The October Lovers
I phone James Lee, emaciated in-demand guitarist during the idle winter of 96. It s time to get The Few back together. Chris Grierson (bass) and Corinna Maule (violin) are back into it and we start again with new drummer Lenny Hyatt (Dead Salesmen). All the old material is abandoned and by September, we’re playing loose but much rowdier gigs than we’ve ever played.
A residency at the Punters with Sandro and The Stream in Jan 97 is a highlight. Continuing the writing and sporadically gigging we record what is to be The October Lovers album in a Clifton Hill warehouse over the weekend that Lady Di died. 15 songs and initiated by the stirring guitar work of James, Chris driving bass, Lenny s intense drumming, Corinna s wild violin and an improvement in my vocals, the album takes shape. The money problems start now.
We play New Years Eve in Ballarat. Tom from Adelaide band The Moonies calls and we head to Adelaide meeting people for the first time who liked the same records we did A gig with Sweet William and The Moonies at the Mad Love Bar is a highlight. James Lee commented: It s like being in…Bristol
More gigs through the year of 98. After five years of great bass playing Chris Grierson decides to call it a day and Pete Stone (ex-Lamia) joins. The October Lovers is still sitting there without the cash for mixing so we sensibly record again before Pete moves back to Perth Nine songs hurriedly done in a day overlooking Port Phillip Bay, rhythm section heavy, some pop and the odd ridiculous moment i.e an attempted rap. The lost sessions, surely?
As a precursor to the album, we release a spilt seven inch single with Tasmanian popsters Droplet. The single, The Little Truths, a road map song is the obvious choice. After Pete leaves, it s finally time to mix the record Up to Matt Hills place in Preston. The October Lovers is released in November 99 on Karl Melvin s Adelaide indie Hip To Hate . Chris Richards (ex-Dust/Kali) joins on bass and The Empress Launch is extremely well attended. We re feeling good as Sunday morning hits us crashed out at the after-party listening to Tactics and Belle & Sebastian. Typically, after feeling good, some shocking gigs follow to break our spirits.