Holy Water (The Triffids song)

Last updated
"Holy Water"
Holy Water (Triffids single - cover art).jpg
Single by The Triffids
from the album Calenture
A-side "Holy Water"
B-side "Good Morning, Good Morning"
ReleasedAugust 1988
RecordedApril–August 1987
Genre Indie rock, Folk rock
Length3:26
Label Island
Songwriter(s) David McComb
Producer(s) Craig Leon
The Triffids singles chronology
"' Trick of the Light'"
(1988)		"Holy Water"
(1988)		"' Goodbye Little Boy'"
(1989)

"Holy Water" was the third single taken from Australian rock group The Triffids' Calenture album, and was released in August 1988. It was produced by Craig Leon (The Ramones, Blondie, The Bangles) and was written by lead guitarist and lead singer David McComb. This was one of only two tracks (the other was "Bury Me Deep in Love") that resulted from Leon's production of the band's fourth album. [1] [2] The production costs of Leon's efforts were more than the total costs of the band's break-through album, Born Sandy Devotional . [2] The record sleeve however credits the production to Gil Norton who produced the remainder of the album with the band. [3] The single was released as 7", 12" and CD single versions by Island Records but failed to chart in either Australia or the United Kingdom.

Contents

Background

"Holy Water" is the third single from Australian folk rock group The Triffids' fourth studio album, Calenture . [1] It was released in August 1988. [4] The track was written by lead guitarist and lead singer David McComb. [5] It was produced by Craig Leon (The Ramones, Blondie, The Bangles) and is one of only two tracks (the other was "Bury Me Deep in Love") that resulted from Leon's work for Calenture. [1] [2] Leon had wanted to record all the tracks without the rhythm section of Martyn P. Casey on bass guitar and Alsy MacDonald on drums. [1] According to guitarist and violinist, Robert McComb (David's brother), "Craig Leon didn't understand what we were on about... it becomes arbitrary who plays what, as long as it gets played". [1] While David recalled, "There was a lot of that shit going on last year (1987) ... It's good to have a certain amount of disrespect for these so-called experts". [1]

"Holy Water", set to a shuffling drum machine, hinted at The Triffids’ interest in electronica. [6] The track was remixed by Michael Frondelli. [7] Wilson Neate of Perfect Sound Forever described the track as "euphoric" and cited it as an example of The Triffid's "unbridled pop sensibility [which] emerges – a development that sounds like an organic progression". [8] Mess+Noise's Lauren Zoric felt it was "blissful" and indicative of the album's "devastating ... loveliness". [9]

The B-side, "Good Morning, Good Morning", is the band's cover version of The Beatles' track and was The Triffids's contribution to the 1988 tribute album Sgt. Pepper Knew My Father . [10] On the 12" single, additional tracks are "Red Pony" which is taken from the 1983 album Treeless Plain , and "Raining Pleasure" is from 1984's extended play of the same name. [10] The latter track features lead vocals by keyboardist Jill Birt.

The single was released as 7", 12" and CD single versions but failed to chart in either Australia or the United Kingdom.

Track listing

7" single version
No.TitleWriter(s)Length
1."Holy Water"David McComb [5] 3:26
2."Good Morning, Good Morning" John Lennon, Paul McCartney 2:49
12" single and CD single version
No.TitleWriter(s)Length
1."Holy Water"David McComb [5] 3:26
2."Raining Pleasure"D McComb [11] 2:27
3."Good Morning, Good Morning" John Lennon, Paul McCartney 2:49
4."Red Pony"D McComb [12] 4:07

Personnel

"Holy Water" is credited to: [3] [7]

The Triffids members
Additional musicians
Production details
Art work

Related Research Articles

The Triffids were an Australian alternative rock and pop band, formed in Perth in Western Australia in May 1978 with David McComb as singer-songwriter, guitarist, bass guitarist and keyboardist. They achieved some success in Australia, but greater success in the UK and Scandinavia in the 1980s before disbanding in 1989. Their best-known songs include "Wide Open Road" and "Bury Me Deep in Love". SBS television featured their 1986 album, Born Sandy Devotional, on the Great Australian Albums series in 2007, and in 2010 it ranked 5th in the book The 100 Best Australian Albums by Toby Creswell, Craig Mathieson and John O'Donnell.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">David McComb</span> Australian musician

David Richard McComb was an Australian musician. He was the singer-songwriter and guitarist of the Australian bands, The Triffids (1976–89) and The Blackeyed Susans (1989–93). He also had a solo career including leading David McComb and The Red Ponies. Over his career McComb had bouts of alcoholism, and amphetamine and heroin abuse. He developed cardiomyopathy and in 1996 underwent a heart transplant. David McComb died on 2 February 1999 "due to heroin toxicity and mild acute rejection of his 1996 heart transplant", according to the coroner. In May 2001, the Australasian Performing Right Association (APRA), as part of its 75th Anniversary celebrations, named "Wide Open Road" by The Triffids – written by McComb – as one of the Top 30 Australian songs of all time. On 1 July 2008 The Triffids were inducted into the ARIA Hall of Fame with McComb's contribution acknowledged by a tribute performance.

For the American band with a similar name, see Blackeyed Susan.

<i>Born Sandy Devotional</i> 1986 studio album by The Triffids

Born Sandy Devotional is an album by The Triffids, released in March 1986. The songs were written by David McComb.

<i>In the Pines</i> (album) 1986 studio album by The Triffids

In The Pines is an album by The Triffids, released in August 1986, which reached No. 69 on the Australian Album Charts.

<i>Calenture</i> (album) 1987 studio album by The Triffids

Calenture is the fourth studio album by Australian rock group The Triffids, it was released in November 1987 and saw them explore themes of insanity, deception and rootlessness—the title refers to a fever suffered by sailors during long hot voyages. It reached No. 32 on the Australian Kent Music Report Albums Chart. In November 1987, it reached No. 24 on the Swedish Albums Chart, in May 1988 it peaked at No. 25 on the New Zealand Albums Chart. The album spawned three singles, "Bury Me Deep in Love" (1987), "Trick of the Light" and "Holy Water". The latter track was recorded with American producer Craig Leon.

<i>Love in Bright Landscapes</i> 1986 compilation album by The Triffids

Love In Bright Landscapes is an anthology by Australian folk rock group, The Triffids, which was released in 1986. The original LP had ten tracks compiled from their album, EP and single releases in the period from 1983 to 1985, during which time the group were resident in Perth, Sydney and London. Three additional tracks from the same sources were included on the later CD version of the album.

<i>Treeless Plain</i> 1983 studio album by The Triffids

Treeless Plain is the debut album by The Triffids, released in November, 1983. The album was recorded at Emerald City Studios, Sydney, Australia in twelve midnight to dawn sessions, during August through to September 1983. It was the band's first release after signing with Hot Records.

<i>Stockholm</i> (The Triffids album) 1990 live album by The Triffids

Stockholm is a live recording by Australian rock group, The Triffids, released in July 1990 and is the final official recording by the band. All tracks were recorded live in Stockholm in 1989 for Swedish National Radio, The Bommen Show. The album was produced by Lars Aldman, engineered by Michael Bergek, and mixed at Planet Sound Studios, Perth on 15, 16 and 17 September 1989 by James Hewgill and David McComb.

<i>Raining Pleasure</i> (EP) 1984 EP by The Triffids

Raining Pleasure is a record released in 1984 by the Australian folk rock group The Triffids as a 12" vinyl EP. It reached No. 95 on the Australian Charts. Its seven tracks were co-produced by the group with Nick Mainsbridge who also supplied trumpet.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bury Me Deep in Love</span> 1987 single by The Triffids

Bury Me Deep in Love is a single released by Australian rock group The Triffids from their album Calenture. It appeared in October 1987 and reached No. 48 on the Australian Kent Music Report Singles Chart. It was produced by Gil Norton and written by David McComb, the group's lead singer and guitarist. The B-sides "Baby Can I Walk You Home" and "Region Unknown" were produced by Victor Van Vugt and The Triffids. The single was released as 7", 12" & CD single versions.

<i>Some Births Are Worse than Murders</i> 1989 EP by The Blackeyed Susans

Some Births Are Worse Than Murders is the debut EP by The Blackeyed Susans, released in March 1989 on Waterfront Records.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Wide Open Road (song)</span> 1986 single by The Triffids

"Wide Open Road" is a single released in 1986 by Australian rock band The Triffids from their album Born Sandy Devotional. It was produced by Gil Norton and written by David McComb on vocals, keyboards and guitar. The B-side "Time of Weakness" was recorded live at the Graphic Arts Club, Sydney, November 1985 by Mitch Jones, mixed by Rob Muir. "Dear Miss Lonely Hearts" was recorded at Planet Sound Studios, Perth and produced by the Triffids. "Wide Open Road" reached No. 26 on the UK Singles Chart in 1986, and No. 64 on the Australian Kent Music Report Singles Chart. In May 2001 the Australasian Performing Right Association (APRA), as part of its 75th Anniversary celebrations, named "Wide Open Road" as one of the Top 30 Australian songs of all time.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Goodbye Little Boy</span> 1989 single by The Triffids

"Goodbye Little Boy" was the first single released in March 1989 by Australian group The Triffids ahead of their album The Black Swan. Lead vocals are provided by Jill Birt, their keyboardist, instead of David McComb, the group's usual lead singer. Birt is also featured on the single's front cover.

<i>Love of Will</i> 1994 studio album by David McComb

Love of Will is the debut album by David McComb, released in March 1994. The album was recorded and mixed between June and August 1993, at Platinum Studios with additional mixing at Metropolis and Sing Sing Studios. McComb selected 13 songs out of a pile of 35 and recorded them at Platinum Studios, Melbourne with producer Nick Mainsbridge, together with freelance musical directors Graham Lee and David McComb, and assistant engineers Kalju Tonuma and Phil Jones.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Falling Over You</span> 1989 single by The Triffids

"Falling Over You" was the second single, released in September 1989, by Australian rock group The Triffids from their album The Black Swan. It was produced by Stephen Street and co-written by David McComb and Adam Peters. The tracks were recorded between September and October 1988 at The Justice Room, Cathanger, Somerset and mixed at Fallout Shelter, London, November 1988. "You Minus Me" was written and produced by McComb. The single appeared as a 7", 12" and cassette single version.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Beautiful Waste</span> 1984 single by The Triffids

"Beautiful Waste" is a single released by Australian rock group, The Triffids in February 1984. It was not included on any of the band's studio albums nor extended plays, it was first compiled on Australian Melodrama (1994). The B-side, "Property Is Condemned", was included on the 1984 EP Raining Pleasure. A film clip was made for "Beautiful Waste". Its name was adapted for a 2008 posthumous compilation of mid-1980s non-album tracks, Beautiful Waste and Other Songs.

Jillian Margaret Birt is an Australian rock musician and architect. Birt was the keyboardist and vocalist of the alternative rock and pop band, The Triffids from 1983 to 1989. In 2008, The Triffids were inducted into the Australian Recording Industry Association Hall of Fame.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Spanish Blue</span> 1982 single by The Triffids

Spanish Blue is the second single released by Australian rock group, The Triffids in 1982. The single was produced by Les Karski for the White Label Records imprint of Mushroom Records, owned by Michael Gudinski. The single was initially released independently by No Records but was re-released in October 1982 following the band's signing with White Label Records.

They'd recorded "Spanish Blue" when the spectre of the Gudinski organisation loomed, and they were summoned to the Mushroom/White Citadel. Gudinski liked "Spanish Blue". 'It was just that he wanted us to re-write it, and re-mix it,' McComb laughs. 'We ended up putting it out ourselves immediately they started dilly dallying because we said we wouldn't re-mix it. We thought that we couldn't just wait for people to decide what they wanted to do.'

Martha's Vineyard were an Independent music, Alternative rock, Australian rock band, formed in Perth in May 1986 by lead singer, Peggy Van Zalm. In June 1989 the group issued their debut self-titled album on rooArt, which was produced by Nick Mainsbridge. It peaked in the top 100 on the Kent Music Report Albums Chart. Australian musicologist, Ian McFarlane, described their sound as "reflective folk rock [which] mixed melancholy vocals, acoustic and electric guitars, gentle percussion and spacious arrangements to arrive at a harmonious and intriguing whole". They shared a similar sound and outlook to that of fellow Perth bands like The Triffids, The Honeys and Chad's Tree. Van Zalm's vocals drew positive comparisons with Patti Smith, Chrissie Hynde and Joni Mitchell. The group had toured nationally supporting Simply Red, INXS, Eurythmics, The Go-Betweens, Paul Kelly, The Triffids, Mental as Anything, proto-punk garage band The Saints and Weddings, Parties, Anything, before disbanding in 1990. By 1994 Van Zalm had launched her solo career.

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 Mathur, Paul; Phillips, Stephen (10 February 1988). "High Plains Drifters". Rock Australia Magazine (RAM). p. 15. Archived from the original on 28 October 2006. Retrieved 4 May 2012.
  2. 1 2 3 Walker, Clinton (1996). Stranded: the secret history of Australian independent music, 1977-1991. Pan MacMillan. p. 201. ISBN   0-7329-0883-3.
  3. 1 2 Calenture (Media notes). The Triffids. White/Hot Records. 1987. L38824.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  4. ↑ Strong, Martin C. (1999) The Great Alternative & Indie Discography, Canongate, ISBN   0-86241-913-1, p. 661
  5. 1 2 3 "'Holy Water' at APRA search engine". Australasian Performing Right Association (APRA). Retrieved 1 May 2012.[ permanent dead link ]
  6. ↑ "Double album re-release from The Triffids". Domino Records . Retrieved 1 May 2012.
  7. 1 2 3 "Holy Water" (Media notes). The Triffids. Island Records. 1988. IS 367.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  8. ↑ Neate, Wilson (May 2006). "The Days of The Triffids – A Retrospective with Graham Lee and Rob McComb". Perfect Sound Forever. Jason Gross. Archived from the original on 5 February 2012. Retrieved 4 May 2012.
  9. ↑ Zoric, Lauren (2007). "The Triffids – In the Pines / Calenture in Releases". Mess+Noise. Sound Alliance (Danny Bos, Kristy Milliken). Retrieved 5 May 2012.
  10. 1 2 David Sheridan; Ira Robbins. "The Triffids". Trouser Press . Retrieved 1 May 2012.
  11. ↑ "'Raining Pleasure' at APRA search engine". Australasian Performing Right Association (APRA). Archived from the original on 8 September 2012. Retrieved 1 May 2012.
  12. ↑ "'Red Pony' at APRA search engine". Australasian Performing Right Association (APRA). Retrieved 1 May 2012.[ permanent dead link ]
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.