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Human Frailty Pty Ltd |
THE BAND Hunters and Collectors were a large Australian rock group formed in 1981 and disbanded in 1998. Their initial style was an obscure blend of art-funk before progressing to a bass and drum dominated pub rock phase and finally into a guitar driven pop rock style in later years. All Hunters and Collectors albums are available in some form new in Australia on CD.
Members The 'classic' Hunters and Collectors line up:
Additional early members:
Discography
Biography Ian McFarlane wrote the following about Hunters and Collectors in the "Encyclopaedia of Rock and Pop": The journey that has taken Hunters & Collectors from esoteric art-funk innovators to Australia's greatest pub-rock exponents has been a fascinating one to say the least. The band's early records were full of challenging, noisy rock, bleak imagery, gripping drama and slithery funk. By the 1986 album Human Frailty and single `Say Goodbye', the band had stripped away unnecessary excess to arrive at a sound that combined equal parts refried boogie-rock and lyric paradoxes. Front man Mark Seymour became the `thinking woman's sex symbol' with his blue labourer's singlet, bulging biceps, introspective angst and impassioned vocals. There was a double irony in the sight of beer-soaked boys in suburban pubs across the land bellowing about not feeling like a woman any more, while the girls danced relentlessly up the back. Hunters & Collectors' great achievement was to lay bare human emotions in the intensely ritualistic milieu of the pub-rock gig.
Hunters and Collectors unsurprisingly began life immersed in excessive quantities of alcohol and loud rock. John Archer, Mark Seymour and Robert Miles were friends at a Melbourne University residential college called Ormond College in the 1970's (in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia). After John and Robert joked around about forming a band for a while, they eventually formed the Schnortts. This wholly unsuccessful circa 1978 drunken adventure was the first band to contain Mark Seymour, John Archer, Doug Falconer and Robert Miles. The inspiration for the name Schnortts came from a Belgian tennis racquet of Rob's (used primarily for air guitar) that John converted into a two string 'electric tennis racquet'. Many drinks later, the core of what was to become Hunters and Collectors formed The Jetsonnes in Melbourne around September 1979. The line-up comprised of Mark Seymour (guitar), John Archer (bass), Doug Falconer (drums), Ray Tosti-Gueira (guitar), Margot O'Neill (vocals) and Robert Miles, who contributed towards the live sound and popular promotional artwork. The band had a light, bouncy pop sound and the only recorded item by the band is a track called "News-paper" that was a gig giveaway 7" single (with the International Exiles' "Miniskirts In Moscow"). The Jetsonnes played in the Melbourne area for about a year before disbanding around September 1980. All members except Margot were soon to reappear in May 1981 in a new, far more radical concept. Mark introduced new members Geoff Crosby (keyboards) and Greg Perano (percussion) and became the vocalist. A massive horn section, initially comprising of six members, was then added to form the new band. The band was named by Greg Perano after the German band Can's track "Hunters and Collectors" (from their 1975 album "Landed"). Working an eleven member band into something that sounds coherent was not to be an easy job and hence Robert Miles became a full member to handle sound and mixing.
Hunters and Collectors made their live debut on the 15th of May 1981 at the Seaview Ballroom in Melbourne. Hunters and Collectors quickly earned a reputation as the 'next big thing' and the band to experience live through chaotic, intense live performances. They were signed up by Mushroom Records label White, which they remained with for the entire of their existence. The January 1982 released debut EP "World Of Stone" (World Of Stone / Watcher / Loinclothing) gave the Hunna's an early taste of success, spending eight weeks in the Australian top 100, peaking at number 50. The self titled debut studio album came out in mid 1982, selling reasonably well in Australia (#14, eventually selling Gold) and in New Zealand. The album put a focus on brilliant instrumental sections featuring everything from the massive brass section to an empty gas cylinder. It features the seven and a half minute song that is regarded as the bands first truly excellent song, "Talking To A Stranger", which was released as a 7" single and reached #59 in Australia. The single was also eventually released in the UK in various forms. The obscure but brilliant display of confusion and imagery in the video clip for "Talking To A Stranger" is also regarded as a classic and was directed by Richard Lowenstein. The entire "World Of Stone" EP can be found on CD versions of this album. Following their discovery in the "Hunters and Collectors" album, Martin Lubran replaced Tosti-Gueira on guitar and the 'Horns Of Contempt' (their name for the brass section) was down to Howard, Smith and Waters. A second EP called "Payload" (Lumps Of Lead / Towtruck / Droptank / Mouthtrap) was released by the end of 1982 but failed to chart. An obscure video clip for "Lumps Of Lead" was made for the EP. The next year (1983) was very difficult for the band and resulted in Perano and Lubran leaving. Hunters and Collectors spent six miserable months in the UK after which they recorded their second studio album "The Fireman's Curse" in (then) West Germany with Conny Plank. No 'best of' or live album has ever featured a song off "The Fireman's Curse", which says something about this album and the band's attitude towards it. Basically, they regret it. There was a lack of direction or fresh ideas which resulted in a rather obscure album that 'missed the mark'. That given, it is not as bad as it seems either. There are tracks such as "Curse" and "Sway" that are more than worthwhile. The singles "Judas Sheep" and "Sway" were released, but both failed to chart while the album peaked at #77 and is now certified Gold. After the line up changes and a period of re-evaluation, Hunters and Collectors emerged in July 1984 a smaller but stronger band, releasing the classic album "The Jaws Of Life". Featuring a strong drum and bass section along with Australian imagery from Mark Seymour's more directed lyrics, "The Jaws Of Life" was a complete shift in direction for the Hunna's. The classic double a-sided single "The Slab" / "Carry Me" was released but failed to chart while the album peaked at #89 and is now certified Gold. Other highly recommended tracks from "Jaws" are "42 Wheels", the fun "The Way To Go Out" and the atmospheric "Little Chalkie". Despite being an excellent album, the raw vocals and style are not likely to instantly appeal to someone who knows Hunters and Collectors best from the 'radio hits'. The entire "Payload" EP can be found on CD versions of "The Jaws Of Life". After three studio albums and two EP's Hunters and Collectors released their first live album in May 1985, "The Way To Go Out" (peaked at #76, now certified Gold, also available on video). Before this album (November 1984) Hunters and Collectors released a live 7" single of a song called "Throw Your Arms Around Me" which if you have read this far you probably already know. The single failed to chart but the song then appeared in it's full live form on "The Way To Go Out" anyway. This version of "Throw Your Arms Around Me" is far more raw than the two versions that are commonly played on radio in Australia. Following this album, Michael Waters (already on trombone) took over keyboards from Crosby, who left. It was also at around this time that Hunters and Collectors linked up with manager Michael Roberts, who remained their manager until the end of the band in 1998. Hunters and Collectors made a decision at this point to go for a far more commercial sound and the result was May 1986's "Human Frailty" (#10, now certified Double Platinum). This album properly broke the Hunna's into the Australian charts with the singles "Say Goodbye" (#24, April 1986), "Throw Your Arms Around Me" (#49, June), "Everything's On Fire" (#78) and "Is There Anybody In There?". The version of "Throw Your Arms Around Me" here was a cleaner, studio version of the song that appeared on "The Way To Go Out". Frailty was also released outside of Australia under I.R.S. records (which at the time had the likes of R.E.M. on them). "Human Frailty" is a melodic, catchy piece of work focused on relationships more than anything else. The single "Is There Anybody In There?" is one of the more political Hunters and Collectors songs, a reflection of the Raegen years and the general political scene in 1985. Other standout tracks on the album include "Dog", "Relief" and "Stuck On You" (by now most of the album tracks have been mentioned!). The next step for the Hunna's was two tours of the USA and the "Living Daylight" EP (Living Daylight / January Rain / Inside A Fireball) which managed to reach #41 on the Australian charts. Most CD versions of "Human Frailty" contain this entire EP.
Emphasising drumming and production a little more, Hunters and Collectors came back in April 1987 with the Australian only "What's A Few Men?" album. This is the only album not currently in production and can be difficult to find, particularly in CD format. Mark Seymour took the album's title from Albert Facey's memoir, "An Unfortunate Life". The title track was about mistreatment Australian soldiers received in wars at the hands of English leaders. The album reached number 16 on the Australian charts, eventually selling Platinum (over 70,000 copies). The album contained the singles "Do You See What I See?" (#33, November 1987) and "Still Hanging 'Round" (February 1988). Most of the album is highly recommended while "Around The Flame" and "Under The Sun" are particularly outstanding tracks. For the US market in 1988, "What's A Few Men?" was remixed with some tracks (including "Back On The Breadline") added and some tracks ("Still Hanging 'Round" and "Give Me A Reason") removed. This more produced effort, "Fate", failed to make a large dint in the market is was intended for but did yield the moderately successful overseas single "Back On The Breadline" (#37 locally). "Fate" was issued in Australia in April 1991 and soon after "What's A Few Men?" was deleted (made no longer available new). Harem Scarem guitarist Barry Palmer provided some guitar work on "Fate" and soon after joined the band properly in 1988. Their next album, released at the end of 1989, was "Ghost Nation" (#10, now Double Platinum) which was released internationally by Atlantic Records. The album contained the singles "When The River Runs Dry" (#23), "Turn A Blind Eye" (#42), "The Way You Live" (#75) and "Love All Over Again". Nominated for six ARIA awards in 1989 for "Ghost Nation", the only win was for Robert Miles' artwork (which Rob uses as a bookend). Regarded as a massive surprise, the lack of awards was a motivation for changing the ARIA award voting process. Hunters and Collectors were named Australian Band of the Year in Rolling Stone in 1990 after supporting on Midnight Oil's 1990 tour. "Ghost Nation" is debatably the best Hunters and Collectors album, also containing the excellent "Ghost Nation" and "Lazy Summer Day". Atlantic Records were nice enough to dump the Hunna's after "Ghost Nation" because it did not perform as well as they wanted it too. 1990 also saw the release of "Collected Works", a 'best of' album covering all Hunters and Collectors works to date. The overseas I.R.S. version contained material up to "Fate" and was basically songs off "Human Frailty", "Living Daylight" (EP) and "Fate" with "Give Me A Reason" and "Still Hanging 'Round" thrown in for good measure. In Australia the "Collected Works" album was a varied if unpredictable set of songs (quite a few singles were missing) that covered up to and including "Ghost Nation". This album reached number 8 and is now certified Double Platinum. Australia also enjoyed an excellent video version, which in many ways was a better retrospective than any other version (more songs, singles and variety). The Australian versions also contained a new very polished and radio friendly version of "Throw Your Arms Around Me" which was released as a single. This third single release of "Throw Your Arms" peaked at 34, it's highest position yet. The early albums ("Hunters and Collectors", "The Fireman's Curse", "The Jaws Of Life", "The Way To Go Out") were released on CD in Australia in 1991. Initially this was in the "Skin, Bones & Bolts" box set (#86) before the albums were individually issued. In these new releases, the "World Of Stone" EP was attached to the "Hunters and Collectors" album while the "Payload" EP was attached to "The Jaws Of Life" album. The artwork was also changed a lot, particularly with "The Jaws Of Life" which no longer showed the mass of Australian imagery from the old LP version. In September 1991 Hunters and Collectors gave a very early taste of their next album with the single "Where Do You Go?", logging another top 40 single at number 33. Mark Seymour and Paul Kelly got together for the May 1992 single "Hey Boys", lifted from the "Garbo" soundtrack. This song made the Australian charts, peaking at number 62. Later in 1992 the full assault for what would be Hunters and Collectors most successful era in Australia (in terms of singles - album sales wise it was similar to "Ghost Nation" and "Human Frailty") began. The surprising "Head Above Water" came out in July reaching #64 before the political "We The People" made it's way into the world in September reaching #70. Then in October the Hunna's most commercially aimed studio effort to date, "Cut", was released. "Cut" was produced by Don Gehman of R.E.M. ("Life's Rich Pageant") and John Mellancamp fame. This album did not do much overseas but peaked at number 6 and is certified Double Platinum in Australia. The real volumes were moved with the success of the hit singles "True Tears Of Joy" (released November 1992, peaked at 14) and "Holy Grail" (released March 1993, peaked at 20). A final single, the beautiful "Imaginary Girl", came out in August 1993 and reached #82. So all up "Cut" yielded six top 100 hits, which is fairly impressive for a rock album. Even more impressive is the quality of the five album tracks that are not singles - "Grindstone", "Angel Of Mercy", "Love That I Long For" and the hauntingly brilliant "Edge Of Nowhere" and "Hear No Evil". After "Cut" failed to succeed commercially to the extent that was wanted (or it should have), Hunters and Collectors quickly recorded and put out the "Demon Flower" album in May 1994. The first single from it (April) was the humorous "Easy" which had the most 'fun' Hunna's video clip in existence (a big accident involving a kiddies toy car...). Released as a video single as well as a CD single, the song reached #38 in Australia and helped "Demon Flower" debut and peak at #2 (Gold). Two more commercial singles were released ("Back In The Hole", "Drop In The Ocean") but both failed to chart. A promo single of "The One and Only You" was also released. "Demon Flower" placed an emphasis on electric guitars that had never been seen before in the Hunters and Collectors back catalogue. The effectiveness of the result is somewhat debatable - whereas some regarded the album as a return to form, others found it more of a disappointment. The album seemed lacking some of the things that made previous albums 'special' leaving it merely a 'good' album. The album definitely has it's moments though - besides the singles, "Desert Where Her Heart Is" comes to mind. A Hunters and Collectors cover of the Saint's song "Know Your Product" was put on the Earth Music compilation album in June 1994. This remained a frequent part of the Hunna's live performances until the end. During the time of "Demon Flower" (early 1995), a bonus EP CD "Live Demons In Amsterdam" was given away with new Hunters and Collectors albums. The only song performed on this EP that there is no other commercial live recording of is "Dog", for the record. The band toured Europe in support of "Demon Flower" and then took a break. During this break the double live set "Living In Large Rooms and Lounges" was issued (December 1995). The album reached #45 and is currently certified Gold. One of the CD's was recorded live at the Continental (acoustic) and the other disc contains tracks recorded live in pubs. The material covered is more weighted towards "Human Frailty" and "Demon Flower" but contained some "Jaws Of Life", "What's A Few Men?/Fate", "Ghost Nation" and "Cut". Also during the break Barry Palmer formed Deadstar. Mark Seymour also recorded and released his first solo album "King Without A Clue" during this time. By the time 1997 came around, a split was almost inevitable. There were there were external commitments (all members except one had children), long running internal disputes and it was simply time to 'call it a day'. Instead of issuing a 'best of' when breaking up, Hunters and Collectors recorded their last studio album "Juggernaut" (#36) which was released in February 1998. It contained the Mark Seymour and Paul Kelly penned single "Suit Your Style", which failed to attract radio attention. "Juggernaut" was approaching more of a 'Crowded House' sound than ever before and was a lot softer and an improvement on "Demon Flower". Standout tracks include "True Believers" (an ode to us!), "Wasted In The Sun" and the almost depressing closer "Long Way To The Water". The final Hunters and Collectors tour was the "Say Goodbye" tour to support the Juggernaut album. Their final public show was on the 22nd of March 1998 and their final gig (invitation only) on the 24th of March 1998, both in Melbourne. That was the end for the Hunna's. :-(.
During 1998 Mushroom re-released the "Talking To A Stranger" single as part of their '25th Anniversary' celebrations. The clip contained a new live version along with the original, five remixes, and video's of the live and studio versions. In November the third live Hunters and Collectors album was released. "Under One Roof" was recorded at Selina's in Sydney and holds the ground as the Hunna's 'best of' at this moment in time. It contains a fairly good cross section of the Hunna's back catalogue. "Under One Roof" is also available on video. Mark Seymour continued to promote his first solo album "King Without A Clue" (#53) during 1998 after the Hunna's split. Four singles in total were released - "Last Ditch Cabaret" (April 1997, #85), "The Ghost Of Vainglory" (October 1997), "Home Again" (July 1998) and "You Don't Have To Cry Anymore" (September 1998). Mark Seymour's solo album showed a more radio friendly acoustic guitar based 'pop' sound than the band had ever shown. Mark's preferred touring was solo with simply an acoustic guitar, though some gigs were done with his brother (Nick Seymour, Crowded House fame) and a lot of them with Rod Davies. Robert Miles continues to work with Mark Seymour to this day, taking care of Mark's live sound whilst working as an architect for a 'day job'. During 2000 Jack Howard (trumpet) released a solo EP called "Lo Stresso Tempo". It was a raw, melancholic five track rock EP with "Home" being the standout track. To date, Mark Seymour and Jack Howard remain the only former band members with solo releases out. Mark Seymour returned in March 2001 with the exceptional "One Eyed Man" album. The first single "Don't You Know Me?" (February 2001) excited the fans but suffered from a serious lack of airplay and led to the album itself only managing to reach #67. A second album track, the brilliant "Ballad Of The One Eyed Man", was released as a promo single only. The record company at the time, Festival Mushroom, was not interested in more commercial singles. On an album full of catchy guitar based melodic pop rock the standout tracks include "Sad Songs", "Blue Morning", "Always A Fool (For A Pretty Face)" and "On My Way Home". The brilliance of this album was acknowledged by the 2001 ARIA award win for "Best Adult Contemporary Album". Mid way through 2001 Mark Seymour parted ways with Festival Mushroom Records after being associated with Mushroom since the formation of Hunters and Collectors in 1981. Mark linked up with Warner for "The Ballad Of The One Eyed Man Live At The Basement" all-region DVD in November 2001. A CD version was in turn released in February 2002 through the Basement and Warner. The performances on these releases were taken from Mark Seymour's gig at the Basement nightclub in Sydney on the 10th of July 2001. A number of new, previously unreleased songs feature on these releases, with most songs being performed with Mark's recently formed band "The Human Tide". During late 2000 and 2001 Jack Howard recorded his first full length studio album, "Secrets and White Lies", and it was released in July 2002 through Laughing Outlaw Records. The new album is a lot bigger and stronger than his first solo effort, "Lo Stresso Tempo". Dominating melodic drum and bass rock combines in Secrets with a touch of country and jazz to form an impressive album. Favourites include "You Will Find", "Heard You Cry", "Sail Upon Her Smile" and title track "Secrets and White Lies". Jack Howard had regular Friday night gigs at the Elwood RSL during 2002 and 2003 with his band The Long Lost Brothers. Jack Howard also played in The Elwood Dad's Band through 2002, a collection of musical fathers who all have children attending Elwood Primary School. Whilst involved in all of these and many other musical endeavours, Jack Howard recorded a second solo album called "Let's Fall In Love" in 2002 and 2003, which was released in October 2004. Choice picks include "Pendulum", "Let's Fall In Love", "I Just Don't Understand" and the cover "Sea Of Love". The Hunters and Collectors contract expired with Festival Mushroom Records in April 2003, around the same time as a new contract was signed with Liberation Records. This was great for fans as a swag of new releases appeared from mid 2003. First off were remastered versions of all the studio albums (August 2003), with the most notable improvements heard in the "Hunters and Collectors" and "The Jaws Of Life" albums. "What's A Few Men?" was re-released on CD, with additional songs from the no longer available "Fate" included on the end. Liberation Records went on to release an all inclusive studio 'best of' "Natural Selection" (October 2003) that brought Hunters and Collectors back into the Australian albums chart (#40, Gold). The first Hunters and Collectors DVD's soon appeared in the form of the comprehensive studio video compilation "Natural Selection" (November 2003) and the surround sound remixed live video "Under One Roof" (November 2003). Recording for Mark Seymour's third solo album, titled "Embedded", was completed by June 2003 and the album was released in April 2004. Claimed by many to be Mark's most cohesive album to date, "Embedded" presented a collection of dark tales from the suburbs. "Embedded" featured the radio only singles "Try Not To Try" (September 2003), "43 In The Shade" (March 2004) and "Shoulder To Cry On" (July 2004). Other highlights included Mark's ode to his former record company in "Made Man", a lively dedication to the anxiety of modern living in "Left Alive" and live favourite "In The Kitchen Of A Perfect Home". Liberation Records continued to work the Hunters and Collectors back catalogue through 2004. "The Way To Go Out" was released on DVD in June and a noticeably improved remastered CD in August. A long awaited rarities album called "Mutations" was released in September 2005, containing almost all studio b-sides from the Hunters and Collectors back catalogue. For 2006, a 20th anniversary edition of the "Human Frailty" album was released, including a bonus DVD of video clips and RockArena live footage. Both Jack Howard and Mark Seymour are planning to release new albums around the middle of 2007. Jack's will be a full band album with additional stripped back tracks with only an electric guitar. Mark's been covering challenging ground with "Westgate", promising to make 2007 an excellent year for fans.
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