AFFECTIONS

Affections was formed in Sydney in the late 70’s by Rob Smith and Rob Risio on guitars and bass player George Ellis. The trio soon recruited drummer Greg Tolhurst and vocalist Wayne Hammonds to complete the line-up. Their early gigs were mainly school dances and parties playing covers of classic 60’s tunes. The band soon realised they needed to play their own songs if people were going to take notice. Impressed by the raw power and energy of bands like The Ramones and Generation X, The Affections were excited about the idea of playing a more powerful guitar-based brand of pop. With the emergence of bands such as Cheap Trick, The Motors and The Romantics, the local scene was ready for a home-grown power pop outfit to match.

After entering and the state final of a “Battle of the Bands” (a competition held by rock & roll radio station 2SM) and finishing a respectable third, the band began to stir interest amongst local record companies and promoters who could sense they had something special. After hearing some early home demos, producer Jim Manzie (ex- Ol’ 55) offered to pay for some demos at Sydney’s Trafalgar Studios. The sessions produced four tracks: ''Little by Little'' (later released as a B side), ''Heartbreaker Girl'', ''16’s My Lucky Number'' and ''This Is Love''.

The band signed with fledgling Sydney label Deluxe Records. With artists such as INXS and The Dugites on its roster Deluxe boss Michael Browning (ex AC/DC) saw the band as Australia’s next Easybeats. With the departure of original drummer Greg Tolhurst, the band recruited drummer Brad Robinson (ex-Just Die Young). In between touring and supporting bands such as The Angels, Dragon, Cold Chisel, and Mental As Anything, they soon found themselves back in the studio, recording their first single ''This is Love''. Released in mid 1982, the single gained modest airplay up and down the east coast of Australia as the band kept touring and building its growing fan base. Unfortunately, their record label failed to deliver what was earlier promised and eventually folded. The individual band members, disillusioned with the endless grind of touring, decided to break up and go their separate ways. The band reformed around 2001 and in 2013 released their long-awaited album, 'Prolonged Adolescence'. It included new recordings of 'This Is love'' and ''Little By Little'' plus 11 other tracks. 

Members

Wayne Hammonds (vocals), Rob Smith (guitar), Rob Risio (guitar), George Ellis (bass), Greg Tolhurst (drums), Brad Robinson (drums)

SINGLES

This Is Love

1982