, vocalist, and principal songwriter of The Velvet Underground, and for his successful solo career, which has spanned several decades...
) - Linn Drum Programming
Marc Hunter
Marc Hunter
Marc Alexander Hunter was a New Zealand rock and pop singer best known as the lead vocalist with Dragon, a band formed by his older brother Todd in Auckland in 1973....
(Dragon
Dragon
A dragon is a legendary creature, typically with serpentine or reptilian traits, that feature in the myths of many cultures. There are two distinct cultural traditions of dragons: the European dragon, derived from European folk traditions and ultimately related to Greek and Middle Eastern...
) - Backing Vocals
Alan Mansfield
Alan Mansfield
Sir Alan James Mansfield KCMG, KCVO was Governor of Queensland, Australia between 1966 and 1972.-Family:Sir Alan Mansfield was born in Brisbane and educated in Sydney. The Mansfield family had land in Gumdale. Mansfield lived in the Mount Gravatt area for many years...
(Dragon
Dragon
A dragon is a legendary creature, typically with serpentine or reptilian traits, that feature in the myths of many cultures. There are two distinct cultural traditions of dragons: the European dragon, derived from European folk traditions and ultimately related to Greek and Middle Eastern...
, Robert Palmer) - Piano
External links
- Essay on, and MP3 of, "Fun Loving" includes interview with Johnny Batchelor at Webcuts (Mar 2008)
- http://www.webcutsmusic.com/features/secret-history-aus-music/2008/dropbears-fun-loving/