Innocent Bystanders

Infobox musical artist
Name = Innocent Bystanders


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Background = group_or_band
Origin = Perth, Western Australia, Australia
Genre = Indie Rock
Years_active = 1983-1988
Label =
URL =
Current_members =
Former_members = Brett Keyser, Mark Lizotte, Bernie Bremond, John Dalzell, John Heussanstamm, Al Kash, Cliff Kinneen, Jamie Manifis, Yak Sherritt, Dave Skewes, Brett Townshend

"Innocent Bystanders" were a Perth based band formed in the early 1980's around vocalist/songwriter Brett Keyser.

Biography

At a time when cover bands dominated the Western Australian music landscape, "Bystanders" were one of the few original acts to make a dent and after a few years of hard work eventually pull very respectable crowds. Their Monday night residences at the Herdsman Hotel drew crowds of over 250 people, many of them music industry types there to listen to this powerful Australian band heavily influenced by Cold Chisel and Bruce Springsteen. The standout features were the depth of Keyser's songwriting and his powerful vocals and the amazing young teenage guitarist Mark Lizotte aka Diesel.

The band's songs drew heavily from their local environment of beaches, hot summers, weekends down South and even the demolition of the Scarborough Beach Hotel. In addition Keyser soaked up many influences and ventured into the realm of story-telling with his songs.

In 1983 the band released a cassette entitled "Live at the Subi", recorded at the Subiaco Hotel with a mobile recording truck.

In 1984 the band flew to Sydney and recorded a single, "Lebanon" with Peter Walker (Midnight Oil and Cold Chisel producer) [ [http://www.focusmag.com.au/portmac/interviews/diesel.html Diesel Interview - Focus Magazine] ] with the lineup of Lizotte, Brett Keyser (vocals), John ‘Yak’ Sherrit (drums), John ‘Tatt’ Dalzell (bass) and Cliff Kinneen (keyboards).

Lizotte left the band in 1986. Keyser then recruited new players John Heussanstamm (guitar) and Al Kash (drums; ex-Blackfeather) and issued the album "Don’t Go Looking Back" on the Chase label. The other members followed Lizotte and formed the successful Australian act Johnny Diesel & The Injectors.

Members [ [http://hem.passagen.se/honga/database/d/diesel.html Australian Rock Database - Johnny Diesel / Mark Lizotte ] ]

* Bernie Bremond
* John Dalzell
* John Heussanstamm
* Al Kash
* Brett Keyser
* Cliff Kinneen
* Mark Lizotte
* Jamie Manifis
* Yak Sherritt
* Dave Skewes
* Brett Townshend

Discography

* "Lebanon"/"Young Hearts" - AIB (AIB 01) (1984) AUS #98
* "Dangerous"/"I Don’t Care" - Chase (CXP9) (July 1986) AUS #97
*"Don’t Go Looking Back" - Chase (CLP8) (1986) AUS #59

References

External links

* [http://www.amo.org.au/artist.asp?id=3765 Australia Music Online]
* [http://www.ebuyrecordstore.com/INNOCENT-BYSTANDERS-DONT-GO-LOOKING-BACK-LP-p-19283.html "Don't Go Looking Back"]
* [http://www.whiteroom.com.au/howlspace/en4/diesel/diesel.htm Howlspace - Diesel]