EVEN AS WE SPEAK

Even As We Speak is an indie band from Sydney. Formed in the mid 1980s their first release was a four track EP 'Small Fish In A Big Machine' released in 1986. The lineup was Mathew Love on vocals and guitar, Scott Leishman on keyboards and guitar, Neil Johnson on drums, Paul Field on bass and Mary Wyer on vocals. By 1987 Leishman was replaced by guitarist Bjarn and Paul Field departed. Now a four piece this lineup recorded the single ''Blue Suburban Skies and a cover of New Order's ''Bizarre Love Triangle'' on the B side. This was followed by a three-track single ''I Won't Have To Think About You / Single To Central /Galveston''. 

Wyer and Love moved to the UK for six months leaving behind Bjarn and Johnson who couldn't afford the air fares. Whilst there they recorded songs for the EP 'Goes So Slow' which on return was picked up by and released on Phantom Records in 1989. Bassist Rob Irwin and drummer Anita Rayner joined the band and they released the EP 'Outgrown This Town' in 1990. Even As We Speak came to the attention of BBC Radio 1 DJ John Peel who started to play the band's 1987 indie guitar cover of New Order ''Bizarre Love Triangle'' on his show. This brought them to the attention of UK audiences and began a relationship with UK indie label Sarah Records. The band released several singles and an album 'Feral Pop Frenzy' on Sarah Records, three of which reached the Top 5 of the Melody Maker and New Musical Express UK independent music charts in 1992 and 1993. During this time keyboardist Julian Knowles joined the band along with guitarist Paul Clarke.

 
Between 1992 and 1993, the group recorded three sessions for John Peel and one session for Mark Goodier for BBC Radio 1.They were among the few Australian bands to record Peel Sessions – others were The Birthday Party, The Triffids, The Go-Betweens and Laughing Clowns. These sessions were released as the album 'Yellow Food: The Peel Sessions' in June 2014. A session was also recorded for Radio France. The band's music is an unusual hybrid of accessible pop and more experimental elements. Some commentators consider them to be key figures in the post-C86 subculture in the UK, although their music breaks out of conventional pop moulds to experiment with forms.

In 2016, the band reformed to play NYC Popfest and added some further shows to mark the release of ‘Yellow Food: The Peel Sessions’, a compilation album of the complete sessions recorded for the BBC between 1992 and 1993. This led to the band recording and releasing a five track EP of new material, 'The Black Forest' on 10" vinyl and CD through Emotional Response Records in the USA in September 2017.

In 2018, a 25-year re-issue of the Sarah Records LP 'Feral Pop Frenzy' was released on Emotional Response and also as a Rough Trade coloured vinyl exclusive in the UK and USA. The band toured the UK in July 2018 headlining a bill with a classic Sarah Records lineup of Secret Shine, Boyracer and Action Painting! finishing with a headline slot on the Loco Stage at the Indietracks festival. The full-length album 'Adelphi' was released 24 July 2020 on Shelflife Records

Members

Matthew Love (guitar/banjo/vocals) Scott Leishman (keyboards/guitar), Neil Johnson (drums),

Paul Field (bass), Mary Wyer (vocals/guitar/keyboards), Rob Irwin (bass), Anita Rayner (drums, banjo, mandolin), Paul Clarke (guitar, vocals), Julian Knowles (keyboards), Bjarn (guitar)

References

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Even_as_We_Speak