The Cockroaches
Encyclopedia
The Cockroaches was an Australian pop rock
band which achieved reasonable success in the 1980s and 1990s. The band took its name from an obscure nom de plume favoured by The Rolling Stones during the 1960s.
The band is today best known as a precursor to the internationally successful children's musical group The Wiggles
. Two of the Wiggles, Anthony Field
and Jeff Fatt
, were members of the Cockroaches (lead guitar and keyboards), while the Cockroaches' lead singer Paul Field is the Wiggles' manager; guitarist John Field
is a frequent songwriter for the Wiggles. Cockroaches drummer Tony Henry and bassist Paul Dunworth have also played on numerous Wiggles recordings.
. The band regularly played at school dances and pubs. The Cockroaches began writing their own music and issued a string of singles on a variety of independent labels. In 1986 the band signed a deal with Regular Records.
The band's first single on Regular, 'Wait Up'/`Henry's Lizard' (September 1986), became a national Top 40 hit and #13 in Sydney
. The band's debut album, The Cockroaches (March 1987) produced three further singles, 'She's the One'/'Can in the Hand' (January), 'Some Kind of Girl'/`Dr Richmond' (May) and 'Double Shot (Of My Baby's Love)
'/'Something Good' (August). The Cockroaches reached #9 on the national chart, on its way to selling over 100,000 copies and 'She's the One' became the band's biggest hit when it peaked at #7 during April 1987. 'Some Kind of Girl' and 'Double Shot (of My Baby's Love)' also made the Top 30. The Cockroaches' self-titled album received a platinum record award in 1988.
Peter Mackie replaced Phil Robinson before the band recorded its second album, Fingertips. In early 1989, The Cockroaches undertook a national tour. The band's third album, Positive (June 1991), included a cover of Brenda Lee's "Here Comes the Feeling" (August), which also appeared on the soundtrack to the feature film The Crossing, starring Russell Crowe
and Danielle Spencer
. By the end of the year, however, The Cockroaches as a band concept had run its course. To add to the stress, Paul Field's seven month-old daughter died from SIDS
while touring.
In the early 1990s, Anthony Field studied early childhood education at Macquarie University
. He eventually started The Wiggles
with Jeff Fatt, Murray Cook
(guitar) and Greg Page (vocals), which became extraordinarily successful in Australia, the USA and parts of Asia in children's entertainment and early learning. John Field [alongside Sean Sennett] joined The Honeymen. The pair released two singles "Felt Like A Kiss" and "Motorbike Of Love". John Field went on to write the musical 'Evie And The Birdman' and fronts The John Field Band.
Pop rock
Pop rock is a music genre which mixes a catchy pop style and light lyrics in its guitar-based rock songs. There are varying definitions of the term, ranging from a slower and mellower form of rock music to a subgenre of pop music...
band which achieved reasonable success in the 1980s and 1990s. The band took its name from an obscure nom de plume favoured by The Rolling Stones during the 1960s.
The band is today best known as a precursor to the internationally successful children's musical group The Wiggles
The Wiggles
The Wiggles are a children's group formed in Sydney, Australia in 1991. Their original members were Anthony Field, Phillip Wilcher, Murray Cook, Greg Page, and Jeff Fatt. Wilcher left the group after their first album...
. Two of the Wiggles, Anthony Field
Anthony Field
Anthony Donald Field AM is an Australian musician and actor. He is best known as a member of the children's group The Wiggles and the 1980s and 90s band The Cockroaches with his brothers, Paul and John and another future Wiggle, Jeff Fatt.Field was the youngest of seven children, and grew up in...
and Jeff Fatt
Jeff Fatt
Jeffrey Wayne "Jeff" Fatt AM , is a Chinese Australian musician and actor. He is best known as a member of the children's band The Wiggles and the 1980s and 90s band The Cockroaches...
, were members of the Cockroaches (lead guitar and keyboards), while the Cockroaches' lead singer Paul Field is the Wiggles' manager; guitarist John Field
John Field (songwriter)
John William Michael Field born 15 May 1962 Darlinghurst, New South Wales, is an Australian composer/songwriter who has written a large number of songs for the internationally acclaimed Australian children's performers, The Wiggles...
is a frequent songwriter for the Wiggles. Cockroaches drummer Tony Henry and bassist Paul Dunworth have also played on numerous Wiggles recordings.
Biography
The Field brothers (Paul, John and Anthony) started the group in 1979 while still at boarding school, St. Joseph's College, Hunters HillSt. Joseph's College, Hunters Hill
St Joseph's College is a Roman Catholic, Secondary, day and boarding school for boys. It is located in Hunters Hill, a suburb on the Lower North Shore of Sydney, New South Wales, Australia....
. The band regularly played at school dances and pubs. The Cockroaches began writing their own music and issued a string of singles on a variety of independent labels. In 1986 the band signed a deal with Regular Records.
The band's first single on Regular, 'Wait Up'/`Henry's Lizard' (September 1986), became a national Top 40 hit and #13 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...
. The band's debut album, The Cockroaches (March 1987) produced three further singles, 'She's the One'/'Can in the Hand' (January), 'Some Kind of Girl'/`Dr Richmond' (May) and 'Double Shot (Of My Baby's Love)
Double Shot (Of My Baby's Love)
Double Shot is a popular song written by Don Smith and Cyril Vetter and originally recorded by Dick Holler & the Holidays. It was later recorded by The Swingin' Medallions who released it as their second single in 1966. The song became a Top 20 hit for the group, peaking at #17 on the U.S....
'/'Something Good' (August). The Cockroaches reached #9 on the national chart, on its way to selling over 100,000 copies and 'She's the One' became the band's biggest hit when it peaked at #7 during April 1987. 'Some Kind of Girl' and 'Double Shot (of My Baby's Love)' also made the Top 30. The Cockroaches' self-titled album received a platinum record award in 1988.
Peter Mackie replaced Phil Robinson before the band recorded its second album, Fingertips. In early 1989, The Cockroaches undertook a national tour. The band's third album, Positive (June 1991), included a cover of Brenda Lee's "Here Comes the Feeling" (August), which also appeared on the soundtrack to the feature film The Crossing, starring Russell Crowe
Russell Crowe
Russell Ira Crowe is a New Zealander Australian actor , film producer and musician. He came to international attention for his role as Roman General Maximus Decimus Meridius in the 2000 historical epic film Gladiator, directed by Ridley Scott, for which he won an Academy Award for Best Actor, a...
and Danielle Spencer
Danielle Spencer
Danielle Spencer may refer to:*Danielle Spencer , African-American performer who has been acting since early childhood; at age 11 became familiar to TV audiences as sarcastic Dee Thomas on 1976–79 ABC sitcom What's Happening!!*Danielle Spencer , songwriter and recording artist who, during 1990s...
. By the end of the year, however, The Cockroaches as a band concept had run its course. To add to the stress, Paul Field's seven month-old daughter died from SIDS
Sudden infant death syndrome
Sudden infant death syndrome is marked by the sudden death of an infant that is unexpected by medical history, and remains unexplained after a thorough forensic autopsy and a detailed death scene investigation. An infant is at the highest risk for SIDS during sleep, which is why it is sometimes...
while touring.
In the early 1990s, Anthony Field studied early childhood education at Macquarie University
Macquarie University
Macquarie University is an Australian public teaching and research university located in Sydney, with its main campus situated in Macquarie Park. Founded in 1964 by the New South Wales Government, it was the third university to be established in the metropolitan area of Sydney...
. He eventually started The Wiggles
The Wiggles
The Wiggles are a children's group formed in Sydney, Australia in 1991. Their original members were Anthony Field, Phillip Wilcher, Murray Cook, Greg Page, and Jeff Fatt. Wilcher left the group after their first album...
with Jeff Fatt, Murray Cook
Murray Cook
Murray James Cook AM is an Australian vocalist, songwriter and guitarist. He is best known as one of the founding members of the children's band The Wiggles...
(guitar) and Greg Page (vocals), which became extraordinarily successful in Australia, the USA and parts of Asia in children's entertainment and early learning. John Field [alongside Sean Sennett] joined The Honeymen. The pair released two singles "Felt Like A Kiss" and "Motorbike Of Love". John Field went on to write the musical 'Evie And The Birdman' and fronts The John Field Band.
Personnel
The original line-up of the band was:- Paul Field - lead vocals (1979–91)
- John FieldJohn Field (songwriter)John William Michael Field born 15 May 1962 Darlinghurst, New South Wales, is an Australian composer/songwriter who has written a large number of songs for the internationally acclaimed Australian children's performers, The Wiggles...
- rhythm guitar, vocals (1979–91) - Anthony (Tony) FieldAnthony FieldAnthony Donald Field AM is an Australian musician and actor. He is best known as a member of the children's group The Wiggles and the 1980s and 90s band The Cockroaches with his brothers, Paul and John and another future Wiggle, Jeff Fatt.Field was the youngest of seven children, and grew up in...
- lead guitar, vocals (1979–91) - Jeff FattJeff FattJeffrey Wayne "Jeff" Fatt AM , is a Chinese Australian musician and actor. He is best known as a member of the children's band The Wiggles and the 1980s and 90s band The Cockroaches...
- keyboard - Paul Dunworth - bass guitar (1978–81)
- Tony Henry - drums
- Phil Robinson - bass (1981–88)
- Peter Mackie - bass (1988–91)
Albums
- The Cockroaches - Regular (L 38709) (March, 1987)
- Fingertips - Regular (TVL93270) (1988)
- Positive - Regular (D 19737) (June, 1991)
- St. Patrick's Day 10am - Independent (CD ROACH 001) (March, 1994)
- Hey Let’s Go – The Best of the Cockroaches - Festival (D26394) (1999)
Singles
- "I Want a Leather Jacket"/"Blue Moon of Kentucky" (R.D.S. 004) (June 1980)
- "Through with Her"/"Bingo Bango" (PRS13096) (June 1981)
- "Used to Be"/"She Goes On and On" (August 1981)
- "Empty Heart"/"Apartment #9" - EMI (Custom 13233) (October 1981)
- "Shake Jump and Shout"/"Last Night"/"Empty Heart" - Phantom (PH-16) (11 November 1982)
- "See You in Spain"/"I've Been Thinking About You" - Powderworks (POW 0200) (June 1984)
- "My Whole World's Falling Down"/"Groovin’ in the Graveyard" - Possum (POS 1529) (June 1985)
- "Another Night Alone"/"Just Can't Stop" - Possum (POS 1589) (December 1985)
- "Wait Up"/"Henry's Lizard" - Regular (K72) (September 1986)
- "She's The One"/"Can in Hand" - Regular (K212) (January 1987)
- "Some Kind of Girl"/"Dr Richmond" - Regular (K277) (May 1987)
- "Double Shot (Of My Baby's Love)/"Something Good" - Regular (K388) (August 1987)
- "You and Me"/"So Wild" - Regular (K639) (1988)
- "Hey What Now!"/"Marie" - Regular (K533) (June 1988)
- "Permanently Single"/"Rudolph Had a Baby" - Regular (K769) (January 1989)
- "Another Saturday Night"/"I've Got to Hang On" - Regular (K894) (August 1989)
- "Hope"/Soul To Soul" (August 1990)