Transfusion (EP)
Encyclopedia
Transfusion is the second EP
by Australian rock group Powderfinger
. It was released on 27 September 1993 by Polydor. The album was the group's first recording with Polydor, as the group had signed with the label due to the success of the prior EP by the band, the eponymous Powderfinger
.
The EP's song "Reap What You Sow" is the first song by Powderfinger to have a music video recorded for it. The EP received minor chart success, though not achieving a mainstream ARIA Singles Chart position, the EP reached the #1 position on the ARIA Alternative Chart
, taking the place of Nirvana
's single "Heart Shaped Box".
, at Red Zeds studios in Brisbane
. Despite working with Polydor, the group did not sign any contract prior to work on the EP. Says lead singer Bernard Fanning
, "We haven’t signed anything... we certainly haven’t signed with them (Polydor)". This statement also refuted rumours that the band had signed with various labels including "Red Eye, Emily, Polydor, and Imago", according to Fanning.
In producing Transfusion, the band aimed to move away from the "sixties" tag that had been placed on them by the musical community. According to Fanning, it’s human nature
that "you really can’t help but categorise", and this instinct was something the EP
attempted to move away from. He went on to say that "it’d be nice, in a perfect world, just to be judged on your own merits", whilst hitting back at those who gave Powderfinger the "sixties" tag by saying that "people that say that aren’t really listening, I think".
at the top of the ARIA alternative music chart
in 1993. Despite appearing a notable achievement, Fanning overlooked its significance, telling Rolling Stone
magazine "All it did was make us aware of how few people buy records." He predicted that it had taken 1,000 sales for the EP to top the alternative music chart. However, Fanning said he hoped that Transfusion’s chart success would open doors for Powderfinger to play at renowned concerts such as the Big Day Out
.
"Reap What You Sow", the opening track on Transfusion, received some air time on Triple M
in Brisbane, and on Triple J
nationwide, but its airplay was incomparable to future singles by the band. The song did, however, win the band much local popularity, topping local community radio station
and indie record store charts. It was recognisable and appreciated for "(establishing) the band's tone and moral stance from the outset".
, John Collins
, Ian Haug
, Darren Middleton
, Jon Coghill
.
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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...
by Australian rock group 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....
. It was released on 27 September 1993 by Polydor. The album was the group's first recording with Polydor, as the group had signed with the label due to the success of the prior EP by the band, the eponymous Powderfinger
Powderfinger (EP)
Powderfinger is the eponymous first studio recording by Australian rock group Powderfinger. Many refer to it as The Blue EP. The EP launch was at the Orient Hotel, Friday the 21st of August 1992; the band were supported by local act Lolita Carbine...
.
The EP's song "Reap What You Sow" is the first song by Powderfinger to have a music video recorded for it. The EP received minor chart success, though not achieving a mainstream ARIA Singles Chart position, the EP reached the #1 position on the ARIA Alternative Chart
ARIA Charts
The ARIA charts are the main Australian music sales charts, issued weekly by the Australian Recording Industry Association. The charts are a record of the highest selling singles and albums in various genres in Australia. ARIA commenced compiling its own charts in-house from the week ending 26 June...
, taking the place of Nirvana
Nirvana (band)
Nirvana was an American rock band that was formed by singer/guitarist Kurt Cobain and bassist Krist Novoselic in Aberdeen, Washington in 1987...
's single "Heart Shaped Box".
History
Transfusion was recorded and produced by Powderfinger in 1993 under the Polydor labelRecord label
In the music industry, a record label is a brand and a trademark associated with the marketing of music recordings and music videos. Most commonly, a record label is the company that manages such brands and trademarks, coordinates the production, manufacture, distribution, marketing and promotion,...
, at Red Zeds studios in Brisbane
Brisbane
Brisbane is the capital and most populous city in the Australian state of Queensland and the third most populous city in Australia. Brisbane's metropolitan area has a population of over 2 million, and the South East Queensland urban conurbation, centred around Brisbane, encompasses a population of...
. Despite working with Polydor, the group did not sign any contract prior to work on the EP. Says lead singer Bernard Fanning
Bernard Fanning
Bernard Joseph Fanning is a musician and singer-songwriter. He is best known as the lead singer and frontman of Australian alternative rock band Powderfinger from its formation in 1989 to its dissolution in 2010....
, "We haven’t signed anything... we certainly haven’t signed with them (Polydor)". This statement also refuted rumours that the band had signed with various labels including "Red Eye, Emily, Polydor, and Imago", according to Fanning.
In producing Transfusion, the band aimed to move away from the "sixties" tag that had been placed on them by the musical community. According to Fanning, it’s human nature
Human nature
Human nature refers to the distinguishing characteristics, including ways of thinking, feeling and acting, that humans tend to have naturally....
that "you really can’t help but categorise", and this instinct was something the 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...
attempted to move away from. He went on to say that "it’d be nice, in a perfect world, just to be judged on your own merits", whilst hitting back at those who gave Powderfinger the "sixties" tag by saying that "people that say that aren’t really listening, I think".
Publicity
In order to publicise the release, Powderfinger decided to film a music video its first track, "Reap What You Sow". The music video was directed by advertisement director David Barker of Film Headquarters. This work with Barker proved amicable, and lead to the following seven music videos also being directed by him. The "Reap What You Sow" video featured black and white footage of Fanning lying in a creek floating and otherwise leaning on rocks. These scenes are intercut with more black and white scenes of the band performing the song, in one setting on the side of a mountain overlooking their home city of Brisbane. In another, setting, the band is shown playing in full colour, live to an audience. Later in the video, the whole band are recreating in the creek seen earlier in the video. The video uses a range of filters and effects, including reversed scenes and visual filters.Response
Transfusion replaced "Heart Shaped Box" by NirvanaNirvana (band)
Nirvana was an American rock band that was formed by singer/guitarist Kurt Cobain and bassist Krist Novoselic in Aberdeen, Washington in 1987...
at the top of the ARIA alternative music chart
ARIA Charts
The ARIA charts are the main Australian music sales charts, issued weekly by the Australian Recording Industry Association. The charts are a record of the highest selling singles and albums in various genres in Australia. ARIA commenced compiling its own charts in-house from the week ending 26 June...
in 1993. Despite appearing a notable achievement, Fanning overlooked its significance, telling Rolling Stone
Rolling Stone
Rolling Stone is a US-based magazine devoted to music, liberal politics, and popular culture that is published every two weeks. Rolling Stone was founded in San Francisco in 1967 by Jann Wenner and music critic Ralph J...
magazine "All it did was make us aware of how few people buy records." He predicted that it had taken 1,000 sales for the EP to top the alternative music chart. However, Fanning said he hoped that Transfusion’s chart success would open doors for Powderfinger to play at renowned concerts such as the Big Day Out
Big Day Out
The Big Day Out is an annual music festival held in several cities in Australia and New Zealand in late January. It started in Sydney in 1992, spread to Adelaide, Melbourne and Perth by 1993, with the Gold Coast and Auckland joining in 1994...
.
"Reap What You Sow", the opening track on Transfusion, received some air time on Triple M
Triple M
The Triple M Network is an active rock radio network in Australia owned by media company Austereo, who also own the Today Network.- History :...
in Brisbane, and on Triple J
Triple J
triple 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...
nationwide, but its airplay was incomparable to future singles by the band. The song did, however, win the band much local popularity, topping local community radio station
Radio station
Radio broadcasting is a one-way wireless transmission over radio waves intended to reach a wide audience. Stations can be linked in radio networks to broadcast a common radio format, either in broadcast syndication or simulcast or both...
and indie record store charts. It was recognisable and appreciated for "(establishing) the band's tone and moral stance from the outset".
Charts
| Chart | Country | Provider | Peak | Sales |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ARIA alternative music chart | Australia | ARIA Australian Recording Industry Association The Australian Recording Industry Association is a trade group representing the Australian recording industry which was established in 1983 by six major record companies, EMI, Festival, CBS, RCA, WEA and Universal replacing the Association of Australian Record Manufacturers which was formed in 1956... |
1 | 1,000+ |
Track listing
All music and lyrics written by Bernard FanningBernard Fanning
Bernard Joseph Fanning is a musician and singer-songwriter. He is best known as the lead singer and frontman of Australian alternative rock band Powderfinger from its formation in 1989 to its dissolution in 2010....
, John Collins
John 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...
, 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...
, Darren Middleton
Darren Middleton
Darren Stuart Middleton is an Australian lead guitarist for alternative rock band Powderfinger. He is also the lead singer for Drag....
, Jon Coghill
Jon Coghill
Jon Coghill is an Australian drummer best known for his work with Australian rock band, Powderfinger, although he has also toured with Regurgitator. Coghill replaced Powderfinger's original drummer Steven Bishop in 1991 when Bishop wanted to pursue further studies...
.
- "Reap What You Sow" – 5:29
- "Change the Tide" – 4:40
- "Blind to Reason" – 6:11
- "Mama Harry" – 3:11
- "Rise Up" – 5:00
Powderfinger
- Bernard FanningBernard FanningBernard Joseph Fanning is a musician and singer-songwriter. He is best known as the lead singer and frontman of Australian alternative rock band Powderfinger from its formation in 1989 to its dissolution in 2010....
- Acoustic guitar and lead vocals - 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...
- Bass guitar - 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...
- Electric guitars and backing vocals - Darren MiddletonDarren MiddletonDarren Stuart Middleton is an Australian lead guitarist for alternative rock band Powderfinger. He is also the lead singer for Drag....
- Electric guitars, Spanish guitar and vocals - Jon CoghillJon CoghillJon Coghill is an Australian drummer best known for his work with Australian rock band, Powderfinger, although he has also toured with Regurgitator. Coghill replaced Powderfinger's original drummer Steven Bishop in 1991 when Bishop wanted to pursue further studies...
- Drums
Production
Recorded at Red Zeds Studios, Brisbane by Chumps Productions- Produced by Powderfinger and Jeff Lovejoy
- Engineered by Jeff Lovejoy and Lachlan "Magoo" Goold
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Artwork
- Sleeve Design by Ian Haug, John Collins and Powderfinger
- Graphics and Typesetting by Rachel Liddle
- Front Cover Photo by Ian Haug
- Back Cover Photo by Ingrid Neilson
- Back Sleeve Photo by Tony Mott
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