INNOCENT BYSTANDERS

Innocent Bystanders was a Perth based band formed in 1983 featuring vocalist/songwriter Brett Keyser and guitarist Diesel (Mark Lizotte). At a time when cover bands dominated the Western Australian music landscape, Bystanders were one of the few original acts to make a dent and after a few years of hard work eventually pulled very respectable crowds. Their Monday night residences at the Herdsman Hotel drew crowds of over 250 people, many of them music industry types there to listen to this powerful Australian band heavily influenced by Cold Chisel and Bruce Springsteen.

The standout features were the depth of Keyser's songwriting and his powerful vocals and the amazing young teenage guitarist Mark Lizotte aka Diesel. The band's songs drew heavily from their local environment of beaches, hot summers, weekends down south and even the demolition of the Scarborough Beach Hotel. In addition Keyser soaked up many influences and ventured into the realm of story-telling with his songs. In 1983 the band released a cassette entitled 'Live at the Subi', recorded at the Subiaco Hotel with a mobile recording truck. In 1984 the band flew to Sydney and recorded their debut single, "Lebanon", with Peter Walker (Midnight Oil and Cold Chisel producer) with the lineup of Mark Lizotte (guitar), Brett Keyser (vocals), John ‘Yak’ Sherrit (drums), John ‘Tatt’ Dalzell (bass) and Cliff Kinneen (keyboards).

The single reached #98 on the Australian singles chart. Innocent Bystanders travelled to Sydney to record their second single, "Dangerous", released in July 1986, which reached #97 on the Australian singles chart. They attracted the attention of hard rockers, The Angels, however Lizotte had already left the band in June 1986 taking Bremond, Dalzell and Sherritt, and they formed Johnny Diesel & the Injectors with George Dalstrom as a second guitarist. Keyser then recruited new players John Heussenstamm on guitar and Al Kash on drums (ex-Blackfeather) and went on to record the band's first album,' Don't Go Looking Back', which was released later in 1986 on the Chase label. reaching #59 on the Australian album charts.

Members

Bernie Bremond (saxophone, vocals), John Dalzell (bass), Brett Keyser (vocals),

Mark Lizotte (guitar, vocals), Yak Sherritt (drums), Russell Riley (keyboards),

John Heussanstamm (guitar), Al Kash (drums), Paul Luckas (piano), Jamie Manifis (guitar),

Dave Skewes (keyboards), Brett Townshend (sax)

SINGLES

Lebanon

18 JUN '84

#98

Dangerous

11 AUG '86

#97

References

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Innocent_Bystanders

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