Crow (Australian band)

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Crow
Background information
Origin	Sydney, Australia
Genre(s)	Rock
Years active	1988– 1999
Label(s)	rooArt Records BMG
Associated acts	Peter Fenton Registered Nurse Odette
Website	[1]
Members
Peter Archer (vocals/guitar) Peter Fenton (vocals/guitar) Jim Woff (bass) Richard Andrew (drums)
Former members
Andy Marks (drums) John Fenton (drums)

Crow was an Australian rock band. The band was founded by songwriters Peter Fenton and Peter Archer in Canberra 1988 and later relocating to Sydney. The band recieved critical acclaim for their recordings and live performances, but aside from an ARIA nomination (for best record, 1993), did not break through to main stream acceptance. They continue to enjoy a devoted cult following in Australia. They released music on the Phantom, Half A Cow, RooArt and BMG labels before disbanding in 1999. Once labeled by the Australian music press as the 'best band in Australia since the Birthday Party'. Although popular acclaim eluded them, Crow's evocative and influential music left an indeliable mark upon the Australian musical landscape.

1 Members
2 Early Years
3 Later Years
4 Discography
5 Albums & Other Releases
6 External links

[edit] Members

Peter Archer (Guitar and vocals)
Peter Fenton (Guitar and vocals)
Jim Woff (Bass)
Richard Andrew (Drums)

John Fenton (Drums)
Paul Gormack (Bass)
Tina Stephens (Drums)
Andy Marks (Drums)

Michael Christie (Piano & Keyboards)
Chris Abrahams (Piano & Keyboards)

[edit] Early Years

The early Crow years from 1988 to 1992 were a shambolic affair and for many the most memorable. The excitement of band who could so easily derail was well worth its ticket. Both Peter (vocals and guitar) Fenton and John Fenton (drums) such nervy personalities that they are played on sheer energy and rawness. Bassist Jim Woff and lead guitar/axeman Peter Archer helped this spark no end. Tracks from their first vinyl 'Sunburnt Throats and Happy Thunderclouds' (Phantom) like the epic 9 minute 'Charlie Horses' and the achingly beautiful 'Sourpuss' echo this claim.

Crow recorded their second album My Kind of Pain (HAC 19)(their debut CD)in Chicago in 1992 with Steve Albini (Big Black) as producer. The record was subsequently re-mixed by local Tim Whitten before release. It was an album that reflected a more mature sound particularly evident in 'Railhead' and the inventive dual vocals of 'How and Why Wonder'. John Fenton left the band after the Chicago recording with Steve Albini. He was replaced by Tina stephens, shortly followed by Andy Marks Lunarcide. Crow supported many touring acts such as The Straightjacket Fits, Pavement, Sebadoh and The Verlaines.

[edit] Later Years

Another Half A Cow release followed with 'Helicon Days' in 1994. The band was snapped up by large local label RooArt who released their second album Li-Lo-ing in 1995. Guest musicians included Warren Ellis(Dirty Three) and Chris Abrahams (The Necks). Li-lo-ing was a dynamic album composed of both Archer and Fenton penned songs, from the ethereal Fenton openers "Kilkeel" and "Privelege" the banjo lilt of "Paper Eyes" and wired summer dreamscape of Archer's "Rabbits".

Richard Andrew (The Underground Lovers, Registered Nurse) then replaced Andy Marks on drums, and the band played at the SXSW Music Showcase in Austin Texas in 1996. Extensive touring followed alongside bands such as Jeff Buckley.

Peter Archer then moved to Melbourne in 1996 to start a family and to pursue his own song writing vehicle Odette, leaving Crow without one of its real creators. Though the extraordinary talents of Chris Abrahams and Michael Christie were added on keyboards a more stripped back sound evolved and this is very evident on their last player 'Play With Love' in 1998. Though the said album received industry kudos it was not the necessary amount of sales support needed for a major label like BMG. Peter fenton continued as a solo artist, releasing "In the Lover's Arms" album in 2004.

[edit] Discography

Sunburnt Throats and Happy Thunderclouds (Phantom)
Ravine/ Confection 7 inch (Phantom)
Crow CD EP (Half A Cow)
My Kind of Pain (Half A Cow)
Halcyon Days (Half A Cow)
Li-lo-ing (RooART)
Play with Love (BMG)