Pick Up the Pace
Encyclopedia
Pick Up the Pace is the debut EP
by Australian alternative rock
band The Predators. It was released on 1 July 2006 through Dew Process
and Universal Music Australia. The EP was produced after Powderfinger
entered a hiatus, and several of its band members sought work with side projects. Following the release of Pick Up the Pace, The Predators embarked on a minor tour around Australia, including a performance at Splendour in the Grass
, before officially going on hiatus, around the time Powderfinger reformed.
members; Ian Haug
(guitar
), John Collins
(bass
), and Steven Bishop
(drum
s, vocals), and thus Pick Up the Pace was influenced by the band's early work. As the three had attended school together, the music on the EP flowed easily. According to Haug, the trio had been discussing the possibility of reuniting for a long time. Ross McLennan
, the fourth Predators member, only played drums on live appearances, to allow Bishop to focus on singing. The EP was recorded at Haug's Airlock Studios in the band's home town, Brisbane
, with songs first released to radio on 17 May 2006.
In a 2006 interview, John Collins said that the group's formation and the recording of the EP was just "for fun", with no intention of "taking it too seriously". He also noted that the idea of the EP was first proposed when Powderfinger's hiatus began, and he asked Bishop the question "Do you want to write some songs and just have a bit of fun?" Originally, the band had not intended to release any work, stating "It’s not very commercial, in a sense." However, in a later interview with FasterLouder, Bishop noted that the band would "maybe send it off to Europe and The States with some indie labels", as well as hoping to tour around the country.
The EP, and most of the songs on it, were influenced by musical greats such as Pink Floyd
, David Bowie
and the entire indie rock
genre. It was noted that the EP contained "roaring guitar riffs and big choruses". Haug noted in an interview that the original group of songs recorded "lacked vibe", and so the band chose less perfected songs "to ensure that the attitude of the recording was good".
Following the release of Pick Up the Pace, The Predators embarked on a minor tour before performing at Splendour in the Grass
. The tour saw them performing along the east coast of Australia. Four concert
s were performed, in Sydney
, Melbourne
, Brisbane, and at Splendour in the Grass, near Byron Bay.
for "Pick Up the Pace", the lead song on the EP, was recorded in a Brisbane music venue, and released in May 2006. It featured lead singer Steven Bishop "day dreaming of days gone by". The video was distributed by Dew Process
.
Extended play
An EP is a musical recording which contains more music than a single, but is too short to qualify as a full album or LP. The term EP originally referred only to specific types of vinyl records other than 78 rpm standard play records and LP records, but it is now applied to mid-length Compact...
by Australian alternative rock
Alternative rock
Alternative rock is a genre of rock music and a term used to describe a diverse musical movement that emerged from the independent music underground of the 1980s and became widely popular by the 1990s...
band The Predators. It was released on 1 July 2006 through Dew Process
Dew Process
Dew Process is an Australian independent record label based in Brisbane, Queensland founded by Paul Piticco. The label essentially develops talent from Australia as well as provide promotional, marketing and distribution services for foreign artists looking for a home for their music in Australia...
and Universal Music Australia. The EP was produced after Powderfinger
Powderfinger
Powderfinger was an Australian rock band that formed in Brisbane in 1989. From 1992 until their breakup the band lineup consisted of vocalist Bernard Fanning, guitarists Darren Middleton and Ian Haug, bassist John Collins, and drummer Jon Coghill....
entered a hiatus, and several of its band members sought work with side projects. Following the release of Pick Up the Pace, The Predators embarked on a minor tour around Australia, including a performance at Splendour in the Grass
Splendour in the Grass
Splendour in the Grass is an annual Australian music festival held in July at Woodford, Queensland, and previously held at Belongil Fields, outside Byron Bay...
, before officially going on hiatus, around the time Powderfinger reformed.
History
The Predators consist of the three original PowderfingerPowderfinger
Powderfinger was an Australian rock band that formed in Brisbane in 1989. From 1992 until their breakup the band lineup consisted of vocalist Bernard Fanning, guitarists Darren Middleton and Ian Haug, bassist John Collins, and drummer Jon Coghill....
members; Ian Haug
Ian Haug
Ian David Haug is a lead guitarist and backing vocalist in the Australian rock band Powderfinger. Mainstays Haug and bass guitarist John Collins formed the band in Brisbane in 1989. During a hiatus in Powderfinger's career, Haug worked on a side project, The Predators, with Collins and original...
(guitar
Guitar
The guitar is a plucked string instrument, usually played with fingers or a pick. The guitar consists of a body with a rigid neck to which the strings, generally six in number, are attached. Guitars are traditionally constructed of various woods and strung with animal gut or, more recently, with...
), John Collins
John Collins (Australian musician)
John Andrew Collins is the mainstay bass guitarst for Australian rock band Powderfinger since 1989. He is one of the founding members of the band, along with guitarist Ian Haug, forming at their high school, Brisbane Grammar School as a three piece. Powderfinger has released seven studio albums, a...
(bass
Bass guitar
The bass guitar is a stringed instrument played primarily with the fingers or thumb , or by using a pick....
), and Steven Bishop
Steven Bishop
Stephen Bishop is an Australian drummer, formerly of Australian band Powderfinger though he left the band before their rise to prominence because of illness. Later, while working in the UK for two years he played in London based bands...
(drum
Drum
The drum is a member of the percussion group of musical instruments, which is technically classified as the membranophones. Drums consist of at least one membrane, called a drumhead or drum skin, that is stretched over a shell and struck, either directly with the player's hands, or with a...
s, vocals), and thus Pick Up the Pace was influenced by the band's early work. As the three had attended school together, the music on the EP flowed easily. According to Haug, the trio had been discussing the possibility of reuniting for a long time. Ross McLennan
Ross McLennan (drummer)
Ross McLennan is an Australian drummer, best known as a member of Australian rock band The Predators. Prior to performing for The Predators, McLennan also drummed for Far Out Corporation, a rock band led by Grant McLennan...
, the fourth Predators member, only played drums on live appearances, to allow Bishop to focus on singing. The EP was recorded at Haug's Airlock Studios in the band's home town, Brisbane
Brisbane
Brisbane is the capital and most populous city in the Australian state of Queensland and the third most populous city in Australia. Brisbane's metropolitan area has a population of over 2 million, and the South East Queensland urban conurbation, centred around Brisbane, encompasses a population of...
, with songs first released to radio on 17 May 2006.
In a 2006 interview, John Collins said that the group's formation and the recording of the EP was just "for fun", with no intention of "taking it too seriously". He also noted that the idea of the EP was first proposed when Powderfinger's hiatus began, and he asked Bishop the question "Do you want to write some songs and just have a bit of fun?" Originally, the band had not intended to release any work, stating "It’s not very commercial, in a sense." However, in a later interview with FasterLouder, Bishop noted that the band would "maybe send it off to Europe and The States with some indie labels", as well as hoping to tour around the country.
The EP, and most of the songs on it, were influenced by musical greats such as Pink Floyd
Pink Floyd
Pink Floyd were an English rock band that achieved worldwide success with their progressive and psychedelic rock music. Their work is marked by the use of philosophical lyrics, sonic experimentation, innovative album art, and elaborate live shows. Pink Floyd are one of the most commercially...
, David Bowie
David Bowie
David Bowie is an English musician, actor, record producer and arranger. A major figure for over four decades in the world of popular music, Bowie is widely regarded as an innovator, particularly for his work in the 1970s...
and the entire indie rock
Indie rock
Indie rock is a genre of alternative rock that originated in the United Kingdom and the United States in the 1980s. Indie rock is extremely diverse, with sub-genres that include lo-fi, post-rock, math rock, indie pop, dream pop, noise rock, space rock, sadcore, riot grrrl and emo, among others...
genre. It was noted that the EP contained "roaring guitar riffs and big choruses". Haug noted in an interview that the original group of songs recorded "lacked vibe", and so the band chose less perfected songs "to ensure that the attitude of the recording was good".
Following the release of Pick Up the Pace, The Predators embarked on a minor tour before performing at Splendour in the Grass
Splendour in the Grass
Splendour in the Grass is an annual Australian music festival held in July at Woodford, Queensland, and previously held at Belongil Fields, outside Byron Bay...
. The tour saw them performing along the east coast of Australia. Four concert
Concert
A concert is a live performance before an audience. The performance may be by a single musician, sometimes then called a recital, or by a musical ensemble, such as an orchestra, a choir, or a musical band...
s were performed, in Sydney
Sydney
Sydney is the most populous city in Australia and the state capital of New South Wales. Sydney is located on Australia's south-east coast of the Tasman Sea. As of June 2010, the greater metropolitan area had an approximate population of 4.6 million people...
, Melbourne
Melbourne
Melbourne is the capital and most populous city in the state of Victoria, and the second most populous city in Australia. The Melbourne City Centre is the hub of the greater metropolitan area and the Census statistical division—of which "Melbourne" is the common name. As of June 2009, the greater...
, Brisbane, and at Splendour in the Grass, near Byron Bay.
Music video
A music videoMusic video
A music video or song video is a short film integrating a song and imagery, produced for promotional or artistic purposes. Modern music videos are primarily made and used as a marketing device intended to promote the sale of music recordings...
for "Pick Up the Pace", the lead song on the EP, was recorded in a Brisbane music venue, and released in May 2006. It featured lead singer Steven Bishop "day dreaming of days gone by". The video was distributed by Dew Process
Dew Process
Dew Process is an Australian independent record label based in Brisbane, Queensland founded by Paul Piticco. The label essentially develops talent from Australia as well as provide promotional, marketing and distribution services for foreign artists looking for a home for their music in Australia...
.
Track listing
All music written and performed by The Predators.- "Pick Up the Pace" – 2:44
- "Paintings"
- "My Line"
- "Precious Moments"
- "High And Low"
- "Still My Friend"