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The Innocents (band)
Encyclopedia
The Innocents are a power-pop band formed in Hobart
, Tasmania
in 1975. Featuring singer/songwriters David Minchin, Charles Touber
, Greg Cracknell and a cast of rotating drummers, The Innocents - originally called Beathoven - are one of only two Tasmanian bands to ever have Australian chart success (the other being MEO 245
).
Eventually signing a much heralded international contract with EMI
which resulted in the release of Shy Girl/Does it Matter as Much to You under their original name Beathoven. The band were then released from their label, (despite being the favoured nominees for Best New Group of 1978 Award from amongst Cold Chisel
, Models
and The Sports
). When Kim Fowley
discovered them in his Australian search for "the new Abba or Beatles" they were forced to change their name, as EMI
still owned the name under their contractual agreement.
in early 1980 and relocated to Sydney
. Here they recorded their hit single 'Sooner Or Later' which, after a performance on the TV show Countdown
, peaked at number 2 nationally, The Innocents were championed by Kim Fowley
, Nick Lowe
, Molly Meldrum and Greg Shaw
. All the press hyperbole (particularly from rock historian Glenn A. Baker
's pen, e.g. - "Perhaps the greatest power-pop band in the whole world since the demise of the Raspberries
") couldn't encourage RCA to support the band, despite Fowley's enthusiasm in particular. Faced with delivering pop singles (such as their follow-up Come Tonight) that weren't supported by the label the band disintegrated, with some members returning to Tasmania in 1981.
and a third unreleased RCA single.
2000 saw The Innocents realise their later celebrity in the US - a place in which none of their recordings were released - and an invitation to play The Troubadour
and the International Pop Overthrow
festival alongside fellow power-pop exponents Doug Fieger
of The Knack
, Nancy Sinatra
, The Rubinoos
and The Cowsills
.
The 2CD compilation album "The No Hit Wonders From Down Under" was released in 2002 which featured much new material and rapidly sold out of its limited initial run.
Inspired by this and an increasing number of international fan letters, they recorded a new album Pop Factory in 2006 and promoted it with a European tour which included gigs at Liverpool
's legendary Cavern
club, a recording session at Abbey Road Studios
, rave reviews for their appearance at the inaugural Hamburg Sound Festival (where they played requests for Cynthia Lennon
and Astrid Kirchherr
), and dates in Tokyo
.
and Paul McCartney
in 1960, Tell Me If You Can with Sheridan
himself. Previously unrecorded, The Innocents went to Friedrich-Ebert recording studios where The Beatles
had previously worked with Sheridan
when recording their first ever song My Bonnie
. Sheridan
claimed meeting The Innocents was 'fate'. "I like the group. The way they play reminded me of what we used to do back then. They did great harmonies. It reminded me very much of The Beatles
."
Hobart
Hobart is the state capital and most populous city of the Australian island state of Tasmania. Founded in 1804 as a penal colony,Hobart is Australia's second oldest capital city after Sydney. In 2009, the city had a greater area population of approximately 212,019. A resident of Hobart is known as...
, Tasmania
Tasmania
Tasmania is an Australian island and state. It is south of the continent, separated by Bass Strait. The state includes the island of Tasmania—the 26th largest island in the world—and the surrounding islands. The state has a population of 507,626 , of whom almost half reside in the greater Hobart...
in 1975. Featuring singer/songwriters David Minchin, Charles Touber
Charles Touber
Charles Touber is an Australian businessman and tour promoter from Hobart, Tasmania. He is best known as the organiser of the Gone South series of festivals in Launceston and Hobart in the early 2000s, as well as the Southern Roots Festival in Hobart in 2007....
, Greg Cracknell and a cast of rotating drummers, The Innocents - originally called Beathoven - are one of only two Tasmanian bands to ever have Australian chart success (the other being MEO 245
MEO 245
MEO 245 were an Australian new wave band from the 1980s, formed in Melbourne, Australia by 3 Tasmanians and 1 Victorian. They had an album, Screen Memory, and singles "Lady Love" and "Other Places", all of which made the mainstream charts in Australia. They recorded their final product in 1983...
).
Hobart
Renowned for their popularity in Hobart in the late 1970s, their first record release was Do You Remember The Time/Darlin' on the Candle label. There was a local equivalent of Beatlemania about The Innocents early years (sometimes referred to as "Tasmania") and ensured that when they took their touring technique of focusing on school dances and lunchtime concerts to Melbourne in 1977, success and press cynicism followed. Shortly following the move the band began touring the East coast of Australia. Such was their popularity after several months, ambulances were a regular fixture outside their shows, and the band were offered their own signature ice cream line.Eventually signing a much heralded international contract with EMI
EMI
The EMI Group, also known as EMI Music or simply EMI, is a multinational music company headquartered in London, United Kingdom. It is the fourth-largest business group and family of record labels in the recording industry and one of the "big four" record companies. EMI Group also has a major...
which resulted in the release of Shy Girl/Does it Matter as Much to You under their original name Beathoven. The band were then released from their label, (despite being the favoured nominees for Best New Group of 1978 Award from amongst Cold Chisel
Cold Chisel
Cold Chisel is a rock band that originated in Adelaide, Australia. It is one of the most acclaimed Australian rock bands of all time, with a string of hits throughout the 1970s and 1980s and huge sales that continue to this day, although its success and acclaim was almost completely restricted to...
, 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,...
and The Sports
The Sports
The Sports were a popular Australian rock group that performed and recorded between 1976 and 1981.Based in Melbourne, Victoria, the group released a number of successful singles and albums. Their sound fitted well with both 1970s British pub rock bands and British New Wave...
). When 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...
discovered them in his Australian search for "the new Abba or Beatles" they were forced to change their name, as EMI
EMI
The EMI Group, also known as EMI Music or simply EMI, is a multinational music company headquartered in London, United Kingdom. It is the fourth-largest business group and family of record labels in the recording industry and one of the "big four" record companies. EMI Group also has a major...
still owned the name under their contractual agreement.
Sydney
As The Innocents they were picked up by Trafalgar Productions/RCARCA Records
RCA Records is one of the flagship labels of Sony Music Entertainment. The RCA initials stand for Radio Corporation of America , which was the parent corporation from 1929 to 1985 and a partner from 1985 to 1986.RCA's Canadian unit is Sony's oldest label...
in early 1980 and relocated to 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...
. Here they recorded their hit single 'Sooner Or Later' which, after a performance on the TV show Countdown
Countdown (TV series)
Countdown was a long-running popular weekly Australian music television show broadcast by the Australian Broadcasting Corporation from 8 November 1974 until 19 July 1987. It was created by Executive Producer Michael Shrimpton, producer/director Robbie Weekes and record producer and music journalist...
, peaked at number 2 nationally, The Innocents were championed by 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...
, Nick Lowe
Nick Lowe
Nicholas Drain "Nick" Lowe , is an English singer-songwriter, musician and producer.A pivotal figure in UK pub rock, punk rock and new wave, Lowe has recorded a string of well-reviewed solo albums. Along with vocals, Lowe plays guitar, bass guitar, piano and harmonica...
, Molly Meldrum and Greg Shaw
Greg Shaw
Greg Shaw was a Los Angeles-based fanzine publisher, music historian and record label owner. He grew up near San Francisco, California.It was as a young teenager that he started writing about rock and roll music...
. All the press hyperbole (particularly from rock historian Glenn A. Baker
Glenn A. Baker
Glenn A. Baker is an Australian journalist, commentator, and broadcaster well known in Australia for his vast knowledge of Rock music. He has written books and magazine articles on rock music and travel, interviewed celebrities, managed bands such as Ol' 55 and promoted tours of international stars...
's pen, e.g. - "Perhaps the greatest power-pop band in the whole world since the demise of the Raspberries
Raspberries (band)
Raspberries is an American power pop/pop rock band from Cleveland, Ohio. They had a run of success in the early 1970s music scene with their crisp pop sound, which Allmusic later described as featuring "exquisitely crafted melodies and achingly gorgeous harmonies." The members were known for their...
") couldn't encourage RCA to support the band, despite Fowley's enthusiasm in particular. Faced with delivering pop singles (such as their follow-up Come Tonight) that weren't supported by the label the band disintegrated, with some members returning to Tasmania in 1981.
Phase Two
In 1984 Raven Records released the ironically entitled "Here We Come!" album which collected their Beathoven recordings as well as a number of later recordings with Kim FowleyKim 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 a third unreleased RCA single.
2000 saw The Innocents realise their later celebrity in the US - a place in which none of their recordings were released - and an invitation to play The Troubadour
The Troubadour
The Troubadour is a nightclub located in West Hollywood, California, USA, at 9081 Santa Monica Boulevard just east of Doheny Drive and the border of Beverly Hills.The club was founded in 1957 by Doug Weston...
and the International Pop Overthrow
International Pop Overthrow
The International Pop Overthrow is an American-originated music festival devoted to power pop music and related genres.Taking its name from Material Issue's 1991 album of the same name, the festival began in 1998, and has been held annually in the LA area since then...
festival alongside fellow power-pop exponents Doug Fieger
Doug Fieger
Douglas Lars "Doug" Fieger was an American singer-songwriter-musician. He was the lead singer of the power pop band The Knack, and co-wrote "My Sharona", the biggest hit song of 1979 in the USA, with lead guitarist, Berton Averre.-Life and career:Fieger's father was Jewish, and his mother of...
of The Knack
The Knack
The Knack was an American New Wave rock quartet based in Los Angeles that rose to fame with their first single, "My Sharona", an international number one hit in 1979.-Founding :...
, Nancy Sinatra
Nancy Sinatra
Nancy Sandra Sinatra is an American singer and actress. She is the daughter of singer/actor Frank Sinatra, and remains best known for her 1966 signature hit "These Boots Are Made for Walkin'"....
, The Rubinoos
The Rubinoos
The Rubinoos are an American power pop band that formed in 1970 in Berkeley, California. They are perhaps best known for their singles "I Think We're Alone Now" , "I Wanna Be Your Boyfriend" , and for the theme song to the 1984 film Revenge of the Nerds...
and The Cowsills
The Cowsills
The Cowsills are an American singing group from Newport, Rhode Island. They specialized in harmonies and the ability to sing and play music at an early age. The band was formed in the spring of 1965 by brothers Bill, Bob, and Barry, then shortly thereafter added John...
.
The 2CD compilation album "The No Hit Wonders From Down Under" was released in 2002 which featured much new material and rapidly sold out of its limited initial run.
Inspired by this and an increasing number of international fan letters, they recorded a new album Pop Factory in 2006 and promoted it with a European tour which included gigs at Liverpool
Liverpool
Liverpool is a city and metropolitan borough of Merseyside, England, along the eastern side of the Mersey Estuary. It was founded as a borough in 1207 and was granted city status in 1880...
's legendary Cavern
The Cavern Club
The Cavern Club is a rock and roll club in Liverpool, England. Opened on Wednesday 16 January 1957, the club had their first performance by The Beatles on 9 February 1961, and where Brian Epstein first saw The Beatles performing on 9 November 1961....
club, a recording session at Abbey Road Studios
Abbey Road Studios
Abbey Road Studios is a recording studio located at 3 Abbey Road, St John's Wood, City of Westminster, London, England. It was established in November 1931 by the Gramophone Company, a predecessor of British music company EMI, its present owner...
, rave reviews for their appearance at the inaugural Hamburg Sound Festival (where they played requests for Cynthia Lennon
Cynthia Lennon
Cynthia Lillian Lennon is the former wife of musician John Lennon, and mother of Julian Lennon. She grew up in the middle-class section of Hoylake, on the Wirral Peninsula in North West England. At the age of twelve, she was accepted into the Junior Art School, and was later enrolled in the...
and Astrid Kirchherr
Astrid Kirchherr
Astrid Kirchherr is a German photographer and artist and is well known for her association with The Beatles and her photographs of The Beatles during their Hamburg days....
), and dates in Tokyo
Tokyo
, ; officially , is one of the 47 prefectures of Japan. Tokyo is the capital of Japan, the center of the Greater Tokyo Area, and the largest metropolitan area of Japan. It is the seat of the Japanese government and the Imperial Palace, and the home of the Japanese Imperial Family...
.
Germany
October 2007 saw The Innocents travel to Germany where they recorded a version of a song co-written by Tony SheridanTony Sheridan
Tony Sheridan , is an English rock and roll singer-songwriter and guitarist...
and Paul McCartney
Paul McCartney
Sir James Paul McCartney, MBE, Hon RAM, FRCM is an English musician, singer-songwriter and composer. Formerly of The Beatles and Wings , McCartney is listed in Guinness World Records as the "most successful musician and composer in popular music history", with 60 gold discs and sales of 100...
in 1960, Tell Me If You Can with Sheridan
Tony Sheridan
Tony Sheridan , is an English rock and roll singer-songwriter and guitarist...
himself. Previously unrecorded, The Innocents went to Friedrich-Ebert recording studios where The Beatles
The Beatles
The Beatles were an English rock band, active throughout the 1960s and one of the most commercially successful and critically acclaimed acts in the history of popular music. Formed in Liverpool, by 1962 the group consisted of John Lennon , Paul McCartney , George Harrison and Ringo Starr...
had previously worked with Sheridan
Tony Sheridan
Tony Sheridan , is an English rock and roll singer-songwriter and guitarist...
when recording their first ever song My Bonnie
My Bonnie
My Bonnie is the name of a 1961 single, a 1962 album and a 1963 EP by Tony Sheridan and The Beat Brothers, better known as The Beatles.-History:...
. Sheridan
Tony Sheridan
Tony Sheridan , is an English rock and roll singer-songwriter and guitarist...
claimed meeting The Innocents was 'fate'. "I like the group. The way they play reminded me of what we used to do back then. They did great harmonies. It reminded me very much of The Beatles
The Beatles
The Beatles were an English rock band, active throughout the 1960s and one of the most commercially successful and critically acclaimed acts in the history of popular music. Formed in Liverpool, by 1962 the group consisted of John Lennon , Paul McCartney , George Harrison and Ringo Starr...
."