THE PROMISE

Brisbane band The Promise formed in 1983 out of the core of local band Subway who slogged around the pub scene playing covers. Members were Kerry Dunne (bass), David Barraclough (guitar) and Greg Herbert (lead vocals and guitar). The drummer left for Kids In The Kitchen and the keyboard player left for Sydney cult band, The Mind Sweepers. Their replacements were Martin Begent and Mark Ovenden. Queensland entrepreneurs Alan and Cath Barker managed the band almost from the beginning and were instrumental in propelling the band to the national stage. The band's first single was on indie label Down Under ''Living In A) Fault Line World / Love Made Me Weird''.

The band’s first single was ''Heart to Sell'' on Festival Records subsidiary Parole was released in 1984. The track was a dark, dance-focused piece and was well received making Brisbane’s Top 30. The follow-up single ''Walking with a Weight'' (1985) improved on that score and reached Top 30 in Brisbane and Adelaide and #61 nationally. ''Will you come back again?'' (1985) produced by Eddie Rayner and ''Lessons in Love'' (1987) followed these releases as the band built its considerable live following. This included both supporting the premier Australian bands of the time including INXS, The Models, Kids in the Kitchen, Australian Crawl, The Divinyls (Festival Hall, Brisbane), The Angels, The Radiators and iconic New Zealand bands Split Enz and D.D. Smash as well as headlining their own shows.

The Promise headlined in many venues in Sydney including Sweethearts, The Manzil Room and the Picadilly as well as East Leagues club in Brisbane. A high point was selling out three consecutive nights at Le Rox, Adelaide in 1985 on the back of the success of ''Walking with a Weight'' in that city. The band released their album 'One in Every Colour' in 1987 and toured nationally to support its release including supporting Jethro Tull and Chris de Burgh at the Sydney Entertainment Centre.

The Promise also made numerous television appearances including having the videos of ''Heart to Sell'' and ''Walking with a Weight'' screened on the iconic Australian pop/rock program - Countdown. The band also appeared on Hey Hey its Saturday in both Brisbane and Melbourne performing 'Heart to Sell' and 'Next Time' in Brisbane and 'Walking with a Weight' in Melbourne.

The Promise also appeared on Australia's longest running and most successful show - A Country Practice along with then Prime Minister, Bob Hawke.While The Promise didn't realise their full potential, they have left an enduring legacy of great music and memorable live performances that still resonate for many of their fans today. They were the next big thing behind INXS and Crowed House but fell apart on the eve of their American signing.

Members

Greg Herbert (vocals / guitar), David Barraclough (guitar), Kerry Dunne (bass), 

Mark Ovenden (keyboards), Martin Begent (drums), Paul Blahuta (drums),

Derek Lee (keyboards, guitars, sax)

SINGLES

Heart to Sell

1 OCT '84

#94

Walking With a Weight

27 MAY '85

#61

References

80s Dreamer: The PROMISE - rediscovered 80s POP gold!

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