Cactus Child

Last updated

Cactus Child
OriginSydney, New South Wales, Australia
Genres
  • Folk
  • pop
Years active1993 (1993)–1998 (1998)
Labels
Past members
  • Gemma Deacon
  • Angus Diggs
  • Chris Miller
  • Ian Housten-Shadwell
  • Joe Guiseppe-Accaria
  • Jan Sebastian
  • Carolyn Shine

Cactus Child were an Australian folk, pop group formed in 1993 by mainstays, Gemma Deacon on lead vocals and Ian Housten-Shadwell on guitar. They issued two studio albums, Diaphones (February 1996) and Earthgirl (July 1998), before disbanding in November 1998.

Contents

History

Cactus Child were formed in 1993 in Sydney as a folk, pop band by Gemma Deacon on lead vocals, Angus Diggs on drums, Chris Miller on bass guitar and Ian Housten-Shadwell on guitar. [1] [2] In January 1994 Deacon and Housten-Shadwell were joined by Joe Guiseppe-Accaria on drums, percussion and marimba; and Jan Sebastian on percussion. [1] [2] This line-up recorded a six-track extended play, On, for Regular Records, which was issued in September of that year. [1] [2] [3]

During 1996 Cactus Child were the support act for Lisa Loeb, Ronnie Jordan, Jeff Buckley and Luka Bloom. [1] In February 1996 they released their debut album, Diaphones, on Focus Records/Shock Records with Craig Porteils as producer. [1] By October of that year the line-up of Deacon, Housten-Shadwell, Miller, Accaria and Sebastian were periodically supplemented by Maria Pavela on backing vocals and Natasha Ramirez on violin. [4]

The group were signed to Grudge/Universal/BMG, to reissue Diaphones in 1997. [1] [5] Nathan of Channel [V] described the title track, "a slow finger-picking ballad with no drums at all – instead a cello and piano providing ample backing to a beautiful song." [6] A track, "Fall", was re-recorded as "Fall '97", which was released as the album's lead single in March. [1] Nathan observed, "you can tell that they've put a bit of thought into production and added bits here and there to make it more accessible for radio; and in doing so I'd tip this one to be the next song for them to push. A beautiful ballad complete with strings, percussion and of course Gemma Deacon's remarkable voice." [6] By that time Carolyn Shine had joined on keyboards and vocals. [1]

In June 1998 the group issued another single, "On the Money", ahead of their second album, Earthgirl (July 1998). [1] Australian musicologist, Ian McFarlane, felt "[it] featured pristine folksy pop, with lush arrangements, strings, piano, harmonies and acoustic guitar." [1] Christie Eliezer of Australian Musician observed, "[it] has some interesting guitar work, not just in its use of open tunings but the acoustic sounds in general. For example Ian spent hours on layering 'Juliette' which uses multi-tracks for an exciting effect." [7] They followed with another single, "Long Way" (September), but broke up in November 1998. [1]

Shadwell published a novel, Slush Pile, in June 2014. [8] In the following August, Australian Broadcasting Corporation's Radio National aired, Ian Shadwell's Slush Pile: a satirical novel of literature, fame and trivia nights. [9] The work was described by the program's Kate Evans and Michael Cathcart as, "he's taken that experience [with Cactus Child] of fame and its discontents to write a very funny story of a fictional Australian writer who won the Booker Prize and then had 14 years of writers' block." [9] Angela Meyer of The Australian observed, "[it's] a rollicking black comedy with an entertainingly unlikable main character. As this selfish, pleasure-seeking, pompous and arrogant man digs a hole for himself, due to the conviction that he is entitled to everything he imagines he could have, the reader both cringes and eggs him on, to see just how far he will go." [10]

Members

Discography

Albums

Extended plays

Singles

Related Research Articles

War (American band) American funk band

War is an American funk/rock/soul band from Long Beach, California, known for several hit songs . Formed in 1969, War is a musical crossover band that fuses elements of rock, funk, jazz, Latin, rhythm and blues, psychedelia, and reggae. According to music writer Colin Larkin, their "potent fusion of funk, R&B, rock and Latin styles produced a progressive soul sound", while Martin C. Strong calls them "one of the fiercest progressive soul combos of the '70s". Their album The World Is a Ghetto was Billboard's best-selling album of 1973. The band transcended racial and cultural barriers with a multi-ethnic line-up. War was subject to many line-up changes over the course of its existence, leaving member Leroy "Lonnie" Jordan as the only original member in the current line-up; four other members created a new group called the Lowrider Band.

<i>Garma</i> (album) 2000 studio album by Yothu Yindi

Garma is the sixth and final studio album by Australian band, Yothu Yindi that was released in August 2000 via Mushroom Records. The album peaked at number 66 on the ARIA Charts.

<i>Tender Prey</i> 1988 studio album by Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds

Tender Prey is the fifth studio album by Australian rock band Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds, released on 19 September 1988 on Mute Records. Produced by Flood, the album was recorded during several sessions over the course of four months in West Berlin—where the band were based at the time of its release—and London and dedicated to Fernando Ramos da Silva.

<i>New Adventures in Hi-Fi</i> 1996 R.E.M. album

New Adventures in Hi-Fi is the tenth studio album by the American alternative rock band R.E.M. It was their fifth major label release for Warner Bros. Records, released on September 9, 1996, in Europe and Australia and the following day in the United States. New Adventures in Hi-Fi was the last album recorded with founding member Bill Berry, original manager Jefferson Holt, and long-time producer Scott Litt. It is also their longest studio album, with a total track time of 65 minutes. The members of R.E.M. consider the recorded album representative of the band at their peak, and fans generally regard it as the band's last great record before a perceived artistic decline during the late 1990s and early 2000s. It has sold around seven million units, growing in cult status years after its release, with several retrospectives ranking it among the top of the band's recorded catalogue.

<i>The Gambler</i> (album) 1978 studio album by Kenny Rogers

The Gambler is the sixth studio album by Kenny Rogers, released by United Artists in December 1978. One of his most popular, it has established Rogers' status as one of the most successful artists of the 1970s and 1980s. The album reached many markets around the world, such as the Far East and Jamaica, with Rogers later commenting "When I go to Korea or Hong Kong people say 'Ah, the gambler!'". The album has sold over 35 million copies.

Carmine Appice American rock musician, drummer

Carmine Appice is an American drummer and percussionist most commonly associated with the rock genre of music. He is best known for his associations with Vanilla Fudge; Cactus; the power trio Beck, Bogert & Appice; Rod Stewart; King Kobra; and Blue Murder, which also featured John Sykes, of Whitesnake and Thin Lizzy fame, and Tony Franklin of The Firm. Appice was inducted into the Classic Drummer Hall of Fame in 2013 and the Modern Drummer Hall of Fame in 2014.

<i>Unfinished Monkey Business</i> 1998 studio album by Ian Brown

Unfinished Monkey Business is the debut solo album by Ian Brown released in February 1998 via Polydor Records. The album was self-financed and produced by Brown, and was his first album release since the break-up of The Stone Roses in October 1996. Ex-Roses members Mani, Nigel Ipinson, Aziz Ibrahim and Robbie Maddix helped pen and perform the instruments on many of the album's tracks. "Ice Cold Cube", which premiered at The Stone Roses final concert, was first released on this album.

Gob is a Canadian punk rock band from Langley, British Columbia, formed in 1993. The band consists of Tom Thacker, Theo Goutzinakis, Gabe Mantle and Steven Fairweather. Juno nominated for best new group in 2000, and another Juno nomination for best video in 2002. Gob's most successful album is World According to Gob. Their best-selling songs to date are "I Hear You Calling", "Soda", and "Banshee Song". They have been featured in movies, TV shows, and many sporting video games such as NHL 2002, NHL 2003, NHL 2004 and Madden NFL 2004 with songs such as "Oh! Ellin", "I've Been Up These Steps", "Sick With You", "I Hear You Calling" and "Give Up The Grudge". The band has appeared at several music festivals, the most well-known being the Vans Warped Tour. Thacker is also a lead guitarist for fellow Canadian rock band Sum 41.

Hoss were an Australian hard rock band which formed in 1990 by Scott Bailey on bass guitar, Todd McNeair on drums, Joel Silbersher on guitar and lead vocals (ex-God) and Michael Weber on lead guitar. They released five albums, Guzzle (1990), You Get Nothing, Bring on the Juice, Everyday Lies and Do You Leave Here Often. In 1992 McNeair was replaced by Michael Glenn on drums, who was replaced in turn in 1995 by Dean Muller. Michael Weber, who had been replaced in 1992 by Jimmy Sfestos on guitar, died in January 1999, aged 32.

<i>Izitso</i> 1977 studio album by Cat Stevens

Izitso is the tenth studio album released by the British singer-songwriter Cat Stevens in April 1977. After the lacklustre Numbers, the album proved to be his comeback. The album updated the rhythmic folk rock and pop rock style of his earlier albums with the extensive use of synthesizers and other electronic music instruments, giving the album a more electronic rock and synthpop style, and anticipating elements of electro.

Karma County are an Australian country, pop music trio which formed in 1995. They comprise Stuart Eadie on drums, percussion and backing vocals; Michael Galeazzi on bass guitar, double bass and backing vocals; and Brendan Gallagher on lead guitar, lead vocals, keyboards, bouzouki, percussion, drums and bass guitar. They have released five studio albums, Last Stop Heavenly Heights (1996), Olana, Into the Land of Promise, Happy Birthday Dear Customer and Pacifico. At the ARIA Music Awards of 2000, Into the Land of Promise won Best Adult Contemporary Album.

<i>Monstereo Delicio</i> 1992 studio album by Girl Monstar

Monstereo Delicio is a rock album by Australian all-girl group, Girl Monstar, which was released in July 1992 via Timberyard Records. Its name references the tropical flowering plant, Monstera deliciosa, or fruit salad plant. The album was recorded by the line-up of Damian Child on bass guitar and backing vocals; Anne McCue on lead guitar, lead vocals and piano; Sherry Valier on guitar, lead vocals and harmonica; and Susie World on drums, percussion and backing vocals. Prior to its release Child was replaced by Janene Abbott, who appears on the cover art but did not provide any recorded material. Tracks 1 to 10 were co-produced by Paul Kosky and Darren McCormack. Their earlier single, "Joe Cool", had been released in June 1990 and, with its B-side, provides two bonus tracks on this album.

<i>Powderfinger</i> (EP) 1992 EP by Powderfinger

Powderfinger is the first studio recording by the Australian rock group Powderfinger. It is commonly referred to by fans as The Blue EP. The EP launch was at the Orient Hotel, Brisbane, on Friday 21 August 1992; the band was supported by the local act Lolita Carbine. The disk attracted the attention of some rock fans and the attention of Polydor record executives who, through this EP, signed the band. By the time the band was signed, they had just finished recording the follow-up EP Transfusion, which was the first work released on the Polydor label. Powderfinger contains the first version of "Save Your Skin", a song that was re-recorded the following year for their first album and released as the third and final single accompanying it.

<i>Live in Montreux 69</i> 2006 live album by Deep Purple

Live in Montreux 69 is a live album by English rock band Deep Purple, recorded 4 October 1969 in Montreux, released in 2006. It was recorded in the Montreux Casino that burned down two years later.

<i>Air Supply</i> (1976 album) 1976 studio album by Air Supply

Air Supply is the debut album by Australian soft rock band Air Supply which was released on CBS Records in December 1976. The album peaked at No. 17 on the Australian Kent Music Report Albums Chart. It includes the single, "Love and Other Bruises" released ahead of the album in October which reached No. 6 on the Kent Music Report Singles Chart. The second single, "Empty Pages", issued in February 1977 did not reach the Top 40. The album reached gold status in Australia. It wasn't until the album Lost In Love that the band broke through international charts. In Japan, the album was reissued as Strangers in Love to avoid confusion with the band's 1985 self-titled album.

Nursery Crimes were a hardcore band from Melbourne. They formed in early 1989 by Phil Rose on lead vocals. They played both locally and around Australia before disbanding in 1994. They released two full length albums, some singles and extended plays. Their debut releases were "All Torn up Inside", No Time for That Crime and Fun Hurts!. They were early pioneers and supporters of "all-ages", no-alcohol gigs, to allow a wider and younger audience to experience live music. Nursery Crimes were a support act on Australian tours by L7, Henry Rollins, Faith No More, Fugazi and All. Australian musicologist, Ian McFarlane, described how Nursery Crimes' "sound was built around melodic yet crunching guitar riffs, frenetic arrangements, rapid fire lead vocals and sweet harmonies". The group reunited for a series of gigs in 2006.

<i>Universal Radio</i> 1974 studio album by Dragon

Universal Radio is the debut album by New Zealand group Dragon released in June 1974 on Vertigo Records and produced by Rick Shadwell. Universal Radio, along with their second album Scented Gardens for the Blind are in the progressive rock genre—all subsequent albums are hard rock/pop rock.

Rail were an Australian indie guitar pop group, which formed in 1993 as Sleeper. In 1994 they changed their name, first to Fragment and then to Rail. The initial line-up was Ashley Naylor on guitar and vocals, David Sayer on bass guitar, Dan Vertessy on vocals and guitar, and Ian Williams on drums. They released two albums, Bad Hair Life and Goodbye Surfing Hello God!. At the ARIA Music Awards of 1996 they were nominated for Best New Talent for Bad Hair Life, while its lead single, "Immune Deficiency", was nominated for Breakthrough Artist – Single. The group disbanded in late 1998. Ian Gregory Williams died, by drowning, in mid-1999, aged 28.

The Lizard Train were an Australian rock band from Adelaide which formed in early 1985. They released five albums, Slippery, The Ride (1990), Get Yer Wah Wahs Out (1992), Couch (1993) and Everything Moves (1995). Australian rock music historian, Ian McFarlane, contrasted their early work as "a melange of screaming guitars did battle over a rumbling rhythm section. Yet, beneath the distorted riffs and lyrical angst, the band boasted a melodic and harmonic sensibility usually disregarded in such aggressive music" with later work "brimming with powerful, dark songs and inspired musicianship".

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 McFarlane, Ian (1999). "Encyclopedia entry for 'Cactus Child'". Encyclopedia of Australian Rock and Pop . St Leonards, NSW: Allen & Unwin. ISBN   1-86508-072-1. Archived from the original on 28 August 2004.
  2. 1 2 3 Cactus Child (1994). "On". Republic Records. Retrieved 21 August 2019. Republic Records: RR 2010. Recorded at Paradise Studios and the Vault January 1994
  3. ↑ "Cactus Child - News/Gossip/Hearsay". AMWS. Archived from the original on 28 October 1996. Retrieved 21 August 2019.
  4. ↑ "Cactus Child - Biography". AMWS. Archived from the original on 28 October 1996. Retrieved 21 August 2019.
  5. ↑ Cactus Child (1997), Diaphones, Sony Music, retrieved 21 August 2019
  6. 1 2 Nathan. "Cactus Child - Diaphones". Channel V. Archived from the original on 15 July 1997. Retrieved 21 August 2019.
  7. ↑ Eliezer, Christie (Spring 1998). "Cactus Child". Australian Musician (15). Archived from the original on 21 April 2010. Retrieved 21 August 2019– via National Library of Australia.
  8. ↑ Shadwell, Ian (2014), Slush Pile, Puncher & Wattmann, ISBN   978-1-922186-49-2
  9. 1 2 Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC). Radio National; Evans, Kate; Cathcart, Michael (13 August 2014), Ian Shadwell's Slush Pile: a satirical novel of literature, fame and trivia nights, Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC), retrieved 22 August 2019, Summary: Ian Shadwell was a musician in an earlier life: and he's taken that experience of fame and its discontents to write a very funny story of a fictional Australian writer who won the Booker Prize and then had 14 years of writers' block.
  10. ↑ Meyer, Angela (2014). "Slush Pile". The Australian . Retrieved 22 August 2019– via Ian Shadwell Official Website.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.