Clouds (Australian band)
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| The Clouds | ||
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 The Girls From The Clouds. From left: Jodi Phillis (Electric Guitar), Patricia Young (Bass), Tim Oxley (Drums)
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| Background information | ||
| Also known as | The Girls From The Clouds | |
| Origin | Sydney, Australia | |
| Genre(s) | Indie rock | |
| Years active | 1989–1997 2005–present |
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| Label(s) | Red Eye Records Elektra Records (USA) |
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| Website | Official website | |
| Members | ||
| Jodi Phillis Patricia Young Tim Oxley |
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| Former members | ||
| Stuart Eadie | ||
Clouds were an indie rock band from Sydney, Australia formed in December 1989. The core of the group consisted of frontwomen Jodi Phillis (guitar and vocals) and Patricia "Trish" Young (bass and vocals). The line up of Clouds changed several times with different drummers and lead guitarists. According to many observers, Stuart Eadie was by far the strongest drummer in the band's changing line-up, likened to John Bonham in his power. Clouds' music was distinguished by rapid and unusual chord changes, creative bass (Young), and yet melodies with plenty of "hook".
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[edit] History
Clouds secured a recording contract with Red Eye Records in 1990 and began recording the Clouds EP in May which was released in October, including the iconic Cloud Factory. The following April the Loot EP, featuring "Soul Eater" was released. In June recording for the Penny Century album began and was released in October 1991, reaching number 14 on the national mainstream charts in Australia. Two singles were released from the album: "Hieronymous" and "Anthem".
The band's next release was the single "Say It" from the upcoming Octopus eight track 'mini' album that was recorded from March to May and released in October 1992.
In June 1993 recording began on the next album Thunderhead with the first single "Bower of Bliss" released in August and the album in October. The second single "Alchemy's Dead" was released in December.
In 1994 Clouds took a six-month tour to Europe and the United States, securing an American record deal with Elektra Records. Whilst in London the EP Beetroot was recorded and released in Australia in October. Following the signing with Elektra Records Thunderhead was released in the US in March 1995 along with an EP (3 Songs) and a promotional "Bower of Bliss" single. This was followed in May with two more promotional releases; "Say It" and a four track called Bang Bang! which took three tracks from Octopus and "Boy Of Air" from Beetroot. Unfortunately, not long after these releases Clouds were dumped by Elektra along with their entire overseas roster of bands.
Despite this major setback, recording of new songs continued and two EPs were released Aquamarine and Panel Van, August and November 1995, respectively.
In May 1996, Red Eye Records released a remastered Penny Century which include a limited edition bonus CD of early songs called Pre-Raphaelite. This helped the album to become Gold (35,000 copies sold).
In 1996, the band released their third album, the highly compromised Futura.
Although Phillis and Young were widely praised for their ability to harmonize their vocals, Clouds suffered from a lack of promotion and support within the industry and eventually disbanded in 1997. Although Phillis was living in a small town in Tasmania and Young was living in London, the two occasionally reunited over the years to perform a few shows. Phillis went on to form the Dearhunters and is now a solo artist.
In late 2005, Phillis and Young resurrected their band under the name The Girls From The Clouds, launching a 5-track EP titled Lalalala.
[edit] Discography
[edit] Albums
- Penny Century, 1991
- Octopus, 1992
- Thunderhead, 1993
- Futura, 1996
[edit] Compilation albums
- Favourites, 1999
[edit] EPs
- Clouds, 1990
- Loot, 1991
- Beetroot, 1994
- Aquamarine, 1995
- Panel Van, 1995
[edit] Singles
- "Hieronymus", 1991
- "Anthem", 1992
- "Say It", 1992
- "Bower of Bliss", 1993
- "Alchemy's Dead", 1993
- "Here Now"/"Down From The Sky", 1996
- "Never Say Forever", 1997
