The Crocodiles
Encyclopedia
The Crocodiles was a New Zealand pop
band formed in 1979 with lead singer Jenny Morris, who went on to commercial success as a solo artist in Australia; and later included drummer Barton Price who subsequently joined Sardine v
and then Models
. The Crocodiles top 20 hit single in New Zealand was "Tears" in 1980 from debut album, Tears; a second album, Looking at Ourselves, appeared in November. The band relocated to Australia in February 1981 but disbanded in July without further releases.
was guitar
ist and Bruno Lawrence
was drummer
for Blerta
(1971–1975); Flaws and Lawrence then went on to form The Spats
(1977–1979) with Tony Backhouse
on guitar and Peter Dasent
on keyboards
. In 1978 an all-female band, the Wide Mouthed Frogs, comprising Jenny Morris and Kate Brockie(lead vocals), Tina Matthews
(bass guitar
ist), Andrea Gilkison (guitar
), Bronwyn Murray (keyboards) and Sally Zwartz (drums) was established in Wellington, New Zealand, Lawrence played saxophone for the band at a number of their performances, and Dasent was the musical director for the band.
The Crocodiles evolved from The Spats, under the mentorship of US producer Kim Fowley
, and were founded in 1979 in Auckland with Backhouse, Dasent, Flaws, Lawrence and Mark Hornibrook on bass guitar and songwriter Arthur Baysting
. The lineup was finalised with Morris joining as lead singer. They were managed by Mike Chunn
(ex-Split Enz
), Morris Hornibrook was subsequently replaced by Mathews.
In April 1980 they released their debut album, Tears (produced by Glyn Tucker Jr), together with the single, "Tears". The album and the single both reached #17 on the New Zealand album and singles charts respectively that year. The band's second single, "Whatcha Gonna Do", however wasn't as successful, failing to chart. That year
they won 'Best Group' and 'Most Promising Group' at the New Zealand Music Awards
. Lawrence then left the band and was replaced by Ian Gilroy
(The Whizz Kids
), Flaws also left the group but continued to provide material for the band's second album, Looking at Ourselves (produced by Ian Morris), was released in November 1980 but failed to chart. In December 1980 Gilroy left to join The Swingers
, with Dasent and Mathews leaving soon afterwards. A new lineup was formed with original members Morris and Backhouse joined by Barton Price (drums), Jonathan Swartz (bass) and Rick Morris (guitar).
In February 1981 the band flew to Australia but did not last long before dissolving, Morris beginning her solo career, Price joining Sardine v
and then Models
, with Backhouse becoming a session musician with artists including Renée Geyer
, Joe Walsh
, Jenny Morris, Dave Dobbyn
, Tim Finn
and Vince Jones
.
Pop music
Pop music is usually understood to be commercially recorded music, often oriented toward a youth market, usually consisting of relatively short, simple songs utilizing technological innovations to produce new variations on existing themes.- Definitions :David Hatch and Stephen Millward define pop...
band formed in 1979 with lead singer Jenny Morris, who went on to commercial success as a solo artist in Australia; and later included drummer Barton Price who subsequently joined Sardine v
Sardine v
Sardine v was an Australian post-punk band, formed by Ian Rilen , and Stephanie Rilen ....
and then Models
Models (band)
Models were an alternative rock group formed in Melbourne, Australia, in August 1978 and went into hiatus in 1988. They are often incorrectly referred to as The Models. They re-formed in 2000, 2006 and 2008 to perform reunion concerts. "Out of Mind, Out of Sight", their only No. 1 hit,...
. The Crocodiles top 20 hit single in New Zealand was "Tears" in 1980 from debut album, Tears; a second album, Looking at Ourselves, appeared in November. The band relocated to Australia in February 1981 but disbanded in July without further releases.
History
Fane FlawsFane Flaws
Fane Flaws is a New Zealand musician, songwriter, and artist. He was a member of bands including Blerta, Spats and The Crocodiles.He wrote many of the songs used in the film Meet the Feebles....
was 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...
ist and Bruno Lawrence
Bruno Lawrence
Bruno Lawrence was a New Zealand musician and actor.Initially notable as founder of 1970s musical and theatrical "Blerta", he had well-regarded roles in several major films, and starred on the 1990s Australian satirical TV series Frontline.-Biography:Born David Charles Lawrence in Worthing, West...
was drummer
Drum kit
A drum kit is a collection of drums, cymbals and often other percussion instruments, such as cowbells, wood blocks, triangles, chimes, or tambourines, arranged for convenient playing by a single person ....
for Blerta
Blerta
Blerta , was a New Zealand musical and theatrical co-operative active in the 1970s....
(1971–1975); Flaws and Lawrence then went on to form The Spats
The Spats
Spats were a New Zealand band . Members included Fane Flaws, Peter Dasent, Bruno Lawrence and Tony Backhouse. Spats worked with the Limbs Dance Company, a contemporary dance company based in New Zealand...
(1977–1979) with Tony Backhouse
Tony Backhouse
Tony Backhouse is a musician from New Zealand. He played in NZ bands such as The Crocodiles, and formed Australian a cappella groups, the Elevators, the Cafe of the Gate of Salvation, the Honeybees and the Heavenly Lights...
on guitar and Peter Dasent
Peter Dasent
Peter Dasent is a New Zealand musician and composer. He played keyboards in the bands Spats, and The Crocodiles. He leads the chamber-jazz group the Umbrellas, is writing a book on the music of Nino Rota and currently works in music composition for film and television, most notably in the...
on keyboards
Keyboard instrument
A keyboard instrument is a musical instrument which is played using a musical keyboard. The most common of these is the piano. Other widely used keyboard instruments include organs of various types as well as other mechanical, electromechanical and electronic instruments...
. In 1978 an all-female band, the Wide Mouthed Frogs, comprising Jenny Morris and Kate Brockie(lead vocals), Tina Matthews
Tina Matthews
Christina "Tina" Matthews is a New Zealand musician who played bass guitar in bands such as The Wide-Mouthed Frogs, and The Crocodiles. She is also an author and puppeteer.-Biography:...
(bass guitar
Bass guitar
The bass guitar is a stringed instrument played primarily with the fingers or thumb , or by using a pick....
ist), Andrea Gilkison (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...
), Bronwyn Murray (keyboards) and Sally Zwartz (drums) was established in Wellington, New Zealand, Lawrence played saxophone for the band at a number of their performances, and Dasent was the musical director for the band.
The Crocodiles evolved from The Spats, under the mentorship of US producer Kim Fowley
Kim Fowley
Kim Vincent Fowley is an American record producer, impresario, songwriter, musician, film maker, and radio actor. He is best known for his role behind a string of novelty and cult rock pop singles in the 1960s, and for managing The Runaways in the 1970s...
, and were founded in 1979 in Auckland with Backhouse, Dasent, Flaws, Lawrence and Mark Hornibrook on bass guitar and songwriter Arthur Baysting
Arthur Baysting
Arthur Baysting is a songwriter, screenwriter , and comedian from New Zealand. He was a songwriting member of The Crocodiles, co-writing their biggest hit Tears with Fane Flaws....
. The lineup was finalised with Morris joining as lead singer. They were managed by Mike Chunn
Mike Chunn
Mike Chunn is a former member of the New Zealand bands Split Enz and Citizen Band. He performed alongside his brother Geoff Chunn in both bands....
(ex-Split Enz
Split Enz
Split Enz were a New Zealand band of the 1970s and early 1980s featuring Phil Judd and brothers Tim Finn and Neil Finn. They achieved chart success in New Zealand, Australia, and Canada during the early 1980s ‒ most notably with the single "I Got You", and built a cult following elsewhere...
), Morris Hornibrook was subsequently replaced by Mathews.
In April 1980 they released their debut album, Tears (produced by Glyn Tucker Jr), together with the single, "Tears". The album and the single both reached #17 on the New Zealand album and singles charts respectively that year. The band's second single, "Whatcha Gonna Do", however wasn't as successful, failing to chart. That year
1980 in New Zealand
-Population:* Estimated Population as of 31 December: 3,176,400* Increase since 31 December 1979: 12,500 * Males per 100 Females: 99.2-Regal and Vice Regal:*Head of State - Elizabeth II, Queen of New Zealand...
they won 'Best Group' and 'Most Promising Group' at the New Zealand Music Awards
New Zealand Music Awards
The New Zealand Music Awards show, is a major annual New Zealand music event where musical acts and singers are awarded each year. It has occurred every year since 1965 to outstanding New Zealand musicians and groups....
. Lawrence then left the band and was replaced by Ian Gilroy
Ian Gilroy
Ian Gilroy is a New Zealand musician who played drums in bands such as The Plague, The Whizz Kids, The Crocodiles , The Swingers and Fetus Productions .-Films:...
(The Whizz Kids
The Whizz Kids
The Whizz Kids were a New Zealand pop/rock band featuring Andrew Snoid, Mark Bell, Tim Mahon, and Ian Gilroy. They released a 7" single called Occupational Hazard on Ripper Records in 1980. On the b side is The Spelling Mistakes - Reena...
), Flaws also left the group but continued to provide material for the band's second album, Looking at Ourselves (produced by Ian Morris), was released in November 1980 but failed to chart. In December 1980 Gilroy left to join The Swingers
The Swingers
The Swingers were a New Zealand rock band. Formed out of the remnants of The Suburban Reptiles, the founding members were Phil Judd , Wayne Stevens , and Mark Hough . Formed in 1979, the band released the single "One Good Reason" which was a top 20 hit in New Zealand...
, with Dasent and Mathews leaving soon afterwards. A new lineup was formed with original members Morris and Backhouse joined by Barton Price (drums), Jonathan Swartz (bass) and Rick Morris (guitar).
In February 1981 the band flew to Australia but did not last long before dissolving, Morris beginning her solo career, Price joining Sardine v
Sardine v
Sardine v was an Australian post-punk band, formed by Ian Rilen , and Stephanie Rilen ....
and then Models
Models (band)
Models were an alternative rock group formed in Melbourne, Australia, in August 1978 and went into hiatus in 1988. They are often incorrectly referred to as The Models. They re-formed in 2000, 2006 and 2008 to perform reunion concerts. "Out of Mind, Out of Sight", their only No. 1 hit,...
, with Backhouse becoming a session musician with artists including Renée 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...
, Joe Walsh
Joe Walsh
Joseph Fidler "Joe" Walsh is an American musician, songwriter, record producer, and actor. He has been a member of three commercially successful bands, the James Gang, Barnstorm, and the Eagles, and has experienced notable success as a solo artist and prolific session musician, especially with B.B...
, Jenny Morris, Dave Dobbyn
Dave Dobbyn
Dave Dobbyn, ONZM is an award-winning New Zealand musician, singer-songwriter and record producer. In his early career he was a member of the rock group Th' Dudes and was the main creative force in pop band DD Smash...
, Tim Finn
Tim Finn
Brian Timothy "Tim" Finn, OBE is a New Zealand singer and musician. Finn is most known for his music with New Zealand 1970s and 1980s rock group Split Enz, and later for his solo work, a temporary membership in his brother Neil's band Crowded House and his joint efforts with Neil Finn as the Finn...
and Vince Jones
Vince Jones
Vince Jones is an Australian jazz artist. He is a singer, songwriter, and trumpet/flugelhorn player. His music includes both original music and new contemporary versions of jazz standards. His themes are often love, inequity, injustice, peace and anti-greed.He attributes his love of jazz to...
.
Albums
| Year | Title | Label | Charted | Country | Catalog Number |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1980 | Tears Tears (The Crocodiles album) Tears is New Zealand pop group The Crocodiles's first album. Both the album and title track were released in April 1980. Both reached #17 on the New Zealand album and singles charts respectively that year. The band's second single, "Whatcha Gonna Do", however wasn't as successful, failing to chart...
|
RCA Victor | 17 | New Zealand | VPL 10285 |
| 1980 | Looking at Ourselves
|
Stunn | - | New Zealand | MLF 450 |
Singles
- "Tears"/"In My Suit" - RCA (MS 433) (1980) (NZ #17)
- "Whatcha Gonna Do"/"All Night Long" - RCA (103619) (1980)
- "Telephone Lover"/"Looking at Ourselves" - RCA (6538)(1980)
- "Teenarama"/"New Girl on the Beat" - RCA (103729) (1980)
- "Hello Girl"/"Romantic as Hell" - CBS (MS 476) (1980)
- "New Wave Goodbye"/"Ribbons of Steel" - Aura (AUS126) (1981)
External links
- Dix, John, Stranded In Paradise, Paradise Publications, 1988. ISBN 0-473-00638-3