The Earthmen

The Earthmen were an Australian indie pop-rock band formed in Melbourne, Victoria.[1] They released two albums, Teen Sensations and Love Walked In during their career (1991–1999).[1] Love Walked In was nominated for ARIA Award for Breakthrough Artist – Album' at the ARIA Music Awards of 1997.[2]

The Earthmen
OriginMelbourne, Victoria, Australia
Genresindie pop-rock
Years active1991 (1991)–1999
LabelsSummershine, Seed, Warner/East West
Past membersAaron Goldberg, Stephen Nash, Glen Peters, Eric Prentice, Scott Stevens, Nick Batterham, Ben Bleechmore, Robert Cooper, Stephen Moffatt, Matt Sigley, Craig Mitchell, Nick Murray

History

1991-1999: Success

The Earthmen was formed by Scott Stevens and Aaron Goldberg in 1991 as a jamming band in Melbourne, Victoria and were influenced by 1960s pop music and late '80s American and UK indie noise-pop.

After winning Triple J's national 'J-Sessions' competition they recorded their debut single, "Stacey's Cupboard" late that year with the line-up of Aaron Goldberg on guitar, Stephen Nash on guitar, Glen Peters on drums, Eric Prentice on bass guitar and Scott Stevens on vocals. Nash left in December and was replaced by Nick Batterham (ex-Blindside) as The Earthmen made their first live performances.

The "Stacey's Cupboard" single was released in April 1992 on the indie label, Summershine, as well as on the JJJ-fm compilation album the J sessions. Aside from Sydney band Glide, the Earthmen were the only band to make any industry impact from a pool of nearly 15 bands. Their second single, "Flyby" in August was followed by an Extended Play (EP), Flyby and a third single "Cool Chick #59" in October. They released another EP, Teen Sensations, in May 1993 on Summershine.

In April 1994 they released, "Figure 8" and by May, Peters was replaced by Ben Bleechmore and Prentice by Robert Cooper, The Earthmen had their last Summershine release, The Fall and Rise of My Favourite Sixties Girl EP.

Following their tour of the US and United Kingdom (UK) in July, Goldberg quit the band, and was replaced by Stephen Moffatt at the behest of the 'Black Pig' Publishing Group.

The band signed a contract with Warner's Australian label East West Records by early 1996. In Australia they released, "Scene Stealer" in April and "Hug Me Tighter" in August, then they entered the recording studio with Batterham and Stevens joined by Matt Sigley on bass guitar and keyboards and they used session drummer, Derek Yuen (Underground Lovers). By year's end they had recruited Craig Mitchell on drums and Nick Murray on guitar.

"Whoever's Been Using This Bed" was released as a single in January 1997 with Love Walked In following in April.[1] The album was nominated for ARIA Award for Breakthrough Artist – Album at the ARIA Music Awards of 1997.[2] It spawned two more singles, "Coloured In" and "Love Walked In".

The Earthmen covered Hal David and Burt Bacharach's "I Just Don't Know What to Do with Myself" for a tribute album, To Hal and Bacharach in April 1998. The War Against Rock and Roll EP, was released in December 1998, with their final gig following on 12 February 1999.[1]

2014-present: Reformation

In 2014 the band announced plans to release a retrospective compilation album on the Popboomerang Records label. At the time of the band's demise, they had been writing songs towards their second album for Warners. The band broke up during the first recording session and many of the songs never got past the demo stage. In looking back through all their material for this retrospective, these demos were uncovered and judged to be worth inclusion. The band got together in late 2014 and recorded four new tracks with the album "College Heart" to be released in September 2016.[1]

Members

  • Stephen Nash – guitar (1991)
  • Glen Peters – drums (1991–1993)
  • Eric Prentice – bass guitar (1991–1993)
  • Aaron Goldberg – guitar (1991–1994)
  • Scott Stevens – vocals (1991–1999)
  • Nick Batterham – guitar (1991–1999)
  • Ben Bleechmore – drums (1994–1996)
  • Robert Cooper – bass guitar (1993–1996)
  • Stephen Moffatt – guitar (1995)
  • Matt Sigley – bass guitar, keyboards (1996–1999)
  • Derek Yuen – drums (1996 recording sessions)
  • Craig Mitchell – drums (1996–1999)
  • Nick Murray – guitar, organ (1996–1999)

Discography

Studio albums

Title Details Peak chart positions
AUS
[3]
Love Walked In
  • Released: April 1997
  • Label: Summertime/ EastWest (0630169972)
  • Format: CD
78
College Heart
  • Released: September 2016
  • Label: Popboomerang Records ()
  • Format: CD, LP, Digital
-
Periscope
  • Released: January 2021
  • Label: Sound as Ever (SAE 003)
  • Format: CD, LP, Digital
-

Extended plays

Title Details Peak chart positions
AUS
Flyby
  • Released: 1992
  • Label: Summertime (SHINE 24)
  • Format: CD, LP
-
Teen Sensations
  • Released: 1992
  • Label: Summertime (SHINECD 5)
  • Format: CD, LP
-
The Fall and Rise of My Favourite Sixties Girl
  • Released: 1993
  • Label: Summertime (SHINE44CD)
  • Format: CD, LP
-
The War Against Rock and Roll
  • Released: 1998
  • Label: Shock (EARTH001)
  • Format: CD
-

Singles

Year Title Peak chart positions Album
AUS
[3]
1992 "Stacey's Cupboard" Flyby
"Flyby"
"Cool Chick No.59" Teen Sensations
1994 "Figure 8"/"Tell The Women We're Going" The Fall and Rise of My Favourite Sixties Girl
1996 "Scene Stealer"
"Hug Me Tighter" Love Walked In
1997 "Whoever's Been Using this Bed" 85
"Coloured In"
"Love Walks In"

Awards and nominations

ARIA Music Awards

The ARIA Music Awards is an annual awards ceremony that recognises excellence, innovation, and achievement across all genres of Australian music. They commenced in 1987.

Year Nominee / work Award Result Ref.
1997 Love Walked In ARIA Award for Breakthrough Artist - Album Nominated [4][2]

References

General
  • McFarlane, Ian (1999). "Whammo Homepage". Encyclopedia of Australian Rock and Pop. St Leonards, NSW: Allen & Unwin. ISBN 1-86508-072-1. Archived from the original on 5 April 2004. Retrieved 8 February 2010. Note: Archived [on-line] copy has limited functionality.
  • Spencer, Chris; Zbig Nowara; Paul McHenry (2002) [1987]. The Who's Who of Australian Rock. Noble Park, Vic.: Five Mile Press. ISBN 1-86503-891-1.[5] Note: [on-line] version established at White Room Electronic Publishing Pty Ltd in 2007 and was expanded from the 2002 edition.
Specific
  1. McFarlane, Ian (1999). "Encyclopedia entry for 'The Earthmen'". Encyclopedia of Australian Rock and Pop. St Leonards, NSW: Allen & Unwin. ISBN 1-86508-072-1. Archived from the original on 19 April 2004. Retrieved 31 March 2010.
  2. "ARIA Awards – History: Winners by Year 1997: 11th Annual ARIA Awards". Australian Recording Industry Association (ARIA). Archived from the original on 26 September 2007. Retrieved 31 March 2010.
  3. Australian (ARIA) chart peaks:
  4. "1997 ARIA Awards Winners".
  5. Who's who of Australian rock / compiled by Chris Spencer, Zbig Nowara & Paul McHenry. 2002. ISBN 9781865038919. Retrieved 31 March 2010. {{cite book}}: |work= ignored (help)
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