Transfusion (EP)

Infobox Album
Name = Transfusion
Type = EP
Artist = Powderfinger


Released = flagicon|Australia 1993-09-27
Recorded = Red Zeds
Genre = Rock
Reviews =
Length = 22:55
Label = Polydor
(859727-2)
Producer = Powderfinger & Jeff Lovejoy
Last album = "Powderfinger"
(1993)
This album = "Transfusion"
(1993)
Next album = "Parables for Wooden Ears"
(1994)

"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".

History

"Transfusion" was recorded and produced by Powderfinger in 1993 under the Polydor label, at Red Zeds studios in Brisbane.Wooldridge, Simon (March 1997). "Out of the Blue". "Juice". [http://www.ozmusic-central.com.au/powderfinger/text/article5.htm Archived] by [http://www.ozmusic-central.com.au/powderfinger/central.htm Powderfinger Central] .] 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.McKenzie, Simon (22 September 1993). "The Evolution and Distribution of Transfusion". "Time Off". [http://www.ozmusic-central.com.au/powderfinger/text/article3.htm Archived] by [http://www.ozmusic-central.com.au/powderfinger/central.htm Powderfinger Central] .]

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".

Release

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.cite book|url=http://www.toptechsmanagement.com.au/download/cv/KoppeA.pdf|publisher=Top Tech Management|author=Koppe, Allen|title=Allen Koppe CV|pages=1|format=PDF] Cite web|url=http://www.ozmusic-central.com.au/powderfinger/faqfile.htm#2p1|title=Have Powderfinger made any video clips for their singles?|work=The Powderfinger FAQ|author=Rice, Stephen; et al|accessdate=2007-10-18|date=23 September 2003|publisher=ozmusic-central.com.au] 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. [cite video|people=David Barker (director), Powderfinger (actors)|year2=1993|title="Reap What You Sow"|url=http://www.take40.com/artist/music/Powderfinger|format=Adobe Engagement Platform|medium=Music video|publisher=Polydor Records|location=Brisbane, Australia|accessdate=2007-10-28]

Response

"Transfusion" replaced "Heart Shaped Box" by Nirvana 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.McPherson, Matthew (September 1994). "Powderfinger". "Rolling Stone", pg. 23. [http://www.ozmusic-central.com.au/powderfinger/text/article1.htm Archived] by [http://www.ozmusic-central.com.au/powderfinger/central.htm Powderfinger Central] .]

"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.Budden, Matt (14 May 1996). "Powder Pick Up To Cure All Your Allergies". "Concrete Press". [http://www.ozmusic-central.com.au/powderfinger/text/article2.htm Archived] by [http://www.ozmusic-central.com.au/powderfinger/central.htm Powderfinger Central] .] 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".

Charts

Track listing

All music and lyrics written by Bernard Fanning, John Collins, Ian Haug, Darren Middleton, Jon Coghill. [cite web|url=http://www.last.fm/music/Powderfinger/Transfusion|title=Transfusion - Powderfinger - Music at last.fm|accessdate=2007-10-21|publisher=last.fm|]
# "Reap What You Sow" – 5:29
# "Change the Tide" – 4:40
# "Blind to Reason" – 6:11
# "Mama Harry" – 3:11
# "Rise Up" – 5:00

Personnel

References