Venetians was an Australian synthpop act formed in 1982 by English-born Rik Swinn on lead vocals, who enlisted Matthew Hughes on keyboards (ex-Gotham City); Tim Powles on drums (ex-Ward 13); Dave Skeet on guitar, bass guitar, synthesiser and vocals; and Peter Watson on guitar, bass guitar, synthesiser and vocals (ex-Scandal, Extractors).
The Venetians released their first single, "Sound on Sound", in April 1983, which is a version of Swinn's original demo. The track was written by Swinn. The band signed with Festival Records' Parole Records label. It was accompanied by a music video which attracted airplay, "Sound on Sound", and reached the Kent Music Report Singles Chart top 100. It was regarded as a 'turntable hit' following airplay on national radio station, Triple J. Their second single, "Chinese I's (Here Come the Minute Men)" (November 1983), which The Canberra Times' writer observed, "is being heard lots at the moment, both on television and on radio," while the band began to build their reputation as a live act on the pub circuit.
Their third single ''Ooh La La / Things in July 1984 which failed to chart. They supported Split Enz on the Australian leg of their Enz with a Bang farewell tour in October–November 1984. This led to tours supporting Icehouse and Nik Kershaw. The Venetians released their debut album, 'Step Off the Edge', in May 1985, which was produced by Coppersmith-Heaven. Australian musicologist, Ian McFarlane, observed, "they began to transcend their cult following" while the album was, "somewhat tentative. By 1985 they were an Australian live attraction in their own right.
The Venetians released their first single, "Sound on Sound", in April 1983, which is a version of Swinn's original demo. The track was written by Swinn. The band signed with Festival Records' Parole Records label. It was accompanied by a music video which attracted airplay, "Sound on Sound", and reached the Kent Music Report Singles Chart top 100. It was regarded as a 'turntable hit' following airplay on national radio station, Triple J. Their second single, "Chinese I's (Here Come the Minute Men)" (November 1983), which The Canberra Times' writer observed, "is being heard lots at the moment, both on television and on radio," while the band began to build their reputation as a live act on the pub circuit.
Their third single ''Ooh La La / Things in July 1984 which failed to chart. They supported Split Enz on the Australian leg of their Enz with a Bang farewell tour in October–November 1984. This led to tours supporting Icehouse and Nik Kershaw. The Venetians released their debut album, 'Step Off the Edge', in May 1985, which was produced by Coppersmith-Heaven. Australian musicologist, Ian McFarlane, observed, "they began to transcend their cult following" while the album was, "somewhat tentative. By 1985 they were an Australian live attraction in their own right.
Near the end of 1985 the Venetians went into the studio with producer Mark Opitz to record two tracks, which were issued as their next single, "So Much For Love / 10" (December 1985). ''So Much For Love'' turned out to be their most successful single reaching #8 on the charts. The band started working with producer, Peter Blyton, on their second album, 'Calling In The Lions' (June 1986). The Venetians embarked on a two-month Australian tour, with the Church, and released a follow-up single, "Inspiration" (March 1986), which reached the top 40. Lisa Wallace of The Canberra Times opined that the two singles, "are undoubtedly the best parts of this album. Casting them aside, it slows a little, although there's some good, solid rock and striking harmonies there to be found."
A third single, "If Somebody Loves You" (June 1986), was issued from 'Calling In The Lions'. The album and "So Much for Love" were re-released via Chrysalis Records in the United States in 1987. The single was issued with a remixed by Robert Racic and Stephen Orkins as well as an extended Rock Mix, which reached #1 on the Chicago Dance Chart. "One from the Heart", track 3, on both the US and Australian pressings was picked up for used in an episode of Miami Vice in 1986. Music videos were provided for "So Much for Love", "Inspiration" and "If Somebody Loves You" for MTV in the US. All three were directed by Alex Proyas (Crowded House, INXS), a film director whose credits include The Crow and Dark City.
With the departure of Matthew Hughes in 1987, the Venetians spent the next year as a four-piece recording their third album, 'Amazing World' (July 1988), with producer Mark Goldenberg and later Mark Opitz. The album was mixed at Electric Lady Studios in New York by Michael Frondelli who had worked with Billy Idol and Pat Benatar. It provided three singles, "Amazing World" (November 1987), "Bitter Tears" (May 1988) and "Must Believe" (September). "Bitter Tears" reached the ARIA Singles Chart top 30 while 'Amazing World' peaked in the top 50 on the related ARIA Albums Chart. In July 1988 Swinn called in Steve Bull on bass guitar and Lee Borkman on keyboards. The band broke up in the following year.
Members
Rik Swinn (vocals), David Skeet (guitar, vocals), Matthew Hughes (keyboards), Peter Watson (bass), Tim Powles (drums), Steve Bull (bass), Lee Borkman (keyboards)
''Sound On Sound (#85) / Son Sur Son'' 1983 Parole
''Chinese I's (Here Come The Minute Men) (#63) / Fundamental Principles'' 1983 Parole
''Ooh La La / Things'' 1984 Parole
''Shine The Light (#91) / If London Were Venice'' 1985 Parole
''So Much For Love (#8) / 10'' 1985 Parole
''Inspiration (#39) / Here Comes The Rain'' 1986 Parole
''If Somebody Loves You (#67) / Voices'' 1986 Parole
''Let It All Go / Ooh La La'' 1986 Parole
''Amazing World (#77) / Another Amazing World'' 1987 Parole
''Bitter Tears (Edited Version) (#24) / Heartbeat'' 1988 Parole
''Must Believe (#81) / Looks Like Love'' 1988 Parole
'Step off the Edge' (#97) 1985 Parole
'Calling in the Lions' (#33) 1986 Parole
'Amazing World' (#41) 1988 Parole
References
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Venetians_%28Australian_band%29
http://top100singles.blogspot.com.au/
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