NURSERY CRIMES

Nursery Crimes formed in Melbourne in early 1989 by Paddy Chong on bass guitar; Dave Dixon on guitar and backing vocals; Caine Knight on lead guitar; Russell Hopkinson on drums (ex-Vicious Circle, Bamboos, Kryptonics, Cremator); and Phil Rose (aka Richard Andrew Rose) on lead vocals (ex-Slush Puppies). Australian musicologist, Ian McFarlane, described how their "sound was built around melodic yet crunching guitar riffs, frenetic arrangements, rapid fire lead vocals and sweet harmonies".

Their debut single, "All Torn up Inside", was issued on Au Go Go Records late in the following year, together with their EP, 'No Time for That Crime'. Chong left the group to join Girl Monstar and then The Fuck Fucks, he was replaced on bass guitar by Davarj Thomas, who also provided backing vocals. Nursery Crimes left Au Go Go and joined Survival Records, and in 1990 they released ''Marked by Time / Kick Me Goodnight'', which was produced by Kaj Dahlstrom. For the European market, the group provided a compilation album, 'What Do You Know (Anyway)?' on Normal Records. In April 1991 they issued their second single, "Eleanor Rigby", a cover version of The Beatles' 1966 song. Knight was replaced on lead guitar by James Masson, who added piano.

The group's debut studio album, 'Fun Hurts!', appeared in May 1992. It was co-produced by the band and Dahlstrom. McFarlane described it as "amphetamine-charged". By the end of that year Masson was replaced on guitar by James McInnes, and Chris Latham replaced Hopkinson on drums who joined You Am I. In August 1993 the group released another EP, 'Something's Wrong with Our Heroes', and undertook a national tour to support it. Early the following year Nursery Crimes disbanded. During their career Nursery Crimes were a support act on Australian tours by L7, Henry Rollins, Faith No More, Fugazi and All. In 2017, the band reunited again to open for Descendents; with Frenzal Rhomb drummer Gordy Forman filling in on drums. In 2023, the band reunited to play shows with The Hard Ons with a new line-up consisting of Phil Rose, David Dixon, James McInnes along with Shane Bush on Bass and Lonny Finn (28 Days) on drums. 

In October 2023, the band once again played shows with Descendents in Sydney & Melbourne. In late 2024, the band recruited drummer Dave Ross (Civil Dissident, Vicious Circle), Massappeal, Caligula) to again support The Hard Ons and play a well-received Melbourne headline show - their first in 17 years. In 2025, with a revived energy, the band are organising local shows and interstate tours and are busy writing new songs before heading into the recording studio later in the year.

Members

Phil Rose (vocals), Dave Dixon (guitar), Caine Knight (guitar), Paddy Chong (bass), Russell Hopkinson (drums), Davarj Thomas (bass), James Masson (guitar), James McInnes (guitar), Chris Latham (drums), Shane Bush (bass), Lonny Finn (drums), Dave Ross (drums)

SINGLES
''All Torn Up Inside / What Do You Know (Anyway)?'' 1989 Au-go-go 
''Eleanor Rigby / Eleven Hours A Day'' 1991 Rattlesnake 
''Marked By Time / Kick Me Goodnight'' 1991 Survival 

EPs
'No Time for That Crime' 1990 Au Go Go Records
'Marked by Time' 1990 Survival 
'Something's Wrong with Our Heroes' 1993 MDS

ALBUMS
'Fun Hurts!' 1992 Survival Records

References

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nursery_Crimes_%28band%29