- The Clouds (Australian band)
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The Clouds Origin Sydney, Australia Genres Indie rock Years active 1989–1997
2011Labels Red Eye Records
Elektra Records (USA)Associated acts The Girls From The Clouds, The Dearhunters, Roger Loves Betty Members Jodi Phillis (guitar, vocals)
Trish Young (bass, vocals)
David Easton (guitar)
Raphael Whittingham (drums)Past members Robert Phelan (guitar)
Stuart Eadie (drums)
Andrew Byrnes (drums)
Ben Nightingale (guitar)The Clouds (also called just Clouds) are an indie rock band from Sydney, Australia formed in December 1989. The core of the group consisted of frontwomen Jodi Phillis (guitar and vocals) and Patricia "Trish" Young (bass and vocals). The line-up of The Clouds has changed several times with different drummers and lead guitarists. The Clouds' music is distinguished by rapid and unusual chord changes, creative bass guitar, and Phillis and Young's vocal harmonies.
Contents
History
Clouds secured a recording contract with Red Eye Records in 1990 and began recording the Clouds EP in May which was released in October, including the iconic Cloud Factory. The following April the Loot EP, featuring "Soul Eater" was released. In June recording for the Penny Century album began and was released in October 1991, reaching number 14 on the national mainstream charts in Australia. Two singles were released from the album: "Hieronymous" and "Anthem."
The band's next release was the single "Say It" from the upcoming Octopus eight track 'mini' album that was recorded from March to May and released in October 1992.
In June 1993 recording began on the next album, Thunderhead, with the first single, "Bower of Bliss," released in August and the album in October. The second single, "Alchemy's Dead," was released in December.
In 1994 Clouds took a six-month tour to Europe and the United States, securing an American record deal with Elektra Records. Whilst in London the EP Beetroot was recorded and released in Australia in October. Following the signing with Elektra Records Thunderhead was released in the United States in March 1995 along with an EP (3 Songs) and a promotional "Bower of Bliss" single. This was followed in May with two more promotional releases; "Say It" and a four track called Bang Bang! which took three tracks from Octopus and "Boy Of Air" from Beetroot. However shortly after these releases Clouds were dumped by Elektra when the label dropped their entire overseas roster of bands.
Despite this setback, recording of new songs continued and two EPs were released Aquamarine and Panel Van, August and November 1995, respectively.
In May 1996, Red Eye Records released a remastered Penny Century which include a limited edition bonus CD of early songs called Pre-Raphaelite. This helped the album to become Gold (35,000 copies sold).
In 1996, the band released their third album Futura.
Although Phillis and Young were widely praised for their ability to harmonise their vocals, Clouds suffered from a lack of promotion and support within the industry and eventually disbanded in 1997. Although Phillis was living in a small town in Tasmania and Young was living in London, the two occasionally reunited over the years to perform a few shows. Phillis went on to form The Dearhunters and Roger Loves Betty, and also records and performs as a solo artist.
In late 2005, Phillis and Young resurfaced under the name The Girls From The Clouds, launching a 5-track EP titled Lalalala. In April 2007, however, the duo announced they had disbanded again.[1]
On 14 June 2011, it was announced that The Clouds would reunite to tour with Jesus Jones and The Wonder Stuff in August 2011.[2] In late 2011 and early 2012, the band will tour Australia in The Clouds Reunion Tour.[3]
Discography
Albums
- Penny Century, 1991
- Octopus, 1992
- Thunderhead, 1993
- Futura, 1996
Compilation albums
- Favourites, 1999
EPs
- Clouds, 1990
- Loot, 1991
- Beetroot, 1994
- Aquamarine, 1995
- Panel Van, 1995
- Pretty Greens, 1999. A bonus disc that came with the compilation "Favourites" (recordings of demos between 1995 and 1996).[4]
Singles
- "Hieronymus", 1991
- "Anthem", 1992
- "Say It", 1992
- "Bower of Bliss", 1993
- "Alchemy's Dead", 1993
- "Here Now"/"Down From The Sky", 1996
- "Never Say Forever", 1997
References
- ^ The Girls From The Clouds News, 25 April 2007. American power pop band Cockeyed Ghost's 2001 song "Tears Of Joy" is in part a tribute to Clouds.
- ^ http://www.fasterlouder.com.au/news/local/28909/Jesus-Jones-The-Wonder-Stuff-and-The-Clouds-tour
- ^ Wade, Andrew: The Clouds Announce Reunion Tour, The AU Review, 6 September 2011.
- ^ SilverLinings: THE Comprehensive Web Resource for THE CLOUDS - Australia's Musical Deities
External links
- The Clouds of Australia (official website)
- Unofficial Clouds website
- Clouds: The Website (unofficial)
- The Girls From The Clouds official website
- The Girls From the Clouds page
- J FILES: The Clouds (from ABC Radio JJJ)
Listening
Categories:- Musical groups established in 1989
- Australian indie rock groups
- New South Wales musical groups
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