Artists
Biography
The Go-Betweens essentially formed in 1978, when Grant Mclennan and Robert Forster, two Queensland University students with a passion for films and the New York punk scene, met and decided (in Grant's words) "to do The Factory in Brisbane." Musical instincts prevailed and, encouraged by Robert, Grant took up the bass guitar.
After playing together for no more than four months, the pair went into the studio to record two of Robert's songs - "Karen" and "Lee Remick." Pressing up 500 copies and distributing it themselves, they nearly ended up with a deal at Beserkley Records (US indie label and then home to Jonathan Richman) but Beserkley ran into financial difficulties. In fact, the Go-Betweens were dogged by label troubles through out their career. Rough Trade who eventually put out their debut LP Send Me a Lullaby in Europe, had to drop the band after their second album due to a lack of finance. Later, both Sire and Elektra who either had the band signed or were in the process of signing them had to let them go when both labels closed their UK offices. But the Go-Betweens always had a phenomenal drive that kept them going - returning again and again to Britian, as strangers and then as undervalued songwriters, in an effort to establish themselves on the world-wide music scene, self-financing singles, supporting the Birthday Party across Australia, recruiting more members as they went (drummer Lindy Morrison, bassist Robert Vickers and, later, violinist / oboeist Amanda Brown, whom the band discovered playing a Forster song, 'Draining The Pool for You', in a coffee bar), and on the last album, bassist John Willsteed.
Their second album, Before Hollywood, was recorded in Eastbourne, autumn 1983 and sounds all the more wonderful for it. Four more albums followed: Spring Hill Fair, recorded in France on a major label budget, the more coherent Liberty Belle and the Black Diamond Express (for which Robert recorded all his vocals in one afternoon, his voice having been out of action for most of the sessions), the bright poppy Tallulah and, finally, the more acoustic and reflective 16 Lovers Lane. The heavily played radio single 'Streets Of Your Town' followed, as did a support slot with REM. However, by this point the pressures of being together for twelve years were beginning to have visible effect and both Grant and Robert were pushing in different directions. Finally, the Go-Betweens decided to call it a day. The set up of the band, with two independent singer-songwriters was (and still is) an unusual one, but in this case it worked out perfectly. Robert's edgey, dark and highly romantic compositions were offset perfectly by Grant's lighter, more wistfully melodic and lyrically more expansive contributions. It's hard to say however, what makes them both so special. They didn't do anything widely unusual or idiosyncratic, but what they did is beautiful and timeless. Maybe it is something to do with the interplay on two perspectives on what must be similar or concurrent events. Maybe it's the underlying romanticism of all their records not just a longing for love of statements of romantic just know that all their stories are true, that they appreciate the fact that love and life are battles but they are battles which must be fought and one should wear one's scars proudly. They also knew how to craft a subtle arrangement around an intelligent lyric and winsome melody. And that should be enough for anyone.
After the split the Go-Betweens, Robert Forster and Grant McLennan have had vibrant solo careers. Both have released four solo albums and Grant has also released two albums with Steve Kilbey of the Church under the name of Jack Frost and one album with Ian Hoag of Powderfinger under the name of F.O.C. 1996 saw the re-release of all six original Go-Betweens' albums on CD by Beggars Banquet while recent projects have included a biography, a Go-Betweens tribute album, this new "Best Of" compilation album, and a soon to be released collection of 'lost' early recordings from 1978-89. Since the split, Grant and Robert have played together accoustically on several occasions including the Beggars Banquet birthday celebrations at Tower Records in Piccadilly Circus. London (August 1994) and most notably with a full band at the "Les Inrockuptable's" 10th aniversary show in Paris (23rd May 1996) and a run of six full band shows in June 1997: two in Dublin, one in Glasgow, two in London (Forum and Fleah Festival) and the Roskilde Festival in Denmark.
Nine years have elapsed since the band's split, but their subtle, romantic songwriting still gains them new friends today, the legacy of The Go-Betweens existing as a treasured secret amongst the choosen few. They are the archetypal eighties cult band.
-Adapted from Hearsay Magazine - Issue 14a with thanks to Ewen and Neil.
After playing together for no more than four months, the pair went into the studio to record two of Robert's songs - "Karen" and "Lee Remick." Pressing up 500 copies and distributing it themselves, they nearly ended up with a deal at Beserkley Records (US indie label and then home to Jonathan Richman) but Beserkley ran into financial difficulties. In fact, the Go-Betweens were dogged by label troubles through out their career. Rough Trade who eventually put out their debut LP Send Me a Lullaby in Europe, had to drop the band after their second album due to a lack of finance. Later, both Sire and Elektra who either had the band signed or were in the process of signing them had to let them go when both labels closed their UK offices. But the Go-Betweens always had a phenomenal drive that kept them going - returning again and again to Britian, as strangers and then as undervalued songwriters, in an effort to establish themselves on the world-wide music scene, self-financing singles, supporting the Birthday Party across Australia, recruiting more members as they went (drummer Lindy Morrison, bassist Robert Vickers and, later, violinist / oboeist Amanda Brown, whom the band discovered playing a Forster song, 'Draining The Pool for You', in a coffee bar), and on the last album, bassist John Willsteed.
Their second album, Before Hollywood, was recorded in Eastbourne, autumn 1983 and sounds all the more wonderful for it. Four more albums followed: Spring Hill Fair, recorded in France on a major label budget, the more coherent Liberty Belle and the Black Diamond Express (for which Robert recorded all his vocals in one afternoon, his voice having been out of action for most of the sessions), the bright poppy Tallulah and, finally, the more acoustic and reflective 16 Lovers Lane. The heavily played radio single 'Streets Of Your Town' followed, as did a support slot with REM. However, by this point the pressures of being together for twelve years were beginning to have visible effect and both Grant and Robert were pushing in different directions. Finally, the Go-Betweens decided to call it a day. The set up of the band, with two independent singer-songwriters was (and still is) an unusual one, but in this case it worked out perfectly. Robert's edgey, dark and highly romantic compositions were offset perfectly by Grant's lighter, more wistfully melodic and lyrically more expansive contributions. It's hard to say however, what makes them both so special. They didn't do anything widely unusual or idiosyncratic, but what they did is beautiful and timeless. Maybe it is something to do with the interplay on two perspectives on what must be similar or concurrent events. Maybe it's the underlying romanticism of all their records not just a longing for love of statements of romantic just know that all their stories are true, that they appreciate the fact that love and life are battles but they are battles which must be fought and one should wear one's scars proudly. They also knew how to craft a subtle arrangement around an intelligent lyric and winsome melody. And that should be enough for anyone.
After the split the Go-Betweens, Robert Forster and Grant McLennan have had vibrant solo careers. Both have released four solo albums and Grant has also released two albums with Steve Kilbey of the Church under the name of Jack Frost and one album with Ian Hoag of Powderfinger under the name of F.O.C. 1996 saw the re-release of all six original Go-Betweens' albums on CD by Beggars Banquet while recent projects have included a biography, a Go-Betweens tribute album, this new "Best Of" compilation album, and a soon to be released collection of 'lost' early recordings from 1978-89. Since the split, Grant and Robert have played together accoustically on several occasions including the Beggars Banquet birthday celebrations at Tower Records in Piccadilly Circus. London (August 1994) and most notably with a full band at the "Les Inrockuptable's" 10th aniversary show in Paris (23rd May 1996) and a run of six full band shows in June 1997: two in Dublin, one in Glasgow, two in London (Forum and Fleah Festival) and the Roskilde Festival in Denmark.
Nine years have elapsed since the band's split, but their subtle, romantic songwriting still gains them new friends today, the legacy of The Go-Betweens existing as a treasured secret amongst the choosen few. They are the archetypal eighties cult band.
-Adapted from Hearsay Magazine - Issue 14a with thanks to Ewen and Neil.