FLOTSAM JETSAM

Flotsam Jetsam was formed in 1983 by vocalist Stephen Ferris, guitarist Tony Gilbert. Bassist Nick Ferris joined soon after. The band at the time didn’t have a drummer so instead they used Roland TR-808 drum machine and a Korg Polysix keyboards on a four track Tascam reel to reel tape recorder. They performed this way live for a while until they got the services of a drummer named Warren Maclean, who would leave in 1984 and return in 1985. Warren Maclean was also in a band with Nick Ferris called Four-Four previous to Flotsam Jetsam.

There were various musicians and singers who joined Flotsam Jetsam over the next year including Ade Akisanya on keyboards, three backup singers known as The Shonkettes, Annie Swanton, Emma De Teliga and Katina Cremona, keyboardist Peter Pitcher and percussionist Bill Kay. During that time percussionist John Swanton would join permanently, and Michael Iacono on keyboards would replace Ade. When Warren Maclean left Flotsam Jetsam for the Machinations, the band decided not to have a drummer, instead they purchased a Sequential Circuits Drumtracks drum machine a Roland MSQ 700 and later a Roland MC-500 Micro Composer, and use that along with John Swanton on percussion, to form the drum section.

In 1983 the band recorded at Ramrod Studios Brookvale with legendary drummer/engineer Herman Kovac, a song called ''115 BPM'' for a short video made by director Lucinda Clutterbuck specialising in rotoscope animation. The song vocals were sung by Kate Ceberano, of I’m Talking, no lyrics were involved just singing in noises.

In 1984 the band were approached by ABC radio station 2 JJJ about being on a compilation box set album call 'Cooking With George'. George, being George Wayne, the DJ host at Triple J’s afternoon/evening shift. This was a boxset comprising bands from Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane to promote young bands coming through the system. It was recorded at ABC recording studios in Darlinghurst by Keith Walker, and the song ''R27's In God-Like Intercession'' was chosen to be on the compilation.

April 1985, just before signing with WEA records, Flotsam Jetsam got to play four shows as the opening act to Queen at the Entertainment Centre in Sydney. On April 30th, 1985, Flotsam Jetsam signed a record contract with WEA records, who was then run by Paul Turner and Peter Ikin (who was probably responsible for the band being on the bill with Queen).

Flotsam Jetsam recorded the first single for WEA, a song called ''100% One Second Love'' under the production of Keith Walker, who had previously worked with the band. The lineup was Stephen Ferris (vocals/synthesizer), Nick Ferris (bass/drum programming), Tony Gilbert (guitar), John Swanton (percussion), Michael Iacano (keyboards). This was recorded at EMI 301 studio B, in Castlereagh Street Sydney. A Fairlight CMI systems was used to record their drums and some instruments they also use the services of the jazz pianist Tony Ansell to play on two songs. Michael Iacano was replaced by Ashley Cadell for their second single ''Distraction / Hijack To Hollywood (Dedicated To Norman Whitfield)'', Two more singles were released with ''Power'' being the most successful. The band supported major overseas acts A-Ha, Simply Red and New Order. They finished up in 1988.

Members

Stephen Ferris (vocals/synthesizer), Nick Ferris (bass/drum programming), Tony Gilbert (guitar), John Swanton (percussion), Michael Iacano (keyboards), Ashley Cadell (keyboards), Peter Ciabo (drums), Warren McLean (drums), Ade Akisanya (keyboards), Peter Pitcher (keyboards),

Bill Kay (percussion)

SINGLES
''100% One Second Love / Butchers Of Lust'' 1985 WEA
''Distraction (#90) / Hijack To Hollywood (Dedicated To Norman Whitfield)'' 1986 WEA
''Show Me / Dream Home'' 1986 WEA
''Power (#76) / Freddy's Five Knives / Rewop'' 1987 WEA

EPs

'Horrorbox' 1987 WEA

References

http://top100singles.blogspot.com.au/