The Trilobites
Encyclopedia
The Trilobites were an Australian power pop
/rock
band formed in Sydney
in June, 1984. Original Trilobites were: Mike Dalton on vocals, Scott Leighton on bass guitar
, Martin Martini & Paul Skates on guitars and Paul Styman on drums
. Their first two singles, "Venus in Leather"' and "American TV" reached number 1 on the alternative chart. They released three albums, Turn it Around in 1987, Savage Mood Swing in 1990 and The Lost Generation in 1992.
Paul Styman played together in a high school band, The Pyschotics, in the late 1970s. Bass guitar
ist Scott Leighton celebrated his 21st birthday in 1984 by showcasing his new band, The United Underworld. Included in The United Underworld were Martin Martini on rhythm guitar
, Paul Skates on lead guitar
and Paul Styman on drums and Steven Stradbrook on Vocals. Shortly after this performance Dalton was asked to join as vocalist. All members had attended the same high school together, Sydney Technical High School, albeit in different grades. They soon changed their name to The Trilobites and began gigging in Sydney's plethora of suburban and inner city pubs and clubs. They debuted on 20 June 1984, at the Vulcan Hotel in Ultimo (incidentally same as the debut of The Hard Ons). The Citadel label issued the band's first two singles : "Venus in Leather" (1985) and "American T.V." (1986). Both singles reached #1 on the alternative charts, and the band toured to a strong response . Both songs appeared on the Citadel's compilation album Take Everything, Leave Nothing (March, 1988). In the meantime, the Trilobites had signed a new deal with the Big Time label which resulted in the single, "Night of the Many Deaths (May, 1987).
On 24 October 1987 The Trilobites decided to record their show at The Caringbah Inn and turn it into a live LP, Turn It Around. It was released on the Waterfront label and only as a vinyl release. Waterfront also put out the Trilobites fourth single, "Jenny's Wake" (June, 1988). In 1988 the Trilobites came to the attention of the fledgling rooArt
label. The band contributed "All Hail the New Right" to rooArt inaugural Youngblood compilation album. That led to a full recording contract which resulted in the release of their EP
, I Can't Wait for the Summer to End which gained strong success in the American college radio circuit , in March, 1989. The Trilobites' debut studio album, Savage Mood Swing was produced by Englishman Steve James
and released in March, 1990. Between recording the album and its release, the Trilobites also undertook a successful European tour (late 1989). The album was also released in the United States on the Polygram
label, with a promised tour of the States. In 1991, following rooART's last minute decision to pull the band's U.S. tour, Dalton left the band to take employment at MTV Australia. and was replaced by Gary Slater (Voodoo Lust). Paul Styman left at this point to be replaced by Glen Abbott. This version of the band then released a single, "Tears You Apart/Don't Hide", and a six track mini-LP
on vinyl. These songs formed the basis of their second album, The Lost Generation, which was produced by Rob Younger
(Radio Birdman, New Christs
). It was released in February, 1992 by Citadel and became the band's final release. The original line-up re-formed for a series of Sydney shows in 1996.
Power pop
Power pop is a popular musical genre that draws its inspiration from 1960s British and American pop and rock music. It typically incorporates a combination of musical devices such as strong melodies, crisp vocal harmonies, economical arrangements, and prominent guitar riffs. Instrumental solos are...
/rock
Rock music
Rock music is a genre of popular music that developed during and after the 1960s, particularly in the United Kingdom and the United States. It has its roots in 1940s and 1950s rock and roll, itself heavily influenced by rhythm and blues and country music...
band formed 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...
in June, 1984. Original Trilobites were: Mike Dalton on vocals, Scott Leighton on bass guitar
Bass guitar
The bass guitar is a stringed instrument played primarily with the fingers or thumb , or by using a pick....
, Martin Martini & Paul Skates on guitars and Paul Styman on drums
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 ....
. Their first two singles, "Venus in Leather"' and "American TV" reached number 1 on the alternative chart. They released three albums, Turn it Around in 1987, Savage Mood Swing in 1990 and The Lost Generation in 1992.
History
Vocalist Mike Dalton and drummerDrum 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 ....
Paul Styman played together in a high school band, The Pyschotics, in the late 1970s. Bass guitar
Bass guitar
The bass guitar is a stringed instrument played primarily with the fingers or thumb , or by using a pick....
ist Scott Leighton celebrated his 21st birthday in 1984 by showcasing his new band, The United Underworld. Included in The United Underworld were Martin Martini on rhythm guitar
Rhythm guitar
Rhythm guitar is a technique and rôle that performs a combination of two functions: to provide all or part of the rhythmic pulse in conjunction with singers or other instruments; and to provide all or part of the harmony, ie. the chords, where a chord is a group of notes played together...
, Paul Skates on lead guitar
Lead guitar
Lead guitar is a guitar part which plays melody lines, instrumental fill passages, guitar solos, and occasionally, some riffs within a song structure...
and Paul Styman on drums and Steven Stradbrook on Vocals. Shortly after this performance Dalton was asked to join as vocalist. All members had attended the same high school together, Sydney Technical High School, albeit in different grades. They soon changed their name to The Trilobites and began gigging in Sydney's plethora of suburban and inner city pubs and clubs. They debuted on 20 June 1984, at the Vulcan Hotel in Ultimo (incidentally same as the debut of The Hard Ons). The Citadel label issued the band's first two singles : "Venus in Leather" (1985) and "American T.V." (1986). Both singles reached #1 on the alternative charts, and the band toured to a strong response . Both songs appeared on the Citadel's compilation album Take Everything, Leave Nothing (March, 1988). In the meantime, the Trilobites had signed a new deal with the Big Time label which resulted in the single, "Night of the Many Deaths (May, 1987).
On 24 October 1987 The Trilobites decided to record their show at The Caringbah Inn and turn it into a live LP, Turn It Around. It was released on the Waterfront label and only as a vinyl release. Waterfront also put out the Trilobites fourth single, "Jenny's Wake" (June, 1988). In 1988 the Trilobites came to the attention of the fledgling rooArt
RooArt
rooArt was an Australian independent record label, founded in 1988 by INXS's then-manager, Chris Murphy. The label's roster included several well-known Australian bands and artists such as Crow, Ratcat, Screaming Jets, You Am I, Wendy Matthews, The Hummingbirds, The Trilobites and Amanda Brown...
label. The band contributed "All Hail the New Right" to rooArt inaugural Youngblood compilation album. That led to a full recording contract which resulted in the release of their EP
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...
, I Can't Wait for the Summer to End which gained strong success in the American college radio circuit , in March, 1989. The Trilobites' debut studio album, Savage Mood Swing was produced by Englishman Steve James
Steve James
Steve James may refer to:* Steve James , American actor* Steve James , Welsh contemporary Christian musician* Steve James , English cricketer and journalist* Steve James , English football player...
and released in March, 1990. Between recording the album and its release, the Trilobites also undertook a successful European tour (late 1989). The album was also released in the United States on the Polygram
PolyGram
PolyGram was the name of the major label recording company started by Philips from as a holding company for its music interests in 1945. In 1999 it was sold to Seagram and merged into Universal Music Group.-Hollandsche Decca Distributie , 1929-1950:...
label, with a promised tour of the States. In 1991, following rooART's last minute decision to pull the band's U.S. tour, Dalton left the band to take employment at MTV Australia. and was replaced by Gary Slater (Voodoo Lust). Paul Styman left at this point to be replaced by Glen Abbott. This version of the band then released a single, "Tears You Apart/Don't Hide", and a six track mini-LP
Mini-LP
A Mini-LP or Mini-album is a short album, usually retailing at a lower price than an album that would be considered "full-length".-History:...
on vinyl. These songs formed the basis of their second album, The Lost Generation, which was produced by Rob Younger
Rob Younger
Rob Younger is an Australian rock musician, vocalist and songwriter. He is best known as a member of the influential Sydney-based punk rock group Radio Birdman, which formed in 1974. After the Radio Birdman break-up, Younger joined the super-group, New Race, who were active in 1981...
(Radio Birdman, New Christs
New Christs
The New Christs are an Australian rock and roll band, led by Rob Younger, with various lineups through the 80s, 90s, Noughties. Younger was the singer in the influential Australian band Radio Birdman....
). It was released in February, 1992 by Citadel and became the band's final release. The original line-up re-formed for a series of Sydney shows in 1996.
- Gary Slater returned to Brisbane and performed in bands including The Pot Monsters and Grumpy, later rejoining Voodoo Lust.
- Glen Abbott joined Machine Gun FellatioMachine Gun FellatioMachine Gun Fellatio was an Australian alternative rock band, formed in 1997. They were well-known for their provocative on-stage antics and humorous lyrics, as well as the musical merit of their songs. Their outrage-provoking name gives some idea of the attitude that pervades the band's work...
. - Martin Martini joined Spurs For JesusSpurs For JesusSpurs For Jesus are a Sydney, Australia Alternative country/cowpunk band with elements of satire. They started out as a covers band but have progressed gradually to a healthy proportion of originals....
& The Upsets - Michael Dalton has been a producer and reporter at Channel 9 since 1993 and has worked on numerous shows including the NRL 'Footy Show', 'Good Morning Australia' and 'A Current Affair'
Members
- Glen Abbott — drumsDrum kitA 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 ....
(1991–1992) - Mike Dalton — vocals (1984–1991)
- Scot Leighton — bass guitarBass guitarThe bass guitar is a stringed instrument played primarily with the fingers or thumb , or by using a pick....
(1984–1992) - Martin Martini — rhythm guitarRhythm guitarRhythm guitar is a technique and rôle that performs a combination of two functions: to provide all or part of the rhythmic pulse in conjunction with singers or other instruments; and to provide all or part of the harmony, ie. the chords, where a chord is a group of notes played together...
(1984–1992) - Paul Skates — lead guitarLead guitarLead guitar is a guitar part which plays melody lines, instrumental fill passages, guitar solos, and occasionally, some riffs within a song structure...
(1984–1992) - Gary Slater — vocals (1991–1992)
- Paul Styman — drums (1984–1989)
Albums/EPs
- Turn it Around – WaterfrontWaterfront RecordsWaterfront Records was an independent record label based in Sydney, that released recordings by some of Australia's most influential bands of the 1980s and 1990s.-History:...
(December 1987) - I Can't Wait for Summer to End (EP) – rooArt (March 1989)
- American TV (EP) – CitadelCitadel RecordsCitadel Records are an independent record label from Sydney, Australia. They were created in the early 80s by John Needham. Bands that released through Citadel include Died Pretty, Deniz Tek, Kim Salmon and the Surrealists, The Trilobites, Johnny Thunders & Patti Palladin, Harem Scarem, New...
/Normal (1989) - Savage Mood Swing – rooArtRooArtrooArt was an Australian independent record label, founded in 1988 by INXS's then-manager, Chris Murphy. The label's roster included several well-known Australian bands and artists such as Crow, Ratcat, Screaming Jets, You Am I, Wendy Matthews, The Hummingbirds, The Trilobites and Amanda Brown...
(March 1990) - The Lost Generation – Citadel (February 1992)
Singles
- "Venus in Leather"/"Amphetamine Dream" – Citadel (October, 1985)
- "American TV"/"Legacy of Morons" – Citadel (August, 1986)
- "Night of the Many Deaths"/"Living by a Different Yardstick" – Big Time Records (May, 1987)
- "Jenny's Wake"/"I Can See" – Waterfront (June, 1988)
- "All Hail The New Right" split EPExtended playAn 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...
with Tall Tales and TrueTall Tales and TrueTall Tales and True were a three piece band from Sydney formed in the early 1980s by Perth born musician, Matthew de la Hunty.-Biography:Matthew de la Hunty travelled to Sydney in 1983 and formed a group with Paul Miskin and Willie Mc Cracken . This unnamed outfit played only one gig at French's...
– rooArt (1988) - "Fuck = Love"/"Little Death"/"Legacy Of Morons - Remix" 12" vinyl – rooArt (September, 1989)
- "New Head"/"Savage Mood Swing" – rooART (November, 1989)
- "Minibar of Oblivion"/"Attack of the Yes Man" 7" & 12" vinyl – rooART (February, 1990)
- "Don't Hide"/"Tear You Apart" – Citadel (October, 1991)