Little Heroes
Encyclopedia
Little Heroes were a popular Australian rock band in the 1980s. They are best known for their hit single "One Perfect Day", which was released in 1982.
, drummer Bruce Pumpa, guitarist Andrew Callender, and saxophonist Peter Linley. Secret Police did not issue any records, although posthumously the band contributed the tracks "Emotion" and "Everybody Looks Lonely at Night" to Missing Links' 1981 compilation album The Melbourne Club. In 1980 Hart, Taylor and Pumpa joined keyboardist David Crosbie to start a new band called The Little Heroes.
The new line-up competed in the Victorian State heat of the 1980 Battle of the Sounds, finishing a creditable second. The result was enough to advance The Little Heroes to the national final in Sydney, which they won, earning $5000. This resulted in the band recording and releasing their debut single "She Says"/"Coming Home" in November 1980. On the strength of this independent release they were signed to the Giant Records/CBS
label to record their debut album.
Prior to recording the album the band recruited a new drummer, Huk Treloar (ex-Bleeding Hearts) to replace Pumpa. The band's self titled debut album was released in August, 1981 and reached #81 on the Australian album charts. It produced the singles "For a Bleeding Heart"/"She Says" (March, 1981), "Last Number One"/"Catch Me" (June, 1981), and "India Was Calling Me"/"Pretty Shadow" (September, 1981) all of which failed to chart. At the end of 1981 Alan 'Clutch' Robertson then replaced Treloar on drums.
In early 1982 the band undertook the recording of their second album, Play by Numbers, (now with EMI Records
) at Armstrong Studios in Melbourne, and then at the EMI studios in Sydney. The advance single, "One Perfect Day", was released in May, 1982 and reached #12 nationally and #6 in Victoria
. Those recording sessions also produced a second single "Young Hearts", which reached #42 on the national singles charts. The lineup of Hart, Crosbie, Taylor and Robertson then toured Australia to promote the successful "One Perfect Day".
Martin Fisher (ex-Breakers) then replaced Crosbie on keyboards, and Peter Leslie replaced Taylor on bass. The new lineup (Hart, Robertson, Leslie, Fisher) completed recording the second album, Play by Numbers at 301 Studios in Sydney with Australian producer Dave Marrett. The album was released in August, 1982 and peaked at #37 on the national album charts. It also yielded a third single, "Saturday (Afternoon) Inside" released In October 1982, which failed to chart. The album was supported by a six month national tour.
Fisher and Leslie left to join Dear Enemy
and were replaced by Paul Brickhill (ex-MEO-245) on keyboards and bass player, Rick Loriot (ex-Inserts) at the end of 1982. Loriot only lasted four months and was in turn replaced by Anthony Tavasz (ex-Modesty).
The band added guitarist Paul Bell, which allowed Hart more freedom as lead vocalist and they then (Hart, Robertson, Bell, Brickhill, Tavasz) traveled to the United Kingdom
in June 1983 to record their third album, Watch the World at Farmyard Studios with UK producer Rupert Hine
(The Fixx
, Howard Jones
). The album was released in September 1983 and reached #50 nationally. The first single, "Watch the World", released in August, 1983 reached #73, with the second single, "Bon Voyage", released in November, 1983 reaching #51, whilst the third single "Modern Times", released in March, 1984 failing to chart. To support the release of "Watch The World" the band toured Australia over a six month period.
In June, 1984 Roger Hart/Wells announced he was leaving the band and as a result the Little Heroes was formally disbanded.
Biography
Little Heroes were formed from the remnants of The Secret Police. The Secret Police were a popular Melbourne rock band, comprising vocalist/guitarist/songwriter Roger Hart(aka Roger Wells), bassist Neil Walker [Died 1979 from Leukemia] was replaced by John TaylorJohn C. J. Taylor
John C. J. Taylor is a musician, illustrator, animator and filmmaker from Australia. He was a founding member of Melbourne band Little Heroes in the early 1980s who achieved success in Australia with their single, "One Perfect Day".-Biography:...
, drummer Bruce Pumpa, guitarist Andrew Callender, and saxophonist Peter Linley. Secret Police did not issue any records, although posthumously the band contributed the tracks "Emotion" and "Everybody Looks Lonely at Night" to Missing Links' 1981 compilation album The Melbourne Club. In 1980 Hart, Taylor and Pumpa joined keyboardist David Crosbie to start a new band called The Little Heroes.
The new line-up competed in the Victorian State heat of the 1980 Battle of the Sounds, finishing a creditable second. The result was enough to advance The Little Heroes to the national final in Sydney, which they won, earning $5000. This resulted in the band recording and releasing their debut single "She Says"/"Coming Home" in November 1980. On the strength of this independent release they were signed to the Giant Records/CBS
CBS Records
CBS Records is a record label founded by CBS Corporation in 2006 to take advantage of music from its entertainment properties owned by CBS Television Studios. The initial label roster consisted of only three artists; rock band Señor Happy and singer/songwriters Will Dailey and P.J...
label to record their debut album.
Prior to recording the album the band recruited a new drummer, Huk Treloar (ex-Bleeding Hearts) to replace Pumpa. The band's self titled debut album was released in August, 1981 and reached #81 on the Australian album charts. It produced the singles "For a Bleeding Heart"/"She Says" (March, 1981), "Last Number One"/"Catch Me" (June, 1981), and "India Was Calling Me"/"Pretty Shadow" (September, 1981) all of which failed to chart. At the end of 1981 Alan 'Clutch' Robertson then replaced Treloar on drums.
In early 1982 the band undertook the recording of their second album, Play by Numbers, (now with EMI Records
EMI Records
EMI Records is the flagship record label founded by the EMI company in 1972 and launched in January 1973 as the successor to its Columbia label. The EMI label was launched worldwide...
) at Armstrong Studios in Melbourne, and then at the EMI studios in Sydney. The advance single, "One Perfect Day", was released in May, 1982 and reached #12 nationally and #6 in Victoria
Victoria (Australia)
Victoria is the second most populous state in Australia. Geographically the smallest mainland state, Victoria is bordered by New South Wales, South Australia, and Tasmania on Boundary Islet to the north, west and south respectively....
. Those recording sessions also produced a second single "Young Hearts", which reached #42 on the national singles charts. The lineup of Hart, Crosbie, Taylor and Robertson then toured Australia to promote the successful "One Perfect Day".
Martin Fisher (ex-Breakers) then replaced Crosbie on keyboards, and Peter Leslie replaced Taylor on bass. The new lineup (Hart, Robertson, Leslie, Fisher) completed recording the second album, Play by Numbers at 301 Studios in Sydney with Australian producer Dave Marrett. The album was released in August, 1982 and peaked at #37 on the national album charts. It also yielded a third single, "Saturday (Afternoon) Inside" released In October 1982, which failed to chart. The album was supported by a six month national tour.
Fisher and Leslie left to join Dear Enemy
Dear Enemy (band)
Dear Enemy were an Australian indie pop band formed in Melbourne in 1982 which had a Top 5 single, "Computer One", on the Australian Kent Music Report Singles Chart from December 1983...
and were replaced by Paul Brickhill (ex-MEO-245) on keyboards and bass player, Rick Loriot (ex-Inserts) at the end of 1982. Loriot only lasted four months and was in turn replaced by Anthony Tavasz (ex-Modesty).
The band added guitarist Paul Bell, which allowed Hart more freedom as lead vocalist and they then (Hart, Robertson, Bell, Brickhill, Tavasz) traveled to the United Kingdom
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
in June 1983 to record their third album, Watch the World at Farmyard Studios with UK producer Rupert Hine
Rupert Hine
Rupert Neville Hine is an English musician, songwriter and prolific record producer, having produced albums for artists including Kevin Ayers, Tina Turner, Howard Jones, Saga, The Fixx, Bob Geldof, Thompson Twins, Stevie Nicks, Chris de Burgh, Suzanne Vega, Rush, Underworld, Duncan Sheik, and ...
(The Fixx
The Fixx
The Fixx is an English rock band formed in London in 1979. Their hits include "One Thing Leads to Another," "Red Skies," "Stand or Fall," "Saved by Zero," "Sign of Fire," "Are We Ourselves?," "Secret Separation," "Driven Out," "How Much Is Enough?," and "Deeper and Deeper," which was featured on...
, Howard Jones
Howard Jones (musician)
Howard Jones is a musician, singer and songwriter. According to the Guinness Book of British Hit Singles & Albums, "Jones is an accomplished singer-songwriter who was a regular chart visitor in the mid 1980s with his brand of synthpop. Jones, who was equally popular in the U.S., appeared at Live...
). The album was released in September 1983 and reached #50 nationally. The first single, "Watch the World", released in August, 1983 reached #73, with the second single, "Bon Voyage", released in November, 1983 reaching #51, whilst the third single "Modern Times", released in March, 1984 failing to chart. To support the release of "Watch The World" the band toured Australia over a six month period.
In June, 1984 Roger Hart/Wells announced he was leaving the band and as a result the Little Heroes was formally disbanded.
Post Heroes
- Roger Hart/Roger Wells went on to become an author and meditation trainer. His books on meditation are: Happy to Burn (Lothian 1997) and Love & Imagination. More recently his first novel, Levin's God was published by Fremantle Arts Centre PressFremantle Arts Centre PressFremantle Press is an independent publisher in Western Australia. Fremantle Press was established by the Fremantle Arts Centre in 1976...
(2004). - John Taylor became a filmmaker and graphics designer, winning an AFI award in 1986.
- Paul Brickhill went on to head the Music Department at the Australian Ballet SchoolAustralian Ballet SchoolThe Australian Ballet School was founded in 1964 as the primary training facility for The Australian Ballet by Dame Margaret Scott. It is part of the Australian Ballet Centre, which is located in the Melbourne Arts Precinct, Southbank in Melbourne, Victoria...
. - David Crosbie was the Chief Executive of Melbourne's Odyssey HouseOdyssey HouseOdyssey House Texas, Inc., located in Houston, Texas is a private not-for-profit organization established in 1989 to provide treatment and education to youth and families whose lives have been devastated by drugs, alcohol, and abuse...
, the largest drug and alcohol treatment centre in Victoria and is on the National Expert Advisory Committee on Drugs. He is now the Chief Executive of the Mental Health Council of Australia. - Alan 'Clutch' Robertson worked for Warner Music for sixteen years in Australia, Malaysia and SingaporeSingaporeSingapore , officially the Republic of Singapore, is a Southeast Asian city-state off the southern tip of the Malay Peninsula, north of the equator. An island country made up of 63 islands, it is separated from Malaysia by the Straits of Johor to its north and from Indonesia's Riau Islands by the...
, after which he established Alan Robertson Management, representing bands such as Magic DirtMagic DirtMagic Dirt are an Australian rock band, which formed in 1991 in Geelong, Victoria, with Daniel Herring on guitar, Adam Robertson on drums, Adalita Srsen on vocals and guitar, and Dean Turner on bass guitar. Initially known as Deer Bubbles and then The Jim Jims, they were renamed as Magic Dirt in...
, TaxirideTaxirideTaxiride is an Australian rock band. Formed in 1997, the band consists of lead singer Jason Singh, guitarists Dan Hall and Tim Wild, and drummer Sean McLeod....
and Juke KartelJuke KartelJuke Kartel is a rock band from Melbourne, Australia. The band formed in Melbourne, Australia in the early 2000s, and since October 2007 their line-up has consisted of vocalist Toby Rand, guitarist and piano Todd Burman, guitarist and back up vocalist Dale Winters, drummer Jason Pinfold with...
. Robertson currently works in the mobile content/entertainment industry and plays drums for The Rock Legends. - Martin Fisher became a Crown Prosecutor in the Northern Territory and played keyboards in popular Darwin band The Fabulous Baker Brothers.
- Peter McCaughley (Drummer) was an original member of 'The Secret Police' in the year of 1979/1980. Prior to them he was with a local Melbourne band 'Ready Rubbed' and after leaving 'The Secret Police' he joined up with another local group 'Danger Dancer' died in 1986 of a brain haemorrhage at the age of 32.
Members
- Paul Bell - guitar, vocals (1983–1984)
- Paul Brickhill - keyboards, vocals (1983–1984)
- David Crosbie - keyboards (1980–1982)
- Martin Fisher - keyboards (1982)
- Roger Hart (aka Roger Wells) - vocals, songs, guitar (1980–1984)
- Peter Leslie - bass (1982)
- Ric Loriot - bass (1983-1983)
- Bruce Pumpa - drums (1980)
- Alan 'Clutch' Robertson - drums, percussion (1981–1984)
- Anthony Tavasz - bass, synthesiser (1983–1984)
- John C. J. TaylorJohn C. J. TaylorJohn C. J. Taylor is a musician, illustrator, animator and filmmaker from Australia. He was a founding member of Melbourne band Little Heroes in the early 1980s who achieved success in Australia with their single, "One Perfect Day".-Biography:...
- bass, vocals (1980–1982) - Huk Treloar - drums (1980–1981)
Albums
- The Little Heroes - Giant (August, 1981) AUS #81
- Play by Numbers - EMI (August, 1982) AUS #37
- Watch the World - EMI/Capitol (September, 1983) AUS #50
Singles
- "She Says"/"Coming Home" - Independent (November, 1980)
- "For a Bleeding Heart"/"She Says" - Giant (March, 1981)
- "Last Number One"/"Catch Me" - Giant (June, 1981)
- "India Was Calling Me"/"Pretty Shadow" - Giant (September, 1981)
- "One Perfect Day"/"Just Can't Wait" - EMI (May, 1982) AUS #12
- "Young Hearts"/"Please Don't Wear That Hat" - EMI (September, 1982) AUS #42
- "Saturday (Afternoon) Inside"/"To Be Her Cat" - EMI (October, 1982)
- "Watch The World"/"Who's Turn To Cry" - EMI (August, 1983) AUS #73
- "Bon Voyage"/"Let It Go" - EMI (November, 1983) AUS #51
- "Modern Times"/"Painting Pictures" - EMI (March, 1984)
External links
- [ Little Heroes] @ allmusic
- Little Heroes @ musicbrainzMusicBrainzMusicBrainz is a project that aims to create an open content music database. Similar to the freedb project, it was founded in response to the restrictions placed on the CDDB...
- Little Heroes @ discogsDiscogsDiscogs, short for discographies, is a website and database of information about audio recordings, including commercial releases, promotional releases, and bootleg or off-label releases. The Discogs servers, currently hosted under the domain name discogs.com, are owned by Zink Media, Inc., and are...
- Little Heroes @ Australian Rock DatabaseAustralian Rock DatabaseAustralian Rock Database is a website with a searchable online database that lists details of Australian rock music artists, albums, bands, producers and record labels. It was established in 2000 by Swedish national, Magnus Holmgren, who had developed an interest in Australian music when visiting...
- "One Perfect Day" @ YouTubeYouTubeYouTube is a video-sharing website, created by three former PayPal employees in February 2005, on which users can upload, view and share videos....