Dropbears

For other uses, see dropbear (disambiguation).

The Dropbears were a popular part of the Australian music scene in the early 1980s. They had a couple of national chart hits and received national airplay. They had a minor charting hit with Shall We Go in 1984.

The band started life as "The Socket Set" in 1980 (Johnny Batchelor, Phil Hall (Sardine v, Lime Spiders) and a string of drummers). Under the name The Socket Set, they played shows which included the sell-out opening night of The Saints return Australian tour in 1980 (the Paralytic Tonight, Dublin Tomorrow tour).

As Dropbears, the band formed in Darlinghurst Sydney 1981 with Johnny Batchelor, Simon Rudlin and Chris Toms (Chris Cross) - Chris coined the name Dropbears - prior to this Johnny and Simon had been jamming with bass player Rod Brunel (from Sydney band "The Singles"), but it wasn't working well. Chris Cross from Sydney punk band The Bedhogs lived downstairs and Johnny asked him to join the, as then, unnamed band.

In 1982, The Dropbears released two singles: Fun Loving, and Lay Him Down. Both went to #1 on the Sydney Indie charts, and Lay Him Down reached the Sydney top 20. The following year, the band signed to WEA records and went on to release a series of successful singles, but no album was ever released. This was a cause of frustration to the band, and ultimately led to its break-up.

Members:
Johnny Batchelor, Guitar, Vocals - 1980-86, 1987
Chris Cross (Chris Toms), Bass - 1981-82
Phil Hall, Bass, Vocals - 1980, 1982-86, 1987
Simon Rudlin, Drums - 1981-82
James Elliot, Drums - 1982
Mike (Snapper) Knapp, Drums, Backing Vocals - 1982-86, 1987
Bob Cooper, Saxophones, Lyricon - 1983
Robert (Bert) Hearn, Guitar, Guitar Synth - 1983-84 (?)

Discography

Untitled (1983)
Johnny Batchelor - Vocals, Guitars
Phil Hall - Bass, Keyboards, Backing Vocals
Mike Knapp - Drums, Backing Vocals
Additional musicians:
Mike Caen (Dragon, Mental as Anything) - Guitars
Jenny Morris - Backing vocals
Bob Cooper - Saxophones, Lyricon, Keyboards
Mark Kennedy (Ayers Rock, Renee Geyer, Men at Work) - Percussion
?? - Keyboards

Fun Loving (1982)
Johnny Batchelor - Vocals, Guitars
Chris Toms (aka Chris Cross) - Bass
Simon Rudlin - Drums

Lay him down (1982)
Johnny Batchelor - Vocals, Guitars
Phil Hall - 8 String Bass, Backing Vocals
Simon Rudlin - Drums

Proud (1983)
Johnny Batchelor - Vocals, Guitars
Phil Hall - Bass, Backing Vocals
Mike Knapp - Drums, Backing Vocals
Additional musicians:
Mike Caen - Guitars
Jenny Morris - Backing vocals
Bob Cooper - Saxophones
Mark Kennedy (Ayers Rock, Renee Geyer Band, Men at Work) - Congas, Triangle

Shall we go (1984)
Johnny Batchelor - Vocals, Guitars
Phil Hall - Bass, Keyboards, Backing Vocals
Mike Knapp - Drums, Backing Vocals
Additional musicians:
Mike Caen - Guitars
Jenny Morris - Backing vocals
Sharon O'Neill - Backing Vocals
Doane Perry (Dragon, Jethro Tull, Lou Reed) - Linn Drum Programming
Ricky Fataar (Beach Boys, Rutles) - Bongoes
Alan Mansfield (Dragon, Robert Palmer, Bette Midler) - Piano

In your eyes(1985)
Johnny Batchelor - Vocals, Guitars
Phil Hall - Bass, Keyboards, Backing Vocals
Mike Knapp - Drums, Backing Vocals
Additional musicians:
Mike Caen - Guitars
Jenny Morris - Backing vocals
Sharon O'Neill - Backing Vocals
Doane Perry (Dragon, Jethro Tull, Lou Reed) - Linn Drum Programming
Marc Hunter (Dragon) - Backing Vocals
Alan Mansfield (Dragon, Robert Palmer) - Piano

Compilations

• Fun Lovers Singles Pack (1986)

External links

• Essay on, and MP3 of, "Fun Loving" includes interview with Johnny Batchelor at Webcuts (Mar 2008)
• http://www.webcutsmusic.com/features/secret-history-aus-music/2008/dropbears-fun-loving/