The Earthmen

The Earthmen were an Australian indie pop-rock band formed in Melbourne, Victoria.[1] They released two albums, Teen Sensations and Love Walked In during their career (1991–1999).[1] Love Walked In was nominated for 'Breakthrough Artist – Album' at the Australian Recording Industry Association (ARIA) Music Awards for 1997.[2]

The Earthmen
OriginMelbourne, Victoria, Australia
Genresindie pop-rock
Years active1991 (1991)–1999
LabelsSummershine, Seed, Warner/East West
Past membersAaron Goldberg, Stephen Nash, Glen Peters, Eric Prentice, Scott Stevens, Nick Batterham, Ben Bleechmore, Robert Cooper, Stephen Moffatt, Matt Sigley, Craig Mitchell, Nick Murray

History

The Earthmen was formed by Scott Stevens and Aaron Goldberg in 1991 as a jamming band in Melbourne, Victoria and were influenced by 1960s pop music and late '80s American and UK indie noise-pop.

After winning JJJ-fm's national 'J-Sessions' competition they recorded their debut single, "Stacey's Cupboard" late that year with the line-up of Aaron Goldberg on guitar, Stephen Nash on guitar, Glen Peters on drums, Eric Prentice on bass guitar and Scott Stevens on vocals. Nash left in December and was replaced by Nick Batterham (ex-Blindside) as The Earthmen made their first live performances.

The "Stacey's Cupboard" single was released in April 1992 on the indie label, Summershine, as well as on the JJJ-fm compilation album the 'J sessions'. Aside from Sydney band Glide, the Earthmen were the only band to make any industry impact from a pool of nearly 15 bands. Their second single, "Flyby" in August was followed by an Extended Play (EP), Flyby and a third single "Cool Chick #59" in October.

They released another EP, Teen Sensations, in May 1993 on Summershine. For United States (US) and European markets, Atlantic Records subsidiary Seed released an expanded LP album, Teen Sensations in July with earlier singles added to the Australian EP version.[1]

In April 1994 they released, "Figure 8" and by May, Peters was replaced by Ben Bleechmore and Prentice by Robert Cooper, The Earthmen had their last Summershine release, The Fall and Rise of My Favourite Sixties Girl EP.

Following their tour of the US and United Kingdom (UK) in July, Goldberg quit the band, and was replaced by Stephen Moffatt at the behest of the 'Black Pig' Publishing Group.

The band signed a contract with Warner's Australian label East West Records by early 1996. In Australia they released, "Scene Stealer" in April and "Hug Me Tighter" in August, then they entered the recording studio with Batterham and Stevens joined by Matt Sigley on bass guitar and keyboards and they used session drummer, Derek Yuen (Underground Lovers). By year's end they had recruited Craig Mitchell on drums and Nick Murray on guitar.

"Whoever's Been Using This Bed" was released as a single in January 1997 with Love Walked In following in April.[1] The album was nominated for 'Breakthrough Artist – Album' at the Australian Recording Industry Association (ARIA) Music Awards for 1997.[2] It spawned two more singles, "Coloured In" (June) and "Love Walked In" (November).

The Earthmen covered Hal David and Burt Bacharach's "I Just Don't Know What to Do with Myself" for a tribute album, To Hal and Bacharach in April 1998. The War Against Rock and Roll EP, appeared in January 1999 with their final gig following on 12 February.[1]

In 2014 the band announced plans to release a retrospective compilation album on the Popboomerang Records label. At the time of the band's demise, they had been writing songs towards their second album for Warners. The band broke up during the first recording session and many of the songs never got past the demo stage. In looking back through all their material for this retrospective, these demos were uncovered and judged to be worth inclusion. The band got together in late 2014 and recorded four new tracks with the album "College Heart" to be released in September 2016.[1]

Members
  • Stephen Nash – guitar (1991)
  • Glen Peters – drums (1991–1993)
  • Eric Prentice – bass guitar (1991–1993)
  • Aaron Goldberg – guitar (1991–1994)
  • Scott Stevens – vocals (1991–1999)
  • Nick Batterham – guitar (1991–1999)
  • Ben Bleechmore – drums (1994–1996)
  • Robert Cooper – bass guitar (1993–1996)
  • Stephen Moffatt – guitar (1995)
  • Matt Sigley – bass guitar, keyboards (1996–1999)
  • Derek Yuen – drums (1996 recording sessions)
  • Craig Mitchell – drums (1996–1999)
  • Nick Murray – guitar, organ (1996–1999)

Discography

Albums
  • Teen Sensations (Seed, 1993) US, European release
  • Love Walked In (Warner Music Group, 1997) – AUS No. 78[3]
  • College Heart (Popboomerang Records), 2016

Extended plays
  • Flyby (Summershine, 1992)
  • Teen Sensations (Summershine, May 1993)
  • The Fall and Rise of My Favourite Sixties Girl (Summershine, 1994)
  • The War Against Rock and Roll (1998)

Singles
  • "Stacey's Cupboard" (Summershine, 1992)
  • "Flyby" (Summershine, 1992)
  • "Cool Chick No.59" (Summershine/Slumberland, 1992)
  • "Figure 8" (1994)
  • "Scene Stealer" (1996)
  • "Hug Me Tighter" (1996)
  • "Whoever's Been Using this Bed" (1997) – AUS No. 85[3]
  • "Coloured In" (1997)
  • "Love Walks In" (1997)
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References
General
  • McFarlane, Ian (1999). "Whammo Homepage". Encyclopedia of Australian Rock and Pop. St Leonards, NSW: Allen & Unwin. ISBN 1-86508-072-1. Archived from the original on 5 April 2004. Retrieved 8 February 2010. Note: Archived [on-line] copy has limited functionality.
  • Spencer, Chris; Zbig Nowara; Paul McHenry (2002) [1987]. The Who's Who of Australian Rock. Noble Park, Vic.: Five Mile Press. ISBN 1-86503-891-1.[4] Note: [on-line] version established at White Room Electronic Publishing Pty Ltd in 2007 and was expanded from the 2002 edition.
Specific
  1. McFarlane, Ian (1999). "Encyclopedia entry for 'The Earthmen'". Encyclopedia of Australian Rock and Pop. St Leonards, NSW: Allen & Unwin. ISBN 1-86508-072-1. Archived from the original on 19 April 2004. Retrieved 31 March 2010.
  2. "ARIA Awards – History: Winners by Year 1997: 11th Annual ARIA Awards". Australian Recording Industry Association (ARIA). Archived from the original on 26 September 2007. Retrieved 31 March 2010.
  3. Australian (ARIA) chart peaks:
  4. "Who's who of Australian rock / compiled by Chris Spencer, Zbig Nowara & Paul McHenry". catalogue. National Library of Australia. Retrieved 31 March 2010.
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