The Zimmermen

The Zimmermen were formed in Melbourne in June 1983 by Tim Brosnan on guitar (ex-Millionaires, True Wheels, Romantics, Paul Kelly and the Dots), John Dowler on lead vocals (ex-Spare Change, Young Modern, Glory Boys, Talk Show), Mick Holmes on guitar and backing vocals (ex-Negatives, Eric Gradman: Man & Machine, Romantics, Paul Kelly and the Dots, Fatal Attraction), Peter "Pedro" Steele on bass guitar (ex-Fatal Attraction), and Trevor Upton on drums (ex-Lipservice, Fatal Attraction).[1][2] The band name is a pun on Bob Dylan's birth surname.[1] Brosnan left the group in the following month and was replaced on guitar by Steve Connolly (ex-Cuban Heels, Rare Things).[1][2] Later that year Upton was replaced on drums by Michael Barclay (ex-Japanese Comix, Little Murders, Runners).[1][2]

Dowler was the group's main songwriter and "had written a batch of first-rate pop songs, and he began making plans" to record an album.[1][3] However, late in 1984 both Barclay and Connolly had left to join Paul Kelly Band.[1][2] Connolly was replaced by Peter Tulloch on guitar and vocals (ex-Wrecked Jets) while Barclay was initially replaced by Graeme Perry early in 1985 and then by Neil Osborn (ex-Wrecked Jets) on drums in mid-year.[1][2]

The Zimmermen's debut single, "Don't Go to Sydney", appeared in December 1985 and was co-written by Dowler and Holmes.[1][4] It had been recorded prior to Barclay and Connolly leaving the group.[1] Australian musicologist, Ian McFarlane, described how, "[it] was an instant classic, an exceptional slice of harmony-drenched guitar pop. It became one of the most successful independent singles for 1986."[1] Their debut album, Rivers of Corn (February 1987), was produced by Harry Williamson and the group, which was released via Au Go Go Records.[1][2][3] It provided the group's second single, "Ordinary Man", in the same month.[5]

During 1987 Steele was replaced on bass guitar by Alan Brooker (ex-Clean Cut, Paul Kelly and the Dots, Little Murders) and Perry returned on drums to replace Osborn.[1][2] In November 1988 the band started recording their second album, Way Too Casual (April 1989), with Lobby Loyde producing.[1][2] It was issued by Mushroom Records/Festival Records and was preceded in February by the related single, "What Really Hurts".[1] McFarlane observed that the album, "was a more balanced effort than the debut, displaying a depth, freshness and sense of humour that made for excellent listening. [It] contained several of Dowler's most fully realised compositions."[1] The group undertook a national tour but disbanded early in the following year.[1][2][5] Steve Connolly died in May 1995, aged 36.[2][6]

• Tim Brosnan – guitar (1983)
• John Dowler – lead vocals (1983–90)
• Michael Holmes – guitar, backing vocals (1983–90)
• Peter Steele – bass guitar (1983–87)
• Trevor Upton – drums (1983)
• Steve Connolly – guitar (1983–84, died 1995)
• Michael Barclay – drums (1983–84)
• Peter Tulloch – guitar (1984–90)
• Graeme Perry – drums (1985, 1987–90)
• Neil Osborn – drums (1985–87)
• Alan Brooker – bass guitar (1987–90)