Far Out Corporation
Encyclopedia
Far Out Corporation was a band led by late singer-guitarist Grant McLennan
, mostly known as a singer, songwriter and guitarist for Australian rock group The Go-Betweens
. McLennan started the group with Ross McLennan
(no relation) on drums, Dave Graney
's bass player Adele Pickvance and Powderfinger
's guitarist Ian Haug
. The band was formed as a side project for all its members other than Ross McLennan, as they all were members of larger rock bands than Far Out Corporation. The group's name is a reference to the rock supergroup Far Corporation
. In 1998, the group recorded their first and only album, which was named FOC
after the initials of the band's name.
In late 1999, McLennan's old band The Go-Betweens unexpectedly reformed, and McLennan brought Pickvance into the new Go-Betweens line-up. At this point, Far Out Corporation ceased to be an active entity. On May the 6th, 2006, lead singer Grant McLennan died, and the group is no longer together.
Grant McLennan
Grant William McLennan was an Australian singer-songwriter with the alternative rock band The Go-Betweens, which he co-founded with Robert Forster in Brisbane, Australia in 1977...
, mostly known as a singer, songwriter and guitarist for Australian rock group The Go-Betweens
The Go-Betweens
The Go-Betweens were an indie rock band formed in Brisbane, Australia in 1977 by singer-songwriters and guitarists, Robert Forster and Grant McLennan. They were later joined by Lindy Morrison on drums, Robert Vickers on bass guitar and Amanda Brown on violin, oboe, guitar, and backing vocals,...
. McLennan started the group with 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...
(no relation) on drums, Dave Graney
Dave Graney
David John "Dave" Graney is an Australian rock musician and singer-songwriter from Mount Gambier, South Australia. Since 1979, Graney is generally accompanied by drummer, Clare Moore...
's bass player Adele Pickvance and 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....
's guitarist 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...
. The band was formed as a side project for all its members other than Ross McLennan, as they all were members of larger rock bands than Far Out Corporation. The group's name is a reference to the rock supergroup Far Corporation
Far Corporation
Far Corporation is a band created by record producer Frank Farian, who created the bands Boney M. and Milli Vanilli. The name was shortened from "Frank Farian Corporation", which was originally put together to record a cover of the Paul Simon piece "Mother and Child Reunion" as a charity record and...
. In 1998, the group recorded their first and only album, which was named FOC
FOC (album)
FOC is the debut album released by Australian collaborative rock group Far Out Corporation in 1998. It was also the only album released by the group.-Track listing:# "Don't Blame the Beam"# "Hold"# "Sick Bed"# "Montreal"# "Shadow Overload"...
after the initials of the band's name.
In late 1999, McLennan's old band The Go-Betweens unexpectedly reformed, and McLennan brought Pickvance into the new Go-Betweens line-up. At this point, Far Out Corporation ceased to be an active entity. On May the 6th, 2006, lead singer Grant McLennan died, and the group is no longer together.
Related projects
- In 2005, when Powderfinger took an extended hiatus, Ian HaugIan HaugIan 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...
recalled upon Far Out Corporation drummer Ross McLennan to form a new side project named The Predators with fellow Powderfinger member, bassist John CollinsJohn 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...
and former Powderfinger drummer Steven BishopSteven BishopStephen 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...
as the group's frontman.
- As a tribute to McLennan, Triple JTriple Jtriple j is a nationally networked Australian radio station intended to appeal to listeners between the ages of 18 and 30. The government-funded station is a division of the Australian Broadcasting Corporation...
put together a collection of songs by McLennan performed by various Australia musicians which included Ian Haug. This was recorded in late 2006 and released in June 2007.