Finch (Australian band)

Finch was an Australian hard rock band, initially formed in Sydney as Stillwater in 1973. In 1973 they won a 2SM/Pepsi Pop Poll, winning a contract with "Picture Records" who released their first single in 1974 (while guitarist Spencer was still in high school).^[1] Finch also appeared on the soundtrack album to the surfing film "Drouyn". Finch's three rock tracks - Sail Away, Lady of Truth and Roses - appeared alongside jazzy incidental material.

The band settled into the pub rock circuit and released the self-financed "Thunderbird" album in May 1976. In December they released the single, "Short Changed Again", which peaked at Number 29 on the Sydney chart. Finch moved to Melbourne at the end of 1976 and embarked on a successful tour with Perth group, Supernaut. In March 1977, just as Finch was making commercial headway, 19-year old Spencer left to replace Red Symons in Skyhooks. Bassist Tony Strain also left the band. The band went through a rash of new players (Gary Quince, Skeeta Pereira, Sam Mallett and Graham Thompson) before the line-up stabilised with the arrival of Mark Evans (ex AC/DC) on bass and Graham Kennedy and Chris Jones on guitars. The band signed to CBS/Epic and issued the single, "One More Time" in October 1977. Dave Hinds (ex-Rabbit) replaced Chris Jones (who joined Feather) in December of that year.

The band began to move in a more commercial hard rock direction, and the next single, Where Were You? reached Number 14 in Melbourne and Number 33 in Sydney in February 1978. The album "Nothing To Hide" produced a second single, also called "Nothing To Hide" (May 1978). Finch then signed with CBS's US subsidiary label, Portrait. Due to the presence of a Dutch band also called Finch, the band then became Contraband. Portrait issued Contraband's debut single, That's Your Way in October 1978 and in that same month, Barry Cram (ex-Avalanche) replaced McFarlane, who joined Swanee. The Contraband album was released in May 1979, accompanied by the singles Rainin' Again and Gimme Some Lovin' (a cover of the Spencer Davis Group track). The album created interest in the USA but was not successful in Australia. Portrait dropped Contraband later in the year and the band broke up.^[1][2] Earlier Finch material was re-released under the Contraband name but they broke up in 1979.^[2]

Former band members include Mark Evans (AC/DC) and Bob Spencer (Skyhooks, The Angels).^[1][2]

Members

Listed alphabetically:^[1][2][3]

• Barry Cram — drums 1978–1979
• Mark Evans — bass guitar 1977–1979
• David Hinds — guitar, vocals 1977–1979
• Matt Hughes — organ 1973
• Chris Jones — guitar –1977
• Graham Kennedy — guitar, vocals 1977–1979
• Peter McFarlane — drums 1973–1978
• Sam Mallet — guitar;1978
• Owen Orford — vocals 1973–1979
• Sketa Pereira — guitar 1977–1978
• Gary Quince — guitar;1977
• Bob Spencer — guitar 1973–1977
• Tony Strain — bass guitar 1973–1977
• Graham Thompson — bass guitar 1977

Australian discography

Finch

• "Out Of Control" 7" single (Picture Records - picture disc, April 1974)
• Drouyn soundtrack LP – 3 tracks only: "Sail Away", "Roses", "Lady of Truth" (Rainbow Records, October 1974)
• "Stay" 7" (Eagle, April 1976)
• Thunderbird LP (Eagle, May 1976)
• "Short Changed Again" 7" (Eagle - picture cover, December 1976)
• Long Live the Evolution compilation LP – 1 track only: "Short Changed Again" (2JJ, released late 1977, recorded December 1976)
• "One More Time" 7" (Epic, November 1977)
• "Where Were You" 7" (Epic, February 1978, re-issued on Portrait under band name Contraband)
• Nothing to Hide LP (Epic, February 1978, re-issued on Portrait under band name Contraband)
• "Nothing to Hide" 7" (Portrait, May 1978)

Contraband:

• "That’s Your Way" 7" (Portrait, October 1978)
• Contraband LP (Portrait, May 1979)
• "Rainin' Again" 7" (Portrait - picture cover, May 1979)
• "Gimme Some Lovin'" 7" (Portrait, June 1979)

References