The Aliens were an Australian new wave band. They were one of the first Australian bands of the late 1970s to adopt the New Wave "uniform" of black clothes and skinny ties.

[edit] History

In 1975 Greg Webster (guitar), Dave Lewis (guitar), Danny Johnson (vocals), Geoff Stapleton (drums), Grant Lang (keyboards) and Grant Lewis (bass) were playing in an Adelaide band called Gold. A local band they played around Adelaide, as well as a number of country performances. In 1976 Gold were winners of the 5KA 'Battle of the Bands'. Gold soon turned into Riff Raff, which had a much punkier name and this change in image was reflected in their material.

In 1977 Riff Raff consisted of Stapleton^[1] and Johnson together with Greg Webster (guitar, vocals),and Rob Grosser (drums). In February 1978 Stapleton and Johnson moved to Melbourne and in April that year formed The Aliens.^[2] In June 1979 they signed with Mushroom Records. The Aliens recorded their first single, "Confrontation", with producer Charles Fisher between Saturday, 11 August, and Monday, 13 August 1979, at Trafalgar Studios, Sydney, Australia, during a national tour with the band The Sports. "Confrontation" reached #15 in Sydney, #35 in Brisbane and #36 on the national singles charts.^[3]

Their debut album, Translator, was recorded at The Music Farm, in northern New South Wales, between 24 November and 9 December 1979, with producer, David Tickle. The band performed on television shows like Countdown, Nightmoves, Sounds Unlimited, and Hey Hey Its Saturday. In January 1980 the band toured nationally with (U.K.) Squeeze and in March 1980 toured with The Police. The band released its second single, "Follow that Girl", on 25 February 1980. "Follow that Girl" reached #4 in Canberra and #48 on the national singles charts.^[3]

On 20 May 1980 following a performance at the Canberra Theatre, Webster quit and returned to Melbourne. In that brief sixteen month period they played 356 shows around Australia. The band continued as a three piece, working in a whole new repertoire and sound, which included more keyboards from Geoffrey Stapleton.

In September 1980 Randy Bulpin from Mondo Rock briefly joined on lead guitar until the end of October when the band relocated to Sydney. Pierre Baroni joined the band on the day they left Melbourne for Sydney. Baroni was recruited for his voice and song writing ability, as well as his guitar arrangements. On 27 November 1980, Grosser left the band and was replaced by Alex Bash on drums in December 1980. On 6 March 1981, Danny Johnson left the band, leaving Stapleton as the only original member. Greg Trennery joined the band on bass on 31 March 1981. The new line up of Stapleton, Trennery, Baroni, and Bash recorded a new single, "I Don't Care", on 23 May at EMI Studios 301.^[2] The A-side featured Stapleton on lead vocal and the B-side, "Over my Head", had Baroni on lead vocals. It was eventually released on their own label, Planet X Records, through EMI in December 1981. On 29 May, Bash left the band and was replaced by Malcolm Fogg on 3 June 1981. They toured Melbourne during October and November 1981. Bash rejoined the band, replacing Fogg for the band's last performance on the television show, Countdown, on 11 December 1981, performing "I Don't Care".

Stapleton went on to play with GANGgajang. Baroni worked in the art department of Mushroom Records.

[edit] Members

• Alex Bash — drums (1980-1981)
• Pierre Baroni — guitar, synthesiser (1980–1981)
• Randy Bulpin — guitar (1980)
• Rob Grosser — drums (1979–1980)
• Malcolm Fogg — drums (1978)
• Danny Johnson — vocals, bass (1978–1981)
• Graham Lewis — keyboards (1978–1979)
• Kevin Patricks — drums (1978-1979)
• Geoffrey Stapleton — vocals, guitar (1978–1981)
• Greg Trennery — bass (1981)
• Greg Webster — vocals, guitar (1978–1980)

[edit] Discography

[edit] Albums

• Translator — Mushroom (1980)

[edit] Singles

• "Confrontation"/"Boys in Black" — Mushroom (December 1979) AUS #36
• "Follow That Girl"/"The Hyding of Dr Jekyll" — Mushroom (February 1980) AUS #48
• "I Don't Care"/"Over My Head" — Planet X (December 1981)

[edit] References