Rebecca's Empire

Last updated

Rebecca's Empire
OriginMelbourne, Victoria, Australia
Genres
Years active1994 (1994)–2000 (2000)
Labels
Past members

Rebecca's Empire (also written as the variant Rebeccas Empire) were an Australian indie pop-rock band formed in 1994. Their mainstay members were Rebecca Barnard on lead vocals and her then-domestic partner, Shane O'Mara on lead guitar. They released two full-length albums, Way of All Things (1996) and Welcome (1999) before disbanding in 2000.

Contents

History

1989–2000: Career

In 1989 Rebecca Barnard, a singer-songwriter, and her then-domestic partner, Shane O'Mara on lead guitar, recorded a cover version of TISM's track, "The Judeo-Christian Ethic", which was released on that group's 1991 single, "Let's Form a Company" (see Hot Dogma ). Barnard and O'Mara had worked together (since 1986) and separately in various groups and as session or backing musicians for other artists. [1] [2]

Rebecca's Empire was based around Barnard and O'Mara, which formed in 1994 in Melbourne as a rock, pop duo. [1] [2] They recorded a cover version of Pearl Jam's "Alive" for an album by Performers Releasing Information about Clean Syringes (P.R.I.C.S.), Do It Safe (1994). [1] P.R.I.C.S. was a government project for AIDS prevention and education. [3]

The band signed with Polydor's newly created Eternity label and the duo were expanded to a four-piece by the addition of Peter Luscombe on drums (ex-Stephen Cummings Band, Black Sorrows) and Bill McDonald on bass guitar (ex-Hot Half Hour, Deborah Conway Band). [1] [2] This line-up released their debut single, "Atomic Electric", as a four-track extended play, late in 1994. [1] [2] "Atomic Electric" was an indie success, which was listed at No. 38 on the 1994 Triple J Hottest 100 listeners poll. [4]

Early in 1995 Michael den Elzen on bass guitar replaced McDonald, who joined Frente!. [1] [2] Their label released another four-track EP in June of that year with remixed and re-recorded versions of "Atomic Electric" together with "Red Dress" and "Wasting Time" from the first EP. [1] In September they followed with a six-track EP, Take a Look at Happiness, which included the tracks, "Empty" and "Alive". [1] [2] "Empty" was listed at No. 62 on the 1995 Triple J Hottest 100. [5]

The band's breakthrough occurred in July 1996, when their first full-length album, Way of All Things, was released to relative critical acclaim. [1] [2] [6] It was produced by O'Mara. [2] Australian musicologist, Ian McFarlane, opined, "[it] was brimming with quality songs like the ballads 'In Deep' and 'Talking Star', tough rockers like 'Way of All Things' (with its funky Lenny Kravitz-styled riff), 'So Rude' and 'Atomic Electric', plus two sterling slices of Badfinger-style guitar-pop, 'Empty' and 'Mirage'." [1] Jonathan Lewis of AllMusic rated it at four-out-of-five stars and explained, "an example of melodic power pop, similar to both Belly's Star, though without the quirkiness, and Teenage Fanclub's Grand Prix, though more influenced by Led Zeppelin than by The Byrds. Infectious, well-written guitar pop songs were the order of the day and few bands do these as well." [7]

The album was successful in indie circles, and had some minor success on the mainstream charts. It provided three singles, "In Deep", "So Rude" and "Way of All Things". [1] "So Rude" was listed at No. 57 on the 1996 Triple J Hottest 100; [8] while "Way of All Things" polled at No. 94 in the 1997 list. [9]

Way of All Things was followed by a two-year relative hiatus, although they played some concerts in this time. [1] [6] They released a three-track CD single, "Car Radio", in November 1997, which was only available from concerts. [1] [2] In mid-1998 den Elzen left to join deadstar and was replaced by McDonald returning. [1] [2] [6]

In October 1998 Rebecca's Empire issued a single, "Medicine Man", which preceded their second album, Welcome (August 1999) via Festival Records. [1] [2] Again, it was produced by O'Mara. [2] It provided two more singles, "Big Smoke" (April 1999) and "Bad Blood" (July). [1] Welcome was not as well received by critics as their earlier efforts. Although, McFarlane observed, "the three year wait had been worth it; it was another slice of pop perfection." [1] Despite the band's profile, none of its singles made the Hottest 100 that year. The album and its accompanying singles were their last releases as they announced their break-up in June 2000.

2000–present: Post-disbandment

In April 2006 Barnard released her debut solo album, Fortified, via Shock Records, which was co-produced by Barnard and O'Mara. [2] Both returned to session and backing work. [2]

After a period of nearly twenty years of being out-of-print, Rebecca's Empire first album was released on streaming platforms in April 2020, with Brian Parker from YourMusicRadar opining that Way of All Things "has now reemerged not only as a great Australian album, but also a case study of a band that could have been a lot more popular". [10]

On 12 November 2022, Barnard performed her cover of "The Judeo-Christian Ethic" at the Croxton Bandroom in the Melbourne suburb of Thornbury, shortly before TISM took to the stage for the first time in eighteen years.

Members

Discography

Studio albums

List of studio albums, with selected details and chart positions
TitleDetailsPeak chart positions
AUS
[11]
Way of All Things
  • Released: July 1996
  • Label: Eternity, Polydor (527 980-2)
  • Format: CD
78
Welcome
  • Released: August 1999
  • Label: Festival (D24132)
  • Format: CD
—

Extended plays

List of extended plays, with selected details
TitleDetails
Atomic Electric
  • Released: 1994
  • Label: Eternity, Polydor (579 313 2)
  • Format: CD
Rebecca's Empire
  • Released: 1995
  • Label: Eternity, Polydor (8533932)
  • Format: CD
Take a Look at Happiness
  • Released: 1996
  • Label: Eternity, Polydor (579 601 2)
  • Format: CD

Awards and nominations

ARIA Music Awards

The ARIA Music Awards is an annual awards ceremony that recognises excellence, innovation, and achievement across all genres of Australian music. They commenced in 1987.

YearNominee / workAwardResultRef.
1997 Way of All Things Breakthrough Artist - Album Nominated [12]

Related Research Articles

<i>Live at the Continental and the Esplanade</i> 1995 live album by Paul Kelly

Live at the Continental and the Esplanade is a live album by Australian rock musician, Paul Kelly, which was originally available, from late 1995, by mail order only from Mushroom Records' White Records Label in Australia. It had been recorded from two performances at the Continental Hotel in Prahran and one performance at the Esplanade Hotel in St Kilda, both in Melbourne. By June 1996 the album was available in Australian stores on Mushroom Records and, on 23 July, it was issued by Vanguard Records in the United States.

Schnell Fenster were a New Zealand rock band formed in Melbourne, Australia in 1986 by Noel Crombie on drums and percussion, Nigel Griggs on bass guitar and backing vocals, Phil Judd on lead vocals and guitar, and Eddie Rayner on keyboards and piano – who were all former members of New Zealand-formed rock group, Split Enz. Fellow founder, Michael den Elzen on lead guitar had worked with Tim Finn Band, another band formed by a Split Enz alumnus. Judd's band were briefly named The Wanx: but Rayner soon left and they changed their name to faux-German for "quick window", because it "appealed to [their] perversity". The group formed the core members of Noel's Cowards, a short-term ensemble, whose sole output was six tracks for the soundtrack of a feature film, Rikky and Pete, in 1988. Schnell Fenster released two studio albums, The Sound of Trees (1988) and Ok Alright a Huh Oh Yeah (1990), before disbanding in 1992. At the ARIA Music Awards of 1989 they were nominated for Breakthrough Artist – Album for The Sound of Trees, Breakthrough Artist – Single for "Whisper" and Best Cover Art for Judd's graphic art.

Peter Robert Jones was an English-born Australian musician. He replaced Paul Hester on drums for Crowded House in mid-1994. After the band split up in June 1996, he played in Deadstar with Caroline Kennedy and Nick Seymour, but did not return to Crowded House when they re-formed in 2006 about a year after Hester's death. Jones worked as a secondary teacher in Melbourne and on 18 May 2012, he died from brain cancer, aged 49.

Deadstar were an Australian alternative rock band formed in August 1995 by Peter Jones on drums and percussion; Caroline Kennedy on lead vocals and guitar; and Barry Palmer on guitar and bass guitar. They released three studio albums, deadstar, Milk and Somewhere Over the Radio. Two singles reached the top 100 on the ARIA Singles Chart, "Run Baby Run" and "Deeper Water", both in 1999. The group were nominated for three ARIA Music Awards. The group disbanded in 2001.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Chris Wilson (Australian musician)</span> Australian musician (1956–2019)

Christopher John Wilson was an Australian blues musician who sang and played harmonica, saxophone and guitar. He performed as part of the Sole Twisters, Harem Scarem and Paul Kelly and the Coloured Girls, and fronted his band Crown of Thorns. Wilson's solo albums are Landlocked, The Long Weekend, Spiderman (2000), King for a Day, Flying Fish (2012) and the self titled Chris Wilson (2018).

Things of Stone and Wood or ToSaW are an Australian folk rock band which formed in 1989. The original line-up was Michael Bruce Allen on bass guitar and backing vocals; Greg Arnold on lead vocals and acoustic guitar; Justin Brady on violin, mandolin and harmonica; and Tony Floyd on drums and percussion. Two of their albums, The Yearning and Junk Theatre peaked at No. 8 on the ARIA Albums Chart. Their 1992 single, "Happy Birthday Helen", which reached No. 9 on the ARIA Singles Chart, was written by Arnold for his then-girlfriend, whom he later married. At the ARIA Music Awards of 1993 the group won ARIA Award for Best New Talent for "Share This Wine". Arnold won 'Songwriter of the Year' at the 1993 APRA Awards.

Joseph Benjamin Geia is an Aboriginal Australian musician of Murri heritage. As a solo artist he has released three albums, Yil Lull (1988), Tribal Journey (1996) and Nunga, Koori and a Murri Love (2005). He has worked with artists, No Fixed Address (1982–83), Shane Howard and Rebecca Barnard (1990). In 1988 Geia composed the track, "Yil Lull", which has been recorded by other artists, Paul Kelly, Archie Roach, Jimmy Barnes, and the Singers for the Red, Black and Gold, which included Howard, Kelly, Christine Anu, Renée Geyer, and Tiddas.

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

Mississippi were an Australian soft rock band (1972–1975), which included Graham Goble on lead vocals and guitar, Beeb Birtles on lead vocals and guitar, and Derek Pellicci on drums. The band had started as Allison Gros in Adelaide in 1970 and moved to Melbourne in 1971 where they recorded as Allison Gros, Drummond and, early in 1972, became Mississippi. As Drummond they issued a cover version of "Daddy Cool", which peaked at No. 1 on the Go-Set National Top 40 for eight weeks. As Mississippi they reached No. 10 with "Kings of the World". In early 1975, with Birtles, Goble and Pellici aboard and the addition of Glenn Shorrock, the group were renamed Little River Band.

Lisa Anne Edwards is an Australian solo and session singer and musician. In July 1992 she had a top 5 hit on the ARIA Singles Chart with her cover version of Godley and Creme's "Cry". Edwards is primarily a backing vocalist and has worked for fellow Australian and international artists, including John Farnham and Kylie Minogue.

<i>Stardust Five</i> (album) 2006 studio album by Stardust Five

Stardust Five is the self-titled debut album by Stardust Five which was released in 2006. The album was mixed and produced by Tchad Blake.

<i>Wont You Come Around</i> 2003 extended play by Paul Kelly

Won't You Come Around is an EP released by Australian folk rock musician Paul Kelly and his band on 3 November 2003 by EMI. The EP peaked at No. 55 on the Australian Recording Industry Association (ARIA) Australian Singles Charts. Kelly's nephew, Dan Kelly joins the Paul Kelly Band to share vocals, guitar and songwriting.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bands and accompanying musicians of Paul Kelly</span>

Paul Kelly is an Australian rock musician. He started his career in 1974 in Hobart, Tasmania and has performed as a solo artist, in bands as a member or has led bands named after himself. Some backing bands recorded their own material under alternate names, Professor Ratbaggy and Stardust Five, with Kelly as an individual member. As of September 2017, Paul Kelly's current band members are Cameron Bruce on keyboards and piano, Vika and Linda Bull on backing vocals and lead vocals, his nephew Dan Kelly on lead guitar and backing vocals, Peter Luscombe on drums and Bill McDonald on bass guitar.

Stephen Wade is an English-born Australian-based singer, songwriter and musician. He won the Australian Songwriter of the Year in 1989 and 1990. Wade was a member of the Graham Goble Encounter (1993–95), which recorded two albums and toured Germany. During 1994 he provided guitar and vocals for another group, Tempted, on their self-titled album. From 1996, for four years, Wade was a lead vocalist for the soft rock group, Little River Band. In 2001 he issued his debut self-titled album and during 2006 he was a member of the trio Pealing Wade & Young, with Mick Pealing (ex-Stars) and Gary Young, which issued an eponymous album. In April 2013 he auditioned for series two of The Voice, but was not selected.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Rebecca Barnard</span> Musical artist

Rebecca Chirnside Barnard is an Australian singer, songwriter, producer and musician. She was the lead singer of the band Rebecca's Empire from 1993 to 2000 and has forged a solo career since her debut album, Fortified, was released in 2006. Her second solo album, Everlasting, was released in 2010. After a lengthy break of just under seven years, Barnard released her third solo album, Music for Listening and Relaxation, in 2017. She released her first solo jazz album, The Night We Called It A Day, in 2023.

Peter Luscombe is an Australian drummer and composer.

Shane O'Mara is an Australian musician and record producer.

Bruce Geoffrey Haymes is an Australian musician. Since 1976 Haymes has been a member of numerous bands including Avalanche (1978), Richard Clapton Band (1979), Russell Morris and the Rubes (1980–83) and Bachelors from Prague (1985–93). He joined Paul Kelly's Band (1995–97) and was also in Kelly's next group, Professor Ratbaggy (1999–2002). In 1997 he was part of the Singers for the Red Black & Gold, which released a cover version of "Yil Lull" (1998). It was nominated for the ARIA Award for Best Indigenous Release. Along with Kelly, Shane O'Mara and fellow members of Professor Ratbaggy, Haymes performed and co-wrote the soundtrack for the feature film, Lantana (2001). For this work he won the ARIA Award for Best Original Soundtrack Album in 2002.

Venom P. Stinger were an Australian noise rock band, formed in 1985. The original line-up was Dugald Mackenzie on lead vocals, Alan Secher-Jensen on bass guitar, Mick Turner on guitar, and Jim White on drums. They disbanded in 1988 and reformed two years later, they disbanded again in 1996. The group issued three albums, Meet My Friend Venom, What's Yours Is Mine and Tear Bucketer (1996).

The Zimmermen were an Australian rock and country music group, which formed in June 1983. Members included John Dowler on vocals, Mick Holmes on guitar and vocals, Graeme Perry on drums, and Peter Tulloch on guitar. They released two albums, Rivers of Corn, Way Too Casual, before disbanding in 1990. Former guitarist Steve Connolly died in 1995.

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 McFarlane, Ian (1999). "Encyclopedia entry for 'Rebecca's Empire'". Encyclopedia of Australian Rock and Pop . St Leonards, NSW: Allen & Unwin. ISBN   1-86508-072-1. Archived from the original on 23 August 2004.
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 Rebecca's Empire related entries at Australian Rock Database:
    • Rebecca's Empire: – Holmgren, Magnus. "Rebecca's Empire". hem2.passagen.se. Australian Rock Database (Magnus Holmgren). Archived from the original on 5 August 2011. Retrieved 7 December 2017.
    • Rebecca Barnard: – Holmgren, Magnus. "Rebecca Barnard". hem2.passagen.se. Australian Rock Database (Magnus Holmgren). Archived from the original on 5 August 2011. Retrieved 7 December 2017.
    • Michael den Elzen: – Holmgren, Magnus. "Michael Den Elzen". hem2.passagen.se. Australian Rock Database (Magnus Holmgren). Archived from the original on 5 August 2011. Retrieved 7 December 2017.
    • Peter Luscombe: – Holmgren, Magnus. "Peter Luscombe". hem2.passagen.se. Australian Rock Database (Magnus Holmgren). Archived from the original on 5 August 2011. Retrieved 7 December 2017.
    • Bill McDonald: – Holmgren, Magnus. "Bill McDonald". hem2.passagen.se. Australian Rock Database (Magnus Holmgren). Archived from the original on 5 August 2011. Retrieved 7 December 2017.
    • Shane O'Mara: – Holmgren, Magnus. "Shane O'Mara". hem2.passagen.se. Australian Rock Database (Magnus Holmgren). Archived from the original on 5 August 2011. Retrieved 7 December 2017.
  3. ↑ Performers Releasing Information about Clean Syringes; Commonwealth AIDS Prevention and Education Program (Australia) (1993), P.R.I.C.S.: Performers Releasing Information about Clean Syringes, Commonwealth Aids Prevention and Education Program, retrieved 7 December 2017
  4. ↑ "Hottest 100 | History | 1994". Triple J (Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC)). Retrieved 7 December 2017.
  5. ↑ "Hottest 100 | History | 1995". Triple J (Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC)). Retrieved 7 December 2017.
  6. 1 2 3 Lewis, Jonathan. "Rebecca's Empire | Biography & History". AllMusic . Retrieved 7 December 2017.
  7. ↑ Lewis, Jonathan. "The Way of All Things – Rebecca's Empire | Songs, Reviews, Credits". AllMusic. Retrieved 7 December 2017.
  8. ↑ "Hottest 100 | History | 1996". Triple J (Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC)). Retrieved 7 December 2017.
  9. ↑ "Hottest 100 | History | 1997". Triple J (Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC)). Retrieved 7 December 2017.
  10. ↑ Parker, Brian. "lbum Review: Rebecca's Empire – Way Of All Things". YourMusicRadar. Retrieved 18 April 2020.
  11. ↑ Ryan, Gavin (2011). Australia's Music Charts 1988–2010 (PDF ed.). Mt Martha, Victoria, Australia: Moonlight Publishing. p. 230.
  12. ↑ "1997 ARIA Awards Winners".
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.