The Numbers (band)

The Numbers were an Australian power pop band formed by siblings Annalisse (bass guitar, lead vocals) and Chris Morrow (lead guitar, lead vocals) in early 1978.[1][2][3] They issued two studio albums, The Numbers (October 1980), which peaked at No. 29 on the Kent Music Report Albums Chart, and 39.51 (April 1982). The group disbanded in 1984, the Morrows formed another band, Maybe Dolls, in 1991.

The Numbers
OriginSydney, New South Wales, Australia
GenresPower pop
Years active1978 (1978)–1984 (1984)
LabelsDeluxe
Associated actsMaybe Dolls
MembersGraham `Buzz' Bidstrup
John Bliss
Craig Bloxom
Russell Handley
Annalisse Morrow
Chris Morrow
Marty Newcombe
Colin Newham
Marcus Phelan
Gary Roberts
Simon Vidale

History

The Numbers were formed early in 1978 in Sydney by Annalisse Morrow on bass guitar and lead vocals and her elder brother, Chris Morrow on lead guitar and lead vocals; they were joined by Marty Newcombe on drums.[4] Australian musicologist, Ian McFarlane, observed that they "emerged from the post-punk Sydney scene with a clean sound and a strong sense of direction. In spite of a regular touring schedule and a brace of accessible pop releases, the band never made the commercial breakthrough for which they so vigorously strived."[4]

In January 1979 Newcombe was replaced on drums and percussion by Simon Vidale.[4] The group supported the Australian leg of a tour by United Kingdom rockers, XTC.[4] The Numbers released their debut three-track, extended play, Govt. Boy, on the Local Records label in September.[4][5] All the tracks were written or co-written by Chris.[5] McFarlane felt that it "featured three dazzling blasts of tough guitar pop reminiscent of The Jam or The Buzzcocks."[4]

Late in 1979 the group signed with Deluxe Records, which issued their debut single, "The Modern Song", in the following March.[4] The second single, "Five Letter Word", reached the Kent Music Report Singles Chart top 40.[4][6] A third single, "Mr President" (February 1981) failed to chart.[4][6] Their debut album, The Numbers, appeared in October 1980, which reached No. 29 on the Kent Music Report Albums Chart.[4][6] It was produced by Cameron Allan and was recorded at EMI Studios 301, Sydney in mid-year.[4]

Members

Discography

Albums
  • The Numbers (October 1980) – Deluxe AUS: No. 29[6]
  • 39.51 (1982) – Deluxe
  • Numerology (2007) – Aztec Music

Extended plays
  • Govt. Boy (September 1979) – Local Records (Local 3)

Singles
  • "The Modern Song"/"Take Me Away" (March 1980)
  • "Five Letter Word"/"Alone" (1980)
  • "Mr President"/"Private Eye"/"Guerilla" (February 1981)
  • "Jericho"/"Turn Back" (1982)
  • "Big Beat"/"Telephone" (1982)
  • "Dreams from Yesterday"/"Again" (1982)
gollark: Probably.
gollark: It just redirects to osmarks.net now.
gollark: Denied.
gollark: They're an avid osmarks.net user, probably.
gollark: "SolarFlame5".

References
  1. Zuel, Bernard (5 January 2008), "More than the sum of their past", Sydney Morning Herald
  2. Nichols, David (13 January 2008), "The Numbers: Keeping Count", Mess + Noise
  3. Nichols, David (11 October 2016). Dig: Australian Rock and Pop Music, 1960-85. Verse Chorus Press. ISBN 1891241613.
  4. McFarlane, Ian (1999). "Encyclopedia entry for 'The Numbers'". Encyclopedia of Australian Rock and Pop. St Leonards, NSW: Allen & Unwin. ISBN 1-86508-072-1. Archived from the original on 3 August 2004. Retrieved 25 January 2017.
  5. Numbers (1978), Govt. boy: Private eyes; Guerilla, Local Label, retrieved 28 March 2017
  6. Kent, David (1993). Australian Chart Book 1970–1992. St Ives, NSW: Australian Chart Book Ltd. ISBN 0-646-11917-6. Note: Used for Australian Singles and Albums charting from 1974 until Australian Recording Industry Association (ARIA) created their own charts in mid-1988. In 1992, Kent back calculated chart positions for 1970–1974.
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