Things of Stone and Wood

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Things of Stone and Wood (sometimes abbreviated to TOSAW) are a well known Australian band which had their first show in 1989. They are perhaps best known for the song Happy Birthday Helen (released 1992). The song was about singer Greg Arnold's girlfriend, whom he later married. They won best new talent at the 1993 ARIA awards.

Their song Happy Birthday Helen was number 91 on the Triple J Hottest 100, 1993 Happy Birthday Helen was parodied on ABC's The Late Show in 1992 as No More Melbourne Cliches. They were all ex-students of Eltham College.

Members of the band Michael Allen (b,k,g,v), Arnold Greg (v,g,k) Brady Justin (harm,viol,mandolin,g) Floyd Tony (d,perc,recorder,v)

While their debut album "The Yearning" spawned a number of singles, received much critical acclaim and went gold, their follow-up Junk Theatre" (which featured the singles Wildflowers and "Churchill's Black Dog") failed to equal its success, despite "Wildflowers" becoming the most played song on Australian radio in 1994. The disappointing sales saw them part ways with their record company, Sony.

Their third album, The Man With The Perfect Hair (a reference to the host of The 7.30 Report, Kerry O'Brien), was an independent release and the last of their folk-rock type music, as they headed down a Beatle-esque path, becoming a three-piece at the same time. The band's forth album "Whirligig" was release in 1995 before the band went on a lengthy hiatus. Greg Arnold released a solo album "Tricycle" in 1999 and Things of Stone & Wood reformed in 2002, releasing a best of album featuring the new single "Ship of the Damned" the album failed to sell in great numbers, as did the new album that followed, "Rollercoaster". Greg Arnold released a second solo album "Lost Marie" in 2007. Things of Stone and Wood continue to reform for shows sporadically and Greg spends his time touring and working as a producer, recording acts such as Carus & the True Believers and Skipping Girl Vinegar.