The Go-Betweens
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The Go-Betweens were an internationally influential indie rock band from Australia, formed by guitarists Robert Forster and Grant McLennan in Brisbane in 1977. Over the years they were joined by Lissa Ross (drums), Tim Mustapha (drums), Lindy Morrison (drums), Robert Vickers (bass), Amanda Brown (violin, oboe), John Wilsteed (bass), Glenn Thompson (drums), and Adele Pickvance (bass).
The Go-Betweens were famously summarised by Village Voice critic Robert Christgau thus: “Robert Forster and Grant McLennan are the greatest songwriting partnership working today.” The Go-Betweens toured overseas numerous times and produced such indie hits as "Cattle and Cane" (1983) and "Streets of Your Town" (1988). After recording six albums, Forster and McLennan disbanded The Go-Betweens in December 1989.
Forster and McLennan pursued solo careers throughout the '90s but were inspired to work together after they were invited by fans at French music magazine Les Inrockuptibles to perform at the magazine's 10th anniversary.
In 2000, Forster and McLennan reformed The Go-Betweens, assisted by all three members of Sleater-Kinney, and recorded the album The Friends of Rachel Worth. The most recent line-up (2005) included Forster, McLennan, Adele Pickvance (bass) and Glenn Thompson (drums).
In October 2005 The Go-Betweens finally achieved mainstream recognition, with the album Oceans Apart (produced by [Mark Wallis] and Dave Ruffy) winning an ARIA award for Best Adult Contemporary Album.
With the death of Grant McLennan on May 6, 2006, Robert Forster announced that the Go-Betweens are no more.
Discography
Non-Album Singles
- "Lee Remick/Karen" (Able Label, 1978)
- "People Say/Don't Let Him Come Back" (Able Label, 1979)
- "I Need Two Heads/Stop before You say It" (Missing Link/Postcard, 1980)
Albums
- Send Me A Lullaby (1981)
- Very Quick on the Eye (1981)
- Before Hollywood (1983)
- Spring Hill Fair (1984)
- Metal and Shells (1985)
- Liberty Belle and the Black Diamond Express (1986)
- Tallulah (1987)
- 16 Lovers Lane (1988)
- The Peel Sessions EP (1989)
- The Friends of Rachel Worth (2000)
- Bright Yellow Bright Orange (2003)
- Oceans Apart (2005)
- Live In London (2005)
- Worlds Apart EP (2005)
Compilations
- The Able Label Singles (1986)
- 1978-1990 (1990)
- (1999)
- 78 'til 79 the Lost Album (1999)
Previous Members
- Malcolm Kelly ("People Say")
- Jaqueline Candice ("People Say")
Singles
| Year | Title | Chart positions | Album | |||
| US Hot 100 | US Modern Rock | US Mainstream Rock | UK | |||
| 1988 | "Was There Anything I Could Do?" | - | #16 | - | - | 16 Lovers Lane |
Further reading
- Clinton Walker (1996). . Pan MacMillan Australia. ISBN 0-7329-0883-3
- David Nichols (2003). The Go-Betweens. Puncture Publications. ISBN 1-8912-4116-8
External links
- [www.lomaxrecords.com] Latest news on the band
- [www.go-betweens.net] Official Website
- [www.robertchristgau.com] US-rock critic Robert Christgau on their comeback
- [www.brella.org] Extensive 2005-interview with Grant McLennan
- [www.beggars.com] Extensive Information on Beggars Banquet Records-site
- [The Go-Betweens Lyrics]
- [CNN article on the Go-Betweens; why did fame forget them?]
- [Robert Vickers tribute]
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