Tactics (band)

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Tactics : a band formed in the late 1970's in Canberra by David Studdert, Angus Douglas, Robert Whittle, and Geoff Marsh. They soon moved to Sydney and quickly became known for running against the grain musically, lyrically, and stylistically. Always fronted by songwriter Studdert, the lineup changed marginally for each album until they finally called it a day in 1990. After moving to the UK during the 90s, Studdert formed Mumbo Jumbo - touring and releasing an album - before a brief stint back in Australia where he fronted an 8-piece band called The Inside Up in 2000/2001.

[edit] History

Tactics' first album, My Houdini was released in 1980 to critical acclaim, and captured the energy of their live sound with clarity & passion. Its overall colours were deepened by some slower, more reflective songs such as 'The Usual', 'Frozen Park' and 'A Settler's Complaint', which weren't present in their live set. Glebe their second, followed 9 months later in 1981, bringing a different approach, fusing a wide range of forms, styles (mostly invented) and rhythmic intensities. By merging the songs, most of which have many parts, a song-cycle effect was achieved, marking the album with an eccentric pop chamber-music feel.

These two were followed by The Bones Of Barry Harrison (1982), a compilation of live recordings from 1979 to 1982. Recorded on a wide range of devices including hand-held walkmans, it didn't garner any new fans; but the idea of polishing it for release was an anathema to them.

Dave Studdert ended the band in 1983 but re-emerged a year later with a new Tactics, which retained Angus Douglas and added Nicky Baruch, Snajik, and Tony Donohue.

The resulting album, Blue and White Future Whale failed yet again to reach a mass audience. The songs were combinations of the earthy, the celebratory, and lunar reflections on love, lust, politics, ...and sport.

After this lineup dissolved in 1987, Tactics released their final studio album, The Great Gusto, in 1989, with Studdert, Garry Manley (from Glebe band), Snajik and Malcolm MacCallum, as well as some violin cameos from Amanda Brown, ex Go-Betweens. By this time Tactics were closer to the mainstream, but not close enough. Studdert moved onto other projects, to reconcile the art in his blood with the dance in his brain.

The History of the Sky - 'mixes, remixes, hits n missus', released in 1996 - is an 18 song collection spanning their 'career', and a good starting point for the novice listener. It highlights the breadth and uniqueness of their sound.

In October 2006, twenty-six years after their first album, Memorandum Recordings in conjunction with Reverberation released The Sound of the Sound - a double CD package - compiling Tactics first two albums, My Houdini & Glebe. It also contains unreleased studio songs, alternate live versions from the era, and a few of Barry Harrison's Bones. All tracks have been re-mastered specifically for this release. Glebe has been remixed from the original multi-track masters, after having been initially rushed into existence by lack of funding and various other emotional pressures. This CD release emphasises the contrasts between these first albums, the great strength of Studdert's early songs, and differences in the manner of recording 'the sound of the sound'.

[edit] Members

  • Dave Studdert - Lead vocals & rhythm guitar (all albums).
  • Robert Whittle - Drums, vocals 1977-82 (My Houdini, Glebe)
  • Angus Douglas - Lead guitar 1977-84 (My Houdini, Glebe)
  • Geoff Marsh - Bass, vocals, backing mumble on Standing by the Window 1977-81 (My Houdini)
  • Ingrid Spielman - Piano 1980-81 (My Houdini, Glebe)
  • Garry Manley - Bass, 1981-83 & guitar 1989-90 (Glebe, The Great Gusto + [Inside Up - 2000] )
  • Nicky Baruch - Vocals*, keyboards, percussion, flute 1984-86 (*Glebe, Blue & White Future Whale)
  • Snajik - Bass, 1984-86, 1989-90 (Blue & White Future Whale, The Great Gusto)
  • Tony Donohue - Drums 1984-86 (Blue & White Future Whale)
  • Malcolm MacCallum - Drums, keyboards 1989-90 (The Great Gusto)
  • Lex Robertson - Keyboard 1989-90 (live band + [Inside Up - 2000] )
  • Pete Kelly - Trumpet 1989-90 (live band)
  • Sloth - Trumpet 1989-90 (live band + [Inside Up - 2000] )
  • others along the way: Hamish Reid (bass), Duncan MacKenzie (organ), Michael Farmer (drums), Errol Gooding (sax).

[edit] Discography

Albums

  • 1980 My Houdini
  • 1981 Glebe
  • 1982 The Bones of Barry Harrison (Live 79-81)
  • 1986 Blue and White Future Whale
  • 1988 Holden Interview (Singles, extras, post-1986)
  • 1989 The Great Gusto
  • 1996 History of the Sky
  • 2006 The Sound of the Sound Vol. 1: My Houdini, Glebe & MORE!

Singles

  • 1979 Long Weekend EP - Standing By The Window / Buried Country / Watch My Hands
  • 1980 Hole in My Life / Outdoors
  • 1981 Second Language / Buried Country
  • 1981 Gold Watch / Standing By the Window
  • 1985 Fat Man / Shark Bed Rally
  • 1986 Coat Tails / Committee of Love
  • 1989 Coalface / Birthday Girl
  • 1989 Know it All
  • 1990 Turn
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