- The Bedridden
Infobox musical artist
Name = The Bedridden
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Origin =Canberra ,Australia
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Genre = IndieFolk-rock Anti-folk
Punk
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Years_active = 1989–1993, 1995–2002, 2005
Label =Round Records Army of Nerds
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Current_members =
Past_members = Barnaby "Baterz " Ward
Benjow
David M. Lewis
SpaemenKirsty Stegwazi
Lillybub
Andy Wiffler
David Wiffler
Razz Mussen
Alex Miller
Mahatt
Notable_instruments =The Bedridden was an
Australia ncult band that performed and recorded, somewhat sporadically, between 1989 and 2002. The Bedridden reunited for a series of concerts in 2005 to promote a live album that was recorded in 1998. The band were noted for regular break-ups and constant line-up changes. Song-writing and lead-vocal duties were shared amongst the members of the band, creating a somewhat eclectic style and an evolving sound due to the departure of key members. They created a strong fan base around the Australianpub rock scene, especially inAdelaide which was considered to be the home of the band.History
The group formed in 1989 in
Canberra and quickly moved toAdelaide where the band remained until Baterz's death in 2002. The original members wereBaterz (guitar ), David M. Lewis (guitar), Spaemen (bass guitar ),Kirsty Stegwazi (guitar) and Lillybub (cello ).The group recorded their first album "It's All Fun And Games Until Someone Loses An Eye" later in 1989 and it was eventually released through the Adelaide-based label
Round Records in 1990. The album introduced some of the groups most well-remembered songs, including "Bateman's Bay", "Stephen McKenzie", and theSesame Street tune "Capital I".With the release of their first album, the band toured the Australian cities of
Canberra ,Sydney , andMelbourne , developing a stronger fan base. Their second album, "Big Scary Cow", was released in 1992, again throughRound Records . This second collection featured Bedridden favourites including "2/11/1968", "Midget", and their secondSesame Street cover, "Born To Add".Between 1993 and 1995, The Bedridden had their longest falling out. Some of the members pursued solo careers, most notably
Baterz andKirsty Stegwazi , and the band members were spread over several states withinAustralia . This was the longest period of inactivity from the group during Baterz's life.By 1996 founding band member
Baterz had developed an important name for himself as asolo artist . He invested in equipment to set up his ownrecording studio and label calledArmy of Nerds and, with recording gear in place, brought back various group members to record the third album as a band, "I Told You it Wouldn't Work" in 1998. The album had a much cleaner and defined sound, with stronger arrangements than seen before. The tracks included "Agent of Satan", "Darren Williams", and their most-recognised song "The Drowning of the Daddo Brothers".In various incarnations, which featured
Baterz , Benjow, Dave Wiffler, Dave Lewis, Lillybub, and others, The Bedridden performed sporadic shows inAdelaide andMelbourne , perhaps every few months until late 2001. March 2002 saw the release of a new Bedridden single, "Inland Sea", which was to herald a fourth album.The fourth album never materialised, due to the untimely death of
Baterz at age 33. Baterz was ahaemophiliac and, as a young teen, was diagnosed withHIV , contracted through a contaminated blood transfusion. In 2002, his condition worsened andlesions were discovered in his brain, affecting his co-ordination and forcing him to give up performing. Baterz died in July 2002.Triple J , the national youth radio network, broadcast a tribute to Baterz and his music on their "Artery" program. [Triple J, "Artery", August 1, 2002] As Baterz was one of the main driving forces behind The Bedridden, the band stopped performing and the unfinished recordings were shelved.In 2005, a new incarnation of The Bedridden performed a series of shows in
Adelaide ,Ballarat , andMelbourne to launch a live recording of the band - "The Anthem Of The Crown & Anchor", a collection of live recordings from performances in July 1998 inBallarat andMelbourne .Incarnations
The 2005 incarnation
*David M. Lewis
*Kirsty Stegwazi
*Razz Mussen
*Alex Miller
*LillybubThis incarnation performed a series of shows to promote the release of the "The Anthem Of The Crown & Anchor", a live album recorded by the 1998 incarnation of The Bedridden. Lillybub did not perform at the
Melbourne show.The 2002 incarnation
*
Baterz
*David M. Lewis
*Razz Mussen
*Alex MillerAside from performances, this incarnation released the "Inland Sea", a 5-track EP.
The 2000 incarnation
*
Baterz
*David M. Lewis
*David Wiffler
*Razz MussenTrack 4 from "Inland Sea", a live recording of "The Drowning Of The Daddo Brothers" was performed by this incarnation.
The 1998 incarnation
*
Baterz
*Benjow
*David M. Lewis
*David WifflerThis incarnation released the album "I Told You It Wouldn't Work". The live album "The Anthem Of The Crown & Anchor", released in 2005, was recorded during this time.
The 1992 incarnation
*
Baterz
*Benjow
*David M. Lewis
*Spaemen
*Kirsty Stegwazi (known as "Ebo")
*LillybubThis incarnation of The Bedridden released the "Big Scary Cow" album.
The 1989 incarnation
*
Baterz
*David M. Lewis
*Spaemen
*Kirsty Stegwazi (known as "Ebo")
*LillybubThis incarnation recorded and released the first Bedridden album, "It's All Fun And Games Until Someone Loses An Eye", in 1990.
Other members
Although he doesn't feature on any of the recordings, Andy Wiffler performed with the band for a period during the 1990s and is considered a member of The Bedridden.
According to the liner notes of "The Inland Sea", Lillybub is "always occasionally around". He doesn't feature on the recordings for the years after 1992 but was playing shows and may be considered to be a member of all the incarnations.
Discography
Releases
*"It's All Fun And Games Until Someone Loses An Eye" album (1990, Round Records)
*"Big Scary Cow" album (1992, Round Records)
*"I Told You It Wouldn't Work" album (1998, Army of Nerds)
*"Inland Sea" EP (2002, Army of Nerds)
*"The Anthem Of The Crown & Anchor" Live compilation (2005, Army of Nerds)References
External links
* [http://users.chariot.net.au/~baterz/bedridden/index.htm Official band website]
* [http://users.chariot.net.au/~baterz/ Official Baterz website]
* [http://www.musicsa.com.au/artists/baterz/ MusicSA's obituary to Baterz]
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